You are going away for a few days and your dog cannot accompany you. The first question that arises concerns the budget: how much does home pet sitting actually cost, and how can you identify a reliable service? Prices vary depending on the type of service, duration, and region, but a recent criterion is also changing the game: since July 2025, all pet sitters must provide a written contract.
Mandatory contract since 2025: what it changes for choosing a dog sitter
Before discussing prices, a regulatory point deserves your attention. Since July 3, 2025, Article 27 of the decree of June 19, 2025, requires any professional providing dog or cat sitting services for commercial purposes to sign a written contract in duplicate for each sitting. This document must specify the dates, visit times, planned outings, and identification of the animal.
Why does this detail matter when choosing? Because it draws a clear line between a structured service and informal sitting. A pet sitter who refuses to provide this contract is simply not compliant. This document must be kept for at least five years, which protects you in case of a dispute.
In practice, when comparing offers, ask upfront if the provider issues a signed contract. This is the first filter of seriousness, well before the displayed price. At the same time, checking the home dog sitting rates in your geographical area allows you to spot abnormally low offers, often synonymous with a lack of declaration.
Home dog sitting rates: actual ranges by service
Prices are interpreted differently depending on whether you need a daily visit of thirty minutes or day-and-night sitting for two weeks. Here are the benchmarks from platforms active in France.
Visit and walk by the hour
A home visit of 30 to 45 minutes generally ranges between 15 and 20 euros. For a one-hour walk, expect to pay between 15 and 22 euros. The hourly rate hovers around 10 euros on some platforms, but the billed service often includes a minimum fee.
Night sitting and day sitting
Night sitting with accommodation at the pet sitter’s home ranges from 25 to 45 euros. For home sitting day and night (the sitter stays at your home), rates range from 15 to 50 euros per day depending on the provider’s experience and the care required.
Long-term sitting: a week or more
A week of home sitting costs between 100 and 350 euros, depending on whether the pet sitter visits twice a day or stays on-site continuously. For home-sitting services (the sitter moves in with you), some services offer sliding scales: for example, 159 euros for 7 days and 248 euros for 14 days.
Price differences between regions and sitter profiles
Do you live in Île-de-France? Prepare a higher budget. Parisian rates exceed those of rural areas by 30 to 50%. A pet sitter in Paris will easily charge the top of each range, while in the provinces, prices remain close to the bottom.
The sitter’s experience also matters. A registered pet sitter with the ACACED (certificate of knowledge for domestic pet species) justifies a higher rate than a student just starting out. The price difference often reflects professional liability insurance, a requirement for serious providers.
The behavior and size of the dog also come into play. A large dog or an animal requiring daily medication incurs a logical additional cost. Some sitters also charge a supplement during school holidays, typically around 20 to 30% extra.
Pet sitter care or home sitting: which service for your dog
The choice is not just about price. It depends on your pet’s temperament and your living situation.
- Home sitting: the dog stays in its environment, retains its landmarks, bed, and garden. This is the least stressful solution for anxious or elderly dogs, but also the most expensive.
- Care at the pet sitter’s: your dog is welcomed into a family. The daily rate ranges from 10 to 30 euros. The animal benefits from constant human presence but must adapt to a new place.
- Dog boarding: a collective solution, often cheaper per night. However, the proximity to other dogs and noise can generate stress in some animals.
For a sociable and healthy dog, care at a pet sitter often offers the best balance between cost and well-being. For a dog under treatment or very attached to its routines, home sitting remains the most suitable solution despite a higher budget.
Check the reliability of a sitting service before booking
Connecting platforms (Animaute, Yoojo, Rover) allow you to consult reviews from other owners and verify the sitter’s profile. A few points deserve systematic verification:
- Does the sitter offer a preliminary meeting with your dog? A serious professional requires this.
- Does he/she have professional liability insurance covering damages caused by or to your animal?
- Does he/she provide the written contract required since July 2025, with dates, times, and animal identification?
- Is his/her rate consistent with the ranges in his/her geographical area? A very low price may indicate a lack of declaration.
Word of mouth remains a reliable channel, especially through local dog owner groups or recommendations from your veterinarian.
The pet sitting market continues to expand in France, even though growth has significantly slowed compared to the post-Covid years. This broader offering gives you choices, provided you do not select solely based on price. A signed contract, verified insurance, and an initial contact between the sitter and your dog remain the three most reliable markers for a peaceful sitting experience.