Pet sitting in Norway: 22 questions answered for 2026 sitters

Earnings depend on the mix of services and the hours you put in. Active Petme sitters in Norway typically earn kr5160–kr15480 per month. Sitters who lean into overnight boarding and house sitting reach the top of that range, while drop-in and dog-walking-only sitters sit in the lower half. You keep up to 90% of every booking: Petme's service fee is 10-15%.

A common pattern: 3–5 dog walks during weekday lunchtimes, 1–2 drop-in visits in the evenings, and one overnight stay across the weekend. That's roughly 12–15 hours of actual paid time per week and clears kr1350+ before factoring in repeat clients. Sitters who go full-time stack multiple boarding stays back-to-back.

Dog walking pays kr150–kr300 per walk on Petme. A 30-minute neighbourhood walk is typically priced near the lower end; longer walks, multi-dog walks, or walks in busy city centres command the upper end. You set your own rate when you build your profile.

Boarding at the sitter's home pays kr350–kr700 per night, and house sitting (you stay at the owner's home) pays kr450–kr900 per night. Boarding is where most full-time Petme sitters concentrate their income because the per-booking value is the highest.

Petme takes 10-15% from each completed booking and the sitter keeps up to 90%. There's no signup cost, no monthly subscription, and no charge to keep your profile live. The fee covers payment processing, customer support, and the Petme Protection Plan that covers every booking automatically.

Payouts are released automatically once a booking is marked complete in the Petme app. The money lands in your bank account within 2 business days. You don't need to invoice the owner or chase payment: the platform handles it end-to-end.

Every booking is covered by the Petme Protection Plan, which includes up to 20,000 in veterinary expenses if something happens to the pet in your care. It's automatic on every reservation: no separate purchase, no claim paperwork upfront. Petme also offers 24/7 customer support so you're never left handling an emergency alone.

No formal qualifications are required to apply as a Petme sitter. You need to be 18 or older, own a smartphone capable of running the app, complete ID verification, and demonstrate genuine experience around animals during your profile review. Some local rules apply for commercial-scale boarding: see the country-specific question below.

Most new sitters in Norway go live within 24–48 hours of submitting verification. Your first booking typically lands within 1–2 weeks if your profile has at least 4 good photos, a written bio, clear service descriptions, and a competitive rate for your city. Sitters who add availability over a major holiday (Christmas, summer break) often book their first stay within days.

Yes: most Petme sitters in Norway start while working full-time elsewhere. Dog walking fits into lunchtime windows; drop-in visits work around evenings; weekend boarding stacks on top of a Monday-to-Friday office job. You set your own availability and accept only the bookings that fit your schedule.

Oslo dominates by booking volume. Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger are smaller but reliable, with very low sitter competition.

Below NOK 50,000 in annual side income, no: declare under simplified rules. Above that, register as a sole proprietor through the official business registry.

Yes. The tax administration classifies it as freelance or self-employed income. Annual declaration; expenses are deductible under sole-proprietor rules.

Foodora and Wolt riders in Oslo report NOK 180-220 per hour after costs. Petme pet sitting clears NOK 200-280 per hour, with boarding pushing the average higher.

Oslo sits at NOK 350-500 per night, Bergen at NOK 300-450, Trondheim at NOK 280-420.

The July joint summer break (most Norwegian families take holidays simultaneously), the February-March winter break, and the Christmas window. Demand spikes hard during those periods.

Yes for most sitters. Norwegian retail hourly equivalents sit at NOK 180-210. Petme dog walkers clear NOK 200-280 per hour effectively, and boarders earn higher.

Norwegian rates are 10-20% higher than Swedish or Danish in absolute terms. The market is the smallest of the three: repeat clients dominate revenue.

Labradors, Border Collies, Elkhounds, and Norwegian Buhunds dominate Petme bookings. Working breeds need real outdoor exercise. Norwegian winters mean sitter gear (booties, jackets) is a real consideration.

Yes: Oslo has an active sitter WhatsApp group. Bergen is smaller. We connect you after approval.

"Buy proper winter clothing for both yourself and the dogs you walk. Norwegian winters destroy gear, and dogs need booties on salted streets." (Marius K., Oslo)

Apply at petme.social/no/become-a-pet-sitter. Verification typically returns within 48 hours.