Most cats are independent enough that they don’t mind being left on their own for a day. However, there are times when we’re gone for longer than we want to be. Hiring a cat sitter allows you to make sure your cat gets all the attention that they need while you’re away from home, whether you’re at work, visiting family, or on vacation.
Cat sitters can have varying costs, depending on the services that they offer. As a general answer you can expect to pay hourly rates from $15 to $35 or $10 to $20 per day, however it will all depend on a lot of factors. We put together this guide to help you budget and take care of your cat during your next trip.
The Importance of Cat Sitters
If we could, we’d take our pets with us everywhere we go, but that isn’t always possible. While we can stay away for a day to work without much issue, staying away from home for longer means finding someone to take care of our cats while we’re away. This can be difficult if you don’t know anybody who has the time to spare or experience to look after a cat.
Cat sitters are people you hire to look after your cat if you’re away from home. You can hire a cat sitter to stop by your house throughout the day or overnight or to take care of your cat at their home while you’re gone.
Not only will a trustworthy cat sitter make sure your cat has food, water, and playtime, but they’ll also handle medication and litter tray cleanups. Some cat sitters will even keep an eye on your house for you.
How Much Does Professional Cat Sitting Cost?
What pet sitters charge depends on their experience and how often they visit your house to check in or how long they’ll be looking after your cat. On average, most pet sitters charge similar rates for both dogs and cats, though the prices can be more expensive for large dog breeds.
If you hire a cat sitter to check on your cat at intervals throughout the day to make sure they’re fed, they’ll likely charge by the hour. For an hour-long visit, you’re looking at anywhere between $15 and $35. This, of course, adds up the more times that you need your cat sitter to visit during the day or if they stop by every day for however long you’re away.
You also have the option of dropping off your cat at the cat sitter’s home or your cat sitter staying at your house with your cat. Usually, cat sitters will give you better rates if they’re caring for your cat full-time due to the limited traveling back and forth. On average, hiring a cat sitter for a day can cost between $10 and $20 or for overnight care, around $40.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
While there’s an average fee for most cat sitters, there are a few things that can increase the price that you pay for the service.
1. Multiple Cats
Although you might assume that two or more cats will be the same price as one, that isn’t always the case. If you have two or more cats, your cat sitter will spend more time making sure they are all taken care of properly. Your cat sitter will also need extra time to administer medication if any of your cats need it.
2. Location
How far your cat sitter has to travel is something that ups the price too. While they might live in town and be relatively cheap for suburban pet owners, if you live in a more rural area, they’ll charge more for the extra gas and time that they need to get to your house.
3. Holidays
With all the traveling that many pet owners have to do during holidays, pet sitters are often in high demand. Understandably, cat sitting during holidays is usually more expensive.
4. Medication
If your cat has special medical needs, you’ll need to hire a cat sitter who knows how to administer the correct medication at the right times. Cat sitters who are more experienced with feline medical care — however basic — will cost more than one who only offers cuddles and playtime.
Is Cat Sitting the Same as Boarding?
Boarding your cat at a kennel or cattery is a popular option, but it does have its downsides. Many cats are boarded in catteries, and they can’t all receive the attention that they deserve. In comparison, cat sitters are better able to offer the level of affection that you want your cat to receive.
Hiring a cat sitter also gives you a much broader range of choices when it comes to how your cat is taken care of. Some cat sitters can keep your cat at their home for the duration of your vacation. Not only does this ensure that your cat isn’t alone, but it also means you don’t have to give your house key to someone whom you might not know that well.
Other sitters will visit your house once or a few times a day to administer any medicine that your cat might need and make sure they’re fed. They’ll also clean out the litter box, cuddle with your cat, and keep an eye on your house for you. Unlike boarding, at-home visits can be part of your routine.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Sitting?
Pet insurance covers the cost of emergency veterinary visits that your cat — or dog — might need. Some policies also have optional wellness plans that cover routine checkups. However, pet insurance doesn’t cover cat sitting.
The cost of finding someone to look after your cat while you’re away is one of your expected responsibilities as a pet owner, not an unexpected expense. Therefore, it should be part of your usual budgeting. Some pet insurance companies, like Trupanion, may offset the cost of boarding if it’s needed due to emergency hospitalization for the policyholder, but that isn’t a common policy for many insurance agencies.
While pet insurance doesn’t cover your costs for hiring a cat sitter, there are insurance companies that cover the sitters themselves. Pet sitting insurance protects the sitter in the case of accidents during a walk or while they’re checking on your pet. These policies can be applied to both cat and dog sitters.
What to Do When You Hire a Cat Sitter
Your responsibility doesn’t end once you’ve found a cat sitter. For your cat to receive the care that they require, you need to ensure that your cat sitter understands all your cat’s needs. This includes any health issues that they might have, the times that they get fed, and even whether your cat is allowed outdoors.
To start with, it’s always a good idea if you introduce your cat sitter to your cat while you are in the room. While your cat might still be skittish around a stranger, they’ll be more relaxed with your presence instead of meeting a stranger invading the otherwise empty home.
Making a list or discussing everything that your cat requires can help too. Your cat sitter will have more clients than just you, and providing notes on your cat’s needs will ensure that they can give your cat the care that they require. It’ll also keep your cat sitter aware of any possible medical issues that your cat might face.
Conclusion
Boarding your cat at a cattery might be convenient, but it can also get expensive. On average, cat sitters can be cheaper and provide your cat with the love and care that they need.
Hourly rates can range from $15 to $35 or $10 to $20 per day, depending on your cat sitter’s experience. The number of cats that you own, how far away your cat sitter is, and whether they look after your cat at their home or yours may make the price higher or lower.
Featured Image Credit: Amerigo_images, Shutterstock
