Pet Sitting Des Moines
Book a pet sitter to stop by your home a few times a day to feed and play with your pet.
Over 722 pet parents in Des Moines have booked pet sitting
Des Moines, Find top rated pet sitting
Prices are estimates per visit. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.
About: I go by Emmy, by the way! Life-long animal lover and owner. I am currently spoiling two dogs, two gerbils, and a planted tank of various aquatic wildlife but have also had lizards and other rodents in the past. I have been mom to dogs who have lived to be 16 and some who lived to be 5 due to various ailments. I discovered I enjoy taking care of special needs dogs and give them the best life they can dream of, especially if they have a tough go before they come to me. I home make dog food, drive my dogs in their car seats for weekly pupcups, and have weekly spa days where I make them smell less stinky. As long as I can fit my own personal daily needs and routines, I can fit watching your pets or house whenever it is needed. I only ask that you be within 5 miles of downtown. One of my dogs is currently in training to get along with stranger dogs, so I will need to do drop bys (no outside animals in my home for now). In their own home, I would just stick to the routine as closely as possible. I also don't like just running in and out, I will give your pet all the love and attention while I'm there. I can also be a pet taxi or just drive your pet for pup cups!
“Kayla provided excellent cat care for my two kitties over the holidays. I have one cat with anxiety who takes medication and Kayla was able to keep her calm and administer the medication with no issues. My cats warmed up to Kayla immediately and they were totally calm when I returned home. My home was in great condition, including the litter box, when I returned. Communication & photos were consistently great while I was away. I would be thrilled to rebook Kayla for pet sitting again in the future.”
“Absolutely amazing! This was my first time trying Rover and I look forward to using it again! Christina was amazing and responded quickly to my very short notice request. She was loving and caring to my 2 cats and my crazy high energy German Shepard. 10/10 would book with her again and will recommend to any fur parents I know in the future!”
“Katherine did great with our 3 YO Lab and our rescued 8MO newly rescued pup! She did an extra "meet & greet" since we adopted the pup after we had booked the drop-ins for one dog. She was on time, sent multiple photos to assure us the two were doing great, and left an extra note to let us know of a small problem the pup had while we were away. Great 1st assignment!”
About: I have been working with dogs for years in daycare and shelter settings. I have managed play groups of up to 80 dogs, handled dog breeds of all sizes and ages, managed feeding schedules and medication administration, etc. I’m a college student with a pretty flexible schedule!! I would love to care for your pets, or even just take them on a walk :) House sitting and dog sitting go hand in hand - I will care for your home and for your pup all in one. Leave as many instructions as makes you comfortable!!
“Mackenzie is super reliable and I trust them to give my dog the care she needs and be in my home while I’m at work! I love getting the videos and pictures that they send me”
“Monica was absolutely amazing! Our cat Nala escaped prior to us leaving and was gone for 6 days before we found her. She only had 2 days with us before we left town. Monica was so incredibly understanding with Nala’s extra needs while we were away. We needed to adjust our schedule to have her come daily and Monica was quick to adjust for us. It made me feel so much more at ease knowing Monica was there to check in on her. She always stayed the allotted 30 minutes and was patient with Nala even when Nala didn’t want to be bothered. Monica sent an amazing report card with pictures, which made me feel even more comfortable leaving her behind after returning home from her big adventure. We can’t wait to use Monica again!”
“Troy was awesome with Asher!! Left very detailed feedback, and got him some much needed exercise during the day while I'm gone. Asher was very tired after, which is the goal! I have no complaints and would recommend to anyone looking to supplement some socialization and exercise for their pets.”
About: I’ve been around animals my entire life and have extensive hands-on experience caring for them in different settings. I grew up with dogs and have been pet sitting for both dogs and cats for many years. I have also worked at a doggy daycare, where I gained experience working with a variety of different breeds and temperaments, as well as managing group play. Beyond companion animals, I have professional experience as a zoo keeper and animal behavior researcher. I have worked at the Cincinnati Zoo and currently work at the Ape Initiative, where I am responsible for the daily husbandry of six bonobos. I also have animal training experience and once trained a goat to complete an obstacle course! Locally, I also worked with Drake University’s Live Mascot Program caring for Griff II, our live bulldog mascot. I helped with his day-to-day care, attended events with him, and administered allergy shots. I’m really excited to bring this experience to Rover and to get to know and care for your pets as if they were my own. I currently work part-time as a zoo keeper at the Ape Initiative, which allows me flexibility in my schedule to provide pet care services. I am available for drop-in visits on Saturdays, and on weekdays at any time except Wednesdays and Thursdays before 2:30 PM. I provide all care in my clients’ homes so pets can stay in their normal, comfortable environment. I stick closely to each pet’s routine and any instructions given, including feeding, litter box care, enrichment, and companionship during visits. I always prioritize a calm, low-stress approach and pay attention to each pet’s body language so they feel safe and cared for while you’re away. I also treat every home with respect and make sure everything is clean and tidy after each visit. I will also send plenty of updates and photos so you can see all the fun we’re having together!
“Kayla was great! She was friendly and immediately loved on our cat during our initial meet and greet! She was prompt with her drop ins and kept us well informed while we were away! Her report cards were fun to read and she always included great pics to let us know the cat was well taken care of!”
About: Hello! Caring for and playing with your pup everyday wound be a privilege! I am a stay at home dad so your pup would always be with someone! I’ve had dogs my whole life, but in the recent years my passion for training my dogs has increased. I’ve had dogs anywhere from 2 weeks old to 10 years old. I’ve successfully trained my dogs to sit, lay, stay, give paws, walk without leashes, potty train, and many more things. Along with this, recently I’ve began working with other pet owners and their dogs to improve their dogs performance. I’m very excited to get to work with your dogs! We have been blessed with lots of outside space! We have a fenced in backyard so your furry friend can play with others! Our mission is to make your pup have a mini vacation while you do! We also love having weekly visitors! If you’d like your pup to have playtime frequently, you’ve found the right place! So please let us know any special requests you might have that’ll make your pup happy and keep your mind at ease! We’re all excited to meet you and your special friend! Hi! I am a stay home dad so your pup will never be alone 😊 they will get plenty of bathroom breaks, playtime, and constant love and attention! We have fenced in backyard with a lot of outside space for your buddies to run around and have a good time! We are open to your pups roaming around our house if that’s what they do at their home! We’d like to keep a similar routine in our home as you have in yours so you furry friends feel at home!
“There aren’t enough words to express how thankful we are for Alexis!! She communicates so often and so well that I never had to worry about my pup. She is so thorough when tending to our requests and the needs of our pup. She is very experienced and has such an amazing attitude about pet care. My pup can’t wait for Alexis to come back to play!!”
“Thank you for taking care of our babies!! You did a great job and a fantastic job keeping us up to date hiw Daisy and Kimo was doing!!! They were happy to see us back home. Daisy quickly came to the garage door when she heard us!! And yes you forgot the lunch bag. If you want you can still stop by and pick it up. The alligator Daisy had in the middle of the floor, we don’t recognize it. Where did it come from?”
The median cost per visit for pet sitting in Des Moines is $18
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Des Moines
We love having Brad take care of our dogs when we are away in the summer. He does everything he is supposed to and more! He checks in regularly, sends pictures, we added a dog this year and he came over to meet them beforehand and find out what would be new. He even changed our smoke alarm battery because our dog was terrified of it beeping! The dogs love him too.
Book with peace of mind
- Screened pet sitters have passed a third-party background check and show verified reviews from other pet parents, like you.
- Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care. Learn more
- 24/7 support from the Rover team–here to help if you ever need someone to talk to.
Why Choose Rover?
Cashless payments
Book and pay through Rover’s secured platform—no cash or checks required.
Reservation protection
It doesn’t happen often, but if your sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total pet fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
How to book pet sitting
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer pet sitting.
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit.
3. Book & Pay
It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform.
Popular requests for pet sitting - Des Moines
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering pet sitting.Sitters in Des Moines average 6 repeat pet sitting clients
FAQs for Pet Sitting - Des Moines
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Pet Sitting in Des Moines is $20 per visit as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $13 and $29 per visit. On Rover, sitters set their own rates based on factors such as their experience, the length of care, the number of pets, and your pet’s specific needs. As long as your booking dates and pet profiles are accurate, the price shown before you confirm is the total, including any booking fee.
As of October 2026, there are 1,128 sitters on Rover offering Pet Sitting across Des Moines. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
You and your sitter can agree on a care schedule that fits your pet’s routine and the sitter’s availability. Pet Sitting can be booked as a one-time or recurring drop-in visit. If you need overnight care or dog walks, you may also be able to book House Sitting or Dog Walking through Rover with the same sitter, provided they offer those services.
Before booking, confirm:
- the timing, length, and frequency of visits;
- the care instructions the sitter should follow;
- which parts of your pet’s usual routine should be prioritized;
- how often you would like to receive messages, photos, or other updates.
Not every sitter offers the same services, availability, or booking options. Review their profile and discuss the care you need through Rover before booking each service.
If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poop breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available 24/7 by email or chat if you have concerns.
The personalized, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.
Many pet parents provide a spare key or arrange a lockbox. You can also exchange keys during the Meet & Greet and show your walker how to use digital fobs or personalized codes. It helps to arrange access to your home, from spare keys to concierge introductions, before pet care begins.
If you live in an apartment or condo, don’t forget to discuss details like buzzer access, codes, or elevator etiquette. These details can help a pet sitter feel more comfortable going in and out of your building.
Every sitter on Rover is required to pass a background check before listing their services. This process confirms their identity and indicates they are not on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website or have any disqualifying offenses.
Beyond ID checks, you can review each sitter's star rating, read verified reviews from other pet parents, and see how many repeat clients they have. Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to 25,000 in eligible veterinary care. For more details, visit .
The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes 24/7 customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care in the rare event something goes wrong.
All bookings are backed by the , which provides up to 25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Des Moines. On Rover:
- 90% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 95% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 95% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
A Meet & Greet is a casual meeting to vet potential sitters and communicate care needs for peace of mind before a booking begins. Only sitters who have never booked with you before can schedule a Meet & Greet on Rover; however, you are welcome to coordinate one in Rover messages with sitters you have previously booked. This can be helpful if you have a new pet or routine you want to go over with your sitter.
Meet & Greets can take place in person or virtually. If you are booking with a sitter for the first time, we recommend in-person Meet & Greets to get a clearer sense of how your sitter interacts with your pet or the new environment.
During the Meet & Greet, you will have a chance to walk through your pet's routine, medical needs, and unique quirks. Take the time to ask your sitter questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. Meet & Greets are a great way to prepare your pet and sitter for longer stays or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first .
sitters on Rover set their own , which you can find on their profile under their contact information. Sitters may set a same-day, one-, three-, or seven-day cancellation policy. Cancelling within your sitter’s cancellation policy qualifies you for a full refund.
Same-day cancellations for recurring services, which include walks, drop-ins, and day care, follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for pet boarding and house sitting, if you cancel after 12 pm on the applicable cancellation deadline, you’ll receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for any remaining days.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means you will get a full refund and our support team will work with you to find a replacement sitter.
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