How Much to Tip a Dog Sitter? – Top Dog Tips

February 7, 2023 Kar-Bay-Inc

Pet sitting seems like a logical profession for anyone that loves animals.

Some people think that dog sitting and dog walking are easy jobs, but there is a lot more to this than you may think.

If your pet sitter takes exceptional care of your pets, should you tip them? How much to tip a dog sitter for a job well done?

Your pet sitter is there when you need them. You can trust them to care for your dog in the same way that you do.

They’ll follow lists, do everything as you request, and sometimes they even go above and beyond your requirements.

If you use their services frequently, your dog walker/sitter will probably grow to love your pooch like their own.

Pet sitters charge you a fee that you discuss ahead of time, but is that good enough? The short answer is no.

Most sitters do not receive 100% of that money.

If they work for a dog walking agency, they probably only receive a small percentage of the rate that you pay.

If a dog sitter work for themselves, there are overhead costs that they will need to pay.

Either way, your pet sitter only gets to pocket a fraction of the rate you charge for their services.

Just like with many other hospitality and service providers, showing your appreciation by tipping your pet sitter is the least you can do.

How Much to Tip a Dog Sitter?

First off, let me say that I am not a pet sitter.

However, I do use a dog sitter regularly for my pups. I always tip my sitter to show him how much I appreciate his services.

After all, he makes sure that all of my animals have the love, attention and care that they deserve when I’m not at home.

With that being said, not all dog walkers/sitters will do a great job.

So if you are using a new pet sitter and you’re not satisfied with their work, obviously there is no need to leave an additional tip.

The question is how much to tip a dog sitter for a good job. In our podcast episode about dog walking, it’s been recommended to tip about 15% of their pet sitting fee.

So on a flat $50 bill, the dog sitter’s tip would be approximately $7.50 gratuity.

But, I would also add this: tip what you can afford. If, for example, 15% doesn’t fit in your budget, leave whatever you can afford.

Some people prefer to leave a flat fee tip each time they hire a dog sitter.

For example, you may feel comfortable leaving a $5 tip no matter what the pet sitter’s rate is.

When it comes right down to it, your pet sitter will appreciate whatever tip you can afford to leave.

Tipping is a great way to ensure that your dog sitter will take good care of you and your pet in the future.

When the dog walker feels appreciated, they’ll likely provide an even better service in the future.

Should You Tip a Pet Sitter?

Do you find yourself asking whether you should tip your dog sitter?

Don’t worry.

About 85 million families in the US own a pet, and they have the same question.

So, here are reasons why you should give dog sitting tips:

They care for your dog and have the skills to keep your dog safe while you’re away
They can do extra services like cleaning up the mess your dog made
Dog sitting tips can really help that person since they’ll be receiving only a small portion of what you paid to the company.
There’s nothing wrong with showing appreciation to someone who is taking care of a beloved part of your family.

Still, it’s not really necessary to give tips to the dog sitters.

However, if they exemplified in their job, top dog sitters definitely deserve one!

Do You Tip Dog Sitters on Rover?

A dog sitter under Rover, a popular app to book for dog sitting, will get all but 20% of the price you pay.

Dog sitting tips are optional, but they will be appreciated by the dog sitters.

If you’re on a budget, you can simply leave a positive review for them. After all, reviews can also help a dog sitter boost her value and credibility in the market.

When Should You Tip a Dog Sitter?

Even though dog-sitting tips are only optional, certain situations call for it.

You may need to tip your dog sitter:

If you have a high-maintenance dog
If they are asked to clean up after the dog’s mess, give medication, and do other tasks for your pet
If you have contacted them on holidays, long-scheduled service, or the last minute
If they are top dog sitters and excelled with outstanding service

What are the Benefits of Tipping a Dog Sitter?

If your dog sitters are doing well at their job, giving tips ensures that they’d be willing to come back.

It also encourages the dog sitter to take great care of your pet every time you call them.

Dog sitting tips shows gratitude for their job well done.

Aside from being a motivational incentive, it may encourage them to level up their efforts and services.

Other Ways to Tip Dog Sitters

If you’re on a tight budget or don’t have any cash in hand, there are other ways you can tips or support a dog sitter.

Leave a positive review on their platform, social media, or profile on Rover.
Give “thank you” cards, coupons, or gift cards for lunch, shopping, or gas
Bake some homemade cookies or treats
Double the tip next time you book their services

FAQ

What do most people charge for dog sitting?

After researching a few freelancing sites, Thumbtack claims the national average is $25-$30 per day but can sometimes be $40 dollars.

Another site claims, $23-$28 if the pet sitter is dropping in for a quick 15-minute visit. And between $35-$47 dollars for visits that last from 45-60 min.

It depends on the services involved.

How much do you tip a dog sitter for Christmas?

If your dog sitter comes during a holiday time and it’s just a one time deal, then 20% is recommended.

Let’s say you wanna give them a bonus for consistent dog sitting over the year.

One dog-sitting business owner suggests you can tip anywhere from $100-$500!

Talk about a nice Christmas present!

How many times a day should a pet sitter come?

It’s expected that pet sitters come once every 24 hours to check on the dog and make sure they are okay.

Depending on how much you’re paying will determine how long the dog sitter stays.

How long is too long to leave your dog with a sitter?

Certain dogs will start to display bad behavior if you are gone for too long. Some dogs will do it quicker some dogs won’t act out at all.

To avoid this, most businesses and pet sitters have set a limit on how long they will watch your dog.

The standard limit for both dog sitters and kennels is 4 weeks.

Anything past that is considered being away for too long.

How Much To Tip a Dog Sitter – Final Verdict

After hiring a dog sitter, you might start to ask yourself, “how much to tip a dog sitter?” This is a common dilemma among dog owners, but this shouldn’t bother you too much.

Dog sitting tips is optional.

However, it shouldn’t hurt to give a little tip to show your appreciation to the dog sitter who has taken good care of your canine companion while you’re away.

Though most people recommend giving at least 15% of the total service charge, you can also choose to pay whatever you can afford.

Dog sitters are going to appreciate it, no matter what.