Best pet sitting websites: discover the differences and top picks

When it’s time to go away, sometimes the thought of what your precious pooch will do while you're gone can be rather stressful. If you’ve decided that dog boarding kennels are just too upsetting — for both you and your furry friend — it’s probably time you look for an alternative. If you’ve heard the idea of dog sitting websites and more general pet sitting websites floating about among your pet parent pals, you may want some advice into how pet sitting works.

We know the feeling of jumping into the unknown — you open up your internet browser before tip-tapping away on your keyboard. Well that’s where we come in, to help guide you through the various types of dog sitting websites you have at your fingertips.

But, how do you find the best dog sitting service, and how much do the best pet sitting websites cost? Read on and we’ll spill the beans on everything you need to know. At the end of this article, you’ll discover why TrustedHousesitters is the best pet sitting website out there - and how we're the perfect fit for your needs.

Why search a pet sitter website rather than kennels or dog boarding?

With hundreds of millions of pet parents across the globe, it’s no wonder so many are looking for an alternative to putting their pooch in kennels. These can be unsettling environments, which put both the pet parents' and dogs' minds into overdrive. But imagine being able to travel with peace of mind, knowing that your pooch can stay at home in their own environment surrounded by their usual smells and snoozing spots, with a loving pet person found with ease on a dog sitting site? 

You probably already know the difference between dog sitting, dog boarding and kennels. But a refresher is never a bad idea. So, to keep it short, here’s a quick description of what's what, so you can pick the best pet sitting websites for you and your four-legged friend:

• Dog sitting / pet sitting: that’s when a dog sitter or a pet sitter comes to your home and looks after your dog & other pets in the comfort of their own environment. Basically, your furry friends stay put and someone comes over to care for them while you’re away. It’s an ideal situation with happy pets, happy pet parents and happy sitters. Plus, it's even a better option than scouting dog walker websites, as by welcoming an in-home pet sitter, you can rest assured knowing your furry family are cared for around the clock.
• Dog kennels (or dog boarding kennels): these are the most basic versions of a dog holiday shelter. Essentially, you take your dog to a kennel where they will be looked after while you’re away. The service usually includes food, water, medical care and a safe, warm place to sleep. There are lots of types of dog kennels, some with more luxurious service than others. Bear in mind that sometimes they don’t include long walks, playtime or any extra entertainment. 
• Dog boarding: this is like a fun hotel for Fido. They include everything a dog kennel offers, plus some cool activities for your doggo like playtime, walks in the park or socializing with other dogs. Some even include special food choices or grooming sessions, and like with dog kennels, there's a lot of variety when it comes to dog boarding websites. 

As you can see, both dog boarding and kennels involve taking your pup away from the comfort of their favourite spot on your sofa and the warmth of their home. And if that isn’t enough of a reason to love dog sitting, here are the three main reasons why TrustedHousesitters is the best pet sitter website going...

Undivided attention

We know your dog will love the constant attention they get from an animal-loving sitter, unlike the only 'sometimes' TLC they'll get from other pet care websites and sitter websites. You’ll even be surprised to hear some sitters will give your trusty companion more attention than you even do — but don’t fear, all this means is you come home to a beaming sitter and even waggier tails!

Flexibility

With thousands of dog sitters and dog sitting websites across the globe waiting to care for your pets, it’s highly likely there will be one available to care for your dog. Whether that be a local sitter or someone who travels to you from further afield, you can book your vacation for a time that’s right for you and be assured that your dog will be cared for at the right time too.

Personalised for your pup

Your dog sitter is there to care for your dog - the best dog sitting service has your furry family as their top priority. That means they stick to their exact routine, keeping the morning walk at promptly 8am and dinner dished up by five in the afternoon. And if your furry friend has any special medical requirements, your dog sitter will happily adhere to them too - just as any sitter from the best dog sitting sites should do.

Which pet sitting website is right for me?

Now you’ve found out why dog sitting is the best for your pooch...

Dog sitters who charge: Paying a dog sitting website

This type of dog sitting website probably didn’t come as a surprise to you. Many dog sitters will watch after your four-legged friends for a living, and some are also found on the best dog walking websites, too. They will normally have an hourly rate but this can vary depending on the sitter’s experience, length of your trip or if you have multiple mutts. If you’re interested in understanding how much dog sitters charge, it’s normally best to contact them directly. Dog sitters who charge can be found through many mediums, whether that’s a neighbourhood noticeboard or larger pet sitting websites.

Dog sitters who DON’T charge via pet sitting websites: sitting for the love of pets…

There are some dog sitting websites that offer the chance for their sitters to go house sitting purely for the love of pets. That’s right, no money is exchanged between pet parents and dog sitters. They simply exchange their time and care for the opportunity to spend time with a playful pup and fill the dog-shaped hole in their heart, and stay in a unique home in return. This means your furry companion gets to stay safe at home, while you travel with peace of mind knowing they are being looked after by someone who truly loves pets, and is there for the love of animals, not for the money. And yes, that is of course the case with TrustedHousesitters! 

All of our TrustedHousesitters’ sitters do it simply for the love of pets. Just pay an annual membership — to cover all the important bits — and then the year is yours to be filled with adventures that keep pets happy at home. These pet sitters will come to stay in your home and essentially step into your shoes, meaning your furry family don’t get any nasty surprises. And don’t worry if your pooch has a feline friend on board — TrustedHousesitters is here for all pets. Whether it’s dogs, cats, rabbits or rats, you name it, TrustedHousesitters have cared for them.

You may call us biased, but we truly think TrustedHousesitters is the best dog sitting website out there. And thousands of wonderful experiences and reviews agree with us. If you’re undecided, read our pet sitter stories here and we reckon you’ll soon be convinced. 

Your place or mine?

Dog sitting websites can offer both the opportunity for the sitter to stay in your home or invite the pooch to spend time at the sitter’s home instead. If the sitter is keeping the dog at their own home, we suggest checking their house is suitable for your pup by carrying out a thorough check — after all, your dog deserves the best. Read our top dog sitting tips where you can find an in-depth guide into how dog sitters adjust to your precious pooch’s needs.

The good thing about TrustedHousesitters and our lovely dog sitters is that they’ll always come to you. That way, your pets will stay cosy in their home environment, where everything is ready for them, and they’ll receive plenty of love and walks while you’re away. It’s a win-win situation for your doggo, yourself and the sitter. 

Think you’re ready to find your ideal pet sitting website?

We hope this makes you feel more confident in starting your journey with welcoming a pet sitter. Now, don’t be afraid to get searching and finding out the next steps to keeping your best furry friend happy while you’re away.

Have more questions? Great! The members of our friendly Community Forum are on hand to help. They’re a like-minded group of pet lovers meaning there’s no greater team to answer all your dog and pet sitting queries.