How much does a cat sitter cost?
A cat sitter in Los Angeles costs about $26 for a drop-in visit and about $77 a night to stay over, based on Rover’s September 2025 data. A week of twice-daily visits runs about $360. My cat visits in Woodland Hills are $17, and an overnight is $45.
I’ve looked after cats in Woodland Hills since 2018, and 9 of my Rover reviews come from cat owners. This is part of my guide to how much pet sitting costs, just for cats.
Cat sitting should be cheap, in theory. Your cat mostly needs someone to fill the bowl, scoop the box and be ignored at a professional level.
How much is a cat sitter per visit?
A cat sitter in Los Angeles charges about $25.75 per drop-in visit, with most between $19 and $30, according to Rover. Across the US, Meowtel’s average for a 20-minute visit is $26.42, based on more than 31,000 sitter rates.
That’s about the price of a fancy sandwich, except the sandwich doesn’t send you photos of your cat sitting in a box it’s too big for. You’ll also see Care.com’s $20.81 an hour for LA cat sitters, but that’s what sitters ask when they sign up, not what a visit costs.
Two cats demonstrating the professional ignoring I mentioned.
How much to pay a cat sitter for a week
A week of cat sitting in Los Angeles costs about $180 for one visit a day, about $360 for two, or about $537 for seven overnights, based on Rover’s LA averages:
A week away costs more than people expect, mostly because your cat, rudely, still expects to eat every single day you’re gone.
How often should a cat sitter visit?
Most cat welfare guidance says a sitter should visit at least twice a day. Cats Protection recommends a sitter who can visit at least twice daily, and more often for kittens, older cats or cats that are unwell.
Once a day sounds fine until you remember a cat can tip over a full water bowl in about four seconds, then sit beside it looking betrayed. Cat behavior consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett tells Chewy that two visits a day is the minimum.
More on timing in how long you can leave a cat alone.
“So grateful to have Helen watch my cat while I’m gone! I loved getting photo and video updates throughout the week!” Lana R., January 2019
Do you need an overnight cat sitter?
Most cats don’t need an overnight sitter, but some do better with one. An overnight costs about $76.77 a night in Los Angeles, according to Rover, against about $51.50 for two drop-ins.
An overnight gives your cat someone to ignore all evening, which, for a cat, is basically love. It’s worth it for anxious cats, cats on medication, or a home with several cats and very different opinions.
Is a cat sitter better than boarding?
For many cats, staying home is easier. VCA Hospitals notes that many cats who aren’t used to boarding eat or drink less during their stay, though most settle in quickly. Cats Protection says nervous cats are likely to prefer staying home.
Most cats like travel about as much as they like baths. At home, they keep their spot on the couch, their litter box and their right to glare at the mail carrier.
What makes cat sitting cost more?
Extra cats, holidays and longer visits are what push cat sitting prices up. Here’s what each adds in Los Angeles, from Rover’s LA data:
Each extra cat costs a little more, which seems fair, because each extra cat also comes with its own opinions.
What I charge for cat sitting
My cat visits are $17, which is under the LA average. Your cat won’t be impressed, but your wallet might be. My Rover rates, fees included:
Shy cats are fine. I let them come to me at their own pace, and I’ll still send you proof they ate. Here’s how cat sitting with me works, or book drop-in visits directly.
