9 Best Dog Sitting Services of 2025 – Which Service Is Right for Your Pet?

Dog sitting is an excellent option for owners for several reasons. This service is an alternative to kennels, leaving your dog at home, or pet hotels. Above all, dog sitting offers more comfort for a pet as they stay in their familiar environment. Pets are less stressed, anxious, and their behavior remains stable. Besides, sitters maintain the usual daily routine of your dog, including feeding, walks, and playtime. 

Dog sitters deal with fewer pets compared to the employees of kennels. This means they are focused on your dog and provide more personalized and thorough care. Your pets also get sufficient attention. 

Sitting is especially advantageous for pets with special needs, such as medical or behavioral conditions. They are given the needed medications on time. Choosing the right sitting service is essential to receive a positive pet sitting experience. 

In this article, we are going to analyze the best dog sitting services in the market. We are not going to compare them, but provide a detailed overview of each platform so that you can make more informed decisions. We are going to provide essential information, such as pricing, location coverage, and services provided. Also, we are going to include the most significant advantages and disadvantages of each website. 

1. Flat4Pet

Flat4Pet is a pet sitting platform that connects owners and sitters. On this website, the owners choose a trusted sitter to take care of their pets in their home. It is a combination of traditional pet sitting and home exchange. As a rule, sitters exchange their services for free accommodation.

The owners create a detailed job listing, describing the pet’s needs, care rules, and dates. Then, sitters apply for opportunities, and the owners check their profiles for reviews and references. Besides, the platform is free to use for sitters, as both parties negotiate directly with each other.

Flat4Pet is a global platform, and the coverage depends on the number of listings. There are generally more options in urban or popular travel areas. Its key services include live-in pet sitting. It involves boarding, feeding, walking, and sometimes medical care.

Overall, Flat4Pet is a cost-effective and flexible pet- and house sitting service that focuses on peer-to-peer arrangements. It is suitable if you want to choose your sitter yourself and can provide free boarding. 

2. Wag!

Wag is a pet care platform that connects dog owners with sitters. It is often called “Uber for dogs” for its on-demand services. Its key services include on-demand or scheduled dog walking, boarding, training, and overnight sitting. Wag also provides live walks, which can be especially convenient for owners. 

Owners pay for each completed service, whether a walk, sit, or an overnight stay. A booking fee for a walk is typically $2,99. Premium membership costs $95.99 per year. It includes waived booking fees, VIP support, and vet recommendations. Wag is a US-based service that operates in more than 5,000 cities and has a community of over 400,000 caregivers. 

Wag app is ideal for instant booking and last-minute sitting opportunities. It offers GPS tracking for real-time walks and multimedia updates for transparency and peace of mind. However, it may not be the best option for you if you are looking for a permanent caregiver for your pet. It also takes a quite commission of nearly 40%, significantly affecting sitter rates. Also, all the contractual responsibility lies with the sitter. 

3. Care.com

Care.com is a marketplace for finding pet sitters. This platform mainly operates in the US, the UK, Canada, and Europe, having the strongest presence in urban and suburban areas. It provides many pet sitting services, such as drop-ins, overnight stays, and boarding. Apart from these services, sitters can also add house checks, grooming, and medication administration.

Care.com offers substantial advantages for professional sitters, such as liability insurance. It covers $1,000 to $3,000 annually for lost keys and “care, custody, and control.” Sitters can also undergo a thorough background screening to increase trust. Pet owners are also advised to check references and conduct interviews. An average caregiver rating is 4.8, which is relatively high for marketplaces. 

This website allows sitters to set their own prices for services. Standard rates for pet sitting are $12-$20 per hour. Nightly rates are nearly $50 per overnight stay. Care.com charges a 10% fee for each service booking. 

To wrap up, it is ideal for those searching for an experienced and verified caregiver for their pet. Care.com also benefits proactive owners ready to pick the most suitable sitter and want basic insurance and bonding.

4. PetSitter.com

PetSitter.com is a large marketplace with a vast sitter pool. It operates in the US, the UK, and Canada. It hosts not only individual sitters, but also sitting companies. Most caregivers on this platform have completed a background check. PetSitter offers services, such as pet sitting, dog walking, boarding, grooming, training, and overnight care.

Owners filter sitter profiles by service, location, hourly rates, and availability. Then, they select the most suitable caregiver. PetSitter offers an internal messaging system and encourages video calls between the parties to get to know each other and discuss the sit details. 

When it comes to rates, sitters set their own pricing for each service. The rates range from $11-$18 per hour, and overnight stays are around $60 per night. The owners pay the sitter directly, using PayPal or other third-party services. The platform doesn’t charge any fees for posting or hiring a caregiver. PetSitter also assists in invoicing. 

Overall, this service is best for owners who are ready to conduct all the research and payments themselves. It is less ideal for those looking for a more platform-managed experience with insurance, dispute support, etc. 

5. PetBacker

PetBacker is a pet care platform operating globally. It connects pet owners with walkers, sitters, groomers, and trainers. This service operates in over 50 countries, enabling owners to select caregivers via an app or website. 

PetBacker works via a request-match system for sitters and owners. Sitters create their profiles, add their experience, skills, etc. Once the new job is posted, they bid for it. The owners choose between multiple quotes and reach out to different candidates via an in-app chat. 

The service also provides an internal sitter directory. Caregivers can communicate with owners and send photos or video updates via an in-app chat. They also have a vet connection.

Sitters set their own rates for each service provided. The platform takes a 15%-25% fee for booking a caregiver and a fixed 35% fee for training services. As the sitter gains experience, the commission decreases. All the payments are processed and protected via a PetBacker internal payment system. This platform also offers insurance of up to $1,000 for an eligible booking. 

Overall, PetBacker is an excellent choice for those who want fast matching and insurance. It is also great if you look for verified reviews and vet coverage. However, it may not be the best pick if you want flexibility and minimal fees. 

6. Fetch! Pet Care

Fetch! Pet Care is a US-based pet care and sitting franchise. It offers professional sitters and walkers in a local office. Its services include overnight sitting, dog walking, drop-in visits, and pet taxi. Each franchise operates in its local area, having a regional office and staff. This service focuses on trust and vetting. 

All the Fetch! Pet Care sitters undergo mandatory background checks, verify personal information, and complete interviews. They also receive training and safety certifications according to regional standards and CDC-style protocols. The clients are assigned a primary and a backup caregiver. 

This service has a mobile app for booking, payments, and sitter tracking. Key access controls are monitored during service times. An app offers detailed visit logs and flexible scheduling, including last-minute bookings and late-night services. 

Fetch! Pet Care takes a 50% fee per completed booking. However, the sitters get to keep all the tips. There is also limited flexibility due to less customization and franchise schedules. There may also be some franchise-level inconsistencies, such as miscommunication.

In conclusion, this service is perfect for owners who want fully managed, professional pet care. It is also suitable if you need a dedicated sitter for consistent care. This app is less ideal if you want a budget-friendly, flexible, and peer-style sitting arrangements. 

7. Trusted Housesitters

TrustedHousesitters is a large membership-based house and pet sitting platform with a long-standing presence in the market. It connects owners with caregivers who are ready to provide their services in exchange for free accommodation. This service is present in over 130 countries. Its key pet-related services include pet sitting and in-home care. It covers mainly dogs and cats, and sometimes small exotic pets and livestock. 

The sitter membership fee starts at $139, depending on your plan. Pet owners pay around $149–299/year. There are no booking or per-visit fees as the sitters get to stay at your home for free. 

TrustedHousesitter has verified profiles with reviews, ratings, and a secure messaging system. Besides, it offers perks like vet line, insurance, cancellation cover, and alerts. Overall, it is excellent for those preferring a yearly subscription and in-home care. It may not be suitable for you if you want a cost-effective option. 

8. Nomador

Nomador is an international house and pet sitting service that connects owners and sitters. Sitters generally provide pet and home care in exchange for free accommodation. It has been in the market for over 10 years, with an especially strong presence in Europe. Nomador encourages sitters to apply for listings based on their profiles and references. 

It offers a free membership with limited functionality. Sitters post a limited number of requests for free. You need to pay €79 per year for a premium version for unlimited job applications. When it comes to trust, Nomador has a two-way blind review system, where both parties are verified. 

In conclusion, Nomador is excellent if you prefer longer stays and in-home care for free accommodation. However, it may not be suitable if you want a more managed experience with insurance and guarantees. 

How to Choose the Right Dog Sitting Service

A right sitting platform is essential to ensure your dog is safe, comfortable, and well-cared for while you aren’t at home. Here are a few tips for selecting a suitable dog sitting service. 

• Identify your needs. Evaluate your pet’s schedule, behavior, and special needs (e.g., medical care, additional supervision), and add these details to your job posting or note them in messages. 
• Choose a pricing type. Select a comfortable pricing, whether it’s a pay-per-service (hourly or overnight rate), or a membership fee. Look for detailed price breakdowns and compare average rates on different dog sitting platforms. 
• Explore different sitting models. Define whether you are most comfortable with boarding, overnight stays, drop-ins, or just walks. Consider the sit duration and the number of pets. Also, specify how you want to approach booking and organizing the sit. Determine if you wish to use on-demand services or regular scheduled pet care.
• Select the desired functionality. Pay attention to the features of different services’ websites or apps. Look for platforms with verified reviews and ratings, in-app messaging tools, and sit updates. Insurance, guarantees, vet hotline, and emergency support are valuable additions to create an excellent pet sitting experience. 

Regardless of the best sitting services you choose, it’s still important to ensure you are committing to a reliable and trustworthy caregiver. These are the recommendations to make a more informed decision. 

• Check sitter reviews and qualifications in their profile. 
• Discuss details, such as pet schedule, walk duration, feeding, and medical care needs with a sitter.
• Conduct an introductory video call with a sitter to get to know them better.
• Try drop-ins or walking first before committing to overnight or long-term stays.
• Have a backup plan, especially for long-term stays.

FAQ

Which dog sitting platform is most affordable in 2025?

It depends on whether you need a one-time booking or regular care. Wag! is the most budget-friendly for occasional assignments. TrustedHousesitters and Nomador offer excellent value for their membership cost if you need house sitting frequently. PetSitter.com and Care.com are listing-based, and you can negotiate the price with the sitter.

How do I know if a dog sitter is trustworthy?

Platform features like background checks, identity verification, and reviews add credibility to a sitter. Secure messaging and updates also help ensure your sitter is reliable. Guarantees like liability coverage and cancellation protection also ensure trust with a sitter. Review sitter profiles carefully and arrange a video call to get to know the caregiver better before committing to a booking. 

Can I get a sitter to stay overnight in my home?

Yes, some services offer overnight in-home care. You can look for this pet sitting model at Flat4Pet, TrustedHousesitters, Nomador, Care.com, Wag!, and Fetch! Pet Care.