House sitting full-time: pros and cons

Updated 9 Aug 2024

Imagine spending your summer walking pups on the beach under the Spanish sun, and during the winter months, you’re off to Finland to cozy up by the fire with a fluffy feline. What’s the secret to the kind of lifestyle most people can only dream of? House sitting full time, of course!

Whether you’re a digital nomad, in between jobs or studies, retired, or simply looking for a break from the norm, house sitting full time could be for you. But what’s it all about, and how can you get pet care experience?

What is full time house sitting? 

House sitting means exchanging home and (often) pet care for a place to stay.

Whether you’re there for a short stint or settling in for the long haul, if there are pets, they'll be your number one priority. As well as providing care and companionship to the furry family members, your responsibilities are likely to include cleaning, bringing in the mail, and watering the plants.

House sitting full time means you’ll need to provide the exact same level of care and attention to the home and pets, just for longer! The home owners may also ask you to do some extra tasks that aren’t typically needed for shorter stays.

And while it might sound like a dream, it's certainly possible for many of our members go from sit to sit, travelling the globe and caring for the pets in it - house sitting full time style.

So what does a full time house sitter do?

Although the responsibilities of a full time house sitter will vary depending on the situation, here are some of the things you could be asked to do:

• Whether you're cat sitting full time, dog sitting, or taking care of another type of pet, you'll need to provide pet-specific pet care, which may include daily exercise, providing food and water, administering medication, and maintaining a routine. Pet sitters should also keep an eye on their furry friend’s health and be prepared for medical emergencies. 
• Cleaning the home – vacuuming, mopping, and dusting.
• Watering plants both indoors and outdoors.
• Gardening and outdoor maintenance such as mowing the lawn.
• Keeping the property secure by locking doors and windows etc.
• Bringing in the mail. 
• Pool maintenance (if necessary). 
  

House and pet sitting for longer periods isn’t for everyone, and it only works if you’re prepared to take on the above responsibilities, at an absolute minimum.

On top of this, you must be responsible, trustworthy, and of course, a pet lover. So how do you know if house and pet sitting full time is for you? 

What are the pros and cons of house sitting full time?

While house sitting full time has plenty of benefits, it’s also important to weigh up the potential drawbacks, so that you're not putting yourself in a situation where you can't provide top-notch pet care. 

Pros:

• Save money on accommodation- house sitting full time means you can live rent-free. While some pet parents may ask you to make reasonable contributions to bills during your stay, this will usually cost less than an overnight stay.
• Connect with like-minded pet people.
• Enjoy the company of pets, which have been proven to reduce stress levels and improve overall health. 
• Slow down and explore at your own pace, taking the time to really get to know a place. 
• If you’re a pet person who loves to travel, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds (which can be tricky to do with your own pets!).
• Settle in and immerse yourself in the local lifestyle. 
• Enjoy a break from your never-ending to-do list and take on someone else’s day to day responsibilities. 
• If you want to, you’ll probably have time to pick up remote work. In fact, some pet parents actually prefer sitters who work from home, as they’re able to provide pets with more consistent care and company than those who are off to see the sights.

Cons:

• House sitting has its ups and downs and things don’t always go to plan – pets (or even you) might get sick, household objects can get broken, and extreme weather can really put a spanner in the works. 
• It might be one of the best jobs out there, but house sitting is still a job - especially house sitting full time, and being responsible for someone else’s home and pets feels very different to caring for your own.
• You’re not staying in a hotel but it’s also not your home, so you’ll need to respect the owner’s wishes. For example, you won’t be able to have friends and family over unless pet parents agree to it first. 
• House sitting is not a vacation, and as a live in house sitter, you can’t always come and go as you please. 
• House sitting doesn’t mean you get to travel for free – you might save on accommodation, but you’ll still have to pay for travel, living costs, and other expenses. 
• Sitters and homeowners don’t always have the same living standards. 

The good news is, by organizing your house sits through a reputable website like TrustedHousesitters, there’s always someone to speak to if something goes wrong.

Benefits such as our sit cancellation plan, access to a 24/7 vet advice line, and our accident & liability plan (all available with certain memberships) are all there to help you arrange sits with peace of mind.

Hear from our members, house sitting full time

House sitting full time really allows lovers of pets and travel to get their teeth into new corners of the globe (and make friends with adorable fluffy pals along the way). 

But don’t take our word for it - hear from our members, Lev and Mia, the self-confessed ‘slow-mads’ who have been house sitting for the last three years, and stay in each country for around three months at a time, to really settle in and explore.

How to make house sitting your full-time lifestyle

Finding house sitting opportunities is easy with TrustedHousesitters, even if you're looking to make it a full time lifestyle.

1. Create a free account to start browsing house and pet sits to make sure it’s 100% right for you. 
2. When you’re ready to start your house sitting (full time) adventure, choose your membership and unlock a whole year of house sitting adventures! 
3. Set up your profile and include references and lots of pics that show off your friendliness and experience. 
4. Now you’re ready to start applying for house sits! Check out advice from super sitter - Karen Schuppert (with 50+ sits under her belt!) - for tips all the way from creating your profile to connecting with pet parents and during the sit itself. Send a personalized message to each homeowner explaining why you’re the perfect person to take care of their home and pets. 
5. Pet parents usually choose a few sitters they like the look of and ask them to have a short video call. This will be your chance to ask any questions you may have, and answer any of theirs too. 
6. Once the sit is confirmed, the only thing left to do is pack your bags!

How to live rent free via house sitting

Looking to live out your travel dreams, save money and of course, meet heaps of new furry friends? Explore our blog on how to live rent-free via house sitting for your most affordable, pet-filled adventure yet.