How Much Does a Cat Sitter Cost in Australia? What to Pay and What You Get

When you start planning a trip, one of the first questions is what it will cost to have someone look after your cat. Prices vary a lot depending on the type of care, where you live, how many visits your cat needs and the time of year.

This article brings together published Australian prices for cat sitting, house sitting and catteries. It also answers two questions cat owners often ask: what's fair to pay a friend or neighbour, and is $20 a day a good rate?

Prices change, and every sitter and cattery sets its own rates, so use these figures as a starting point and always get a written quote for your dates.

Quick answer: typical cat care costs in Australia

PetCloud notes that these are starting prices and that each sitter sets their own rate. The cattery range comes from a single NSW cattery's published price list, so it's an example rather than a national average. Many catteries charge less or more depending on the type of accommodation.

Cat sitting costs explained

Drop-in visits

This is the most common type of cat sitting. A sitter visits your home to feed your cat, clean the litter tray, refresh water, give any medication and spend some time with your cat.

PetCloud's 2026 price guide lists home visits from around $45 per visit for one visit a day, and from around $90 for two visits a day. It says each visit usually lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.

Many owners book two visits a day. RSPCA Australia recommends that a neighbour, friend or professional sitter visit at least twice a day to feed the cat, clean the litter and give company and enrichment.

Overnight house sitting

A house sitter stays in your home overnight. This suits cats that need company, longer trips, homes with several pets, and owners who want their home occupied.

PetCloud lists house sitting from about $30 to $50 a night. Some house sitters charge more for extra duties such as caring for several animals, gardening or long stays. Others offer lower rates, or even free house sitting, in exchange for accommodation.

Boarding at a sitter's home

Some sitters look after cats in their own homes. PetCloud lists this from about $30 to $50 a night. This can suit social, confident cats, but many cats find a new home stressful. RSPCA Australia suggests a trial visit first to check the setup suits your cat.

Boarding catteries

Catteries charge per night, and prices depend on the size and type of accommodation. One NSW cattery, Cat Utopia, publishes rates from $32 to $130 a night for different suite levels.

The same cattery lists peak-season surcharges of 20% from 15 December to 15 January and 10% during NSW school holidays, plus separate charges for extras such as grooming and transport. Not every cattery charges the same, but it shows how much extras and peak loadings can add.

What affects the price?

PetCloud lists several factors that change what a sitter charges:

• Location. Inner-city and metro sitters, especially near major airports, tend to charge more.
• Time of year. Prices often rise over Christmas, Easter and school holidays, when demand is highest.
• Your cat's needs. Senior cats, cats on medication, cats recovering from surgery and anxious cats usually cost more. PetCloud lists a special needs surcharge of around $50 to $100 per day or night on its platform.
• Experience. Sitters with more training, qualifications and reviews may charge higher rates.
• Number of visits. Two visits a day cost more than one.
• Number of cats. Some sitters charge a little extra for each additional cat.
• Booking fees. Some platforms add a fee. PetCloud says its booking fee is capped at $40.

Example costs for a one-week trip

These examples use PetCloud's published starting prices. Your actual costs could be higher or lower.

Add any special-needs surcharge, booking fee or peak-season increase to get closer to a real quote.

Why house sitting can look cheaper: a house sitter often charges a lower nightly rate because they get somewhere to stay. Drop-in sitters have to travel to your home for each visit, so their per-visit rate covers time and transport.

What should you pay a friend or neighbour?

Plenty of owners ask a friend, neighbour or family member instead of a professional. There's no set rate, but these points help you work out something fair.

Think about the time involved

A typical visit to feed a cat, clean the litter, check water and give some attention takes 15 to 30 minutes, plus travel. Two visits a day can add up to an hour or more of someone's time every day.

Think about the responsibility

Even an easy visit carries responsibility. Your sitter needs to notice if your cat stops eating, seems unwell or escapes, and act quickly. Paying something shows you value that.

Ways to make it fair

• Pay a daily amount that reflects the number of visits and travel.
• Cover costs such as fuel or public transport.
• Return the favour by minding their pets or plants when they travel.
• Bring back a thank-you gift or take them out for a meal.
• Agree in advance, so there's no awkwardness later.

Make sure they're the right person

A friend who doesn't have time, or isn't confident with cats, can be a false economy. Choose someone reliable who can commit to every visit, and give them your vet's details and written permission to seek treatment.

Is $20 a day good for cat sitting?

For a professional cat sitter in Australia, $20 a day is low. It's well under PetCloud's published starting price of about $45 for a single drop-in visit. A professional at that rate may be covering very little time or travel, or may be new and still building reviews.

For a friend, neighbour or teenager who lives nearby and drops in once a day for a quick feed and litter clean, $20 a day may be a reasonable thank-you, depending on what you both agree.

Before you agree to any rate, ask yourself:

• How many visits a day? $20 for two visits is very different from $20 for one.
• How long is each visit? A five-minute feed is not the same as spending time with your cat.
• Does it include medication or extra care?
• What happens in an emergency? Will they take your cat to the vet if needed?
• Are they reliable? Saving a few dollars isn't worth a missed visit.

A cheap rate is only good value if the care is reliable.

Platform sitter, independent sitter or friend?

Where you find your sitter affects both price and protection.

Booking through a pet-sitting platform

Platforms list sitters with profiles, reviews and booking systems. You can compare sitters in your area, read feedback from other owners and pay through the platform. Some platforms add a booking fee, and the sitter sets their own rate on top of that. Ask what checks the platform does on sitters and what happens if a booking is cancelled or something goes wrong.

Hiring an independent professional

Some experienced cat sitters run their own small businesses, often found through word of mouth, local Facebook groups or a vet clinic noticeboard. Ask for references, proof of insurance and a written agreement covering visits, costs and emergencies.

Asking a friend or neighbour

This is often the cheapest option and can work very well, especially if they already know your cat. The trade-off is that there's usually no formal agreement or insurance, so be clear about what you need and what happens in an emergency.

How and when to pay

• Agree the total price in writing before your trip, including any extras.
• Use the platform's payment system if you booked through one, so you're covered by its policies.
• For independent sitters, ask for an invoice and pay by bank transfer, so there's a record.
• For friends, decide whether you'll pay before or after the trip, and keep it simple.
• Leave money or a card for emergencies, or agree how vet costs will be paid if your cat needs treatment.

Cat sitter or cattery: which costs less?

It depends on your situation.

• For one cat on a short trip, a cattery can cost a similar amount to drop-in visits.
• For several cats, a sitter is often better value, since catteries usually charge per cat while a sitter may charge a small extra amount for each additional cat.
• For long trips, house sitting can be good value, and your cat gets company overnight.

Cost isn't the only factor. Your cat's temperament and health matter just as much. Our guide on boarding a cat versus leaving it at home compares the options in detail.

How to keep costs down

1. Book early. Prices and availability tighten over Christmas and school holidays.
2. Travel outside peak periods if you can.
3. Get several quotes and compare exactly what each includes.
4. Ask about multi-cat rates.
5. Supply everything your sitter needs: food, litter, medication and cleaning products, so you're not charged extra.
6. Keep your cat healthy and up to date with vaccinations, so you don't need to pay for last-minute vet visits before a cattery stay.
7. Consider a house sitter for long trips.

What should a cat sitting fee include?

Before you pay, confirm in writing what's included:

• Number and length of visits each day
• Feeding, fresh water and litter cleaning
• Giving medication, if needed
• Play and company
• Photo or message updates
• Bringing in mail and checking the home, if agreed
• What happens if your cat needs a vet, and who pays
• Cancellation policy

Questions to ask before booking

1. What's your total price for my dates, including any booking fees or holiday loadings?
2. How many visits a day do you recommend for my cat?
3. Have you cared for cats on medication, or shy or senior cats?
4. Are you insured, and have you had a police check?
5. Can we meet before I book?
6. What's your backup plan if you can't make a visit?

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cat sitter cost per day in Australia?

PetCloud's 2026 price guide lists drop-in visits from about $45 for one visit a day and about $90 for two visits. House sitting starts from about $30 to $50 a night. Rates vary by location, time of year and your cat's needs.

What should I pay someone for cat sitting?

For a professional, expect to pay at least the published starting rates above. For a friend or neighbour, agree an amount that reflects the number of visits, travel and responsibility, or offer to return the favour.

Is $20 a day good for cat sitting?

It's low for a professional sitter, but it can be a fair thank-you for a friend or neighbour who lives nearby and makes one quick visit a day. Agree on the number and length of visits first.

Is a cattery cheaper than a cat sitter?

Sometimes. For one cat on a short trip, prices can be similar. For several cats, a sitter is often better value. Peak-season surcharges and extras can add significantly to cattery costs.

Do cat sitters charge more at Christmas?

Many do. PetCloud says prices often rise over Christmas, Easter and school holidays, and some catteries publish peak-season surcharges. Book early.

How many times a day should a cat sitter visit?

RSPCA Australia recommends at least two visits a day. Kittens, senior cats, cats on medication and cats in hot weather may need more.

City guides

• Cat sitting in Sydney
• Cat sitting in Melbourne

Sources

• PetCloud, How much does a pet sitter cost in Australia? (2026 price guide)
• Cat Utopia Resort & Spa, How much does cat boarding cost in Sydney?
• RSPCA Australia, How to plan for your pets if going away over the holidays

Prices are a general guide only and change over time. Always get a written quote for your dates.