Renters hold 56.6 percent of Chico's occupied homes, so many cat clients live in apartments around South Campus and Downtown Chico. Drop-in visits fit them well: a sitter comes once or twice a day, feeds the cat, scoops the litter box and sends a note. Owner-occupied houses in The Avenues and California Park run larger, and dogs there suit overnight stays with a sitter who keeps the yard routine and the walk times. Newer streets such as Doe Mill, Meriam Park and Amber Grove are a different mix again, so say where you live when you message a sitter. Husa Ranch and Barber sit toward the edges of town, which matters for travel time between visits.
Chico, CA
Cat sitting and pet sitters in Chico, California
You pay what the sitter charges with no owner fee on top, and every booking earns cashback for the one after. Chico State's March 15 to 19 spring break empties South Campus and fills sitter calendars.
0% owner fee + cashback
$59better off on Petme
$420
On Petme$407+$13 Cashback
Typical platforms$466+$46 Owner fee · 11-15%
Petme adds 0% owner fee and pays cashback (capped at $20 a booking). Typical platforms charge between 11% and 15% owner fees. Sitters set their own rates, so totals vary.
Chico, CA
Booking a sitter in Chico on Petme
0% owner fee
0% owner fee: you pay the sitter's own rate, whether it is a Bidwell Park walk or a cat visit in The Avenues.
Cashback toward your next booking
Cashback lands in your Petme balance after each booking, so your winter break trip in December costs less.
ID and background checked
Every sitter is ID-verified and background-checked before taking bookings near Downtown Chico.
Photos, videos and reviews
Sitters can share photos and videos on Petme, and you can read owner reviews from California Park to Doe Mill.
Verified sitters
Find a verified pet sitter in Chico
Petme connects pet parents in Chico with ID-verified local sitters. Open the app to browse sitters near you, read real reviews, and message a sitter before you book.
- $0 owner booking fee, automatic cashback
- Up to $22,000 through the Protection Plan for eligible vet costs
- Every sitter ID-verified
- Message and meet before you book
Typical rates
What sitters in Chico usually charge
Sitters set their own rates. These are the usual ranges for the area; Petme adds no owner fee on top.
Drop-in visits
$15 to $34 a visit
Dog walking
$15 to $34 a walk
Apartment cats near campus, houses in The Avenues and California Park
Triple-digit afternoons, wet Februaries and the campus calendar
August in Chico averages a 94-degree high, so the air conditioning is the first thing a cat visit checks, and dog walks move to early morning. February is the wettest month at 5.14 inches, with January close behind at 5.12, so a sitter looks over a litter box kept in a garage. December lows near 36 degrees are the cold end of the year, and thermostats simply stay set. Demand follows the campus. Chico State students leave South Campus for spring break, March 15 to 19, 2027. The longer gap runs from the end of fall classes in December to the January 25 start of spring instruction, when twice-daily visits stack up. Book those weeks early.
Leash rules and Bidwell Park trails
Keep your dog on a leash in Chico except in the areas set aside for off-leash exercise, and a sitter follows that on every walk. Tell the sitter about your household when you message, especially if you keep several dogs, so the visit plan fits. Walkers use Bidwell Park and the One-Mile Recreation Area for shade. The DeGarmo Park dog park gives off-leash time, and the Comanche Creek Greenway is a flat loop. Frenchies, Chihuahuas and Goldens are common clients. Share your dog's vaccine records and a spare leash, and note which trail your dog already knows, so the sitter can keep the usual route and the usual walk times.
Pet care services in Chico
Pet Boarding
Overnight stays at a sitter's home with personalized care and attention in Chico
Dog Walking
Scheduled walks to keep your dog active, happy, and well-exercised in Chico
House Sitting
In-home care where a sitter stays at your place with your pet in Chico
Drop-in Visits
Quick check-ins for feeding, playtime, and potty breaks in Chico
Doggy Daycare
Daytime supervision and socialization while you're at work in Chico
FAQ
Questions from Chico pet owners
How does a cat sitter in Chico work?
A cat sitter visits your home once or twice a day, feeds the cat, cleans the litter box and sends an update. In August the sitter checks the air conditioning first, since highs average 94 degrees. You message and book through the Petme app for iPhone or Android.
Can I book cat sitting in Chico over spring break?
Yes, but book early. Chico State's spring break, March 15 to 19, 2027, sends students home and fills sitter calendars. Message a sitter in the Petme app, agree on visit times and the door or lockbox handover, and you are set.
How much does a pet sitter in Chico cost?
You pay the rate the sitter sets with a 0% owner fee on any booking. Once a booking is completed, cashback lands in your Petme balance and is applied to your next booking, which then costs less. Typical local ranges appear on this page.
Is house sitting in Chico safe for my home and pets?
Every sitter is ID-verified and background-checked before taking bookings, and past owners leave reviews and ratings you can read. For vet bills, the Protection Plan can help with eligible costs up to $22,000. Sitters can also share photos and videos while they stay.
Where does a dog walker in Chico take dogs?
Walkers often use Bidwell Park or the DeGarmo Park dog park. Your sitter keeps your dog leashed outside the designated off-leash areas. In summer, walks move to early morning.
What does dog sitting in Chico include?
A dog sitter feeds and walks your dog and keeps its routine, at your home or theirs. If you keep several dogs, say so when you message so the sitter can plan the visit. You can chat with sitters in the Petme app before booking.
Find your Chico sitter in the app
0% owner fee, cashback toward your next booking, and every sitter ID and background checked.
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