The Complete Guide to Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Rates: Finding Your True Value in 2025

The Rate Dilemma

How much should I charge for dog sitting, cat sitting, pet sitting, dog walking, and pet care?

If you're a pet sitter or dog walker, you've probably asked yourself these question more times than you can count. Maybe you've stared at your phone, cursor blinking in the "rates" section of your website, wondering if your prices are too high (and scaring away potential clients) or too low (and leaving money on the table).

You're not alone. The rate question is a big source of anxiety for new pet sitters and dog walkers and a persistent challenge even for industry veterans. It's the crossroads where your passion for animals meets the reality of running a sustainable business.

This journey matters because getting your rates wrong doesn't just affect your income—it determines whether your pet sitting business thrives or burns out. Too many talented pet care providers exit the industry not because they don't love the work, but because they couldn't make the numbers work.

In this guide, we'll walk through everything from market rates to crafting your unique pricing strategy, helping you find rates that reflect your true worth. Let's get started!

Average Pet Sitting Rates for 2025

Before diving into what you should charge, let's look at the current landscape. Understanding the market gives you a foundation to build upon, even if you ultimately decide to position yourself differently.

As of 2025, here's what pet sitting and dog walking professionals are charging across the United States:

Note: These rates have been updated for 2025 based on inflation and market trends.

Overnight Pet Sitting Rates

You probably noticed that overnight pet sitting commands significantly higher rates than daytime visits. This premium exists for good reason—overnight care typically includes:

• Evening care and feeding

• Sleeping at the client's home (with all the responsibilities that entails)

• Morning care before departure

• 8-12 hours of continuous presence and supervision

Most overnight stays cost between $75-$120 nationally, with urban areas like New York City commanding prices up to $175 per night. Successful pet sitters structure their overnight services in tiers, from basic overnight presence to premium packages that include additional services.

Location Matters

Where you operate your business has an enormous impact on what you can (and should) charge. In New York City, the average rate for a 30-minute dog walk is around $33, while in California it averages $26 according to recent surveys.

Urban pet sitters can typically charge 30-40% more than the national average, reflecting higher costs of living and greater demand density. Meanwhile, rural sitters generally charge 15-25% less, reflecting local economic conditions.

But here's the crucial part: these numbers are just a starting point. They tell you what the market is doing, not what YOU should charge.

The True Value Behind Your Rates

"$30 for a half-hour visit with my cat? That seems steep."

You've probably heard this before. Clients don't see that pet sitting and dog walking is like an iceberg; the visible service is just the tip of what you deliver. Understanding this reality is essential for setting rates that allow your business to thrive, not just survive.

Let's imagine Jessica, a new pet sitter in Portland. Jessica matched competitors' $20 rate for 30-minute visits. Six months later, despite a packed schedule, she was barely covering expenses.

"When I tracked my time," Jessica explains, "I discovered each '30-minute visit' actually consumed nearly an hour of my workday. Between travel, client updates, and administration, I was effectively making $12 an hour—below minimum wage after expenses."

Her experience reveals the two-sided reality of pet sitting and dog walking.

What clients see (the 30%): the in-home time with their pet, feeding, walking, and hands-on care, photos and updates, and secure property management.

What's under the surface (the 70%): travel time (15-30 minutes per visit), scheduling and client coordination, professional knowledge and emergency preparedness, business costs (insurance, education, supplies), and the mental and emotional responsibility

This hidden reality also explains why smart pricing isn't linear. A 60-minute visit shouldn't cost twice as much as a 30-minute visit since many costs remain constant. A more sustainable model:

• 30-minute visit: $30

• 60-minute visit: $45 (not $60)

• 15-minute quick check: $20 (not $15)

Calculating What You're Really Worth

Instead of copying competitors who may be undercharging, start with what you actually need to sustain your business:

Let's apply this to Jessica's pet sitting business:

The Financial Requirements:

• Annual Income Goal: $50,000

• Business Expenses: $15,000

  • Transportation: ~$7.00 per 10-mile round trip ($0.70/mile 2025 IRS rate)

  • Insurance/Bonding: $450-750 annually (specialized pet sitter insurance)

  • Supplies & Equipment: $500-700 yearly

  • Professional Development: $300-500 annually

• Self-Employment Tax (15.3%): $7,650

• Income Tax Allowance (~10%): $5,000

• Total Needed: $77,650

The Time Reality:

• Weekly Hours: 40

• Working Weeks: 46 (accounting for vacation/sick time)

• Total Working Hours: 1,840

• Billable Percentage: 65% (industry standard for service businesses)

• Actual Billable Hours: 1,196

Result: $65/hour or ~$32.50 per 30-minute pet sitting visit

This figure—often higher than what many new sitters charge—reflects economic reality. For each apparent "30-minute visit," you're actually investing 50-80 minutes of your time when you include:

• 10-30 minutes travel

• 5-10 minutes client communications

• 5-10 minutes scheduling and record-keeping

• Proportional time for business maintenance

Remember: Choosing rates isn't just about market averages—it's about building a sustainable business that values your expertise, time, and the profound responsibility you take on with each pet in your care. In a world where inflation has driven up expenses for transportation, insurance, and supplies, your pricing must reflect these realities to create a thriving pet care business.

Technology: Reducing Costs While Increasing Rates

Many pet sitters initially resist investing in software, seeing it only as another expense. What they discover is that the right technology actually pays for itself in two ways: reducing your operational costs and justifying higher rates.

On the cost side, specialized pet sitting software dramatically reduces those unpaid administrative hours. The most valuable systems handle scheduling, client onboarding, payment processing, and visit management—tasks that otherwise consume evenings and weekends. For most sitters, this translates to saving 5-10 hours weekly of unbillable time. But the greater impact comes from how technology transforms client perception. Today's pet parents aren't just comparing you to other pet sitters—they're comparing you to every other service provider in their lives. When they can book flights, order groceries, and schedule haircuts online, they expect the same convenience from pet care.

Professional pet sitting software like Scritches creates this polished client experience through online booking, automated confirmations, and streamlined payment processing. This professionalism allows you to position your service as premium, appealing to clients who value convenience and are willing to pay for it.

The most successful sitters view software not as an expense, but as a strategic investment that reduces costs while increasing revenue. By saving administrative time and positioning your service as professional and convenient, you create the perfect justification for rates that truly reflect the full value of what you provide.

The Client Compatibility Question

As you establish your rates, you'll quickly discover that not every potential client is the right fit for your business. This realization is a crucial milestone in your professional journey.

Communicating Value, Not Just Price

When presenting your rates to clients, focus on the value you provide:

Instead of:

"My rate is $30 per visit."

Try:

"My standard care visit is $30, which includes personalized attention to your pet's needs, feeding according to your instructions, fresh water, potty breaks, play time, and secure property checks. You'll also receive updates after each visit."

This approach shifts the conversation from price to value. If the client doesn't understand your value or places a larger emphasis on low prices, then you have another decision to make.

When to Respectfully Decline

Certain situations should prompt you to politely pass on a service request:

• The client expects rates significantly below your standard pricing

• The location falls far outside your efficient service area

• The pets have needs beyond your training or comfort level

• The client shows early signs of being difficult to work with

Many new pet sitters and dog walkers make the mistake of accepting every client, fearful of turning away business. In reality, saying "no" to poor-fit clients creates space for ideal clients who value your services appropriately.

Art of the Graceful Decline

When declining service requests, maintain professionalism with a response like:

"Thank you for considering my services. After reviewing your needs, I believe you might be better served by another provider who specializes in [specific requirement]. While my business focuses on [your specialty], it sounds like you need [different specialty]. I'd be happy to refer you to a colleague who might be a better fit."

This approach preserves the relationship and positions you as helpful rather than dismissive.

Crafting Your Rate Structure

After calculating your expenses and researching your market, it's time to design a pricing strategy that works for both your business and your clients. According to Collin Funkhouser, professional pet sitter interviewed by Care.com, the key is to "make sure to make it worth your time financially, before you say yes" to any client request.

Begin by establishing baseline prices for your core offerings. Most professional pet sitters structure their services around visit duration:

• Quick visits (15 minutes): Perfect for simple check-ins or potty breaks

• Standard visits (30 minutes): The most common service, allowing time for basic care

• Extended visits (45-60 minutes): Ideal for pets needing more attention or exercise

• Overnight sitting: Your highest-value service, typically including evening through morning care

Consider creating tiered service packages that give clients options while streamlining your offerings. For example:

This tiered approach lets clients choose their comfort level while creating natural upsell opportunities.

Special Circumstances That Justify Additional Fees

Your base rates cover standard services, but certain situations require premium pricing. As veterinarian Dr. Jo Myers notes, "Once you start taking care of three or more dogs, there's no getting around the fact that it's more work".

Holiday Surcharges:
Implement a structured holiday pricing system:

• Major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's): 25-50% premium

• Minor holidays (Labor Day, Memorial Day): 25% premium

• Create and publish a holiday calendar annually so clients can plan accordingly

Additional Pet Pricing:
For households with more than one pet, implement a fair incremental fee structure:

• Additional dogs: $5-10 per pet per visit

• Additional cats: $3-5 per pet per visit

• Small pets (birds, fish, etc.): $2-3 per pet per visit

This acknowledges the extra work without making your services cost-prohibitive for multi-pet homes.

Specialized Care Requirements:
Services requiring extra training or attention should command premium rates:

• Medication administration: $5-15 additional, depending on complexity

• Special dietary preparation: $3-8 additional

• Senior or special needs pets: 15-25% premium

• Puppies and high-energy dogs: 10-20% premium

With a clearly structured pricing system, both you and your clients know exactly what to expect, preventing misunderstandings while ensuring your time is properly valued.

Increasing Rates Over Time

As you gain experience and build your reputation, raising your rates becomes both necessary and appropriate. This step often causes anxiety, but it's essential for long-term sustainability.

When to Implement Increases

Consider raising your rates when:

• Your schedule is consistently full

• You haven't increased rates in 12+ months

• Your expenses have increased significantly

• You've added new services or enhanced existing ones

• You've gained additional certifications or training

• Local market rates have increased

Most successful pet sitting businesses implement small annual increases (5-10%) rather than infrequent larger jumps, which can be more difficult for clients to accept.

The Implementation Strategy

Follow these steps to implement rate increases with minimal client loss:

1. Provide at least 30 days' notice before implementing new rates

2. Explain the reasons for the increase (rising costs, enhanced services)

3. Detail any new benefits or services you've added

4. Consider grandfathering long-term clients at lower rates for a transitional period

5. Present the increase in both percentage and dollar terms

6. Implement increases during busy seasons when your services are in highest demand

With proper communication and timing, most clients will accept reasonable rate increases, understanding that your costs rise just as theirs do in other areas of life.

Finding Your Sweet Spot

Finding your "sweet spot" in pricing is about striking a balance that works for both your business and your market. You'll know you've found it when you're attracting your ideal clients who truly value quality care, your schedule is comfortably full without being overwhelming, and you’re able to cover all your business expenses and personal needs. At the same time, you’ll feel confident about the value you provide relative to your rates and have room for occasional pro bono work or discounts when the situation calls for it. This sweet spot isn't fixed; it will evolve as your business grows, the market shifts, and your needs change. The key is to stay aware of how these factors interact and be ready to adjust as necessary.

The Freedom of Proper Pricing

When you charge rates that truly reflect your value, something remarkable happens: you gain freedom. Freedom from financial stress, freedom to provide exceptional service rather than rushing between too many clients, and freedom to enjoy the work that drew you to pet sitting in the first place.

Proper pricing isn't just about making more money—it's about creating a sustainable business that allows you to provide the best possible care for pets while taking care of yourself too.

Your expertise, compassion, and reliability are worthy of fair compensation. The clients who recognize that value are the ones you want to build your business around.

This guide was created by the team at Scritches, drawing on industry data and business principles to help pet care professionals build sustainable businesses. We're committed to supporting pet sitters & dog walkers with the tools and resources they need to succeed while providing exceptional care.