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Pet Sitting Rate Calculator

Short answer: price each service as (total time including travel × the hourly rate you need) + mileage + supplies, then add a share for insurance, marketing and app fees. Charge extra per additional pet and on holidays, and offer bundles to win regular clients. Enter your numbers below; everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

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How to use your rates

1. Compare with local sitters. Look at 5 to 10 sitters and walkers in your area with similar experience and insurance. If you are far above them, shorten travel (serve a tighter area) or add value such as photo updates and key holding.
2. Publish clear terms. List your extra-pet charge, holiday dates, cancellation policy and what each visit includes before anyone books.
3. Sell packages to regulars. A weekday walk bundle or a pack of visits gives you predictable income and gives the client a reason to stay.
4. Set a minimum distance or add a travel fee. Long drives quietly cut your hourly pay; the calculator shows how much.
5. Review your prices every year or when fuel, insurance or demand change.

Common pet sitting pricing mistakes

• Pricing only the time with the pet. Travel time and mileage are real costs.
• Charging the same for three dogs as for one. More pets means more work and more risk.
• Underpricing overnights. You give up your whole evening and night, so charge for it.
• Forgetting app fees. If an app keeps a share, your listed price must be higher.
• Racing to the bottom. Nervous owners pay for trust and reliability, not the lowest price.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge for pet sitting?

Start from your own numbers, not a guess. Decide what you want to earn per hour, count the full time each job takes (including travel), add your mileage and supplies, then add a share for insurance, marketing and app fees. Compare the result with 5 to 10 local sitters and adjust, but never go below the price that covers your time and costs.

Should I charge more for extra pets?

Yes. Every extra dog or cat adds feeding, cleanup, medication and attention time. Most sitters add a set amount or a percentage per additional pet. This calculator uses a percentage of the one-pet price, which you can change.

How much extra should I charge on holidays?

Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year are your busiest and least convenient days, so a surcharge is normal. Many sitters add somewhere between a quarter and a half of the usual rate. Put your holiday dates and surcharge in your terms before people book.

How should I price overnight stays?

An overnight stay ties up your whole evening and night even if the active care is only a few hours. Price it as the hands-on care time at your hourly rate plus a flat overnight fee for being on site and unavailable for other work.

What if I take bookings through an app like Rover?

Booking apps usually keep a percentage of each booking as a service fee. Enter that percentage in the calculator and it will raise the listed price so you still take home what you need. Check the app's current fee in its terms, since fees change.

Does this calculator give tax or legal advice?

No. The tax set-aside is a rough budgeting figure. Tax, mileage and licensing rules differ between the US and UK and by situation, so check with an accountant or the IRS / HMRC guidance.