The pricing formula
Do not invent your pet sitting prices during a client conversation. Set them before the first inquiry. Confidence comes from already knowing your numbers.
Start with the weekly income you want, then divide by the number of visits or overnights you can realistically complete.
Example: you want $700 per week from drop-ins. You can do 4 visits per day, 5 days per week. That is 20 visits. $700 divided by 20 equals $35. Your minimum drop-in rate is $35.
That is strategic pricing. Copying competitors is emotional pricing.
Drop-in visit pricing
Most professional pet sitters charge:
- 30-minute drop-in: $25–$40
- 60-minute drop-in: $35–$55
- Additional pet: $10–$20
- Medication administration: Often included for simple oral medication, higher for complex care
If most sitters in your market charge $25, you can charge $32–$35 by positioning around professionalism: insured, structured updates, signed contract, intake form, and reliable communication.
Overnight pricing
Overnight stays are often the highest-value service in pet sitting because one booking can create several days of revenue. Common overnight rates are $65–$100 per night, with premium markets going higher.
Use the same formula. If you want $400 per week from overnights and can take four overnight bookings per week, your overnight rate is $100 per night.
Be clear about what overnight means. Does it include evening arrival and morning departure? A midday visit? Constant presence? The more time the booking controls, the higher the rate needs to be.
Fees most sitters forget
- Holiday surcharge: $15–$30 per visit or night.
- Last-minute booking fee: $15–$25 for bookings requested inside 24–48 hours.
- Additional pet fee: $10–$20 depending on care complexity.
- Extended distance fee: Add a travel fee outside your normal service area.
- Lockout fee: Charge for failed access when the issue is not your fault.
These fees are not nickel-and-diming. They keep the business sustainable and prevent the hardest bookings from quietly becoming the least profitable.
Why cheap pricing hurts retention
The cheapest pet sitter attracts price shoppers. Price shoppers churn quickly, negotiate more often, and compare you to every marketplace listing they see.
Premium clients do not choose only on price. They choose on trust, communication, reviews, insurance, and whether you feel safe inside their home. Your pricing should match that positioning.