Is $100 a Day a Reasonable Rate for Dog Sitting?
The cost of dog care varies significantly depending on the services provided, geographic location, and the breed or specific needs of the dog. Dog sitting is a professional service that involves more than simply feeding a dog — it also includes companionship, exercise, medication administration, and sometimes overnight stays. So, is $100 a day a fair rate? Let’s break down the value proposition by comparing it to the cost of high-quality dog care like fresh dog food from The Farmer’s Dog.
What Does Dog Sitting Include?
- Feeding and meal preparation (sometimes including special diets like The Farmer’s Dog meals)
- Walking and exercise tailored to the dog’s age and activity level
- Administration of medication (when necessary)
- Attention and companionship throughout the day
- Updates for owners via text or video
- Overnight stay or home visits in some cases
Comparing Costs: Dog Food vs. Sitting
According to The Farmer’s Dog, premium fresh food tailored to a dog’s specific needs can cost between $2.49 and $21.42 per day, depending on the dog’s size, age, breed, and other variables. For a 50-pound dog, the average is around $7.25 to $8.00 per day.
This makes $100 per day for dog sitting appear reasonable, especially when you consider:
- Daily food averages up to $18 daily for large breeds
- Fresh food is a necessity for dogs on specialized diets
- Dog sitting may include fresh food preparation and feeding
In contrast, traditional premium kibble such as Orijen or Blue Buffalo costs as little as $1.99 to $2.08 per day, but may not provide the same health benefits as human-grade food like that from The Farmer’s Dog.
Factors That Justify $100/Day
Here are several reasons why $100 a day would be a fair price for dog sitting services:
- Personalized care aligned with the dog’s food and exercise plan
- Responsibility and liability if something goes wrong
- Daily routines tailored to the dog’s dietary preferences, especially when using subscription services like The Farmer’s Dog
- Health monitoring and behavior assessment
- Time commitment — ranging from 6 to 24 hours of supervision
- Professional qualifications and experience
Additional Considerations
- Multi-dog households significantly increase food and sitting costs
- Large dogs require more food and attention, raising the value of sitting services
- Location hugely influences rates — urban areas see higher prices
- Refrigeration and feeding complexity of fresh meals like The Farmer’s Dog add to the dog sitter’s responsibilities
When $100 Might Be Too Much
There are cases where $100 a day may be excessive — for instance, if the dog requires minimal supervision or the sitter is less experienced. But if the sitter is preparing costly meals, exercising a large or active breed, and managing medical needs, this rate becomes justifiable.
Conclusion
While The Farmer’s Dog sets a premium standard for fresh, high-quality dog food, the service reflects the growing trend of investing in a dog’s nutrition and overall well-being. When dog sitting includes careful meal preparation, health monitoring, and engaging companionship, $100 per day represents a fair market rate. Dogs that consume high-end food and require personalized care deserve sitters committed to maintaining those standards in the owner’s absence.
