PRICE GUIDE · PETS · 2026–2027
Small Animal Care cost in the UK
£10–£20 per visit. Typically £14.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters can be cared for at home for £10–£20 per visit in the UK, with about £14 typical. One feeding visit for a single cage is cheapest; daily hutch cleaning for several animals, outdoor runs and medication cost more.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does small animal care cost in the UK?
| Low end | £10 | a quick feed for one cage |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £14 | what most people pay |
| High end | £20 | daily cleaning for several hutches with medication |
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
- Number of animals — several cages or hutches take longer to feed and clean than one
- Cleaning — a full hutch or cage clean costs more than a quick feed and water check
- Indoor or outdoor — outdoor hutches and runs need extra checks in hot or freezing weather
- Medication and health checks — older small animals may need medicine or close watching
- Visits per day — rabbits and guinea pigs often need morning and evening care
- Region — small animal care in London costs more than in smaller towns
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 small animal care would have cost about £10 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 L7HH →
WHAT YOU GET
What a small animal care visit includes
Takes: Each visit lasts 15 to 30 minutes; many owners book one or two a day. Not included: Boarding for small animals, nail trims and vet visits are priced separately — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common small animal care jobs
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Small Animal Care near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Leave food portioned out so each small animal care visit is quicker
- Ask for one combined visit if you also have a cat that needs feeding
- Book the same small animal sitter regularly, as many give lower rates to repeat clients
Before you book
- Write down feeding amounts, hay supply and cleaning routines for each small animal
- Check the sitter knows small animals, including signs of illness in rabbits
- Leave your vet's details, preferably one that treats rabbits and small pets
- Check outdoor hutches are secure against foxes before you leave your small animals
Small Animal Care cost: questions people ask
£10–£20 per visit, with about £14 typical. A quick feed for one cage costs the least; daily cleaning for several hutches with medication costs the most.
Usually twice a day, morning and evening, as they need fresh food, water and checks. Hamsters can often manage with one visit.
The law expects anyone who owns or cares for an animal to give a proper diet and water, a suitable place to live and protection from illness and injury.
Yes. Some boarders take rabbits and guinea pigs, which can suit longer trips, though travel can stress small animals.
Boarding, nail trims and vet treatment are separate. A sitter can arrange a vet trip if needed.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, taken from published UK pet sitting research and sitter tariffs. They show a national range rather than a quote.
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