As a pet parent, it’s important to get clued up on pet care costs - from vaccinations, beds, leads, toys, food, training, and of course, vacation pet care.
To help you pinpoint how much you’re likely to spend over the next year with your current choice of pet care, make use of our handy calculator below.
And if you’re looking to save a few dollars (who isn’t?), stick with us to hear how welcoming our in-home pet sitters for an annual membership fee is a whole lot more cost-effective than your current pet care solution.
Cost of paid pet sitters in the US
The cost of house and pet sitters varies depending on your location, and the local pet sitting rates of the private businesses in your area. Opting for a sitter tends to be a popular choice for pet parents, as pets are kept safe and content at home, where vets agree they’re happiest.
As a better option for furry families, pet sitters can be more expensive, with the average nightly rate at $80 across the country. The most expensive areas for pet sitters are Miami, with a nightly rate of $162.50, followed by Phoenix and Brooklyn at $122.50, and Dallas at $120.00. Take a look below to hear about our trusted USA pet sitters, which are a whole lot easier on the purse strings.
Cost of paid cat sitters in the US
The overnight cat sitting rates peak in Miami, with an average nightly rate of $135.50, followed by Oakland at $132.78 and San Francisco at $132. The average nightly rate for cat sitters across the US is $62.50.
With these average cat sitting fees, finding appropriate pet care that doesn’t break the bank is a real problem for pet parents, which is why many opt for a TrustedHousesitters membership, where thousands of verified cat sitters are available all year round at no extra cost.
Cost of paid dog sitters in the US
Our research has found that dog sitting costs vary greatly depending on the region of the US you live in, but the average nightly rate for dog sitters across the country is $75. The most expensive area to pay for a dog sitter was Miami, with an average nightly rate of $162.50, followed by Tucson at $145 and Houston at $135. With the pet sitting fees for dogs sky-high in the US, it's no wonder that you might be looking for a more cost-effective alternative.
Cost of dog kennels in the US
The cost of dog boarding kennels varies across the US, but averages at $40 for a nightly rate. Oakland has the highest overnight dog kennel prices, with an average nightly rate of $87, followed by New York City at $83, and Portland and Brooklyn at $77.50.
Cost of cat kennels in the US
Cat kennels come in at a little less than dog boarding in the US, with the average nightly rate across the country at $32.50. Austin is the most expensive place to send your cat to a cat kennel, with an average nightly cost of $59.50, followed by Seattle at $59, then New York City and San Francisco at $55.
With cat boarding costs limiting many pet parents’ vacation options, it’s no wonder many are opting for other, more affordable solutions.
Cost of pet care in the US: Pet care calculator
So we’ve explored the average cost of pet care across the US, but what about the precise cost of your current pet care, for your specific furry friends? Simply enter your details below to find out how much your current pet care will cost you over the following year, if you were to keep making the same pet care choices.
Average costs of your go-to pet care vs. in-home trusted pet sitters in the US
| Pet care service | Average costs |
|---|---|
| Average nightly rate of pet sitters | $80 |
| Average nightly rate of cat sitters | $62.50 |
| Average nightly rate of dog sitters | $75 |
| Average nightly rate of dog kennels | $40 |
| Average nightly rate of cat kennels | $32.50 |
| Average daily rate for rabbit sitters | $27.50 |
| Average daily rate for bird sitters | $30 |
| Average daily rate for chicken sitters | $27.50 |
| Average daily rate for reptile sitters | $15 |
| Cost of an annual membership with us' (which covers a whole year of pet care!) |
Basic membership: $149 per year ($0.40 per day!) Standard membership: $229 per year ($0.63 per day!) |
What’s the best pet care solution?
As we can see from the pet care costs above, it’s pretty clear that the costs of making sure our pets are looked after can be pretty steep.
And along with the price of pet care making vacations almost impossible for many pet owners, lots of pet care options leave our furry friends feeling lonely, anxious and seriously unsettled.
With a TrustedHousesitters membership, pet owners can connect with as many in-home pet sitters for an annual fee - that’s loving pet care, all year round.
And the best part? Vets agree pets are happiest kept at home, in the comforting surroundings they’re used to. Plus, it certainly doesn’t break the bank, as you can welcome as many sitters as you like, simply for one annual fee. To find out more about how TrustedHousesitters works, take a look below.
Cost of TrustedHousesitters
With the cost of kennels and other pet care options costing hundreds of dollars per visit and amounting to thousands per year, it’s no wonder that many pet parents join TrustedHousesitters, where huge savings on pet care can be made and pets stay happy at home.
Pet parents simply pay an annual fee of $149 for a Basic membership. Owners can choose from thousands of verified, in-home pet sitters and can make use of a range of extra goodies, like our 24/7 Vet Advice Line.
To find out more about how TrustedHousesitters works for pet parents, take a look below.
What’s included in a TrustedHousesitters membership?
Basic pet parent
A Basic membership allows pet parents to choose from thousands of verified, in-home pet sitters.
Unlimited pet & home care from verified sitters
From $149 / year
Standard pet parent
Pet owners with a Standard membership can also make use of our:
Home and Contents Plan
24/7 Vet Advice Line: available on video, phone or chat
Dedicated member support
Boost your listing in search results
See who’s saved your listing
From $229 / year
Premium pet parent
Premium members enjoy all the features included in our Basic & Standard plan, plus the following:
2 global airport lounge passes
Sit Cancellation Plan
Premium badge on your listing
From $299 / year
So, want a pet care option that’s not going to break the bank, and is totally vet-approved? We thought that might be the case - take a look below to get to grips with the membership options available.
Cost of pet care in the US: FAQs
The average daily rate for rabbit sitting in the US is $27.50.
The average daily rate for bird sitters in the US is $30.
The average daily rate for a chicken sitter in the US is $27.50.
The average daily rate for a reptile sitter in the US is $15.
Cat kennels cost an average of $32.50 in the US per night, which can get really expensive if you’re going away for more than a couple of days. To make your pet care expenses more predictable, consider welcoming an in-home pet sitter for a fixed annual fee.
Paid pet sitters can cost an average of $80 per night in the US, so it’s always worth considering TrustedHousesitters, where owners can welcome as many verified, in-home sitters as needed for one annual membership fee.