When it comes to tipping those who take care of our beloved furry friends, there seems to be a lot of confusion about how much and when to tip.
This is especially true when it comes to dog walkers.
Do you tip them for every visit?
How much should you give?
What if your pup only needs a potty break and not a full-blown walk?
As with most things in life, the answer is: It depends.
But don’t worry! We’re here to help clear up the confusion and provide some guidance on how much to tip your dog walker.
How much should you tip your dog sitter?
There is no right or wrong answer to how much you should tip your dog sitter.
It’s all up to personal preference and budget, but here are some general guidelines that can help you make the decision.
• The standard industry-wide dog walking tip is $2-$5 per visit for one dog, so if your pup has a dog walker that visits twice per day, you might want to move your budget up to $5-$10 per day.
• How much do you tip for overnight?
This is the one time when the answer doesn’t have to be complicated.
Overnight pet sitting is by far the most expensive part of dog walking, so you can feel good about tipping $15-$30 per night
• If the pet sitter does other errands for you, like picking up your mail or watering your plants, consider adding another $5 to that amount.
How much do you pay someone to watch your dog?
This one is pretty straightforward.
If you’re hiring a professional dog sitter to watch your canine, anywhere from $10 – $15 per hour is standard.
However, you should always be sure to check with the sitter first about their rates and services before you book them for an appointment.
How often do they need to visit?
If you’re looking for a professional dog walker/sitter, then chances are they visit your pup either once or twice per day.
However, if it’s someone who is watching your pet overnight or when you’re away from home on vacation, be prepared for the worst-case scenario and plan on paying at least $10-$15 per visit, even if it’s just to let the dog outside for a potty break.
Do they stay overnight?
The majority of pet sitters do not stay overnight at your home (they usually watch dogs in their own homes), but there are some exceptions.
However, if your pet sitter stays overnight with Fido, then it’s always a good idea to tack on an additional $10-$20 per night.
Do you pay before or after?
The majority of professionals who work in this industry are paid at the end of the week, but if your dog sitter is working on a special project that requires more immediate payment (like watching your pup for the weekend), then you might want to consider paying them before each visit.
Bottom line, tipping your dog walker or sitter isn’t the most straightforward thing in the world (what is?), but keep these general guidelines in mind and remember that it’s always nice to give a little extra!
How much do you pay someone to watch your dog?
People who watch dogs for a living usually work a full-time job with a set salary, so don’t expect them to be too happy if you insist on tipping them after every walk.
When it comes to dog walking services, most people agree that the standard industry-wide tip is $2-$5 per visit for one dog, so if your pup has a dog walker that visits two times per day, you might want to consider tipping somewhere in the $5-$10 range.
Overnight sitting is by far the most expensive part of dog walking, so you can feel good about tipping $15-$30 per night.
If the pet sitter does other errands for you, like picking up your mail or watering your plants, consider adding another $5 to that amount.
Final Thoughts
So, how much should you tip your dog sitter?
It really depends on a variety of factors such as how often they visit, if they stay overnight, and what other services they provide.
If you’re hiring a professional, then it’s always nice to give a little extra.
Just remember, this is for services rendered and not just because they have really cute puppies! 🙂
