5 Trusted Dog-Sitting Apps for Busy Dog Owners

You’re staring at your phone at 11 p.m., realizing you have to leave the house in seven hours for a morning flight, and your usual dog sitter just texted you to say she has the flu. This is the point where a dog-sitting app turns from convenient to necessary.

The best dog-sitting apps will match you with vetted caregivers who can come to the rescue when your neighbor is out of town, or your family lives three states away, and you realize pets don’t even have to be outside the boarding place by 6 p.m. They organize the mess of last-minute schedules into a searchable base group of people who do want to hang out with your dog.

According to a 2024 survey by the American Pet Products Association, 67% of pet owners now prefer in-home care over traditional boarding, citing reduced stress for their animals and more personalized attention.

We have picked five platforms that have proven themselves reliable. You'll see what each one offers, what it costs, and where it falls short so you can pick the right one before panic sets in.

5 Best Dog-Sitting Apps

Sitters come to your home or host your dog in theirs, working around your departure time instead of forcing you to rearrange your entire day. You're not handing your dog to whoever happens to be working the front desk that day. Most platforms require background checks, display ratings from previous clients, and allow you to message sitters directly before committing.

When you’re exploring the best dog-sitting app, your decision really comes down to how you live. Others just need speed, like the sort simply known as an “on-demand” walker acquire, versus a trust-based relationship they have with a longer-term house sitter. All of these dog-sitting apps provide a special way to fill the void between your absence and your pup’s happiness.

Rover

Rover’s dog-sitting service dominates the market because it solved the trust problem early. The platform conducts background checks on every sitter and provides 24/7 support in case of any issues. Sitters create profiles showing their experience, home setup, and which services they provide: overnight boarding, drop-in visits, doggy daycare, or house sitting, where they stay at your place.

The app's booking system is straightforward. You enter your dates, filter by service type, and scroll through available sitters in your area. Each profile includes photos, reviews, and a calendar showing open slots. You can message sitters before booking to ask questions about their yard size, other pets, or whether they're comfortable with a dog who needs medication twice daily.

Safety is managed through the Rover Guarantee, which provides a layer of financial protection for vet care during a booking. This feature transforms a simple transaction into a secure agreement. When using this app for dog sitting, owners receive GPS maps of walks and photo updates, turning the "black box" of pet care into a transparent, visual diary. It’s an effective tool for those who want a professional experience backed by a corporate safety net.

Rover's guarantee covers vet bills up to $25,000 if your dog gets injured or sick while under a sitter's care. That number matters when you're weighing whether to use a stranger from the internet or pay double for a facility with insurance.

Sitters set their own rates. Rover takes a service fee on top of that, usually around 20%.

TrustedHousesitters

The TrustedHousesitters platform operates on a unique model: no money changes hands between the pet owner and the sitter. Instead, sitters provide high-quality care in exchange for a place to stay. This creates a different dynamic, where the focus shifts from a service-level agreement to a relationship built on a foundation of trust.

This is often cited as the best dog-sitting app for owners who travel frequently or for long durations. Because the sitters are often digital nomads or retirees who love animals, the dog gets to stay in their own environment. The lack of payment means the person staying in the home is there because they genuinely want the company of a pet, not because they’re trying to hit a daily earnings quota.

Owners pay an annual membership fee, which covers background checks and insurance. This system filters for committed individuals. It avoids the "gig economy" feel of other best dog-sitting apps and replaces it with a sense of shared responsibility. For a dog that thrives on consistency and dislikes the chaos of a kennel, this model is a quiet, steady alternative.

Wag

Wag pet sitting is often described as "Uber for dogs." It’s built for the pet owner who needs a solution right now. While it offers sitting and boarding, its core identity is rooted in immediate assistance. If a meeting runs late or an unexpected trip arises, Wag is frequently the most responsive app for dog sitting on the market.

The platform uses a rigorous screening process for its "Pet Caregivers," and the app provides a highly interactive experience. Owners can track their dog’s journey on a live map and get a “pupu report” at the end of each walk. This detail has the benefit of preventing owners from making the mistake of wondering if their dog made it out during a long workday.

But speed can sometimes mean the sacrifice of personal touch. And while you can request your favorite sitters, the app is set up to get whoever is on hand and vetted. It’s a great product for the city professional who puts a premium on convenience and requires a safe way to take care of pets with their cellphone.

It has mid-level pricing. Walks range from $20 to $30, and overnight sitting costs between $40 and $75, depending on location. One criticism that comes up again and again: poor communication.

PetBacker

PetBacker focuses on international markets, though it operates in the United States. The best dog-sitting app for someone moving abroad or traveling overseas is often PetBacker because it maintains consistent standards across countries. If you're relocating to Singapore or spending a summer in Australia, you can use the same platform you relied on at home.

PetBacker vs. Rover works a little differently, providing owners with multiple quotes from local sitters. Rather than leafing through an infinite scroll of available sitters, the owner posts a request and interested sitters respond. This enables a more detailed dialogue about one’s specific needs, such as a dog that requires medication or is sensitive to other animals.

This is a very helpful ability to search when looking for unique boarding opportunities. PetBacker is a versatile dog-sitting app for those who live in areas outside the main US cities, as well, as PetBacker has such a large international presence. The platform features a “Trust and Safety” program that oversees bookings and offers help if there are issues.

Through PetBacker, owners can view and compare multiple pricing tiers and experience levels together. It incentivizes more vetting before the stay.

Pawshake

Pawshake originally only worked in Europe, but they entered the North American market a few years ago. Secure payment processing and detailed sitter profiles are the focus of the platform. Every carer lists their experience, home dynamic, and dog sizes they’d be interested in caring for.

The booking system also calls for more upfront communication than Wag but less than TrustedHousesitters. You ask for a sitter, the sitter indicates availability, and you finalize with an address exchange. Payment is all through the Pawshake app, and funds are held in your account until the sit is done, giving both sitters and owners peace of mind.

Insurance that covers vet bills and property damage. There is also customer support available; response time depends on your region.

Availability is the main constraint. This network is thinner in the United States. You will find choices in the coastal cities and college towns, but fewer in the suburbs or rural areas.

Pricing, which varies based on where you go and how long you stay, is reflective of the competitive European landscape. Overnight boarding often ranges from €20 to €40 ($22 to $44).

Best Dog Sitting Apps: Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right App for Dog Sitting

Start with your timeline. Need someone tonight? Wag. Planning a trip next month? Rover gives you the most options. Traveling for several weeks and willing to host a sitter at your home? TrustedHousesitters.

Then consider your dog's personality. A reactive dog who needs an experienced handler will benefit from Rover's detailed filtering and review system. A friendly Labrador who gets along with anyone has more flexibility across platforms.

Budget matters. If you travel frequently, TrustedHousesitters' annual fee saves money compared to paying per-booking fees five or six times a year. For occasional trips, paying as you go makes more sense.

Location determines availability. Download two or three apps and search your area before you need them. See which platforms have active sitters nearby. The best app for dog sitting in a big city might have zero presence in the rural countryside.

What to Look for in a Sitter Profile

Photos reveal more than ratings. Look for clean spaces, secure yards, and evidence of previous dog experience. A profile with only selfies and no images of their home raises questions.

Reviews should mention specifics. "Great sitter" tells you nothing. "Sent updates three times a day and followed medication schedule perfectly" tells you everything.

Response time during initial messaging predicts communication during the sit. If someone takes 48 hours to answer a simple question, they'll likely go dark once your dog is in their care.

A bad sitting experience doesn't just inconvenience you. It traumatizes your dog. If your pet shows signs of stress after a sitting experience, learn how to calm an anxious dog to help them recover.

Making Apps for Dog Sitting Work Better

Create a detailed profile for your dog. Include feeding schedule, medication needs, behavioral quirks, and emergency vet information. Sitters who read carefully before accepting a booking are more reliable than those who say yes to everything.

Book a meet-and-greet before committing to overnight care. Most platforms encourage this, and it gives you a chance to watch how your dog reacts to the person. A sitter might have perfect reviews, but if your dog refuses to go near them, trust that instinct. Understanding how to read dog body language helps you interpret these warning signs during meet-and-greets.

Leave written instructions at your home, even if you sent everything digitally. WiFi fails. Phones die. A laminated sheet with feeding times, vet contact, and your dog's favorite hiding spot prevents confusion.

Pay attention to cancellation policies. Life happens, but a sitter who cancels within 24 hours of your trip creates a crisis. The best dog-sitting apps offer backup options or refunds, but prevention beats scrambling at the last minute.

When Apps Aren't the Answer

Some dogs don't adjust to new environments. If your dog already struggles with anxiety, boarding at a stranger's house might worsen it. In those cases, house sitting, where someone comes to your home, causes less disruption. Understanding your dog's limits when leaving a dog home alone can help you determine whether you need overnight care or just drop-in visits.

Multi-dog households get complicated. Not every sitter wants three dogs at once, especially if they don't all get along. Learn to recognize critical signs of stress in a dog so you can assess how each pet handles sitting arrangements. Be honest about dynamics. A sitter who takes one of your dogs but not all three is better than lying and creating a dangerous situation.

The Real Cost of Getting This Wrong

The best dog-sitting app is the one that connects you with a person you trust. That entails reading between the lines of profiles and asking uncomfortable questions, as well as occasionally paying more for someone with a proven track record.

But when it works, the value is clear. You travel without guilt. Your dog receives individualized attention instead of being kept in a kennel. And you return home to a pet that appears actually happy instead of anxious.

That peace of mind is what you’re paying for, after all. The app is the tool that allows it all.