For care professionals · Pet care
How do I set my pet sitting rates?
Set your pet sitting rates by starting from your real costs and time, then adjusting for the factors that make a visit harder: travel, overnights, extra pets, medication and holidays. Present them as a short, clear rate sheet with every add-on listed, so the price a client sees is the price they pay.
In 60 seconds
- Pet sitting rates should cover your time, travel, supplies, insurance and taxes, not just the minutes spent with the pet.
- Common factors that change a rate are travel distance, overnight stays, the number of pets, medication and holiday dates.
- Checking what other local sitters charge shows you the market, but your rates should still reflect your own costs and experience.
- A simple written rate sheet with every add-on listed prevents surprises and awkward conversations.
- On Maple Care, you and the client agree on rates directly, and Maple Care never sets rates or handles payment for care.
What should pet sitting rates cover?
Pet sitting rates should cover the full cost of delivering each visit: your time with the pet, travel time and vehicle costs, supplies, insurance, training, phone and admin time, and any taxes you owe. Pricing only the minutes spent with the animal is the most common reason independent sitters end up underpaid.
Work out roughly how many visits you can realistically do in a week, including travel between homes, and what you need to earn over that time after costs. That gives you a floor. Local market rates tell you whether that floor is realistic where you live.
What factors change a pet sitting rate?
The factors that most often change a pet sitting rate are travel distance, overnight stays, the number of pets, medication or special care, and holiday or short-notice bookings. Each adds time, responsibility or opportunity cost, so price each one deliberately rather than absorbing it.
- Travel: a set service area, with an added charge beyond it.
- Overnights: your whole evening and night, not one visit.
- Multiple pets: more feeding, cleaning and supervision per visit.
- Medication or special care: medication given as the owner or vet instructs, senior pets or pets recovering from surgery.
- Holidays and short notice: dates when you give up your own plans.
- Extras: plant watering, mail, garbage days or litter changes.
Should I charge more for holidays and last-minute bookings?
Many pet sitters charge more for statutory holidays and last-minute bookings, because demand is highest then and you give up personal time. Whether you add a holiday rate is your choice, but if you do, list the dates and the rate clearly in advance so clients are not surprised.
Statutory holidays differ by province, so define exactly which dates your holiday rate applies to rather than saying “holidays” in general.
Should dog walking and pet sitting have different rates?
Dog walking and pet sitting usually have different rates because the work differs. A walk is a set block of time focused on exercise, while a pet sitting visit can include feeding, litter, medication and home checks, and an overnight takes your whole evening. Price each service on its own time and responsibility.
Group walks and solo walks are also different services. A group walk spreads your time across several dogs but adds handling risk; a solo walk gives one dog your full attention. If you provide both, list them separately so clients can see the difference and choose.
How should I present my pet sitting rates to clients?
Present pet sitting rates as a short written rate sheet showing your base visit, overnight and walk rates, followed by every add-on and your cancellation terms. The total a client can expect should be obvious from the sheet, with no fixed fees revealed only at invoicing.
Canada’s Competition Act treats a price that is not attainable because of added fixed obligatory charges or fees as a false or misleading representation, except for amounts imposed by federal or provincial law. That is one more reason to show your real price upfront. Ask a professional if you are unsure how it applies to your advertising.
If you are registered for GST/HST, tell clients whether your rates include tax or whether tax is added. If you are a small supplier who is not registered, you do not charge it; the rule is in the Excise Tax Act, and the CRA can confirm your status.
How do I raise my pet sitting rates without losing clients?
Raise pet sitting rates by giving existing clients clear written notice well before the change takes effect, explaining briefly what changed, and applying new rates to new clients first if you prefer. Most clients accept reasonable increases when they are told early and the service stays reliable.
Some clients may leave after an increase. That is an honest trade-off: fewer clients at a sustainable rate can be better than a full schedule you cannot keep up.
Does Maple Care set pet sitting rates?
No, Maple Care does not set pet sitting rates and never collects or handles payment for care. You and the client agree on rates, schedule and payment directly. Maple Care only charges professionals when they choose to get a client’s contact details for a request, with the price shown before buying.
Details of what professionals pay Maple Care are on /pricing/. If you want a written record of the rates you agreed with a client, ask our team about our care agreement template.
Free to join. Pay only for the offers you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge per visit or per hour for pet sitting?
Most pet sitters charge per visit or per walk with a set length, because clients find it easy to understand. Hourly pricing can suit longer or unpredictable care. Whichever you choose, state the time included and what happens if a visit runs longer.
Should I charge extra for a second pet?
Many pet sitters charge an added amount for each extra pet, because feeding, cleaning and supervision take longer. Some include a second small pet at no charge. Decide based on the extra time and responsibility, and list it on your rate sheet.
Do I charge GST/HST on pet sitting rates?
You charge GST/HST only if you are registered, which is required once you no longer qualify as a small supplier under the Excise Tax Act. You may also register voluntarily. Confirm your situation with the CRA or an accountant, and tell clients whether rates include tax.
How do I know what other pet sitters charge?
Look at local sitters’ published rate sheets and profiles in your area. Use them to understand the market, not as a rule. Your experience, service area, availability and costs are different, and your rates should reflect them.
Should I give discounts to regular clients?
Some pet sitters give package or regular-client pricing to fill their schedule predictably. It can work well, but make sure the discounted rate still covers your costs. Put the terms in writing, including what happens to unused visits.
What should I do if a client says my rates are too high?
Explain briefly what your rate includes, such as travel, training, insurance and updates, and stay polite. If the client still prefers a lower price, it is fine to part ways. Cutting rates to win every client usually leads to a schedule that does not cover your costs.
Sources and evidence
Last updated: