📋 Your booking details

Service type Number of visits / days Number of dogs Area cost level Booking method

Add-ons & situations

Daily medication administration

Common add-on per visit

Puppy or senior dog

Extra attention, potty breaks, or mobility help

Includes a holiday period

Most sitters add a peak-period surcharge

Estimated total cost

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Avg. per visit/day

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Platform fee

Drop-inWalkFull dayOvernight

Based on 2026 U.S. national average dog sitting rates from published industry cost guides. Actual prices vary by sitter experience, region, and exact services — always confirm final pricing directly before booking.

📊 Same trip, compared across service types

🏆 Why this calculator is different

🔀Works for both sides of the booking — switch between "I'm hiring" and "I am the sitter" and get the same fair-market numbers framed for your side, instead of a tool built for only owners or only sitters.
💸Shows the platform fee separately — booking through an app typically takes a 15–25% service fee off the top; most calculators bury this in one blended number instead of showing what the sitter actually keeps.
📊Compares service types for the same trip — drop-ins, walks, full-day, and overnight side by side, so you can see whether two drop-ins a day is actually cheaper than an overnight stay for your specific trip.
🐕‍🦺Multi-dog and special-needs pricing built in — a second dog and a puppy/senior surcharge are both factored automatically, not left for you to calculate by hand.
🎄Holiday surcharge included — most sitters raise rates 20–50% during peak travel periods; this is factored in when you flag a holiday booking.
🔒No sign-up, no data stored — everything runs in your browser only.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How much does a dog sitter cost?

Drop-in visits and walks typically run $20–$30 for about 30 minutes, full-day in-home sitting runs $40–$70 per day, and overnight in-home sitting typically costs $75–$150 per night, averaging around $95 in the U.S. in 2026.

Is it cheaper to use an app like Rover or Wag, or hire an independent sitter?

Independent sitters are often 15–25% cheaper for the same service, since apps take a service fee on top of what the sitter earns — though platforms typically add insurance, vetting, and support that independent arrangements may not include.

Dog sitting vs boarding — which is cheaper?

It depends on the trip. A few drop-in visits a day is often cheaper than overnight in-home sitting or boarding, while overnight in-home sitting and standard kennel boarding land in a similar price range — use the comparison table above to check your specific trip.

Should I tip my dog sitter?

Tipping 10–20% is customary for independent sitters, especially for excellent care or holiday bookings; app-based platforms usually build a service fee into the price already, but a tip for outstanding service is still appreciated.