Why There’s No Easy Answer to the Question “What do you charge?”
I’ve written before about why it’s worth it to have a professional sitter look after your pets. If you haven’t read it yet, check it out here. If you’d rather skip ahead, here’s the TL:DR professional pet sitters ARE worth it. We create comfort for you and your pets. We care deeply about the quality of our work because reputation matters. And we provide something your anxious pets crave most, consistency.
Let’s dig a little deeper into why I charge what I charge. When I started MinneKotan, pricing was one of the hardest things to figure out. Finding that sweet spot between charging what I’m worth and staying within reach for most budgets was a balancing act I was not expecting.
The Basics
Most sitters offer a few standard services:
Drop-ins: Quick visits for feeding, litter scooping, potty breaks, or play sessions.
Walks: Usually 30-60 minutes of exercise and attention.
Overnights: Someone stays in your home to keep routines steady and pets stress-free.
At MinneKotan, for example, a 30 minute drop-in starts around $30. Overnight stays are higher because they involve full-time care (and your sitter giving up their own bed).
Variables
Several factors can change the cost:
Number of pets: It does not make sense to charge the same for every household. One dog? Easy. Three dogs, two cats, and a parrot that swears? That’s a full-time job.
Location: Travel matters. City driving with cost of parking is different than suburban driveways. Travel fees also cover mileage if you’re farther out.
Experience: As with most jobs, experience pays. Professionals who are insured, trusted with keys, and come with higher standards than the kid next door will usually charge more.
Special Needs: Medication, Anxiety Care, specific routine requirements, or limits on how long your sitter can be away all affect pricing.
You’re not just paying for minutes, you’re paying for reliability, communication, and peace of mind.
Hidden Value
A good sitter doesn’t just keep your pet alive, they keep your home feeling lived in. Bringing in mail, watering plants, adjusting lights, making sure Amazon packages make it past the porch? That’s all part of the job.
Plus, your pets get to stay in their own environment. This means no kennel stress, no strange smells, and no wondering why all these strange dogs are in their face.
Hiring a professional sitter isn’t about convenience. It’s about continuity of care. You’re trusting someone to show up when they say they will, notice if something’s off, and love your pets the way you do. That reliability comes with a price. But it’s one most pet parents would gladly pay when they’ve experienced the difference.
Bottom Line
When you’re comparing sitters, don’t just look at the dollar amount. Look at the value. After all, peace of mind isn’t on the invoice, but it’s absolutely part of the cost.