Overnight pet sitting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What overnight pet sitting is

An overnight pet sitter sleeps at your home while you are away, so your pets have company, care and a calm presence through the night. The sitter does the usual daily care and stays on site to watch over the home and the animals.

Signs you need it

  • You are away overnight and your pet is anxious or needs someone close by at night
  • You have an older pet that may need help during the night
  • You have a puppy or kitten that needs overnight attention and potty breaks
  • You have a pet with a medication schedule that includes night doses
  • You want someone in the home overnight to watch for problems

What the pro does

  • Meets you and your pets to learn the bedtime routine, night needs and triggers
  • Arrives in the evening to feed, water and settle the pets for the night
  • Sleeps in the home and checks on the pets during the night
  • Takes overnight potty breaks and handles any night-time needs for the pets
  • Gives medication at the times you have written and logs each dose
  • Greets the pets in the morning, does the day's care and sends an update

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of nights and the number of pets in the home
  • Whether the pets need overnight potty breaks or extra supervision
  • Whether medication, special feeding or care for older pets is included
  • Whether the sitter also provides day visits or only overnight care
  • The sitter's experience with the species and ages of the pets
  • Whether the sitter needs to travel to reach your home

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of nights, the arrival and departure times
  • The pets covered and the overnight care for each one
  • Whether medication, overnight potty breaks and morning care are included
  • Whether updates and an emergency plan are included
  • The cancellation terms and any travel fee

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you sleep in the home, and where will you sleep?
  • How often will you check on the pets during the night?
  • What is your plan if a pet needs help during the night?
  • Are you insured, and do you have pet first aid training?
  • Can you give medication at night on the times I have written?
  • How will you keep the home secure while you sleep there?
  • What updates will you send in the morning?

Red flags

  • Will not stay overnight and says they can check in only once
  • Does not ask about each pet's night routine, medication or health
  • Leaves the pets alone overnight with no check
  • Does not know what to do if a pet becomes ill at night
  • Has no emergency plan or no vet they will call

What you can do yourself

You can prepare for an overnight sitter by writing a clear bedtime routine, the night medication schedule and your vet's contact. Set up a comfortable sleeping spot for the pets and leave the usual bedding in place. Hire an overnight sitter when your pets need someone present at night, when a pet is anxious or medically fragile, or when you are away for several nights.

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for overnight pet sitting, but rules differ by state and city. Ask for proof of pet first aid training, a current insurance policy and a written night emergency plan.

Overnight pet sitting questions

Will the sitter sleep in my bed or the guest room?

That is for you and the sitter to agree. Most sitters sleep on a couch or a guest bed near the pets, so they can respond quickly during the night.

What if my pet needs help during the night?

The sitter should follow the written emergency plan, call you, and contact the vet you listed. A good plan tells the sitter what to do before the night starts.

Does the sitter take the pets outside at night?

Only if you have agreed to it in the plan. Ask the sitter how they handle potty breaks, the yard and the safety of the pets when they go out at night.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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