How much does pet sitting cost?
In Los Angeles, pet sitting averages about $74 a night for overnight house sitting and about $26 for a drop-in visit, based on Rover’s booking data. A 30-minute dog walk runs about $21 to $25. My own rates in Woodland Hills are $63 a night, $22 a drop-in and $34 a walk for one dog.
I’ve been pet sitting in Woodland Hills since 2018, I’ve got 29 five-star ratings on Rover, and every price I charge is printed on this site. So here’s the honest version, from the person who actually shows up with the treats.
If you’ve ever opened a booking app, seen “$74 a night” and briefly considered just taking the dog on vacation with you, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down where that number comes from.
How much does overnight pet sitting cost?
Overnight pet sitting in Los Angeles averages $73.94 a night for one dog, with most sitters charging between $50 and $94, according to Rover. For cats it’s $76.77 a night. The national Rover average is lower, at $52.23.
Overnights cost the most because someone is genuinely moving into your house for the night. They sleep in a bed your cat has already claimed, and they do the morning routine before your dog has finished stretching.
You’ll also see much bigger numbers. Members of Pet Sitters International averaged $110.43 per overnight in their 2026 survey. Those are mostly established pet sitting companies with staff and insurance, so treat that as the top shelf, not the going rate.
My overnight rate is $63 a night for one dog and $45 for cats. Here’s what overnight pet sitting with me includes.
Two of the pets I’ve looked after. Neither has asked about my rates.
How much does a dog sitter cost?
A dog sitter in Los Angeles costs about $26 for a drop-in visit and about $74 a night to stay over, based on Rover’s LA data. Puppies, extra dogs and holidays all push it up.
Dog sitting prices swing more than a happy tail, because “dog sitting” can mean a 20-minute check-in or a full week of living with your terrier’s opinions about the mail carrier. I’ve broken down the per-day and per-week numbers in how much a dog sitter costs.
How much does a dog walker cost?
A 30-minute dog walk costs $21.45 on average across the US, according to Rover, with most walks between $16 and $38 depending on length. In LA, Wag puts the median at $25 for 30 minutes.
A walk sounds simple until you remember someone has to show up on time, find the leash your dog has hidden under the couch, and do it all again tomorrow. That reliability is most of what you’re paying for.
My walks are $34, which is above the LA average, and I’d rather you hear that from me. The full breakdown, including 60-minute walks and extra dogs, is in how much a dog walker costs.
The cheapest sitter is the one you never have to worry about. The second cheapest is the one whose photos make you smile at the airport.
How much does a cat sitter cost?
A cat sitter in Los Angeles costs about $25.75 for a drop-in visit and $76.77 a night to stay over, according to Rover’s LA cat data. For cats, drop-ins are the usual choice, and an overnight is there if you’d rather someone stayed.
Cats are usually cheaper to sit than dogs. Nobody tell the cats. They already believe they own the house, and you’re the staff who keeps forgetting the good treats.
My cat drop-ins are $17 a visit. I go through what a full week of cat sitting adds up to in how much a cat sitter costs.
What makes pet sitting cost more?
Holidays, extra pets, puppies and longer visits are the four things that push pet sitting prices up. Here’s what each one adds in Los Angeles, from Rover’s LA data:
Holidays cost more for the same reason a flight on December 23rd does. Everyone wants one, and your sitter would also quite like a slice of pie at some point.
Booking early helps more than haggling. LA dog owners book house sitting about 14 days ahead, so if you’re reading this the week before Thanksgiving, I’d book first and finish the article on the plane.
How much should you tip a pet sitter?
Most guides suggest tipping a pet sitter 10% to 20%, and more for a long stay or extra care, according to Dogster. On Rover, tips are optional and the sitter keeps 100% of them.
Tipping is the part nobody explains, so people stand at the front door holding a folded twenty like it might bite. I cover the awkward bits in how much to tip a pet sitter.
What I charge in Woodland Hills, and what you get
Here’s my side of it, with no app math in the way. These are my Rover rates, and they include Rover’s fees:
Every visit follows your pet’s usual routine: meals, fresh water, the litter box or a potty break, playtime, and a message with photos so you know they’re fine. I can give oral medication, and I make sure doors and gates are locked when I leave.
My overnights and drop-ins come in under the LA averages. My walks come in above. If you’d like the details, here’s how in-home pet sitting with me works.
“I’m pretty sure they like her more than they like me.” Joshua S., after a weekend of cat sitting
More people are choosing this kind of care, too. According to the American Pet Products Association, four in ten dog owners now rely on someone coming to their home when they travel, while kennel use keeps declining.
