What Are Normal Pet Sitting Rates?
In this article, we explore the average costs of professional pet sitting across different animals, service types, and regions — helping pet parents make informed, confident choices when hiring care for their beloved companions.
Average Pet Sitting Rates
While many caring individuals offer pet sitting as a labor of love, professional pet sitters set fees based on time, responsibility, and expertise. According to industry research, the average daily pet sitting rate in the U.S. ranges from $20 to $40. In the UK, the typical daily rate is around £25.
However, “pet sitting” covers far more than just cats and dogs — and rates shift significantly depending on species, duration, and scope of care. To help you budget accurately, we’ve broken down common service tiers below.
U.S. Pet Sitting Rates
- Average 30-minute drop-in visit: $25
- Average 60-minute drop-in visit: $32
- Average overnight stay (per night): $75–$85
UK Pet Sitting Rates
- Average hourly drop-in visit: £10–£15
- Average half-day visit: £30
- Average full-day visit: £40–£50
- Average overnight stay (per night): £60
As you can see, location and service type have a major impact on pricing. Keep in mind: the highest price doesn’t always mean the best fit. Experience, reliability, and genuine animal empathy matter most — and FurPetVo helps you find exactly that.
Pet Sitting for Multiple Animals
Many families share their homes with more than one pet — and professional sitters typically charge an additional $5 per extra animal. While drop-in visits offer flexibility compared to traditional boarding, costs can add up quickly. To understand how pet sitting differs from kennel or cattery care, visit the FurPetVo blog.
Small Pet Sitting Rates
Unlike cats and dogs, small pets like hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds rarely receive live-in care from professional sitters. Instead, most owners rely on drop-in visits or specialized boarding facilities.
Based on research across trusted pet care platforms, small pet boarding and drop-in rates generally range from $5 to $15 per day — consistently lower than cat or dog sitting fees. But don’t mistake affordability for simplicity: small pets demand consistent, attentive care. For example, rabbits require daily playtime, constant access to hay, and regular monitoring — because going without food for just 12 hours can trigger life-threatening gastrointestinal stasis.
Large Animal Sitting Costs
For horses, donkeys, pigs, alpacas, and other large animals, sitting fees vary widely based on species, location, and specific responsibilities — such as feeding, turnout, grooming, or exercise.
Finding qualified sitters for these animals remains challenging. Many rural and hobby-farm owners delay travel entirely due to limited local options. FurPetVo is actively expanding its network of experienced large-animal caregivers — so no pet parent has to choose between adventure and peace of mind.
House Sitting Rates (No Pets Required)
Not every home needs pet care — but all homes benefit from thoughtful oversight. House sitters often manage plant watering, pool maintenance, mail collection, and general security while owners are away.
In the UK, professional house sitters charge between £18.50 and £33 per day. In Australia, the average is $25–$30 per day — rising to about $50 for an overnight stay. Whether your home is bustling with pets or peacefully pet-free, FurPetVo connects you with trustworthy, vetted sitters through furpetvo.com.
