How Much To Pay Friend For Dog Sitting (3 Simple Tips)

Do you have a friend who would love to care for your furry friend while you’re away?

Wondering how much to pay your friend for dog sitting?

Or maybe you are not sure if it is okay to ask them to care for your pet. 

If you have any questions about this situation, continue reading!

What Is A Pet Sitter?

Pet sitters are people who help pet owners care for their pets. 

Usually, the owner may go out of town and pay a sitter to feed and exercise their pets at home.

What Is The Cost Of A Professional Pet Sitter?

For many people, the cost is the deciding factor.

The average rate of a professional may be outside of your budget.

Most drop-in sitters will charge per half hour.

Sometimes more or less depending on location, skill level, and competition.

Hiring a house sitter may be more affordable than someone who will come for a 30-minute visit a few times a day. Many overnight sitters will charge between $50-90 a night/day.

Sending your animals to a boarding center may be even cheaper than that. Usually, they average $40-50, depending on your location.

And asking your friend to help you out is often free. But you don’t want to take advantage of them.

Want to find a house sitter? This will show you exactly how to hire a professional house sitter

Should I Pay A Friend To Dog Sit?

Now that we looked at reasons to hire a professional, let’s discuss paying a friend.

How Much Should I Pay My Friend To Dog Sit?

If you pay your friend directly, you pay less than the rates you see online.

Most online platforms charge extra fees that don’t even go to the sitter.

While the general rule is about 70% of the going rate, there are other factors to consider.

Is your friend staying in your home or driving back and forth? Do they live close by or on the other side of town?

Will your pet be at their home? If so, what else is going on in their house?

These are all factors that will help you decide on fair payment.

What If My Friend Doesn’t Want Payment?

What if your friend doesn’t even want payment? 

That’s when it can get awkward. 

Be upfront about payment when you ask them to care for your pet. You can say something like, “Would you mind dog sitting while I’m on vacation? I would pay you.”

If they say no, you can respond with, “I’d be paying a professional this much so I’d be saving money even if I paid you this much.”

You don’t want to take advantage of their generosity. But you also don’t want to offend them.

If they are refusing payment, think of other ways to pay them.

Maybe you can trade favors. They watch your dogs this week and you can watch their pets during their next trip.

Perhaps you can give them a gift card. Choose a card for their favorite restaurant or store so they know you are thinking of them.

If they are staying at your house, stock up on food. Maybe set up a guest account on your streaming service of choice.

These little touches will ensure that they are comfortable. It is also a good way to thank them for their time.

Reason You Might Want to Have Your Friend Care For Animals

Below are the reason you may want your friend to care of your pets.

Familiarity

Since your pets already know your friends, they may be less anxious about your absence. 

Your friends may already know how to soothe your pets.

Friends may also already be familiar with your home. They know their way around and may be able to easily pinpoint any problems while you’re gone.

Level Of Care

Your friend may not provide as high a level of care as a professional. No matter how nice they are, they don’t have professional experience.

If your friend has a family to take care of, they might not be able to do overnight services. 

If they work full-time, they will not be able to provide constant pet care.

A lot of friends may be good for a drop-in visit a few times a day. 

But they may not be able to offer any additional services you could expect from a professional.

Should I Hire A Professional Pet Sitter?

There are a lot of reasons to hire a professional pet sitter. 

However, these reasons may not be important to you.

Skill And Experience Level

A lot of professional dog sitters also have experience as house sitters. 

They offer professional services that can help put your mind at ease.

They may clean litter boxes, water plants, and provide service on holidays.

Many professionals have had many overnight stays to care for pets. This gives them the experience to offer a high level of care.

They also often provide 24-hour pet care to their clients.

Insurance

Most professional sitters are insured. This is especially true if you hire them through a house-sitting website. 

Insurance is helpful for a variety of reasons. 

Especially in the case of an unexpected event.

During unforeseen circumstances, you will be stressed out enough without worrying about insurance.

Pet Sitting Instructions

Whether you decide to hire a professional or ask a friend you need to leave good instructions.

That way you set them up for success.

Here is a free printable house sitter template. It will ensure your home and animals are looked after as you want.

After reading this, you can decide whether or not to hire a professional pet sitter or a friend. 

You also have an idea of how much to pay your friend for dog sitting.

Now that you can relieve that stress, start planning all the other details for your getaway!