Pet care
Pet Sitting Rates in the UAE: What Daily Visits Cost
Pet sitting rates in the UAE depend on how many visits your pet needs each day, how long each visit lasts, what the carer does during it, and whether you need overnight care. A single daily visit for an independent cat is a very different job from several walks a day for a large dog, or an overnight stay. The fairest way to price pet sitting is to agree the routine first, then get a quote for that exact routine.
What you're paying for
A pet sitting visit isn't just a few minutes with a food bowl. Depending on your pet, it can include:
- Travel to your home, at the time you need
- Feeding to your instructions and fresh water
- Cleaning litter trays, cages or accidents
- Giving medication
- Walking dogs, play and company
- Checking your pet's health and behaviour
- Sending you updates and photos
- Looking after your keys and your home
When you compare quotes, compare what's included, not just the headline figure.
The factors that affect pet sitting rates
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Visits per day | One visit a day costs less than two or three; dogs usually need more than cats |
| Visit length | A longer visit with a proper walk takes more of the carer's time |
| Type and number of pets | Several pets, or a mix of dogs, cats and small animals, take longer to care for |
| Overnight care | A carer staying in your home overnight is a bigger commitment than daytime visits |
| Medication and special needs | Injections, special diets or mobility help need more time and care |
| Timing | Early-morning and late-evening walks in summer, holidays and short notice can affect availability |
| Length of booking | A long trip is planned differently from a single day |
| Location | Travel time to your area and building access can make a difference |
Pet sitting per day: working out what you need
To get a meaningful per-day cost, start with your pet's routine.
Cats
Many adult cats manage well with one visit a day for food, water, litter and a health check. Kittens, senior cats, cats on medication and cats that get lonely may need two.
Dogs
Most dogs need at least two visits a day, morning and evening, for walks and toilet breaks. Young, energetic dogs or dogs that can't be left long may need a midday visit or overnight care. In the hot months, walks should be at the cooler hours of the day, which shapes when visits happen.
Small animals
Rabbits, guinea pigs and birds generally need a daily visit for fresh food, water and clean bedding.
Overnight
If your pet is anxious alone, has medical needs through the night, or you'd like someone in the home, overnight care is the option to ask about.
Don't cut visits to save money if your pet needs them. A dog left too long between walks, or a cat whose litter isn't cleaned, is more likely to have accidents, become stressed or hide a health problem.
What to check before you book
- How long is each visit, and what exactly does it include?
- How will you update me after each visit?
- When will walks happen in summer?
- Is giving medication included?
- What happens if my pet needs a vet while I'm away?
- What happens if my return is delayed?
- Is there anything that would change the price on the day?
Ask the sitter to check your dog's coat and paws after walks, particularly in areas with grass or sand. Our guide to ticks on dogs in the UAE explains what to look for.
How to keep pet sitting costs reasonable
- Book early around school holidays, Eid and summer, when demand is higher.
- Prepare the home. Leave food, litter, medication and cleaning supplies stocked and easy to find, so visits are spent on your pet.
- Write a clear routine. Less time spent working things out means more time with your pet.
- Combine services. If your pet needs a groom, schedule it around your trip; see our guide to dog grooming at home.
- Leave cleaning supplies the sitter can use safely around your pet; our guide to pet-safe cleaning products covers what to choose.
Pet sitting rates at Tip Top
Tip Top's pet sitting covers feeding, fresh water, litter and medication on your schedule, with a photo update after every visit, plus walks at the cooler hours of the day that are timed and logged, and overnight and travel care. We care for dogs, cats and small animals in vaccinated homes only. Because every pet's routine is different, the price depends on the factors above and is confirmed after a free assessment, before your booking starts. For how visits work in practice, read pet sitting in Sharjah: how home visits work.