Whether you’re leaving your furry family member for the night or are going on a holiday without them, having a quality pet sitter is a no-brainer. However, figuring out what to pay for overnight pet sitting is another story.
There are a lot of things to consider when finding someone to care for your pets in your absence. But even if you think you’ve thought of everything, it’s likely that there will still be exceptions – it’s therefore important to speak with and get to know a potential pet sitter before you hire them.
Need care for your favourite furry friend(s), but aren’t sure what to pay? Read on for some helpful tips.
How much does pet sitting cost?
The average pet sitting rate across Australia is around $20 an hour. However, taking a variety of factors into account, such as the number of pets (some sitters may charge an hourly rate per pet) and type of care required (more on this shortly), rates can be higher, especially if overnight boarding is required.
While this may come as a shock if you’ve only ever had your friends and family do you the favour of watching your beloved pets, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re paying for a professional level of care. When it comes to the cost of pet sitting, it’s a good idea to figure out the level of care you need and get to know several pet sitters in your area. This way, you can find the pet sitter that works best for you and your pet.
Should pet sitters be paid hourly or a flat rate?
The vast majority of pet sitters and dog walkers in Australia charge an hourly rate. If you’d prefer to pay a flat rate, this may be something you can negotiate with your pet sitter.
What’s the going rate for house sitting with a pet?
If you’re heading out of town for a few days or more, you may be looking for someone to care for your pet, as well as your house. If this is the case (and especially if you’re asking the pet/house sitter to stay over), the rate should be higher than if they were just dropping in for walks or to feed the pet(s).
It’s worthwhile asking any potential pet sitters in advance just how much they charge to mind both your home and your pet(s), that way you can shop around or negotiate with them.
What should I factor into my pet sitter’s rate?
When it comes to determining a pet sitting rate, there are a number of things to consider. Here are some of the most common factors that can affect pet sitting rates:
- Your location and the average rates in your area.
- Time spent caring for pet(s).
- Number of animals.
- Type and size of animal(s).
- Duties and tasks.
- Pet sitter’s experience.
1. Your location and the average rates in your area
While the average rate across the country is $20, the key word here is ‘average’. In general, if you live in an area with a higher cost of living, you can expect to pay more for your dog walker or pet sitter than in an area with a lower cost of living.
2. Time spent caring for pet(s)
According to a veterinarian and expert on the matter, pet sitting rates should also reflect the level of care required, which generally has a direct correlation with the amount of time a sitter will spend with your pet.
Rates should therefore be determined based on care requirements, including the number of walks or play sessions, the need for backyard or litter box waste cleaning, medication administration, enrichment activities, training, transportation and if the pet sitter is required to lodge at the home. For instance, short-term fish sitting gigs typically require less care than a dog, and thus a lower rate. However, care of a saltwater tank or long-term aquarium maintenance may require the skills of an aquarist. There are times when a pet sitter is simply feeding the fish, and there are times when you might need them to do water-quality testing and so on, so the rate should be determined on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the amount of time a sitter will spend with your pet daily, another thing to consider is how long a sitter will be watching your pet. Pet owners sometimes ask whether the duration of a pet sitter’s care will impact their price, and the answer is: probably. Some sitters might be willing to give a small discount for longer care, so this is something you could try negotiating with them. You can always ask if they offer package pricing for walks, or have a weekly walk rate versus a one-off walk, but your pet sitter or dog walker still needs to run their business and pay their bills, which means discounts may not always be an option.
3. Number of animals
Think the rate should change if you need care for more than one pet? It depends.
When pets have the same nutritional and exercise needs, it is typically easier to care for more than one animal at a time than caring for different animals with different needs at the same time. And when pets get along, it certainly also makes the job easier. For example, if a trio of dogs can eat the same food together at the same time in harmony, are behaviourally compatible and walk on a leash well in tandem, it should be a relatively hassle-free job. However, if each pet is on a specialised prescription diet, one is fear-aggressive or not neutered and they can’t be walked or fed at the same time, a pet sitter will have extra work on their hands. Additionally, if you have a variety of animals in your home that require care, the pet sitting rate will likely go up—it goes without saying that three dogs, two cats and 10 chickens will cost more than one dog and a goldfish.
4. Type and size of animal(s)
Pet sitters quite often charge a higher rate for dogs than cats because dogs usually need walks and playtime, which isn’t always necessary for cats. Pet sitters shouldn’t necessarily need to charge a higher rate for exotic animals, like fish or reptiles, as the amount of time it takes to care for them shouldn’t exceed that of a dog or a cat. However, when it comes to dogs, the breed may affect pet sitting rates. Care for larger dogs typically costs more than for smaller dogs.
5. Duties and tasks
Some pet sitters may charge for the following additional services on top of their hourly rate:
- Administering medication.
- Special food preparation.
6. Pet sitter’s experience
While it may be tempting to cut costs by going with the pet sitter who offers the best price—don’t. Choose a pet sitter you have met or know personally and trust to provide your fur baby with the best care. You can’t put a price on a pet sitter with years in the business. After all, you’re paying for their sound experience and knowledge.
