Pet Sitting Cost Calculator
Work out what a pet sitter will cost for your trip, whether you need drop-in visits, dog walks, an overnight house sitter or boarding, with extra pets and holiday rates included.
Budget for Your Pet Sitter
Choose the type of pet care, enter your sitter’s rate and how long you will be away, then add any extra pets or fees. The calculator gives you the total, the cost per day and the cost per pet.
Pet Sitter Cost Calculator
Use your sitter’s quote for the most accurate total.
How the Cost Is Worked Out
Four steps from sitter rate to your total
Choose the Service
Drop-ins and walks are charged per visit. House sitting and boarding are charged per night. Enter the rate your sitter quotes.
Count the Visits or Nights
For visits, multiply days away by visits per day. Seven days with two visits a day is 14 visits. For overnight care, count nights.
Add Extra Pets
Add the extra pet charge for each pet after the first. The per-visit or per-night rate then covers your whole household of pets.
Add Surcharges and Fees
Apply any holiday percentage to the base cost, then add daily extras and one-off fees to reach your total.
Pet Sitting Service Types
How the main types of pet care work, how they are usually charged and who they suit best.
| Service | What Happens | Usually Charged | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in visits | A sitter visits your home to feed, refresh water, play and give toilet breaks | Per visit | Cats and settled pets that can be alone between visits |
| Dog walking | A walker takes your dog out for exercise, often during the working day | Per walk | Dogs that need regular exercise and a midday break |
| House sitting | A sitter stays in your home overnight and looks after your pets in their usual routine | Per night | Anxious pets, several pets, or pets that should not be left alone |
| Boarding | Your pet stays in the sitter’s home for the length of your trip | Per night | Sociable dogs that enjoy company and a change of scene |
Practices vary between sitters, so always check what is included and whether extra pets, holidays, medication or transport are charged separately.
Pet Sitting Cost FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the cost of a pet sitter.
Costs depend on the service and where you live. As a rough guide, drop-in visits often cost around £10 to £15 per visit, boarding in a sitter’s home around £25 to £37 per night, and a sitter staying in your home around £25 to £45 per night. Rates are usually higher in London and over busy holiday periods.
Multiply the rate by the number of visits or nights, add any extra charge for additional pets, then add holiday surcharges and extras such as medication or transport. For example, two drop-ins a day at £13 for seven days is 14 visits, or £182.
Many sitters add a supplement for each additional pet, usually smaller for cats and drop-in visits and larger for dogs on overnight stays. Always ask whether the quoted rate covers one pet or all of them before you book.
Drop-in visits are usually the cheapest option and suit cats and confident dogs, but two or three visits a day can add up. For example, two visits at £13 is £26 a day, which is less than a £35 overnight sitter, while three visits at £13 is £39. Compare totals with the calculator and consider how long your pet can be left alone.
Often yes. Many sitters charge a holiday rate or surcharge at peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Easter and school holidays. It is worth booking early, as many owners secure a sitter one to two weeks ahead and peak dates fill quickly.