PRICE GUIDE · PETS

Pet Sitting cost in the UK
£16–£50 per day. Typically £30.

Pet sitting costs £16–£50 per day in the UK, with about £30 the national average. A day of drop-in visits for a cat or small pet is cheapest; longer visits for dogs, several pets or a sitter staying most of the day in the South East cost the most.

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HOW MUCH IT COSTS

How much does pet sitting cost in the UK?

PET SITTING PRICE · PER DAY · THE UK
Low end£16drop-in visits for a cat or small pet
Typical£30what most people pay
High end£50several long visits for dogs in the South East
Typical £30
£16 low£50 high

Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the dog walkers, sitters, groomers and pet businesses near you.

What moves the price

  • Type of pet — dogs need walks and more time, so a day's pet sitting costs more than for a cat
  • Visits or time spent — two or three visits a day cost more than a single check-in
  • Number of pets — each extra pet adds feeding, cleaning and attention time
  • Medication and special care — older pets and those on medication need more skilled care
  • Region — pet sitting in London and the South East costs more than elsewhere
  • Holiday dates — sitters charge more and book up early over Christmas and school holidays
+50%PRICE TREND · 5 YEARS

Pet services prices in the UK are up 50% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Veterinary and other services for pets, to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical pet sitting would have cost about £25 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 L7HH →

WHAT YOU GET

What a pet sitting booking includes

Feeding and fresh waterMeals at your pet's usual times, with bowls and water refreshed.
Exercise or playWalks for dogs and play time for cats and small pets.
Cleaning upLitter trays, cages or hutches cleaned as agreed.
Updates and home checksPhotos or messages each day, with post brought in and the house checked.

Takes: A day of pet sitting usually means one to three visits, each 30 minutes to an hour. Not included: Overnight house sitting, boarding and grooming are priced separately — see the related guides below.

WHAT PEOPLE BOOK

Common pet sitting jobs

Dog and cat householdThree visits a day for a dog and two cats in Pudsey during a holiday.
Work-day coverA pet sitter calling in on a dog in Musselburgh while its owners work late.
Rabbits and guinea pigsDaily feeding and cleaning for a hutch of small pets.
Older dog careVisits with medication for a senior dog.
New puppy routineExtra visits for a puppy still learning to be left alone.
Weekend coverA weekend of visits while the family attends a wedding.

KNOW THE PRICE? NOW SEE THE REAL ONES

Pet Sitting near you, with prices shown

The dog walkers, sitters, groomers and pet businesses that cover your area, nearest first, each with their price and one score from every review. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

How to pay less

  • Book the number of pet sitting visits your pets need, rather than a full day of cover
  • Use the same pet sitter regularly, as many offer better rates to repeat customers
  • Go away outside Christmas and school holidays where you can, when pet sitters charge more

Before you book

  • Check the pet sitter has insurance and, if they hold your keys, a DBS check
  • Arrange a meet-and-greet so the pet sitter can learn routines and meet your pets
  • Leave food, medication instructions and your vet's details in one place
  • Check dogs and cats are microchipped with your contact details up to date

Pet Sitting cost: questions people ask

£16–£50 per day, with about £30 the national average. Drop-in visits for a cat cost the least; several long visits for dogs in the South East cost the most.

Usually one to three, each lasting 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your pets and what you agree.

Not usually for visiting pets in your own home. Anyone in England who boards cats or dogs in their own home as a business does need a council licence.

It is sensible if they hold your keys. A basic DBS check is easy for a sitter to get and gives extra peace of mind.

Overnight stays, boarding, grooming and vet trips are priced on their own.

They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, taken from published UK pet sitting averages. They are a national range rather than a quote.