Petme · Canada

Drop-in visits vs overnight cat care

Both keep your cat home. The choice is about how much company your cat needs while you are away.

When a cat sitter comes to your home, you can book short drop-in visits once or twice a day, or full overnight house sitting where the sitter stays the night. Both keep your cat in its own space. Here is how to choose, and what each costs in Canada.

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The two options

What each one means

Drop-in visits

A sitter comes once or twice a day to feed, refresh water, scoop litter, play, and send a photo update. Usually CAD 20 to 45 a visit. The standard choice for most cats.

Overnight house sitting

A sitter stays the night in your home, so your cat has company through the evening and morning. Usually CAD 40 to 90 a night. Best for cats that need more presence.

Which cat needs which

Match the care to the cat

Most healthy adult cats do well on once or twice-daily drop-ins for a trip of a few days to a couple of weeks. They get fed, cleaned up after, and checked on, then have their usual quiet time.

Overnight house sitting earns its premium for cats with separation anxiety, kittens, senior cats, cats on a tight medication schedule, or owners who simply want someone in the home the whole time. If your cat tends to get vocal or destructive when alone, overnight is worth considering.

Cost and cover

The money, and what is included

Drop-ins are the cheaper option for most trips, especially at one visit a day. Overnight costs more because the sitter commits their whole night, but it is still in-home care with your cat on its own turf.

Either way on Petme, there is 0% owner fee, up to 5% cashback, and up to CAD 20,000 in vet cover per booking with no deductible. You pay the sitter’s rate and nothing on top.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are drop-in visits enough for a cat?

For most healthy adult cats on a trip of a few days to two weeks, once or twice-daily drop-ins are enough. They cover feeding, water, litter, play, and a wellness check.

When is overnight cat sitting worth it?

For cats with separation anxiety, kittens, senior cats, cats on a strict medication schedule, or owners who want someone in the home overnight.

Which is cheaper?

Drop-in visits, usually CAD 20 to 45 each, are cheaper than overnight house sitting at CAD 40 to 90 a night for most trips.

Is vet cover included either way?

Yes. On Petme, both drop-in and overnight bookings include up to CAD 20,000 in vet expenses during the stay, no deductible, at any licensed Canadian clinic.

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