Pet Sitting Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Dog, Cat, Fish and Other), By Application (Pet Care Visits, Pet Walking, and Pet Transportation), and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

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PET SITTING MARKET OVERVIEW

The pet sitting market size was valued at approximately USD 323.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 847 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 11.3% from 2025 to 2033. The countries of North America, U.S. and Canada are the market leaders.

The pet sitting market is one of the vibrant and expanding sectors within the more comprehensive pet care industry. The increasing number of pet owners, changing lifestyles, and consumers are the factors that lead to growth in this industry. It is a rapidly expanding market driven by increasing disposable incomes, greater willingness to invest in pet care, and busier pet owners who use professional services. It encompasses different services, such as in-home pet sitting, dog walking, pet boarding, and special care for elderly or medical-needs pets. The industry is also experiencing digital platforms and apps that bring services closer to customers, thereby increasing the availability of pet sitting providers. With pet humanization trends on the rise, the demand for quality and reliable pet care will keep this trend going upward.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Pet Sitting Industry Had a Negative Effect Due to crashing demand during COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the pet sitting market, disrupting traditional services while simultaneously reshaping consumer behavior and market dynamics. Lockdowns and travel restrictions led to a sharp decline in demand for pet sitting services as people spent more time at home and canceled travel plans. Independent pet sitters and small businesses suffered financially due to reduced bookings. However, the pandemic was also followed by a sharp rise in pet adoption. Thus, there was long-term demand for pet care services. When restrictions are gradually relaxed, the market has started to recover since people are going back to work or traveling again with a renewed need for pet sitting services. In addition, the pandemic helped accelerate the adoption of digital platforms to allow for touchless booking and can build trust among pet owners and service providers, shaping a more resilient and technology-driven market landscape.

LATEST TRENDS

Adoption of Tech-Enabled Platforms to Drive Market Growth

A new trend in the pet sitting market includes tech-enabled platforms and apps. They simplify how pet owners connect to professional sitters, offering real-time updates, GPS tracking, secure systems to pay, and personalized pet care. Some popular examples include Rover and Wag! They have been giving pet owners easy access to trusted services while enhancing visibility and scalability for pet sitters. This practice amplifies the trend towards greater convenience, transparency, and digital integration in pet care.

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PET SITTING MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Dog, Cat, Fish and Other

• Dog Sitting: This is the largest segment, driven by the high global ownership of dogs and their need for regular care, exercise, and companionship. Services included are in-home sitting and boarding that is, at times, breed-specific.

• Cat Sitting: Cats account for the most considerable part of the market and service, focusing on feeding, cleaning litter boxes, and playtime. Cats are relatively low maintenance, but attention helps in their own surroundings.

• Fish Sitting: This niche segment caters to the fish owners who need specific attention regarding their feeding habits, tank maintenance, and water quality monitoring.

• Other Pets: It includes a small number of other pets like birds, reptiles, rabbits, and rodents as well as exotic animals. These kinds of pets often require specialized expertise and have special care plans. This raises the demand for trained pet sitters with knowledge on various species.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Pet Care Visits, Pet Walking, and Pet Transportation

• Pet Care Visits: It includes in-home visits where the sitter feeds, grooms, plays, and checks for general well-being. These are better suited for pets that prefer being at home, such as cats, fish, and other small exotic animals. The segment is core to any pet sitting business, as most clients want short-term care.

• Pet Walking: This service mainly caters to the exercising and socializing needs of dogs. Pet walking has become popular among pet owners who have little time or with dogs that require regular exercise outdoors, such as high-energy breeds.

• Pet Transportation: This is the transportation of pets to and from appointments, including veterinary visits, grooming sessions, or boarding facilities. The service caters to owners who do not have the time or resources to handle pet logistics themselves and is growing in demand with increasing urbanization and busier lifestyles.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factors

Increased Pet Ownership and Humanization of Pets to Boost the Market

A global increase in the number of pet owners, particularly millennials and Gen Z, has emerged as a driving force behind the pet sitting market. These generations not only bring home more pets but also regard them as members of their family. The trend known as "pet humanization" has resulted in higher demands for professional care services as owners now want their pets to be happy and content, even in their absence. This reflects an attitude shift: more spending on the overall high quality and personalization of pet care - sitting, walking, and transportation.

Busy lives and travelling needs to Expand the Market

The long hours spent at work, staying in the city, and constant travel make it impossible for pet owners to provide regular care to their animals. This is more so for high-energy pets like dogs, which need to be exercised regularly and also have companionship. Professional pet sitting services therefore provide tailored care solutions for every individual pet need. Demand is generated by the growing levels of leisure and business travel, which continues to expand for services that pet owners can rely upon in their trusted absence.

Restraining Factor

Cost of Services to Potentially Impede Market Growth

While the pet-sitting market is convenient, high priced for most people to pay, especially the one that has limited disposable incomes. Some premium services including customized home care, pet boarding at up-market facilities, or specific elder pets, and special need pet-care services are extremely cost intensive. This barrier can significantly restrain the reach and also affect the growth in highly price-sensitive regions or when reaching consumers with a reduced ability to spend. Affordability has to be addressed to penetrate untapped market segments.

Opportunity

Digital Platforms and Innovation To Create Opportunity for the Product in the Market

The market for pet sitting presents significant opportunities for growth through technology adoption. Platforms and apps such as Rover, Wag!, and Pawshake are transforming the industry by offering pet owners an easy, efficient way to find, vet, and book reliable sitters. Such features as the ability to see real-time GPS tracking of dog walks, pet activity updates, and secure payment systems make a user more confident and convenient. Moreover, these platforms increase the reach of pet sitters to access a wider audience. As digital literacy continues to grow globally, use of tech-enabled services is likely to accelerate, offering enormous opportunities for both sitters and pet owners.

Challenge

Managing Service Quality and Trust Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

One of the key challenges in the pet sitting market is ensuring consistent quality and building trust between the owners and the sitters. In general, pet owners will be very cautious in their decision to entrust strangers with their animals, more so if the animal needs special care or is accustomed to specific requirements. Such situations can cause irreparable damage to a sitter's reputation or that of the overall platform. Independent sitters compete with large platforms that have already established vetting systems and customer reviews. Strict vetting processes, proper training for sitters, and transparency are required to gain long-term trust and credibility in the market.

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PET SITTING MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America

The market for pet sitting is primarily driven by high rates of pet ownership and strong emphasis on pet care within the "pet parent" culture in North America. Among the countries of North America, the U.S. and Canada are the market leaders due to a robust network of professional services and technological platforms like Rover and Wag!. Busy lifestyles, urbanization, and rising disposable incomes further increase the demand for pet sitting, walking, and transportation services.

• Europe

Europe is a major market, where the U.K., Germany, and France are major countries. The region has a robust heritage of pet ownership and an increasingly predisposed attitude toward professional care services. The growth of digital platforms and eco-friendly pet care options is a notable trend in this region. Regulatory frameworks around pet welfare also encourage high-quality services.

• Asia

The Asia-Pacific region is an emerging market, largely driven by rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles. Countries such as China, Japan, and Australia are increasingly experiencing pet ownership among younger generations. Although the market is still in its developing stage, the adoption of digital platforms and growing awareness of pet care are accelerating growth. Cultural shifts, such as increasing acceptance of pets as part of the family, also enhance market potential.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

Through strategic innovation and market growth, key enterprise players shape the pet sitting marketplace. Companies are employing advanced technology platforms to simplify booking, elevate customer experience, and optimize communication between pet owners and sitters. Key companies have also begun to offer specific services like medical care and care for older pets as well as serving diverse customers' needs by offering in-home sitting, pet walking, and transportation. In addition, they are using digital platforms to reach a wider audience, providing convenience and trust through secure payment systems and real-time updates. These players are driving growth and setting trends in the pet sitting industry by investing in training, improving vetting processes, and expanding into new regional markets.

List of Top Pet Sitting Companies

• A Place for Rover, Inc. – United States
• DogVacay – United States
• Holidog.com – Switzerland
• G'Day! Pet Care – United States
• FETCH! PET CARE, INC. – United States
• Swifto Inc. – United States
• Chicago Dog Walkers – United States
• Best Friends Pet Care – United States
• Camp Bow Wow – United States
• PetSmart Inc. – United States

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

January 2023: The largest development in the pet sitting market was in January 2023 with Fetch! Pet Care adding new franchise opportunities across the U.S. to exceed its existing 130 locations. It reflects a bigger trend within the pet sitting market wherein established players continue to strive to expand the reach and increase their footprints. Offering more franchises is where companies like Fetch! can extend the scope of growth. Pet Care aims to fulfill the growing demand for pet care services, which is spurred by increasing pet ownership and the desire for personalized and professional care options.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The pet sitting market has growth potential and will keep growing in the coming years, thanks to rising pet ownership, pet humanization, and increased interest in customized pet care. When pet owners need high-quality care for their pets because of traveling or other obligations, professional pet sitting services in the form of in-home sitting, dog walking, and specialized pet transportation will become even more popular. Despite issues like competition from alternative care alternatives, such as boarding facilities, and variable service costs, pet sitting is an industry which enjoys the benefits of technological developments, such as mobile apps that make it easier for customers to book services while improving their experience. Combined with increasing consumer demand for accessible and reliable pet care, this bodes well for continued growth in the market. With ever-evolving preferences for pet wellbeing and convenience, the pet sitting market is on its way to thriving with the support of new services and a wider market reach.