How much to charge for pet sitting
Pet sitting is priced per drop-in visit or per overnight, scaled by pets and needs. Recurring clients on a regular route are the steady income, and holidays are a clear, expected premium.
You should charge
$29
per visit · typical $18–$55
Why this number. Put a holiday premium in writing before peak season, and bundle recurring clients into a route. Naming the holiday rate in advance removes the awkward ask, and clients booking Thanksgiving travel expect to pay it.
Typical pet sitting prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Drop-in visit (30 min) | $18 – $35 |
| Overnight stay | $50 – $100 |
| Additional pet (same home) | $5 – $15 |
What changes the price
- Drop-in visit vs. overnight stay
- Number and type of pets
- Medication or special needs
- Holidays and peak travel weeks
The pricing move most people miss
Put a holiday premium in writing before peak season, and bundle recurring clients into a route. Naming the holiday rate in advance removes the awkward ask, and clients booking Thanksgiving travel expect to pay it.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for pet sitting?+
Most pet sitting is priced $18–$55 per visit, with a typical rate around $30 per visit. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to drop-in visit vs. overnight stay and number and type of pets. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
What is the best way to price pet sitting?+
Most pet sitting is priced per visit, which is easy for clients to understand. Set a clear minimum so small jobs still cover your time and travel, and bundle add-ons into packages to lift the average ticket rather than discounting.
How much should I charge for pet sitting as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $18 to $30 per visit. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $55.
What affects how much pet sitting costs?+
The biggest factors are drop-in visit vs. overnight stay; number and type of pets; medication or special needs; holidays and peak travel weeks. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote pet sitting so the client says yes?+
Put a holiday premium in writing before peak season, and bundle recurring clients into a route. Naming the holiday rate in advance removes the awkward ask, and clients booking Thanksgiving travel expect to pay it. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.