How Much Does Pet Sitting Cost?
Compare the cost of boarding, pet sitters, dog walkers, and having friends watch your pet. Plan your vacation pet care budget.
Pet Care Options Compared
Kennel boarding ($30-60/night): Your pet stays at a facility with other animals. Structured feeding and exercise. Best for social dogs; stressful for anxious pets. In-home sitter ($40-70/night): Your pet stays at someone's home — like a sleepover. More personalized attention. Sitter at your home ($25-50/visit): Someone visits your home 1-3 times daily. Best for cats and anxious dogs who do best in their own environment. Least supervision but most comfort for the pet.
Holiday and Peak Pricing
Expect 20-50% surcharges during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Spring Break, and summer peak weeks. Book 4-8 weeks in advance for holiday care — popular sitters and boarding facilities fill up fast. Some Rover sitters raise rates automatically for holidays.
A Rover survey found that 62% of pet owners feel guilty about leaving their pets when traveling. The average American spends $300-500 per vacation on pet care. Building a relationship with a trusted sitter before you need one (trial overnight or weekend) reduces stress for both you and your pet.
