A House Sitter Can Make the Best Pet Sitter

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

While you might love to take your pets along whenever you travel, bringing them along can often be hard. Pets can feel stressed in the cargo of a plane or carsick during long rides — and there is the matter of whether your accommodation or destination is pet-friendly. If those scenarios made you pause, then booking pet care services is the answer to keeping your pet safe and happy while you’re away.

There are many types of pet care services but house sitting is a popular choice for pet parents who are away for a longer period of time. House sitting is when a person looks after your pets and your home while you’re away. While house sitting can be for homes without a pet, pets are the primary reason house sitting services are needed.

So when you look for a house sitter, why not find your house sitter through a pet-specific network like Rover? Read on to learn the benefits of house sitting, tips to finding a quality house sitter, and what to expect of the service.

Benefits of House Sitting for Homeowners

Leaving your house vacant for a long period of time can lead to mail pile-ups and an overgrown lawn—not to mention making it more vulnerable to break-ins. House sitting solves two key problems with one solution: Your pets can live at home where they are most comfortable while the sitter provides care and the appearance that someone is home.

The degree of care ultimately depends on what you need or want. For example, the scope of a house sitter’s work can range from multiple drop-in visits to acting as a full-time caretaker who stays overnight for several days or weeks.

We broke out the benefits of house sitting into more specific categories below. Depending on what the sitter and you agree upon, a house sitter may take on some or all of these responsibilities:

Ultimately, there are many house sitters who can meet your needs and the key is to know how to search and vet them.

How Does House Sitting on Rover Work?

House sitters on Rover are ideal for pet parents who are prioritizing their pet’s needs first and house maintenance second. The benefits searching on Rover include finding someone who is familiar with your city or neighborhood and mutually reviewed by local pet parents. Read each individual review to get a sense of a sitter’s compatibility with your pets. As you search, keep in mind that some sitter rates may represent pet care services only.

Once you find a house sitter you like, reach out with your care details, house expectations, and house sitting questions to see if they’re a good match. Some examples you could include in your initial message include:

• Number of pets to care for: Each pet should have their own profile on your Rover account in order to qualify for the Rover Guarantee.
• Hours per day: Mention whether you expect the pet sitter to stay overnight or provide 24/7 care.
• Sample house responsibilities: Let the sitter know if you want them to do light maintenance tasks (watering plants) or more involved housework (taking out garbage).
• Pet personalities and expectations: Make sure to highlight any unique behaviors that influence the level of care your pet needs.

We recommend being upfront about your expectations around household tasks to make sure everyone’s on the same page from the beginning.

bulentumut via iStock

Benefits of Paid vs. Unpaid House Sitters

Keep in mind that what a house sitter will or can do may depends on whether you are hiring a paid or unpaid house sitter. Paid house sitters often have a set rate that can change, depending on the scope of responsibilities, where as exchanging accommodation for pet care (unpaid) can mean more restrictions on responsibilities. Knowing the style of house sitter you want can make a difference in early communication and job satisfaction.

Pros and cons of paid house sitters

A paid house sitter most likely does this work professionally and has more experience in specific pet or household tasks. You’ll pay the house sitter a fee for their time and energy, usually by an hourly or day rate. Paid house sitter rates can change depending on their experience, the level of pet care, length of stay, and required household tasks.

It can be expensive to hire an experienced house sitter if you’re planning a long trip or have very involved property management needs. You can find house sitters through Rover, by word-of-mouth, or through a local agency.

Pros and cons of unpaid house sitters

Unpaid house sitting is a growing area for people who like to travel. In this exchange, you submit the house sitting arrangements as a “job” on a site and people apply to be a house sitter. Upon agreement, they will care for your pets and home.

This upside to this arrangement is the low cost for pet care as it’s often free. The potential risks may vary, depending on who you make this arrangement with and your expectations for their stay.

Unpaid house sitting tends to work best for pets who have a simple care routine and minimal housework. If you require more involved tasks or experienced pet knowledge, you may find more peace of mind with a professional house sitter.

How To Find a Trustworthy, Reliable House Sitter

Before you let someone into your home and give them access to your beloved pets, you’ll probably want some reassurance you can trust them.

House sitting is an unregulated industry, and without licenses or professional organizations to vet potential sitters, finding a reliable pro can feel like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be, if you know what to look for!

• Background checks: Only consider house sitters who pass independent background checks for maximum safety.
• Check reviews: Look for sitters with plenty of positive reviews and references from previous clients. Also pay attention to sitters who have experience with specific tasks you need—like walking large-breed dogs or giving medicine to pets.
• Meet face-to-face: Ask your sitter to meet in a public space before you commit. It’s one thing to chat through a screen, but seeing and talking to a sitter in person can help you gauge their vibe, check for red flags and green flags, and form a connection.

Rover helps you tick all these boxes directly through our website. All our sitters must pass background checks to appear in listings. Plus, with public reviews and meeting scheduling built in, you can rest easy knowing your sitter is the right one for your pets and house.

FAQs About House Sitting on Rover

How much does house sitting cost?

House sitters on Rover usually charge between $45 to $75 per day, but this can vary depending on the number of pets, the household chore list, and the cost of living in your city. You might also consider adding a tip.

Is house sitting a 24-hour commitment?

House sitting isn’t always a full-day commitment. Some house sitters might live full-time on your property, while others might only stop by for an hour or two every day. You and your sitter can coordinate the right arrangement for your situation before you book the service.

Is house sitting the same as pet sitting?

House sitters often take care of pets, but this isn’t the only focus of their job. A house sitter can do some chores around your home, but it’s up the house sitter to agree to requested tasks. Some house sitters may be fine doing dishes and taking garbage out but say no to yard work.

For pet parents prioritizing pet care first, we recommend having a must-have and a nice-to-have list of tasks. This can help you feel more confident with your house sitter choice.

Why do some homeowners prefer house sitting to boarding?

While boarding can be just fine for some dogs and cats, it’s not right for every pet. Older, anxious, or special-needs pets may find boarding too stressful and confining. Plus, if you’re planning a longer trip, you might not want them to stay cramped in a small kennel for weeks on end.

House sitting allows your pet to continue their regular routines at home. While they’ll undoubtedly miss you, they’ll get to stay safe and comfortable with a new friend while they wait for your return!