Curious about turning cat sitting into a career? With demand for pet sitters on the rise, there’s never been a better time to try, according to the pros at Pet Sitters International (PSI), an educational association for professional pet sitters.
“Since Pet Sitters International’s founding in 1994, we have seen significant growth in the demand for professional pet sitting services as pet ownership has grown, and word has spread about the availability of this in-home service option,” explains Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of PSI. In fact, in a 2024 industry survey, 70 percent of PSI pet-sitting members indicated they expect their revenues to increase this year.
So, how much exactly are cat sitters charging? Here’s a look at average cat sitting rates in 2025 across the country, plus expert advice on how to set your own prices competitively.
Average cat sitting rates in 2025
According to recent Care.com data, the average cat sitting rate for a one-hour visit is $15.54. Rates vary mostly based on location due to cost of living differences around the country, and here are a few examples:
Current posted cat sitting rates per hour in top U.S. cities*
| City, State | Average hourly cat sitter rate |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $14.16/hour |
| Brooklyn, New York | $18.24/hour |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $13.02/hour |
| Chicago, Illinois | $17.41/hour |
| Denver, Colorado | $19.16/hour |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | $15.25/hour |
| Los Angeles, California | $19.36/hour |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | $16.85/hour |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $14.03/hour |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $16.57/hour |
| Portland, Oregon | $17.83/hour |
| San Antonio, Texas | $12.69/hour |
| Seattle, Washington | $21.02/hour |
| Tampa, Florida | $14.64/hour |
Cat sitting rates vs. dog sitting rates
Cat sitting is often more flexible for pet sitters than dog sitting which usually makes it less expensive, explains Kristin Morrison, pet business coach and author of six pet business books. “If there’s no medication involved, those caring for cats may be able to visit them at whatever time they choose, whereas with dogs, spacing time appropriately between visits is necessary due to the needed outdoor potty breaks and exercise,” says Morris, who is also the host of Prosperous Pet Business Podcast and founder of Six-Figure Pet Business Academy.
In general, dog sitting is also more likely to require overnight visits, whereas cat visits can be kept to one to two visits a day, Morrison says. “But contrary to popular belief, most cats get lonely so spending the visit time focused on the cat rather than being distracted during a visit will leave the cat feeling connected and well-cared-for,” she says.
“Contrary to popular belief, most cats get lonely so spending the visit time focused on the cat rather than being distracted during a visit will leave the cat feeling connected and well-cared-for.”
— Kristin Morrison, pet business coach and author
Factors that influence cat sitting rates
“When it comes to service charges and the difference in rates charged by different pet care providers, the pet sitter’s experience level as well as the nature of the specific service will all play a factor in how the pet sitter prices those services,” Stultz-Hairston says.
Here’s a look at the top factors that impact the cost of cat sitting services, according to both pet care experts and cat owners:
Visit length and timing
“Generally speaking, pet sitters’ fees for pet sitting visits are dependent on the length of the visit,” Stultz-Hairston says. For example, when visiting a cat sitter’s website, you may see a base rate for a 30-minute visit and a rate for one-hour visit which is higher, she notes. You’ll also likely see a higher holiday rate since cat sitting rates also tend to increase along with holiday pet sitting costs due to higher demand during those times of the year.
Age of your cat or multiple pets
Pet sitters charge more when caring for more than one cat since it requires more time and effort, according to experts. As for kittens? While pet sitters don’t typically charge more based on a cat’s age or temperament, cat owners may (wisely) increase the frequency of visits for kittens in particular which can increase costs. This is what pet owner Kelsey Murray who is based in Portland, Maine, did when her cat Oliver was young.
“I knew one 30-minute visit wasn’t enough to keep him entertained since he was full of energy so I would pay more for multiple visits a day,” Murray says. “For me, it was worth the extra cost because otherwise he would have been destructive.”
Medication administration
Standard services for booking a cat sitter include feeding and replenishing the water, cleaning the litter box, cleaning food and water bowls and playing with the cat, Morrision explains. “Administering medication, however, is not standard care for cats because it requires skill and experience,” she says.
With this in mind, cat sitters who can give medications will often charge a higher rate for this add-on service, but for most cat owners, the extra fee is worth it. “I’m willing to pay a lot of money to make sure he would get what he needs while I was away,” Murray says of her cat Oliver who takes allergy medication regularly. “But in general, it is $5 to $10 extra per visit.”
Pet care certifications and insurance
Pet sitters who obtain pet care certifications, or extra education to learn how best to care for cats, tend to charge more than hobbyist pet sitters, Stultz-Hairston explains. Professional pet sitting businesses who maintain pet sitting insurance can also charge more, she says.
While these pet care certifications are helpful for sitters caring for all types of animals, they may be extra helpful for cat sitters since the needs of felines are particularly unique, according to Dr. Kelly Hood, a veterinarian at Highlands Veterinary Center in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. “Cats can be more independent and may need time to warm up to you taking care of them,” Hood says. “Sitters should be mindful of the space they need and their unique routines.”
Pet sitter experience and reviews
Pet sitters who have plentiful five-star reviews can often charge more for their services, Morrison says. The best way to get raving reviews, according to cat owners? Experience caring for cats in particular, Murray says.
“I will pay more for a pet sitter who has proven they know how to handle cats,” Murray says, who monitors her cat sitters via video camera while she’s away. “Oliver’s last pet sitter was cheaper, but she was responsible, and he would sit on her lap the entire time because she knew how to make him feel comfortable. I’ve had others who charge more, but he was afraid of them, and they took no interest in spending time with him so I noted that in the review.”
“Professional pet sitters should be adequately compensated for providing a professional service, and pet parents who want quality care for their pets will not be turned off by their rates.”
— Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International (PSI)
How to set your own cat sitting rates
“While some pet sitters, especially those new to the industry, may be tempted to underprice their services to try to appeal to potential clients, that can lead to problems down the road — unrealistic client expectations, difficulty sustaining your business and burnout from being underpaid and overworked,” Stultz-Hairston says.
To avoid falling into this trap and maximize your cat sitting income, experts offer this advice:
Do your research
“We recommend pet sitters review not only the industry averages, but fees charged by other pet sitters and pet care providers in their area, to get an idea of local pricing,” Stultz-Hairston says. Browse cat sitting rates and other pet care rates in your area here.
Professional pet sitters should compare their pricing with other credentialed professionals to receive a more accurate comparison, Stultz-Hairston notes, if you have obtained important training or business credentials so you can set your fees in line with a higher-level of care.
Consider overhead costs
New pet sitters should also take into account their overhead costs when setting their rates and factor this into their pricing with a focus on travel costs, according to experts. For example, gas prices and the distance between you and your average client’s home.
To keep costs down, Morrison recommends only taking clients within a 10- to 15-minute driving radius to your home if possible. “The more driving you do, the more your price may need to go higher to reflect the drive time and wear and tear on your car, which will make sense to you but not your clients,” she says.
Communicate your unique qualifications
“Professional pet sitters should make sure they are telling potential clients about their qualifications and the level of service provided, so they will understand the quality of service they are booking,” Stultz-Hairston says. This would include any training you have completed, years of prior experience caring for animals, insurance and organization memberships.
What to know about cat sitting rates moving forward
The average cat sitting rate per hour is $15.54, but rates vary depending on location, add-on services offered, as well as experience and extra qualifications. Specifically, cat sitters who have obtained professional pet care training and business credentials can set their fees higher due to the higher level of care they are providing clients, according to experts.
“Professional pet sitters should be adequately compensated for providing a professional service, and pet parents who want quality care for their pets will not be turned off by their rates,” Stultz-Hairston says. She also recommends that professional pet sitters evaluate their rates periodically to see if any increases are needed to meet the rising cost of doing business.
