Digital nomads are a creative bunch and always on the hunt for ways to stretch their budgets. Ever considered pet & house sitting? Read on to see how pet sitting could be your ticket to authentic experiences and time with new furry friends!
Let’s face it, the digital nomad lifestyle can be super exciting and adventurous, however, there are sacrifices involved, and one of the big ones is the inability to have pets.
Enter pet & house sitting—a lifestyle option that offers more than just free accommodation and can allow for some quality time with animals without the long-term responsibility.
I was recently introduced to the world of pet sitting when friends of mine needed someone to look after their dog.
They live close to the ocean and their Maltese puppy is adorable! How can you go wrong?
I stayed in their apartment and looked after their lovely dog for a few days while they were out of town.
They mentioned that they do pet sitting sometimes and recommended TrustHousesitters as a platform to check out if I want to do it somewhere else.
I had never thought about pet sitting until now but it’s something I am definitely interested in doing again.
Pet and house sitting allows digital nomads to enjoy the company of furry companions, experience authentic local living, and save money along the way.
The perks of pet sitting for digital nomads
It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with animals
One downside of the digital nomad lifestyle is the difficulty of owning a pet. Constant travel isn’t conducive to keeping a dog, cat, or even a goldfish.
Pet sitting fills this gap, offering temporary companionship with adorable animals. Whether it’s cuddling a cat on the couch, taking a dog for scenic walks, or even tending to chickens in a backyard coop, this can be a heartwarming addition to an otherwise solitary lifestyle.
Pet sitting can help you save money on accommodation
Accommodation expenses often consume a large chunk of a digital nomad’s monthly budget, usually around a third.
Pet and house sitting provides a rare opportunity to eliminate this cost.
In exchange for looking after someone’s home—and often their beloved pets—digital nomads gain a place to stay without shelling out for rent or lodging.
Authentic local living and the chance to connect with animals
Pet and house sitting often means staying in residential neighbourhoods and away from tourist hotspots.
This gives nomads a chance to immerse themselves in the local culture, shop at neighbourhood markets, and live like a local.
Imagine taking that lovely and playful golden retriever to the local park or to the beach if you are lucky enough to find a pet-sitting gig near the ocean like I did!
Responsibilities to keep in mind if thinking about pet sitting
Pet and house sitting isn’t a free ride—it comes with responsibilities. Here’s what potential pet sitters need to know:
Caring for pets and property
Owners entrust sitters with their homes and pets, which means taking responsibility for feeding schedules, walks, cleaning, and ensuring the property is secure. This can limit your freedom to explore the area extensively, as you’ll need to prioritise the needs of your furry (or feathered) friends.
Pet sitting requires flexibility and commitment on your part
Most pet-sitting gigs last about a week or two, coinciding with the homeowners’ travel plans.
This requires flexibility in planning and can make it challenging to settle in for longer stays.
Additionally, the cost of getting to a sitting location—whether it’s a plane or train ticket needs to make financial sense when compared to the savings.
How to get started with pet sitting
One of the most popular ways to get started with pet sitting can be to use a platform like TrustedHousesitters which connects pet owners looking with pet sitters worldwide
TrustedHousesitters is a global platform with a wide range of listings, like an AirBnb but for pet sitting.
Some advantages of using TrustHousesitters to find pet-sitting opportunities?
- TrustHousesitters is a well-established platform for finding pet-sitting opportunities around since 2010
- as TrustHousesitters is a paid service there is customer service available in case of any issues
- a large selection of pet-sitting opportunities worldwide
- one annual fee allows for unlimited pet-sitting opportunities all year round
Are there any disadvantages to using a service like TrustHousesitters to find pet-sitting opportunities?
- You will need to pay an annual membership fee but there is a money-back guarantee
How much does TrustHousesitters cost?
TrustHousesitters works on an annual membership basis starting from €119
Pet owners and potential pet sitters pay to be on the platform.
There are various options (see the pricing table above)
If you do not get any confirmed pet sits within 14 days of making your fifth application as a sitter, you can ask for your money back.
The Bottom Line
Pet sitting and house sitting are more than just ways to save money—they’re lifestyle options that offer digital nomads unique opportunities to connect with animals, explore local cultures, and enjoy the comforts of someone’s real home.
With the right mindset and a love for animals, pet sitting can transform your travels into an unforgettable adventure.
Who knows? You might just find yourself making lifelong connections—not only with the hosts but also with their adorable pets!
