Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Much Will Cat Sitting Cost Me in 2025? Hourly & Daily Rates

cat playing with its owner

If you’re going out of town for a few days, you’ll need someone to look after your cat while you’re gone. A cat sitter helps keep your feline cared for and fed while you’re gone. However, what exactly “counts” as cat sitting varies. Some locations will board your cat for you. Other cat sitters will come to your house a few times and check on your cat, helping keep them healthy and fed.

So, how much do cat sitters charge per day? Well that depends mainly on the services provided. Spending time playing with your cat or boarding your cat at a different location is much different from filling up a food bowl a few times a week. Your area also matters a lot; urban and high-cost areas often cost more, for instance. Cat sitters often cost anywhere from $18 to $75 a day. This cost is usually based on a single cat. Costs are usually more for more than one cat.

Below, we’ll look at everything you need to know about how much a cat sitter costs.

divider 2 cats

The Importance of Cat Sitting

Anytime you’re gone, we highly recommend getting a cat sitter. Of course, cat sitters can help perform the everyday care your cat needs. They fill up water bowls, provide food, and clean the litter box. All of these are things that your cat needs to prosper. Otherwise, you may come home to a very sick kitty.

However, cat sitters also provide other services. They check on your cat daily, ensuring they aren’t sick or in trouble. Otherwise, if your feline became sick on your vacation, you would not know how. For this reason, having a cat sitter who lays eyes on your cat daily is vital.

Cat sitters can also provide daily stimulation for your cats. Some cats like this more than others, of course. It isn’t odd for cats to hide for much of a cat-sitting visit—however, other cats like the daily visits of a sitter who can play with and pet them.

Some cats require regular brushing. In this case, we also recommend finding a pet sitter to perform this function. After all, you don’t want to come back to a tangled cat.

owner feeding his cat
Photo Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock

divider 3 paws

How Much Does Cat Sitting Cost?

There are several factors affecting how much to pay a cat sitter. The exact type of service, area, and experience level of the sitter all matter. Luckily, cats are usually cheaper, as they don’t require walks or as much extensive care as dogs.

Urban areas almost always cost more than rural areas. In low-income areas, cat sitting rates are usually lower. It depends on the area’s cost of living, as this heavily impacts wages.

Cat sitters who only visit your home once a day will cost less than those who need to stay in your home for long periods. Overnight cat sitting is often much more expensive than a single daily visit. If you want someone to stay in your house 24/7, you’ll need to pay much more.

Furthermore, if your cat needs medical care, you can expect it to cost you much more. Some pet sitters may be able to administer medication, for instance. However, the sitters will often charge you more because this is more work.

Here’s a chart explaining some of the most common cost variations:

Visit Type Cost
15-minute visit $18
30-minute visit $21
60-minute visit $32
Overnight cat sitting $75
Holiday costs +$5 per day
Cat Boarding $25

Additional Costs to Anticipate

You’ll also need to consider other costs. As we explained above, some cat sitters have extra fees for medication and holiday pet sitting. Be sure to ask about these fees before you hire a cat sitter. However, they are usually pretty upfront about any extra costs you may need to pay.

You’ll often have to pay for the cat’s food, medication, and anything else it might need. You may be able to pay for the cat sitter to provide fun treats and other mental stimulation for your feline. Most boarding facilities offer these treats, for instance.

You’ll need to pay for all your cat’s supplies during this time, though these are often provided at home. Therefore, you won’t have to pay these fees directly to the cat sitter.

Munchkin cat eating
Photo Credit: Twinsterphoto, Shutterstock

divider 2 cats

What Does a Cat Sitter Do?

Cat sitters can do just about anything you need them to. All cat sitters will feed and water your cat and clean up the litter box. These tasks ensure your pet is healthy and taken care of when you return home. However, they can also perform other tasks. For instance, they can play with and provide special treats for your feline. You’ll often pay per minute. Therefore, your costs may increase depending on the number of things you need the sitter to do.

Cat sitters can also provide medication. If your feline is sick, a professional cat sitter with experience providing for medical needs is recommended.

Furthermore, cat sitters can also monitor your home. While they aren’t house sitters, technically, they can perform some basic house tasks. For instance, they can check security systems and help adjust lights. Sometimes, these services may cost extra, depending on the time needed.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Sitters?

Pet insurance usually doesn’t cover cat sitters. However, some insurance companies will pay for cat boarding if you find yourself in the hospital. Still, even these companies don’t pay for the usual pet sitting. Furthermore, pet-sitting coverage is usually an add-on, which increases the cost of your pet insurance.

Therefore, you’ll have to pay any of these costs out of pocket.

divider 1 paws

Conclusion

Cat sitters often cost anywhere from $18 to $75 a day, depending on the type of service, the area you live in, and how many cats you have in your home. Often, sitters don’t charge much extra for several cats. However, they may charge extra for medically needy cats, bringing treats, or other extra services. These costs can add up if you want them to perform many extra services.

However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid hiring a cat sitter. These cat sitters can provide for your cat’s needs while you’re gone, keep an eye on their health, and provide companionship. Of course, cat sitters can also provide basic house-sitting services, such as bringing in mail and checking the security system.

Related Read:


Featured Image Credit: Free-Photos, Pixabay

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

  1. Thank you for your help. Someone has asked me to check in on her car, provide fresh water and food, and maintain litter cleanliness. Also asked what I charge … I have no idea, and am not looking to break the bank. Any suggestions? She is located very close to where I live, so no far distances to travel..

    1. Hey Sandra, thanks for getting in touch. Every cat will have different needs, just like every cat sitter will have different ones as well. We know cat sitters who do it for free for the experience, while others fairly ask for compensation for time and travel etc. It really is based on your own individual circumstances. The main thing is providing peace of mind for the cat parents while they're away. :) Hope that helps!

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Much Does a Devon Rex Cat Cost? 2025 Price Guide

The Devon Rex cat is famous for their unique appearance, distinct cheekbones, huge eyes, and big ears. They are also referred to as...

male owner holding his devon rex cat

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Ashera Cat? 2025 Price Guide

The Ashera cat may have caught your eye due to their striking resemblance to the wild felines that roam the scorching savannahs of...

ashera cat

How Much Does a US Pet Passport Cost? (2025 Update)

Many pet owners view their pets as family members, and more pets accompany their families on their travels than ever before. Obtaining a...

woman with a map travelling with a cat

How Much Does It Cost to Cremate a Cat: 2025 Update

After a cat’s death, several decisions must be made, including what to do with their body. Planning ahead is vital, and the overwhelming...

picture-and-urn-of-deceased-cremated-cat

More related

Travel,With,Pet.,Man,Holding,Carrier,With,Cute,Cat,And

How Much Will It Cost to Ship My Cat? (2025 Update)

When planning to move to a distant town or take a cat home from a breeder or rescue in another state, shipping your...

Veterinarian giving injection to cat_Africa Studio_Shutterstock

What’s the Price of Cat & Kitten Vaccinations in UK? 2025 Costs

Cat and kitten vaccinations are vitally important to every cat’s health. There are various types of vaccines, such as a kitten’s first vaccine...

Egyptian mau on grey background

Egyptian Mau Price: Average Cost Guide 2025

Egyptian Mau cats have stunning spotted coats and look like little wild cats! They come in a range of colors, including bronze, silver,...

Cat's owner measuring the blood sugar values of his feline using glucometer

What’s the Cost of Cat Insulin in 2025? Price Guide & FAQ

Our feline friends can develop diabetes, and like us, they might require insulin. If your cat has been diagnosed with this disease, you’re...

Keep reading

Why Do Cats Rub Their Face on Things? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats do all sorts of strange and wonderful things, like racing around your house at 2 a.m. or hiding dead mice under your shoes. But have you noticed that your kitty seems to like to rub their face on everything...

american shorthair cat rubbing face on the wood

Does Lavender Oil Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Effectiveness & Safety Explained

When your cat has a flea infestation, it can be tempting to look for an all-natural cure like lavender oil. However, lavender oil is much more adept at repelling fleas than killing them, so any usefulness from this essential oil...

lavender essential oil

Is Baby’s Breath Toxic to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

Baby’s breath is an extremely common flower in arrangements. The small, white flowers are especially useful at bringing out the colors of other flowers and make a good “background” flower for arrangements. Less commonly, you can also find this flower...

Catster_Is Baby’s Breath Toxic to Cats

Is Rabies Common in Cats? Vet Approved Facts & Stats

Just reading or hearing the word rabies is enough to strike terror into the hearts of most cat lovers. It’s a horrible disease that almost always results in death if left untreated. The frequency of rabies in cats varies greatly...

cat in vet clinic recovering from spaying procedure

Can Cats Eat Coconut Oil? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Coconut oil has long been used for cooking, particularly in South Asian cuisines. It appears to have some health benefits, and some studies suggest it may increase fat burning and decrease hunger in some people. But what about cats? Is...

Can Cats Eat Coconut Oil

Can Cats Eat Rice Pudding? Vet Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Sometimes, it can be tempting to treat our cats to a little bit of something we are enjoying, but it can be tricky to tell which foods are good for them and which are not. If you are wondering whether...

Can Cats Eat Rice Pudding

Why Does My Cat Kick the Wall? 8 Possible Reasons

Cats are masters of odd behaviors, and it’s one of the reasons that we love them so much. But what’s so interesting about dust motes? Why are they zooming around the apartment at 3 a.m. as if their tail was...

cat lies on the sofa touching the wall with its paws

Cat Private Parts: Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ About Feline Genitals

While most of us like to show our cats the same privacy we hope for ourselves when it comes to our pet’s private areas, there are some important things to watch out for, so it’s important to be familiar with...

A closeup shot of a brown cat licking its genital