Your neighbour’s got a pet sitter who charges £12 for a dog walk. Your colleague pays £18 for the same thing. Same city, same service, £6 difference.
Welcome to Birmingham pet sitting, where pricing varies more than you’d expect across a city that’s technically smaller than London but feels just as sprawling when you’re trying to find someone to look after your Labrador.
The thing about Birmingham is this: it’s not one market. It’s several. Edgbaston pricing looks nothing like Erdington pricing. Solihull rates make Northfield rates look bargain-basement. And nobody’s publishing a proper guide that actually explains why.
Until now. This breaks down what pet sitters genuinely cost across Birmingham – not vague “£10-£20” ranges that tell you nothing, but proper area-by-area, service-by-service pricing that helps you budget without surprises.
What This Guide Covers
We’re walking through:
- Real Birmingham pricing by area: City centre, suburbs, outer boroughs
- Service breakdowns: Dog walking, cat visits, overnight stays, house sitting
- Hidden costs: Bank holidays, multiple pets, medications, travel fees
- Area-specific rates: Why Moseley costs more than Yardley
- Birmingham vs national: How we compare to London and the rest of UK
- Money-saving strategies: Getting fair rates without compromising care
Plus an interactive calculator and visual pricing comparison so you can see exactly what you’ll pay based on your location and needs.
Birmingham Pet Sitting Quick Overview
Average Costs (Birmingham, Standard Weekday):
- Dog walk (30 min): £12-18
- Cat visit (30 min): £11-16
- Dog walk (1 hour): £16-25
- Overnight stay: £45-62
- House sitting (per day): £40-55
Birmingham vs UK Average: Birmingham sits right at national average. Significantly cheaper than London (30-35% less), similar to Manchester, Leeds, Bristol.
Why Birmingham Pricing Works:
- Lower cost of living than London
- Competitive pet care market
- Mix of professional and semi-professional sitters
- Strong community networks
- Realistic pricing for Midlands economy
Birmingham Pet Sitter Cost Calculator
Birmingham City Centre: B1-B5
Typical Areas: Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth, Chinese Quarter, Gun Quarter, Business District
City centre Birmingham has moderate pet sitter availability. Not the pet care hotspot you’d expect, but reasonable coverage.
Dog Walking (30 minutes):
- Solo walk: £13-16
- Group walk: £10-14
- Large dog supplement: +£3-4
Dog Walking (1 hour):
- Solo walk: £18-23
- Group walk: £15-20
Cat Visits (30 minutes):
- Single cat: £12-15
- Two cats: £15-18
- Three+ cats: £18-22
Overnight Stays:
- Standard (one dog/cat): £48-56
- Two pets: £58-68
- Three+ pets: £68-82
House Sitting (24-hour care):
- Per day: £45-55
- Weekly rate: £280-350
Why These Prices: City centre living costs higher than suburbs, but Birmingham city centre less expensive than London Zone 1-2. Many sitters based in surrounding areas travel into city centre.
Reality Check: City centre apartments sometimes restrict pet care businesses operating in buildings. Check your lease before booking overnight/house sitting.
Timeline Expectations:
- Regular walking: 1-2 weeks ahead
- Holiday care: 3-4 weeks ahead
- Christmas: 6-8 weeks ahead
Edgbaston, Harborne & Affluent Suburbs
Typical Areas: Edgbaston, Harborne, Bournville, parts of Moseley, Sutton Coldfield (affluent parts)
This is Birmingham’s premium pet care territory. Higher pricing reflects affluent demographic and professional pet care market.
Dog Walking (30 minutes):
- Solo walk: £15-18
- Group walk: £12-16
- Large dog supplement: +£4-5
Dog Walking (1 hour):
- Solo walk: £21-26
- Group walk: £18-23
Cat Visits (30 minutes):
- Single cat: £14-17
- Two cats: £17-21
- Three+ cats: £20-25
Overnight Stays:
- Standard: £55-65
- Two pets: £68-80
- Three+ pets: £80-100
House Sitting:
- Per day: £50-62
- Weekly rate: £320-400
Why Premium Pricing: Professional pet sitters with years of experience gravitate to affluent areas. Client expectations higher (detailed updates, precise timing, impeccable service).
What You Get:
- More experienced sitters
- Better communication
- Professional approach
- Detailed photo/video updates
- Precise adherence to schedule
Worth It? If you want absolute reliability and professional service, yes. If you’re budget-conscious, look to neighbouring areas – quality doesn’t always correlate with price.
South Birmingham: Moseley, Kings Heath, Stirchley
Typical Areas: Moseley, Kings Heath, Stirchley, Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook
South Birmingham sweet spot. Excellent pet sitter availability, reasonable pricing, quality service.
Dog Walking (30 minutes):
- Solo walk: £13-17
- Group walk: £11-14
- Large dog supplement: +£3-4
Dog Walking (1 hour):
- Solo walk: £19-24
- Group walk: £16-21
Cat Visits (30 minutes):
- Single cat: £13-16
- Two cats: £16-19
- Three+ cats: £19-23
Overnight Stays:
- Standard: £51-58
- Two pets: £62-72
- Three+ pets: £72-88
House Sitting:
- Per day: £46-56
- Weekly rate: £290-360
Why South Birmingham Works: High pet ownership density (young professionals, families). Community-minded area with active pet owner networks. Competitive market keeps pricing reasonable whilst quality remains high.
Best For: Most Birmingham pet owners. Balance of price, quality, availability. Moseley particularly strong for dog walkers.
Birmingham Area-by-Area Pricing Chart
Birmingham Suburbs: North, East, West
Typical Areas: Erdington, Perry Barr, Handsworth, Yardley, Acocks Green, Northfield
Suburban Birmingham has variable pet sitter coverage. Some areas well-served, others require more searching.
Dog Walking (30 minutes):
- Solo walk: £11-14
- Group walk: £9-12
- Large dog supplement: +£2-3
Dog Walking (1 hour):
- Solo walk: £15-20
- Group walk: £13-17
Cat Visits (30 minutes):
- Single cat: £10-13
- Two cats: £13-16
- Three+ cats: £16-19
Overnight Stays:
- Standard: £43-50
- Two pets: £53-62
- Three+ pets: £63-76
House Sitting:
- Per day: £38-48
- Weekly rate: £240-310
Coverage Reality:
- Well-served: Sutton Coldfield, Northfield, parts of Erdington
- Moderate: Perry Barr, Yardley, Acocks Green
- Limited: Handsworth, parts of Erdington
Search Strategy: Check TraderStreet for your specific postcode. Suburban coverage requires hyper-local search – “Birmingham” too broad.
Pricing Advantage: Best Birmingham value. £3-6 cheaper per walk than city centre/affluent areas. Quality still good – just less expensive operating costs.
Solihull: Premium Territory
Typical Postcodes: B90-B94
Solihull technically separate from Birmingham, but pet care market integrated. Highest Birmingham-area pricing.
Dog Walking (30 minutes):
- Solo walk: £16-20
- Group walk: £13-17
- Large dog supplement: +£4-5
Dog Walking (1 hour):
- Solo walk: £22-28
- Group walk: £19-24
Cat Visits (30 minutes):
- Single cat: £15-18
- Two cats: £18-22
- Three+ cats: £21-26
Overnight Stays:
- Standard: £58-68
- Two pets: £72-85
- Three+ pets: £85-105
House Sitting:
- Per day: £52-65
- Weekly rate: £330-420
Why So Expensive: Affluent area, high standards expected, professional sitters only. Similar to Edgbaston pricing.
Worth Noting: Some Birmingham sitters don’t cover Solihull (separate borough). Always verify coverage.
Service-by-Service Deep Dive
Dog Walking: Solo vs Group
Solo Walks (30 minutes): Your dog gets undivided attention.
Birmingham Pricing:
- City centre: £13-16
- Affluent: £15-18
- Suburbs: £11-14
- Solihull: £16-20
When Solo Makes Sense:
- Reactive dog (doesn’t like other dogs)
- Training focus needed
- Senior dog (slower pace)
- Very small or very large (size mismatch concerns)
- Medical needs requiring attention
Group Walks (30 minutes): Your dog walks with 2-4 others. Usually same regular group.
Birmingham Pricing:
- City centre: £10-14
- Affluent: £12-16
- Suburbs: £9-12
- Solihull: £13-17
Save: £2-4 per walk with group
When Group Makes Sense:
- Sociable dog who loves other dogs
- High energy (more stimulating)
- Regular routine (same group, same time)
- Budget-conscious
Birmingham Group Walk Reality: Most Birmingham walkers keep groups small (maximum 4 dogs). Areas like Cannon Hill Park, Sutton Park popular for group walks.
Cat Visits: What’s Included
Standard Cat Visit (30 minutes):
Birmingham Pricing:
- City centre: £12-15
- Affluent: £14-17
- Suburbs: £10-13
- Solihull: £15-18
What’s Included:
- Fresh food and water
- Litter tray cleaning
- 10-15 minutes play/attention
- Photo update
- Security check (curtains, lights, post)
- Simple medication if needed
Multiple Cats:
- Second cat: +£2-4
- Third cat: +£2-3
- Fourth+ cat: +£1-3 each
Visit Frequency:
- Once daily: Standard rate
- Twice daily: 1.8× single rate (not full double)
- Three times daily: 2.5-2.8× single rate
Example Calculation: Sarah has two cats in Moseley. Away 7 days. Needs two daily visits.
- Morning visit: £14
- Evening visit: £14
- Second cat: +£3
- Daily total: £31
- 7-day trip: £217
Compare to Birmingham cattery: 2 cats × £16/night × 7 = £224. Cat visits slightly cheaper and cats stay home.
Overnight Stays: Full Breakdown
Sitter stays in your home overnight (typically 12-14 hours, evening through morning).
Birmingham Pricing (per night):
- City centre: £48-56
- Affluent: £55-65
- Suburbs: £43-50
- Solihull: £58-68
Large Dog Supplement:
- All areas: +£8-12
Multiple Pets:
- Two pets: +£10-18
- Three pets: +£18-28
- Four+ pets: Negotiate
What’s Included:
- Evening through morning care
- Usually 2 walks (evening, morning)
- Feeding (dinner, breakfast)
- Overnight company and security
- Photo/video updates
What’s NOT Included:
- Daytime care (sitter can leave during day)
- House cleaning
- Garden maintenance
- Emergency vet (though sitters take pet if needed)
Example: James has one dog in Edgbaston. Away 10 days.
- Overnight rate: £60/night
- 10 nights: £600
Compare to Birmingham kennels: £35-45/night = £350-450. Overnight more expensive but dog stays home.
House Sitting: 24-Hour Care
Sitter lives in your home full-time whilst you’re away.
Birmingham Pricing (per 24 hours):
- City centre: £45-55
- Affluent: £50-62
- Suburbs: £38-48
- Solihull: £52-65
Weekly Rates (Better Value):
- City centre: £280-350
- Affluent: £320-400
- Suburbs: £240-310
- Solihull: £330-420
What’s Included:
- Sitter stays 24/7 (or minimum 20 hours/day)
- Full pet care routine
- Dog walks (2-3 per day typically)
- House security
- Plant watering
- Post collection
- Basic tidying
Example: Emma has two dogs in Moseley. Away 14 days.
- Daily rate: £52
- Two dogs: +£12
- 14-day discount: -12%
- Calculation: (£64 × 14) × 0.88 = £789
Compare to kennels: 2 dogs × £40/night × 14 = £1,120. House sitting actually cheaper for multiple pets.
Hidden Costs Analysis
Bank Holidays
Premium: +30-50% above standard rates
Birmingham pet sitters sacrifice bank holidays. Expect premiums.
Example:
- Normal £14 walk becomes £18-21
- Normal £50 overnight becomes £65-75
Birmingham Bank Holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Early May (first Monday)
- Late May (last Monday)
- August (last Monday)
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Strategy: Book 6-8 weeks ahead for bank holidays. Some sitters waive premium for regular clients.
Christmas & New Year
Premium: +60-80% above standard rates
Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day most expensive days.
Example:
- Normal overnight: £50
- Christmas overnight: £80-90
Birmingham Christmas Reality: Many sitters have family commitments. Those working over Christmas charge premium (fair – they’re sacrificing their own celebrations).
Book 8-10 weeks ahead minimum.
Multiple Pets
Second Pet:
- Dogs: +40-60% of base rate
- Cats: +20-30% of base rate
Third+ Pets:
- Usually +30-40% each
- Diminishing returns (fifth pet cheaper than second)
Example:
- One dog walk: £14
- Two dog walk: £14 + £8 = £22
- Three dog walk: £22 + £6 = £28
Birmingham Advantage: Multiple pets become better value than London. Second cat adds £3-4 in Birmingham vs £5-8 in London.
Medications & Special Needs
Oral Medication:
- Tablet/liquid: +£2-4 per visit
- Multiple daily: +£4-8
Injections:
- Insulin (diabetic pets): +£6-12 per injection
Special Diets:
- Preparation: +£2-4 per visit
- Multiple feeding times: +£4-6
Senior Pet Care:
- Extra attention: +£4-8 per visit
- Mobility assistance: +£6-12
Puppy Care:
- Under 6 months: +£4-8
- Toilet training: +£4-8
Birmingham Pricing: Reasonable supplements. Most Birmingham sitters charge £3-6 for medication, not the £8-12 you might see in London.
What Influences Birmingham Pricing
Location
Premium Areas (Edgbaston, Solihull): +20-30% vs suburbs
Why:
- Affluent demographic
- Higher service expectations
- Professional sitters gravitate here
- Lower price sensitivity
Budget Areas (Outer Suburbs): -15-25% vs city centre
Why:
- Lower operating costs
- More competitive pricing
- Mix of professional/semi-professional
- Price-sensitive market
Time of Day
Peak Times:
- Morning (7-9am): +10-15%
- Lunchtime (12-2pm): +10-15%
- Evening (5-7pm): +10-15%
Off-Peak:
- Mid-morning (10-11am): Standard
- Mid-afternoon (2-4pm): Standard
Birmingham sitters less rigid about peak pricing than London. Many charge standard rate throughout day.
Day of Week
Weekdays: Standard rates
Weekends: +10-20%
Bank Holidays: +30-50%
Christmas Period: +60-80%
Season
Summer (June-August): Peak season. Prices rise 10-15%.
Christmas/New Year: Absolute peak. Prices rise 60-80%.
Easter: Mini-peak. Prices rise 20-30%.
Off-Peak (Jan-Mar, Sept-Nov): Best availability, sometimes small discounts.
Birmingham vs UK Comparison
Birmingham vs London
Dog Walk (30 min):
- Birmingham: £12-18
- London: £18-28
- Birmingham saving: £6-10 (35%)
Overnight Stay:
- Birmingham: £45-62
- London: £70-130
- Birmingham saving: £25-68 (36-52%)
Pattern: Birmingham 30-40% cheaper than London for equivalent service and quality.
Birmingham vs Manchester
Dog Walk (30 min):
- Birmingham: £12-18
- Manchester: £10-16
- Similar pricing (Birmingham £1-2 higher)
Overnight Stay:
- Birmingham: £45-62
- Manchester: £40-60
- Virtually identical
Pattern: Birmingham and Manchester have nearly identical pet care pricing. Both major Midlands/Northern cities with similar economies.
Birmingham vs National Average
Dog Walk (30 min):
- Birmingham: £12-18
- UK Average: £11-16
- Birmingham at national average
Birmingham sits right at UK average. Not expensive (London), not cheap (rural Wales), but fair Midlands pricing.
Money-Saving Strategies
Book in Advance
6+ Weeks Ahead:
- Christmas/Easter: 10-15% discount sometimes
- Sitters reward advance planning
- First choice of sitters
Regular Bookings
Same Sitter, Consistent Schedule:
- 10-15% discount common for regulars
- Better service (knows your pet)
- Priority booking
Example:
- Standard walk: £14
- Regular client: £12
- Weekly (5 walks): Save £10
- Annual saving: £480
Longer Bookings
Week+ Duration:
- Overnight/house sitting: 10-15% discount
- Two weeks: 15-20% discount
Example:
- Standard overnight: £50
- 14-night rate: £44/night
- Saving: £84
Off-Peak Travel
Avoid Peak Periods:
- September-November: Standard rates
- January-March: Sometimes discounts
Savings:
- Christmas overnight: £85
- September overnight: £50
- Save: £35/night
Group Walks
If Your Dog is Sociable:
- Group: £12
- Solo: £15
- Save: £3 per walk
- Annual (250 walks): Save £750
Use TraderStreet
Zero Commission:
- Rover adds 15% booking fee
- Pawshake sitters charge 19% more
- TraderStreet: Direct contact, no fees
Example:
- Direct rate: £14
- Through Rover: £16.10
- Save: £2.10 per walk
For weekly walks: Save £100+/year
Red Flags to Avoid
Pricing Red Flags
Suspiciously Low:
- £6 for 30-min walk = something wrong
- Either inexperienced, uninsured, or cutting corners
Vague Pricing:
- “Depends on various factors”
- “We’ll discuss rates”
Professional sitters have clear pricing.
Cash Only: No legitimate reason. Receipt should include name, date, service, amount.
Credential Red Flags
No Insurance: Must have public liability (£1-5 million). Ask for certificate.
No DBS Check: Standard for Birmingham pet sitters. No check = amateur.
No References: 3-5 contactable previous clients standard. Can’t provide = questionable.
Behaviour Red Flags
Poor Communication:
- Takes 3+ days to respond
- Vague answers
- Misses scheduled calls
Won’t Meet Pet: Professional sitters always do meet & greet. Refusing = red flag.
Pressure Tactics: “Only this price today” = nonsense. Legitimate sitters don’t pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I tip my pet sitter in Birmingham? Not expected. £10-15 appreciated for exceptional service at Christmas, but not required.
What if my pet needs emergency vet? Discuss protocol upfront. Most sitters take pet to vet (you pay). Ensure pet insurance covers this.
Can I provide my own food? Always. You provide all food, treats, medications.
What if I extend my trip? Contact immediately. Expect 20-30% premium for unplanned extension.
Should I have cameras? Your choice. Inform sitter if you have cameras.
How far ahead to book?
- Normal: 2-3 weeks
- School holidays: 4-6 weeks
- Christmas: 8-10 weeks
Payment methods? Most accept bank transfer, cash, card. Through TraderStreet: secure payment options.
Final Thoughts: Birmingham Pet Sitting Costs
Birmingham offers excellent value for pet sitting. You’re paying fair Midlands rates – significantly less than London, similar to other major UK cities, with quality service.
Realistic Annual Costs:
- Regular walking (5 days/week): £2,400-3,600
- Holiday care (3 weeks/year): £600-1,200
- Total: £3,000-4,800/year
That’s £2,000-3,000 less than London equivalent. Birmingham pet care is genuinely affordable without compromising quality.
The Approach:
- Know your area’s pricing (now you do)
- Get 3-5 quotes
- Check credentials thoroughly
- Meet sitters in person
- Start with trial
- Build relationship with good sitter
Birmingham’s pet care market is competitive, fair, and accessible. Use it smartly.
Ready to find a Birmingham pet sitter? Search TraderStreet for zero-commission pet sitters near you. No booking fees, direct contact, transparent pricing.
Related Guides:
- Finding a Reliable Pet Sitter in Birmingham: Area-by-Area Guide
- Pet Sitter vs Cattery & Kennels Birmingham: Which Makes Sense?
Pricing updated regularly to reflect current Birmingham market rates