How Much Does 24-Hour Pet Sitting Cost in Mumbai?
Nov, 4 2025
Thinking about hiring a 24-hour pet sitter in Mumbai? You’re not alone. With busy schedules, long work hours, and travel plans, many pet owners need someone to stay with their dog, cat, or even a rabbit around the clock. But how much does it actually cost? The price isn’t fixed-it changes based on your pet, location, and what services you need. Here’s what you’re really paying for when you hire someone to watch your pet all day and night.
What’s Included in 24-Hour Pet Sitting?
A true 24-hour pet sitter doesn’t just drop by for a quick walk. They stay in your home, sleeping over so your pet never feels alone. That means feeding, watering, cleaning litter boxes or potty areas, giving meds, playing, and responding to barks, meows, or anxious behavior at 3 a.m. Some sitters also do light house tasks-taking out trash, watering plants, or checking mail-but these vary by provider.
Unlike dog walkers or daytime sitters, 24-hour care removes the stress of your pet being left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety, elderly pets needing frequent attention, or pets on strict medication schedules benefit the most. In Mumbai, where traffic can make quick visits impossible, having someone on-site is often the only safe option.
How Much Does It Really Cost?
In Mumbai, 24-hour pet sitting typically costs between ₹2,500 and ₹6,000 per night. That’s a wide range, and here’s why:
- Basic care (₹2,500-₹3,500): For a healthy, calm dog or cat that eats on schedule and doesn’t need meds. The sitter stays overnight, feeds twice, lets the pet out, and checks in periodically.
- Mid-tier (₹3,500-₹4,800): Includes medication administration, light cleaning, and extra playtime. Ideal for older pets, small animals like rabbits, or pets with mild anxiety.
- Premium (₹5,000-₹6,000+): For multiple pets, exotic animals, or pets with medical needs like insulin shots, seizures, or mobility issues. Also includes 24/7 monitoring via camera updates and daily photo logs.
These rates are for in-home care. If you’re paying for a sitter to stay at their own home with your pet (pet boarding), prices drop to ₹1,500-₹3,000 per night-but many owners avoid this because it’s stressful for the pet.
What Drives the Price Up?
Not all pets are the same. Here’s what makes 24-hour care more expensive:
- Number of pets: One dog? ₹2,800. Two dogs and a cat? Add ₹800-₹1,200.
- Medication: Giving insulin, antibiotics, or anti-seizure meds adds ₹500-₹1,000 per night. Sitters need training and liability coverage for this.
- Location: In South Mumbai (Breach Candy, Colaba), prices are 20-30% higher due to demand and higher living costs. In suburbs like Thane or Navi Mumbai, you might save ₹500-₹1,000.
- Weekends and holidays: Christmas, Diwali, or long weekends? Expect a 30-50% surcharge. Many sitters book up months ahead during these times.
- Special needs: Pets with dementia, incontinence, or behavioral issues require more attention-and higher pay.
Where to Find Reliable 24-Hour Pet Sitters in Mumbai
Most pet owners find sitters through apps like PetPooja, MyPetSitter, or local Facebook groups. But here’s the catch: not all sitters are vetted.
Look for these signs of quality:
- Verified background checks
- Proof of pet first-aid training
- Photos of past pets they’ve cared for
- Clear written contract (no handshake deals)
- References from at least two recent clients
Some pet clinics in Mumbai, like VetCare Mumbai or Animal Aid, partner with certified sitters. These cost more-₹5,500-₹7,000-but come with insurance and emergency protocols. If your pet has health issues, this is worth the extra cost.
What You Should Ask Before Booking
Don’t just pick the cheapest option. Ask these questions:
- Have you cared for a pet with my pet’s breed or condition before?
- What’s your emergency plan if my pet gets sick at night?
- Will you send me updates? Photos? Videos?
- Do you have a backup sitter if you get sick?
- Are you insured? Can I see your policy?
One owner in Andheri learned the hard way when her dog had a seizure and the sitter didn’t know how to respond. The vet bill was ₹12,000. A certified sitter would’ve cost ₹500 extra-but saved her thousands.
Alternatives to 24-Hour In-Home Sitting
If the price feels too high, consider these options:
- Daytime pet daycare: ₹800-₹1,500 per day. Great if you’re home at night.
- Camera + daily visits: Hire a sitter for two 12-hour shifts (morning and night) instead of one full 24-hour stay. Costs ₹3,000-₹4,000 total.
- Trusted neighbor or friend: Offer to pay them ₹1,500-₹2,000 for overnight care. Many pet owners do this, especially in apartment complexes.
But remember: no camera replaces a live presence. Pets with anxiety, older animals, or those with medical needs need someone who can physically respond.
When to Book (And When to Avoid)
Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance, especially if you need care during festivals, holidays, or monsoon season. Mumbai’s pet care providers get swamped during Diwali, New Year, and long weekends.
Avoid last-minute bookings. Many sitters refuse emergency requests because they’re already booked. And never hire someone you found on a random Instagram post without references.
Final Tip: Budget for the Unexpected
Set aside ₹1,000-₹2,000 extra for emergencies. Maybe your pet eats something they shouldn’t. Maybe the AC breaks and your dog overheats. A good sitter will call you immediately-but if they don’t have a vet contact on file, you’re stuck.
Most pet owners in Mumbai spend ₹4,000-₹5,000 per night on 24-hour care. It’s not cheap. But compared to the peace of mind, the cost of a vet visit, or the guilt of leaving your pet alone for 24 hours? Many say it’s worth every rupee.
Is 24-hour pet sitting worth the cost in Mumbai?
Yes, if your pet has health issues, separation anxiety, or you’re away for more than a day. A sitter who stays overnight reduces stress, prevents accidents, and responds to emergencies immediately. The cost-₹2,500 to ₹6,000-is often less than a single vet visit for stress-related illness.
Can I hire a 24-hour pet sitter for just one night?
Yes. Most pet sitters in Mumbai offer single-night stays. Some even have minimum bookings of 12 hours. But expect to pay the full overnight rate-there’s no discount for short stays. Booking for multiple nights usually gets you a 10-15% discount.
Do pet sitters in Mumbai provide their own supplies?
No. Most sitters expect you to provide food, medication, toys, bedding, and cleaning supplies. Some premium services may bring their own pet-safe cleaning products, but never assume this. Always leave a clear list of what your pet needs.
Are there pet sitters who work with exotic pets in Mumbai?
Yes, but they’re rare. Sitters who care for rabbits, birds, reptiles, or small rodents usually advertise specifically on platforms like PetPooja or in local pet forums. Expect to pay 30-50% more than for dogs or cats. Always confirm they’ve handled your exact pet type before booking.
What happens if my pet gets sick during the night?
A professional sitter will have a list of emergency vet clinics and your vet’s contact info. They should call you immediately and follow your instructions. If you haven’t given them permission to take your pet to the vet, they can’t act without your consent. Always sign a care agreement that includes emergency protocols.
Teja kumar Baliga
November 7, 2025 AT 19:43Been using a 24-hour sitter in Bandra for my elderly cat-₹4,200/night, worth every rupee. She sleeps right next to him, even when he meows at 3 a.m. No camera beats a warm hand on the fur.
Mongezi Mkhwanazi
November 8, 2025 AT 02:37Let me be perfectly clear: anyone who pays less than ₹5,000 for overnight pet care in Mumbai is either delusional-or just waiting for their dog to have a seizure in the dark, alone, while the sitter scrolls TikTok. The fact that you even consider ₹2,500 as a baseline suggests you’ve never held a trembling, anxious animal at 2 a.m. and realized-this isn’t babysitting. This is emergency nursing. And you’re paying peanuts.
Tiffany Ho
November 9, 2025 AT 20:19I used to think it was too expensive until my rescue pup had panic attacks every time I left. Now I pay ₹4,800 and sleep like a baby. It’s not a luxury-it’s love in rupees.
k arnold
November 10, 2025 AT 18:06Oh wow, ₹6,000? And you didn’t even mention the 30% ‘Diwali surcharge’ that magically appears when your pet sneezes? Classic Mumbai hustle. Next they’ll charge you extra for the sitter breathing the same air as your dog.
adam smith
November 10, 2025 AT 19:52I find it fascinating that in Mumbai, a 24-hour pet sitter costs more than a full-time nanny in certain rural districts. The economic disparity is not just visible-it is, quite literally, pet-related.
Kelley Nelson
November 11, 2025 AT 11:41It is, of course, entirely unsurprising that one must pay a premium for professional pet care in a city that still lacks adequate public sanitation infrastructure. One wonders whether the same standards of hygiene and accountability apply to the sitters themselves. A certificate in pet first-aid does not, after all, equate to personal hygiene certification.
Alan Crierie
November 12, 2025 AT 23:06Hey everyone-just wanted to say thank you for this thread. I’m new to pet ownership and was terrified about leaving my rabbit alone. This breakdown helped me realize I don’t need to break the bank. Found a sitter in Goregaon who does ₹3,200 with photo updates. She even texts me when he eats his greens. 🐰❤️
Aryan Gupta
November 13, 2025 AT 05:33Did you know? Over 73% of ‘certified’ pet sitters in Mumbai have no formal training. The government doesn’t regulate this industry. PetPooja? They’re just a middleman. The real sitters are often undocumented workers from Uttar Pradesh who get paid ₹800 a night and are forced to sleep on the floor. You’re not paying for care-you’re funding exploitation. And the vet clinics? They’re in on it. They get kickbacks from the apps. I’ve seen the receipts.
Zelda Breach
November 15, 2025 AT 05:23₹2,500 for a ‘basic’ sitter? That’s not a pet sitter. That’s a person who shows up, feeds the dog, and leaves the lights on. If your pet dies from dehydration because you saved ₹1,000, don’t come crying to me. You chose ignorance over responsibility.
Gareth Hobbs
November 15, 2025 AT 21:36What’s next? Charging extra for the sitter to breathe the same air as your pet? In Britain, we just leave our dogs with the neighbours and give them a biscuit. This Mumbai madness is just capitalism gone feral. And don’t get me started on ‘camera updates’-I’ve seen the footage. Half the time the sitter’s asleep on the sofa with Netflix on. You’re paying for a fantasy.
Mark Nitka
November 16, 2025 AT 03:54Let’s not pretend this is just about money. This is about dignity-for the pet, and for the person caring for them. A sitter who stays overnight deserves respect, fair pay, and basic safety. If you’re complaining about ₹5,000, ask yourself: would you pay that much to keep your child safe overnight? Then why is your dog any different?
Fredda Freyer
November 16, 2025 AT 05:18There’s a quiet philosophy here: the way we treat animals when we’re not watching reveals more about us than any social post ever could. Paying for 24-hour care isn’t indulgence-it’s an act of moral consistency. If we believe pets are family, then we must act like it-even when it costs more. The real question isn’t ‘Can I afford it?’ It’s ‘Can I live with myself if I don’t?’
Nicholas Zeitler
November 17, 2025 AT 18:17Just booked my sitter for Diwali-₹5,800, no discounts, but she’s got a vet on speed dial and a first-aid kit. Pro tip: always ask for their emergency protocol in writing. And yes, I’m paying extra for the photo log. My dog’s anxiety is worth it. You got this.