Whether you’re starting a third shift job, planning a vacation or there’s a family emergency that calls you away from home, there are many circumstances in which you may need to consider overnight pet sitting.
“Pet parents often prefer the sitter to stay overnight so that their pets are not alone,” says Lisamarie Monaco, a veteran pet sitter in Blackshear, Georgia. “Most often, it will make the pet parent more comfortable knowing someone is there if God forbid something happens, such as an unexpected injury or illness.”
Another common reason for hiring an overnight pet sitter? Many furry friends got accustomed to having their people home with them at all times when the pandemic fueled an increase in remote work. “I have noticed an uptick in the amount of pets that got used to their owners being home 24/7,” notes Samantha Steiger, a professional pet sitter in Pompano Beach, Florida. “The pets are happy to have someone around; it eases their separation anxiety.”
To ensure you are leaving your fur baby in the best hands, here are the most helpful questions answered by overnight pet sitting professionals and pet owners who’ve hired them.
What is an overnight pet sitter responsible for?
Different from a dog walker who takes your pup out for a stroll while you’re at work or caregiver who pops by to feed the fish while you’re out of town, an overnight pet sitting professional watches and cares for your pet throughout the night either at your home or theirs.
Generally, overnight pet sitters take care of everything your pet needs during this time, including:
- Providing playtime.
- Taking them out for walks.
- Administering medication, if needed.
- Tending to any health considerations.
- Feeding and making sure they have water.
- Potty training if they’re not yet house-broken.
- Cleaning up indoor pet messes.
- Additional house sitting services.
The latter, Monaco notes, is case-by-case and should be discussed upfront. “House sitting responsibilities at times do get muddled into pet sitting,” Monaco says. “However, I don’t mind going the extra mile for my clients.” These tasks may include:
- Cleaning kitty litter.
- Outdoor poop pickup.
- Brushing, grooming or bathing pets.
- Bringing in the mail or packages.
- Watering indoor and outdoor plants.
- Shoveling walkways for safety.
- Washing linens and towels after use.
A word on overnight pet sitting away from home
Some pet sitters prefer — or even require — that you drop your pet off at their home for the duration of the job; however, you have to decide if that’s the right choice for you and your pet.
Sarah M. of Tucson, Arizona and founder of Dog Training Boss, says she prefers bringing her 5-year-old poodle mix to the pet sitter’s house when she travels.
“Our pet sitter has a small dog as well and often sits several dogs at a time,” she explains. “It was a bit strange to drop our dog off at another house for the first time, but the sitter was very friendly and had a great arrangement in her home to separate and introduce dogs who needed more time to socialize or eat alone.”
She continues, “By the end of the first day, she texted us a few photos of our dog playing outside with the other dogs, curled up sleeping beside her own dog at night, and she let us know that our pup finished most of her food for that day. This extra information and attention to our dog’s behavior really put our minds at ease for the rest of the trip.”
How to find overnight pet sitters
If you already have a dog walker or daytime pet sitter, ask them about overnight pet sitting. If not, you can either ask your local veterinarian office or a trusted groomer for a recommendation, notes Josh Snead, CEO of Rainwalk Pet Insurance in Columbia, South Carolina and a pet parent himself.
Another option is to check out the pet sitters near you through Care:
Find a pet sitter.
Find a dog sitter.
Find a cat sitter.
Find a bird sitter.
Find in-home pet care.
What does an overnight pet sitter cost?
The average hourly rate for pet sitting in the United States currently starts at $14.74, according to Care’s Cost of Care Calculator. That said, a number of factors affect rates, including duties involved, the animal(s) needs, the caregiver’s experience and location.
Overnight pet sitting prices in top cities
To provide context for how costs can vary by location, here are some examples of the going pet sitter prices in 13 top U.S. cities, according to recent Care data.
| City, State | Hourly Pet Sitter Rate* |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $14.24/hr |
| Brooklyn, New York | $17.20/hr |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $12.82/hr |
| Chicago, Illinois | $16.06/hr |
| Denver, Colorado | $17.21/hr |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | $14.89/hr |
| Los Angeles, California | $18.84/hr |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | $15.65/hr |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $13.36/hr |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $15.98/hr |
| Portland, Oregon | $16.85/hr |
| San Antonio, Texas | $12.14/hr |
| Tampa, Florida | $14.07/hr |
At the same time, some pet owners prefer to pay their overnight pet sitters a flat rate, as opposed to an hourly one. In general, Snead says he offers $50 per night, plus access to any food in the kitchen.
Similarly, Sarah M. is accustomed to paying $40 per night. “Our sitter has a set timeline for their overnight price — meaning we could drop off and pick up our dog at their house between certain hours — anything outside of those times would be charged extra by the hour,” she explains.
Right in line with these two pet parents, Monaco’s overnight pet sitting rate is $50 per night. “My clients usually have a guest room and allow me access to anything that I may need during my stay,” Monaco says. “I get to interact with the dogs and take them on walks. It sort of feels like I am on a mini vacation from my regular routine even though I am working.”
How much to tip an overnight pet sitter?
The consensus from our professional pet sitters is that while it is never expected, a cash tip, souvenir or gift card is always greatly welcomed.
“Usually clients will tip anywhere from $50 to $200,” says Steiger. “It really does reinforce how much they value and appreciate my work.”
Monaco also receives a cash tip for exceptional service, especially around the holidays. If an additional tip is not in the budget, a positive review or referral to a friend is just as valued.
“I love five-star reviews,” notes Monaco. “They mean more to me than the tip.”
Tips on finding the right overnight pet sitter
“The single most important part of interviewing a pet sitter is seeing how they interact with your pet,” says Snead. “Really, the pet is the one doing the interview.”
Before you hire, check out this list of 7 interview questions to ask a pet sitter.
The bottom line
Whether you choose to have your pet reside at home overnight or at the sitter’s abode, feeling confident in your sitter’s abilities will not only put your worries to rest, it will calm your pet’s potential anxieties and ensure they’re receiving care that suits their needs.
Steiger points out that humans’ energy directly impacts a pet’s energy. In other words, if you are calm, happy and confident around your new pet sitter, your furry friend will be too. Finding the right sitter can make a world of difference in how your pet behaves while you are away, making the experience positive for everyone involved.
