How old should you be to dog sit? Experts weigh in

For many animal-loving kiddos, dog sitting sounds like the ultimate way to make a little money (while logging hours with their favorite four-legged friends). But when it comes to the “right” age for dog sitting, there are a few things experts recommend. 

Unlike the babysitting age in some states, there isn’t a minimum age in which kids can legally become pet sitters. However, “kids are usually ready to dog sit between the ages of 10 and 12,” according to Dr. Britta K. Ostermeyer, chief of psychiatry service at OU Health, University of Oklahoma, who adds that “for bigger dogs who are harder to watch, kids should be at least 12.”

Pet sitting, notes Ostermeyer, is lower stakes than babysitting, but even so, pet sitters need to be “ready to assume responsibility for the pet.” “The child needs to be able to direct the pet, feed them, and needs to be able to recognize when the dog is not well and needs to be taken for help,” she explains. “In that case, the child needs to know where to call to arrange for the pets to see a vet.”

Wondering how old you should be to dog sit? Here’s what the experts say.   

Is there a general age when kids are ready for dog sitting? 

According to Dr. Heather Venkat, a companion animal veterinarian at VIP Puppies in Phoenix, kids 12 and up are generally ready for dog sitting. “But depending on the size and energy level of the dog, it may be best to wait until a kid is a teenager before they tackle dog sitting,” she adds. 

And keep in mind, as Dr. Tomitra Latimer, medical director of Lurie Children’s Pediatrics at Deming, points out: “Young children are not able to be by themselves so it’s a good idea for the dog owner to introduce the dog to all family members of the dog sitter.”

“Depending on the size and energy level of the dog, it may be best to wait until a kid is a teenager before they tackle dog sitting.”

— Dr. Heather Venkat, veterinarian

When Tiffany Cho of Aberdeen, New Jersey went away with her family last summer, she did just that. After asking her 11-year-old neighbor to watch their Pomeranian for a few days, she made sure everyone in his family was OK with it. “We live close, so we just asked him to take him out a few times a day, feed him, make sure he had water and our house wasn’t too hot,” Cho says. “But I knew his mom would wind up helping him with everything, so I ran it by her first.”

Related: How old do you have to be to babysit?

What are signs a kid is ready to dog sit? 

Before taking on a dog sitting gig, kids should “show signs of responsibility and maturity,” according to Venkat. Here are a few indicators a child may be up to the task:

• They help out with their own pets. Says Venkat: “If a child has pets in the home, a sign that they would be ready to dog sit is if they do a great job helping out and taking care of their own pets.”
• They’re passionate about animals. Even if a kid doesn’t have a pet themselves, “a passion for pets is a great place to start,” according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, global veterinarian for Wellness Pet Company. “At the end of the day, pet parents want to ensure their pet is happy and healthy, but they also want someone to care for them as much as they do each day,” she says. “Someone who loves pets and enjoys their company is crucial.”

“At the end of the day, pet parents want to ensure their pet is happy and healthy, but they also want someone to care for them as much as they do each day.” 

— Dr. Danielle Bernal, veterinarian

• They’re a good student. “Doing well in school and in extracurriculars is a sign that a child could be ready to dog sit,” Venkat says. “However, they should be able to balance their time with the extra tasks.”
• They do their chores. “If the child displays maturity and responsibility in completing chores, such as making their bed and washing dishes, without prompting, they may be ready for dog sitting,” notes Latimer, adding that they should also take care of themselves without being asked. (Think: You don’t have to remind them to shower or brush their teeth.)
• They have common sense. Bernal notes that, while in most cases, dog sitting refers to feeding and making sure the animal gets exercise, pet sitters still need the maturity and common sense to know if something is off. “Pet sitters should be able to detect if the pet is not well or simply not acting like its normal self,” she says. “With their pet parent(s) away, a pet may become more stressed or anxious, causing mischievous or troublesome behavior. Noticing the pet has not drunk enough water, passed any stools or are simply just not themselves is vital to keeping a pet healthy.” Because of this, Bernal notes that kids who are pet sitting should always have an adult they can immediately ask for a second opinion.
• They’re physically strong. If a child is watching a big dog, they need to be strong enough to manage large dogs,” Latimer says. 

If the pet sitting job takes place out of the home, Latimer notes that an adult should accompany the child or teen to help or take over if needed. 

Signs a dog may not be an ideal first client for a kid

In addition to the child, there’s the dog to consider. Here’s what Latimer and Bernal say to keep in mind on the pup’s end: 

• The breed size and/or number of pets. “A larger breed size or greater number of dogs could imply that a child needs to be a little older or physically more mature to manage them, especially if out on a walk,” notes Bernal. 

“A larger breed size or greater number of dogs could imply that a child needs to be a little older or physically more mature to manage them, especially if out on a walk.”

— Dr. Danielle Bernal, veterinarian

• The dog’s demeanor. “Parents and kids should consider and know whether the dog has a history of any behaviors that might present risks to the child, others or themselves,” Latimer says. “For instance: Do they play well with other animals? How do they walk on a leash? Do they have any triggers, such as noise sensitivities?”
• The care required. “Even some of the smallest dogs can be quite the handful,” Bernal says. “If the dog is challenged or needs additional care like medication, it may make more sense to wait a few more years or choose another dog to pet sit. It’s important that every child feels just as safe as the pet does.”

Types of dog sitting kids should and should not do

Not all dog sitting jobs are created equal. Here are the types of dog sitting tasks kids can feel confident taking on, along with more demanding types of dog sitting jobs they may want to avoid. 

Dog sitting tasks kids can do

According to Bernal, here’s what kids can feel comfortable with when it comes to dog sitting:

• Feeding the dog.
• Making sure the dog has water. 
• Cleaning up after the dog in the yard.
• Giving the dog some exercise. 

“For younger children, the accompaniment of an adult is key to ensure that the pet is always safe and secure,” Bernal notes. “Plus, you want to make sure the child is able to detect if the pet is not well or simply not themselves.”

“For older, more mature teens who may have previous pet experience, this may be something they can undertake on their own,” Bernal continues. “But with the pet’s parent away, a pet may become more stressed and anxious, so it makes for a good chance for them to get up to a little mischief or trouble. Having an adult available as additional support can really help in these moments.”

Dog sitting jobs kids should avoid

Dog sitting is nuanced, and, Bernal notes, there are often increased risks when there are mismatched scenarios. Here are a few situations in which certain kids should not pet sit certain dogs:

• Big dog, small kid. Bernal says: “If a small child is walking a large dog, injury may occur if the pet notices something on the walk and pulls the leash with increased enthusiasm.”

• Aggressive dogs. Pet sitting a dog with aggressive behavior is always a concern, according to Bernal, and in these cases, it’s better for pet parents to board.

• Sick dogs. “Depending on the child, caring for a sick animal may be difficult if they are not mature enough and/or have not had a lot of previous experience,” says Bernal. “Caring for an ailing pet will require not only observation but also some deeper analysis to determine if the pet starts feeling worse or if the veterinarian is needed.” 

Also, it should go without saying, kids should not be staying overnight at anyone’s house on their own. Dog sitting scenarios where the pet needs to have someone there at night, “could be offset if accompanied by the child’s parent,” notes Bernal.  

Dog sitting skills to *bone* up on

A responsible track record and passion for pups can be great indicators of a budding pet sitter, but doing a little homework on the front-end is important, too. According to Bernal and Venkat, the following skills are helpful when starting out as a dog sitter:

• A general knowledge of dog behavior. “Knowing basic dog behavior is important for kids who want to dog sit, so that they can read a dog’s body language well and know how to handle them,” Venkat says. To that point, Bernal adds that it’s crucial to be able to “detect a limp or a sick dog” in order to keep pups healthy.
• Basic animal training knowledge. Bernal also notes that knowing the commands on how to get a dog to behave are important.
• Road sense and caution if taking the pet out on walks. An adult should accompany younger kids on walks and help older kids plan out a safe route for walking and/or playing.

When hiring a professional dog sitter is a better option

Pet sitting can be a great way for kids to earn some money, but whenever there is a risk to the care of the pet or the safety of a child, it’s best to leave it to professional dog sitters, notes Bernal. 

Other times a professional dog sitter is a better option:

The pet sitter doesn’t have enough time. “If a pet requires multiple visits due to medications or additional play time, and the child may be limited in time due to school or other commitments, it’s best to hire a professional,” Bernal says. “If the pet’s parents will be gone for an extended period, it may be challenging for a child to get to the animal every day.”

The child doesn’t feel comfortable yet. “If a pet parent or child ever feels uncomfortable, it is best to not proceed but instead seek the support of professionals,” notes Bernal. “It doesn’t mean the child will never be suitable. It may just be a case of needing to find an alternate arrangement for this specific time. Look for another opportunity that is shorter in duration, when the pet is healthy or when there can be extra individuals available to help.”

The bottom line

According to Bernal, the most important things are that the pet owner, child and their family keep safety in mind and make comfort a priority for everyone. And for kids who are on the younger side: “Don’t worry,” she says. “Employing the help of parents or guardians is a great way to start dog sitting, especially if your first customer is a close friend or family member.”

How old do you have to be for Care.com?

Find dog sitting jobs

While there’s room for interpretation when it comes to determining the appropriate age for dog sitting, there’s not when it comes to joining Care.com as a pet sitter. In order to enroll, you need to be at least 18, and every caregiver who joins the Care.com platform is required to undergo enhanced screening, which includes a criminal background check called CareCheck.