You finally booked a short trip. Bags are almost packed. Then the real worry hits. How much do you pay a dog sitter for 3 days so your dog is happy and your wallet does not panic
You are definitely not the only one asking this. Dog sitting prices jump around a lot between cities. sitters. and even seasons. However. once you know the usual ranges and what affects the cost. it gets much easier to decide what is fair.
In this guide. we will walk through typical rates. real three day examples. and a simple way to decide what to pay your sitter without overthinking it.
1. Typical dog sitter rates in 2025
Prices always depend on where you live and what you need. Even so. most pet parents see similar ranges for common services.
Average visit and overnight prices
Here is what you will often find across many areas in 2025.
- Short drop in visit. 15–30 minutes
- Common range. 20–35 USD per visit
- Small town or rural area. often 15–25 USD
- Big city. usually 25–40 USD or more
- One hour visit
- Common range. 30–50 USD per visit
- Longer visits often include a proper walk. feeding. and a bit of play
- Overnight stay in your home or the sitter’s home
- Usually covers evening. overnight. and early morning care
- Common range. 60–100 USD per night
- Very experienced sitters or pricey cities can land above this
- Full day or 24 hour care
- Great for puppies or dogs that cannot be left alone for long
- Often 80–150 USD per day depending on your area and the dog’s needs
- Weekly packages
- Some sitters offer weekly deals around 250–375 USD for basic care
- That works out to roughly 35–55 USD per day
These numbers are not exact for every neighborhood. However. they give you a realistic base when you start calculating a three day stay.
2. A quick way to estimate 3 day dog sitting cost
Before you get lost in details. start with two simple questions.
- Do you need drop in visits or overnight stays
- How many visits or walks per day does your dog honestly need
Once you know that. you can use this basic formula.
Price per visit or night × number of visits or nights per day × 3 days
To make it easier. let’s look at a few common three day setups.
Scenario A. Drop in visits only
This option suits healthy adult dogs that are fine alone between visits.
Assume.
- 3 visits per day
- 30 USD per visit
Calculation.
- 3 visits × 30 USD = 90 USD per day
- 3 days × 90 USD = 270 USD for 3 days
If your sitter charges 20 USD per visit in a small town. the same schedule drops to about 180 USD for 3 days. So the location really matters.
Scenario B. One long visit plus two quick visits
Some dogs do best with a longer mid day walk and two shorter potty breaks.
Assume.
- 1 × 60 minute visit at 40 USD
- 2 × 30 minute visits at 25 USD each
Calculation.
- Daily total. 40 + 25 + 25 = 90 USD
- Three days. 270 USD total
In a big city. that might look more like 50 USD for the long visit and 30 USD for the shorter ones. Then your three day total can climb to around 330 USD.
Scenario C. Overnight stays in your home
Many owners prefer this. because the dog stays in a familiar place and the sitter also keeps an eye on the house.
Assume.
- 1 overnight stay per day at 80 USD
- Optional midday walk at 25–30 USD
Calculation.
- Overnights only. 80 × 3 = 240 USD for 3 nights
- Overnights plus midday walk. (80 + 30) × 3 = 330 USD
If you choose a top tier sitter at 110 USD per night. the same three nights quickly move closer to 330 USD to 360 USD before any extras.
Scenario D. Boarding at the sitter’s home
Here. your dog stays at the sitter’s home instead of yours.
- Typical in home boarding rate. 50–90 USD per night
- Three nights often run 150–270 USD in many areas
This can be a nice middle ground between a standard kennel and full house sitting. especially for social dogs.
3. What actually changes the price
Two neighbors can pay very different amounts for the same three day stretch. That happens because a few key factors shift the price up or down.
3.1 Location and cost of living
First. your city makes a big difference.
- Large metro areas and tourist hotspots usually have the highest rates
- Suburbs often sit somewhere in the middle
- Small towns and rural areas are usually cheaper
For example. a 30 minute visit might cost 15–20 USD in a small town. while the same visit in a busy city can easily be 30–35 USD or more.
3.2 Type of service
The kind of care you choose also matters a lot. In general. prices go from lower to higher in this order.
- Group doggy day care in a private home
- Simple drop in visits
- Boarding in the sitter’s home
- House sitting in your home with overnights
- Full 24 hour or complex medical care
So. if you expect your sitter to actually live in your home for three days. the rate should be higher than basic boarding. because they are also watching the house. dealing with mail. handling lights. and following more detailed instructions.
3.3 Number of dogs
Next. the number of dogs in your house quickly changes the total.
Most sitters use a base price for the first dog. then charge a smaller add on for each extra dog. For instance.
- First dog. 75 USD per night
- Second dog. +20 USD per night
- Three nights with two dogs. 95 × 3 = 285 USD
Once you get to three or four dogs. the sitter might adjust the structure again. because the work and responsibility go up a lot.
3.4 Dog size. age. and special needs
Even a single dog can be more expensive to care for if.
- It is very large or strong and needs confident handling
- It is a puppy that still chews. has accidents. and needs extra time
- It is a senior dog who needs help with stairs or bathroom breaks
- It needs daily medication. injections. or close monitoring
- It struggles with anxiety. reactivity. or other behavior issues
In these cases. many sitters either add a daily fee. or they quote you a higher rate from the start. That is normal. because the job really is more demanding.
3.5 Time of year and holidays
Timing also matters.
During school breaks. summer vacation. and major holidays. demand usually spikes. Therefore. many sitters.
- Increase their base prices a bit
- Add a per day holiday surcharge. often 10–25 USD
So. if your three days land over Christmas. New Year. or another big holiday. expect the total to sit at the higher end of the normal range.
3.6 Sitter experience and training
Finally. the sitter’s background plays a big part in what they charge.
You may pay more when a sitter.
- Has years of hands on experience
- Is trained in pet first aid or CPR
- Runs an insured and properly registered business
- Offers detailed updates. photos. and clear communication
In many cases. their overnight rates sit closer to 90–110 USD. While that sounds like a lot at first. many pet parents prefer to pay extra and sleep better knowing their dog is with someone very reliable.
4. How to decide what is a fair rate for 3 days
Now that you have numbers in mind. how do you pick an actual rate for your own situation. A simple four step approach works well.
Step 1. Check your local going rate
First. spend a few minutes looking up pet sitters in your area.
- Search a couple of pet sitting or dog walking platforms
- Filter by your city or neighborhood
- Look at sitters with similar experience and services
As you scroll. write down the common range for the type of care you want. drop in visits. boarding. or house sitting. This local range matters more than a national average.
Step 2. Adjust for your dog and your home
Next. think honestly about how much work your sitter is taking on.
Ask yourself.
- Is my dog generally easy. average. or high effort
- How many walks or visits per day will I expect
- Do I want extras. like plant watering or trash day help
- Is there any medication. training. or post surgery care involved
If your dog is calm. healthy. and needs only two quick visits per day. you can usually stay near the lower middle of the local range. However. if you have a reactive dog on medication who needs longer walks. it makes sense to sit closer to the top of that range.
Step 3. Talk openly with your sitter
After you have a ballpark number in mind. it is time to chat.
You might say something like.
I see local overnight rates around 70 to 90 dollars per night. You would be caring for one friendly adult dog and bringing in the mail. What is your usual rate for a 3 night stay
This kind of message shows you did your homework. It also invites an honest answer. If their quote falls in the local range and matches the level of care you want. it is probably fair. If it is far below everyone else. that can be a sign to ask more questions.
Step 4. Confirm the full three day total in writing
Finally. before you hand over the keys. write everything down.
Make sure you both agree on.
- Exact dates and times. when the sitter arrives and leaves
- Number of daily visits or overnights included
- Any add ons. extra dogs. holidays. or medical care
- How and when you will pay
- Whether platform or processing fees are included
Ask the sitter to give you one clear number for the full three day booking. That way. there are no awkward surprises when you come home.
5. Sample three day budgets
To make all of this feel more real. let’s walk through a few simple three day examples for one healthy adult dog.
Budget example 1. Small town. drop in visits
- Location. small town. lower cost of living
- Service. three 30 minute visits per day
- Rate. 20 USD per visit
Daily cost.
- 3 × 20 = 60 USD per day
Three day total.
- 60 × 3 = 180 USD
This is a fairly budget friendly setup. but it still gives your dog three check ins every day.
Budget example 2. Mid size city. overnights
- Location. mid size city
- Service. overnight stays plus one midday walk
- Overnight rate. 75 USD
- Midday walk. 25 USD
Daily cost.
- 75 + 25 = 100 USD per day
Three day total.
- 100 × 3 = 300 USD
This option works well if your dog is a bit clingy and you like having someone in the house at night.
Budget example 3. Major city. high end sitter
- Location. big metro area
- Service. house sitting with overnight stays
- Rate. 110 USD per night
- Extra dogs. none
Three nights.
- 110 × 3 = 330 USD
If this lands over a holiday and the sitter adds 20 USD per day. your three days can reach about 390 USD. That might feel high. but for some owners. the peace of mind is worth it.
Budget example 4. Two dogs with basic care
- Location. mid range city
- Service. three visits per day
- Rate for first dog. 30 USD per visit
- Extra dog fee. +5 USD per visit
Daily cost.
- Base visits. 3 × 30 = 90 USD
- Extra dog. 3 × 5 = 15 USD
- Total per day. 105 USD
Three day total.
- 105 × 3 = 315 USD
As you can see. adding a second dog does not always double the price. but it still adds up over a few days.
6. How to talk about money with a dog sitter
Money chats can feel awkward. but they do not have to be. A kind. honest conversation usually works best for both sides.
Be open about your budget
You are allowed to have a budget. Just share it respectfully.
For example.
For this three day trip I was hoping to stay around 250 dollars total. Does that fit with your usual rates for this kind of care
If your number matches the local market and the work involved. many sitters are happy to say yes or at least suggest a plan that fits. If it is far below the going rate. they may decline. and that is okay too.
Ask what is actually included
Before you compare prices. make sure you are comparing the same thing.
Ask if their rate includes.
- Walks and potty breaks
- Feeding. fresh water. and basic brushing
- Photos or text updates
- Simple house tasks like mail. trash. and lights
Sometimes one sitter is a bit more expensive. yet the rate covers much more. In that case. the higher price can easily be the better value.
Agree on tipping and payment timing
Tipping is not a strict rule. but many owners add 10–20 percent. especially when the sitter goes above and beyond.
Also. clarify.
- Whether a deposit is needed
- When the final payment is due
- How they prefer to be paid
- What happens if you have to cancel or come home early
When you handle all of this upfront. the whole stay tends to feel smoother and more relaxed.
7. Ways to save money without cutting corners
If the total for three days feels a bit scary. you still have options. There are several ways to bring costs down while keeping your dog safe and comfortable.
- Book early
When you plan ahead. you usually get better choice and sometimes better prices. Last minute bookings often cost more. - Be flexible with times
If you can get home earlier on the last day. you might skip one visit or even a full extra night. - Trim the extras
Think about what your dog truly needs. A senior couch potato might not need three long walks every single day. A couple of shorter visits plus one nice walk could be enough. - Use the same sitter regularly
Over time. some sitters offer small loyalty discounts or simple “regular client” perks. Plus. your dog feels safer with a familiar face. - Plan your pet budget
It often helps to think about pet care as part of your monthly money plan. If you want a simple framework. you can use a friendly guide like the 50 30 20 pet budget formula to set aside fair amounts for food. health. and pet services. - Share walks with a neighbor
When two friendly dogs from the same block walk together. a sitter may offer a better rate per dog.
What you should avoid is chasing the absolute cheapest price without checking experience and reviews. A rock bottom rate is not a win if your sitter cancels late. misses visits. or does not treat your dog kindly.
8. When a price is too low
Now and then. you might see a three day quote that looks almost too good to be true. In many cases. it is.
Very low prices can sometimes mean.
- Little or no real experience with dogs
- No insurance or business structure
- Risk of last minute cancellations
- Short. rushed visits that barely cover the basics
This does not mean every new sitter is bad. Everyone has to start somewhere. However. it is smart to ask extra questions. check reviews. and trust your gut. If something feels off. it is safer to pay a fair market rate to someone you truly trust.
For extra peace of mind. you might also invest in a GPS tracker for your dog. That way. you can quickly see where your dog is during walks or yard time. If you are curious about that option. you can check a detailed Tractive GPS tracker review and see if it fits your dog and your budget.
9. So. how much should you pay a dog sitter for 3 days
There is no single magic number. Even so. for one healthy adult dog in the US in 2025. many pet parents end up in these rough ranges.
- Lower end. small town or simple care
- Around 150–200 USD for three days of basic drop in visits or simple boarding
- Typical mid range
- Around 240–330 USD for three days of visits plus overnights. or in home boarding in a city
- Higher end. big city or complex care
- Around 330–450 USD or more for three days of house sitting with special needs. holidays. or multiple dogs
Start by checking what others charge in your area. Then adjust up or down based on your dog. your home. and your expectations. Finally. have an honest talk with your sitter and agree on a total that feels fair on both sides.
When the price matches the work and your dog comes home relaxed and happy. you will know that you paid the right amount.
