Dog walker and pet sitter in Switzerland: prices and tips
A dog walker takes your dog out while you work. A pet sitter feeds and looks after your cat, rabbit or bird at home while you're away. Here you'll find indicative prices with their sources, what to tell the sitter about your animal and what to agree. On Workpop you post your pet-sitting job for free.
If you pay someone for household work, you are usually their employer: AHV from the first franc and accident insurance. Workpop doesn’t do this for you. Guide: AHV for side jobs and household work
Free to post, no commission: get offers and choose at your own pace.
Indicative prices
- Dog walkCHF 22–38 per walk
Source: Petme · As of September 2026
- Home visit for your petCHF 25–42 per visit
Source: Petme · As of September 2026
- Day care for your dogCHF 35–60 per day
Source: Petme · As of September 2026
Indicative prices, varying by region and provider. Legal minimum wages and social contributions may apply on top.
You set the price, in line with minimum wages.
Guide: prices and minimum wagesWhat pet sitting can include
Some owners need a dog walker every working day, others only a cat sitter for the summer holidays. Say in your job which kind of help you need.
- Dog walks, daily or now and then
- Home visits to feed cats and small animals
- Cleaning the litter tray or cage
- Day care for your dog
- Looking after your pet while you are away
- Bringing in the post and watering plants
How much does a dog walker cost?
The Petme price guide gives these ranges (2026): a dog walk costs CHF 22–38, a home visit CHF 25–42, day care CHF 35–60 per day and boarding CHF 55–90 per night.
The price depends on the length of the walk, the number of animals and the distance. With a private helper you agree the price yourselves, in line with minimum wages.
Tell the sitter about your pet
Describe your animal: breed or type, age, character and how it gets on with other dogs, cats and children. For dogs, say whether it walks well on the lead and comes back when called. Write down food, medicine and your vet's phone number.
For cats and small animals, say how many visits a day are needed, where the food is kept and how often the litter tray or cage needs cleaning. Leave your pet's vaccination record and a contact person who can decide if you cannot be reached.
Arrange a trial walk or a first visit together before you leave. It helps your pet get used to the sitter.
What to agree
Agree the days and times, the length of the walks, and whether your dog may be walked together with other dogs. Settle the keys, what happens if your pet falls ill and who pays the vet in an emergency, and how much notice you give if you cancel.
Posting on Workpop is free and there is no commission. People nearby send you an offer; you can ask questions in the chat and choose at your own pace. When you agree, you both get a digital contract, and you pay the sitter directly.
AHV for paid pet sitting
If you pay a private person to look after your pets, you may count as their employer for AHV/IV/EO (Swiss old-age, survivors', disability and income-compensation insurance). For household help, contributions are in general due from the first franc, and households must insure their staff against accidents with an approved insurer (not Suva).
Exception: young people up to 31 December of the year they turn 25, if they earn no more than CHF 750 a year from that household. Whether someone is self-employed or employed is decided by the compensation office case by case. Workpop does not do this for you: check with your cantonal AHV compensation office.
What to agree on first
- Days, times and length of walks
- Food, medicine and vet contact
- Walks alone or with other dogs
- Keys and access
- Price per walk, visit or day
- What happens in an emergency
- Notice if you cancel
Time of year
If you travel in the summer holidays or at Christmas, post your pet-sitting job early and plan a trial visit before you leave.
Open jobs: Dog walker and pet sitter
There are no open jobs for this service right now.
Post your job: it's free, and people nearby can send you an offer.
Post a job: pet sittingFrequently asked questions
How much does a dog walker cost in Switzerland?
As a guide, Petme lists CHF 22–38 per walk, CHF 25–42 per home visit and CHF 35–60 per day of day care (2026). With a private helper, you agree the price yourselves.Can I find a cat sitter for the holidays?
Yes, post a job with the dates, how many visits a day you need and what the sitter should do. Arrange a first visit together before you leave.Do I have to pay AHV for a dog walker?
You may count as the dog walker's employer. For household help, AHV contributions are in general due from the first franc. Whether someone is self-employed or employed is decided by the compensation office, case by case. Check with your cantonal AHV compensation office.
Free to post, no commission: get offers and choose at your own pace. You set the price, in line with minimum wages.
Post a job: pet sitting