Pet Sitting Global Market Report 2025

The pet sitting market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.92 billion in 2024 to $3.2 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rise in pet ownership rates, changing lifestyles and work patterns, growing awareness of pet well-being, humanization of pets, word of mouth and referrals.

The pet sitting market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.81 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increased travel and leisure activities, rising pet parent expectations, specialized services for different pets, increased urbanization, focus on pet mental health and enrichment. Major trends in the forecast period include technology integration in pet sitting services, focus on specialized and customized services, rise of professional pet sitters and agencies, enhanced safety measures and insurance coverage, technology integration in pet sitting services.

The forecast of 10.7% growth over the next five years remains unchanged from the previous projection for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs may indirectly impact this service sector through increased prices for imported pet supplies and digital management tools used by sitters. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing preference for pet care is anticipated to drive the expansion of the pet-sitting market in the coming years. Pet care encompasses the overall care and medical treatment of pets, contributing to their improved health and reduced stress levels. As pet care increases, so does the demand for pet sitting, which helps maintain pets’ health and hygienic conditions. For instance, in April 2024, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, a pet health insurance organization based in the U.S., reported that by the end of 2023, a total of 6.25 million pets were insured in North America, representing a 16.7% increase from the 5.3 million pets insured in 2022. Consequently, the rise in pet care is fueling the growth of the pet-sitting market moving forward.

The rising trend of pet humanization is expected to drive the growth of the pet-sitting market in the coming years. Pet humanization refers to the growing tendency to treat pets as family members, offering them the same care, attention, and consideration as human relatives. Pet sitters often enhance this bond by providing regular updates, photos, and even videos of pets while in their care, strengthening the connection between owners and their pets. For example, in August 2024, the American Pet Products Association (APPA), a non-profit organization based in the U.S., reported that dog and cat owners are increasingly purchasing gifts and organizing parties for their pets. Currently, 44% of dog owners and 32% of cat owners buy gifts for their pets' birthdays, up from 36% and 24% in 2022, respectively. As a result, the growing humanization of pets is fueling the expansion of the pet-sitting market.

Technological advancements are emerging as a pivotal trend within the pet-sitting sector. Companies operating in this domain are swiftly embracing technological innovations to fortify their market position. For instance, in May 2022, Whistle Labs Inc., a prominent U.S.-based pet healthcare technology company, introduced 'whistle health,' an AI-powered smart device tailored for preventive dog care. This groundbreaking tool harnesses an industry-leading AI that translates a dog's movements into a personalized wellness index, leveraging data amassed over four years from over 100,000 pets worldwide. When coupled with the Whistle app, the Whistle Health device adeptly identifies potential concerns such as excessive scratching or alterations in eating patterns, promptly connecting pet parents to veterinarians through Whistle's Ask a Vet feature.

Pet sitting involves caring for pets within their own home environment when their owners are away. Pet sitters take on the responsibility of providing all necessary care for the animals, ensuring their well-being in the absence of the pet owners, often during vacations or business trips.

These services cater to various types of pets, encompassing dogs, cats, fish, small caged animals, and other pet species. Dogs, specifically domestic mammals closely related to the gray wolf and primarily carnivorous, fall within the scope of pet sitting services. Pet sitting services include a range of offerings, such as in-house sitting where the pet sitter remains at the pet owner's home, as well as at-care facilities used for diverse applications. These services cover activities such as providing care during daycare visits, engaging in dog walking exercises, offering pet transportation services, and other relevant applications to ensure the pets' comfort and welfare in the absence of their owners.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a considerable impact on the veterinary healthcare sector, particularly in the supply of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and animal care products. Increased duties on imported veterinary medicines, diagnostic equipment, surgical tools, and pet care supplies have driven up operational costs for veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and livestock health providers, forcing them to either raise service charges or absorb reduced profit margins. The livestock and agricultural industries are facing similar pressures, as tariffs on feed additives, vaccines, and breeding equipment push up production costs and complicate animal health management. Furthermore, retaliatory tariffs in major export markets have weakened demand for U.S.-manufactured veterinary products, adding to revenue challenges. To navigate these headwinds, the sector must now focus on local sourcing, preventive healthcare strategies, and digital veterinary solutions to control costs while continuing to deliver quality animal care.

The pet sitting market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides pet sitting market statistics, including pet sitting industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a pet sitting market share, detailed pet sitting market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the pet sitting industry. This pet sitting market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Strategic partnerships have emerged as a pivotal approach adopted by major players within the pet-sitting landscape, enabling the provision of dog walking, pet sitting, and boarding services. This collaborative strategy entails leveraging each other's strengths and resources among companies to yield mutual benefits and foster success. For example, in February 2022, Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc., a leading U.S.-based pet retailer, unveiled a partnership with Rover.com, an online marketplace for pet care services. This collaboration aims to seamlessly connect Petco customers with a diverse range of pet care, boarding, and dog walking services. Integration of these services into Petco's platform facilitates convenient access for customers to Rover services for dogs and cats via petco.com. Furthermore, exclusive incentives in the form of discounts are offered, incentivizing bookings and enhancing the appeal, especially to members of Petco's Vital Care service, a comprehensive pet wellness program, strengthening the collaboration's value proposition. Rover.com remains a prominent U.S.-based online marketplace facilitating the buying and selling of pet care services.

In August 2022, the merger between Wag Labs, Inc., a prominent pet service company based in the US, and CHW Acquisition Corporation took place. This strategic move aimed to unite the strengths of both entities to enhance the range and quality of pet care services offered to pet parents. Following the merger, CHW Acquisition Corporation underwent a name change, rebranding to Wag! Group Co., signifying a new era and consolidated vision for the combined company.

Major companies operating in the pet sitting market include A Place for Rover Inc., Best Friends Pet Care, Camp Bow Wow, Chicago Dog Walkers, DogVacay, Fetch! Pet Care, G’Day! Pet Care, Holidog.com, PetSmart Inc., Swifto Inc., Careguide Inc., Dogtopia Enterprises, PetBacker, Pets at Home Inc., Wag! Group Co., Care.com Inc., Rover.com, Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc., HouseMyDog Ltd., PetCloud, Happy Tails Pet Sitting, Pawsitive Pet Care, Critter Sitters Pet Care Services, The Pet Staff Professional Pet Sitting, Purrfect Paws Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Service, FurBabies Home Pet Care and Dog Walking, Professional Pet Sitting LLC, Cat in a Flat, 4 Paws Pet Services Ltd., The Fairy Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the pet sitting market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global pet-sitting market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the pet sitting market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the pet sitting market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The pet sitting market includes revenues earned by providing feeding, exercise, administering medication, and others to pets. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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