If you’re a pet parent in Durham, you’ve likely heard the terms dog walker and pet sitter used interchangeably. While both roles involve providing loving, professional care for your pets, there are important differences in what these services include and when each one is most suitable. Understanding the difference ensures your furry family members get the right kind of care and that you, as a pet parent, feel confident in your choice. Here’s a comparison of dog walker vs pet sitter, and which one may be best for you and your pet(s).
Dog Walking Services
A dog walker’s job is straightforward: to give your pup a much-needed potty break, exercise, and companionship during the workday. This is especially important for working professionals who may be away from home from morning to evening. Add long commutes, and dogs are often left home alone without reprieve for longer than they should be.
Dog walking is usually scheduled during mid-day hours. At Bull City Pet Care, a typical dog walk lasts 25 or 45 minutes and may include brisk walking around the neighborhood, backyard playtime, fresh water, a treat, and some pets and games upon returning. The focus here is on exercise, potty relief, and breaking up the day for your pup. We also offer Trail Walks and Crate Escapes, which are longer visits, designed for high-energy and working breeds that benefit from more than a stroll around the neighborhood.
A key point is that dog walking is not designed for extended absences. If you’re home in the morning and evening, but your dog can’t comfortably hold it until you return from work, a dog walker is the perfect choice.
Pet Sitting Services
Pet sitting is a broader service designed to cover longer stretches of time, such as when you’re traveling or can’t be home for a full day or several days. While dog walking is usually limited to once-a-day visits, pet sitting is more customizable.
A professional pet sitter provides more than a potty break. Pet sitting visits usually include:
- Walks and/or exercise in the yard
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Feeding and fresh water
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Administering medications
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Cleaning litter boxes for cats
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Bringing in mail, adjusting lights, and other home-care tasks
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Longer companionship and a greater focus on interaction for emotional and mental stimulation
The purpose of pet sitting goes beyond exercise; it provides peace of mind when you cannot be physically present. Dogs, cats, and other pets benefit from pet sitting, as they can be mindfully scheduled to mimic their routine, keeps them at home instead of having them go to a boarding facility or kennel, and can be scheduled as frequently as needed based on their family’s travel schedule.
Last week, I provided a more detailed breakdown of pet sitting in this blog.
Dog Walker vs Pet Sitter
Which service best suits your pet often depends on how long you’ll be away and what your pets need in your absence. If you’re leaving for work at 8 a.m. and returning at 6 p.m., a dog walking visit mid-day ensures your dog doesn’t wait too long between bathroom breaks. And, it means you don’t have to rush home to a desperate pet or accidents to clean up.
However, if you’re leaving town for the weekend or on a business trip, a pet sitting schedule is ideal. In this case, pet sitters can stop by multiple times daily (morning, midday, late afternoon, and/or evening) to feed, walk, and give your pets love and attention.
Additionally, if you’re nearby and only need support to cover a small gap, walking is often enough. If you’re gone and away from the area, pets need the additional structure, care, and coverage that pet sitting offers.
Choosing What’s Right
At Bull City Pet Care, we help you navigate the question of dog walker vs pet sitter by asking: How long will you be away? Will your pet have all their needs met if they only see us once, or do they need structured visits multiple times a day? The answers point to whether dog walking or pet sitting is the right fit.
By understanding this distinction, you ensure your pets aren’t just looked after, they thrive, no matter how your schedule shifts. And, if there is a delay in travel, our pet sitting visits will continue until you return home, another benefit of working with an established pet care provider like Bull City Pet Care.
The Best Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters in Durham
Join the Bull City Pet Care family by contacting us via bullcitypetsitting@gmail.com or 919-740-7481. We offer dog walking, dog sitting, and specialty services, including nail trims and medical assistance. You can also get started by clicking this link to schedule your meet and greet.
We proudly serve the following areas of Durham: Downtown, Lakewood, Tuscaloosa, Old West Durham, Old North Durham, Northgate Park, Watts-Hillandale, Trinity Park, Duke Park, Erwin/LaSalle, North Durham, Southside, Croasdaile, Walltown, Braggtown, Historic East Durham, Hope Valley, and Forest Hills.
If you are seeking pet care services outside of the above areas, please visit Pet Sitters International or Pet Sitters Associates to find a professional pet sitter near you.
Melissa Lage is a board-certified canine massage therapist, Fear Free Certified Professional, and proud member of Pet Sitters International and Pet Sitters Associates. With a Ph.D. in Biology, Melissa brings a unique perspective to pet care, blending hands-on expertise with the latest research in animal behavior and health. As the owner of Bull City Pet Care, Melissa is dedicated to providing gentle, compassionate, and informed care to Durham pets and their families.
