The blog
Pet care advice, from a pet sitter.
What pet sitting really costs, how long pets can be left alone, and what to leave your sitter. Written by me, Helen, a Woodland Hills pet sitter since 2018.
20 October 2026
How much does pet sitting cost?LA averages $74 a night and $26 a drop-in. Here’s every price, what’s included, and when it costs more.
20 October 2026
How much does a dog walker cost?About $25 a walk in LA and $125 a week for daily walks, plus what pushes the price up.
20 October 2026
How much does a dog sitter cost?About $26 a visit and $74 a night in LA, and why three drop-ins can cost more than an overnight.
20 October 2026
How much does a cat sitter cost?About $26 a visit in LA, and what a week of cat sitting really adds up to.
20 October 2026
How much should you tip a pet sitter?Usually 10% to 20%, or a flat $20 to $100 for a long stay, with real examples. From the person on the receiving end.
20 October 2026
How long can you leave a cat alone?About 8 to 12 hours for a healthy adult cat. What vets say about 2 days, 3 or 4 days, and a week.
20 October 2026
How long can a dog be left alone?About 4 to 6 hours for most adult dogs, 8 at the very most. Hours by age, plus overnight and 3-day trips.
20 October 2026
Pet sitter instructions template (free printable)A free one-page sheet for food, meds, routine, vet permission and house notes, plus what to write in each part.