Must-Have Supplies for Pet Sitting Jobs
Pet sitting has the lowest startup cost of any business on this site. You can show up to your first paid job with $50 of supplies and handle 90% of situations. This article walks through the actual list of what to bring, the slightly bigger kit that handles edge cases, and the supplies most beginners forget.
It's part of the Pet Sitting Business guide.
The minimum kit ($30-$80)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sturdy leash (6 ft, with traffic handle) | $15-$30 |
| Backup leash (slip lead, in case the dog's leash breaks or you need a second) | $5-$15 |
| Roll of poop bags (large quantity) | $5-$15 |
| Hand sanitizer (small bottle for jacket pocket) | $3-$8 |
| Pen and small notebook (for visit notes) | $5-$15 |
| Phone charger (for your own phone, in your bag) | $5-$15 |
This is enough to do a basic dog walk, a basic drop-in cat visit, or a basic house-sit visit.
The standard kit ($80-$200)
This adds the items that come up routinely:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| All of the minimum kit | $30-$80 |
| Treats (small bag of universal-friendly treats) | $5-$15 |
| Backup poop bag holder for the leash | $3-$10 |
| Small first aid kit (gauze, vet-wrap, paper tape, antiseptic wipes) | $15-$30 |
| Disposable gloves | $3-$8 |
| Paper towels (small roll for your bag) | $2-$5 |
| Wet wipes (unscented, pet-safe) | $3-$8 |
| Reflective vest or armband (for evening dog walks in low light) | $10-$25 |
| LED light or headlamp (for evening walks) | $10-$25 |
| Carabiner clip (for attaching things to your bag) | $3-$8 |
| Backpack or hip pack to carry everything | $20-$60 |
The extras (case-by-case)
Things to consider buying based on the specific job:
- Pet brush if you're sitting a cat or dog whose owner asked for grooming
- Toys you can leave at the house for cat-sitting jobs (they extend visit length and the cat associates you with positive things)
- Pee pads if you're sitting a puppy or an elderly dog with bladder issues
- Pet stain remover for accidents
- Cleaning supplies for litter box duty (if not provided by owner)
- A water bottle and collapsible bowl for long dog walks
Things people think they need but don't
- A "professional pet sitter" uniform. A clean shirt is enough. Customers don't care.
- Branded business cards in pet themes. Plain professional cards are fine.
- A pet first-aid certification card holder. Get the certification (it's useful), but you don't need to display it.
- Specialty leashes for different dog sizes. One sturdy 6 ft leash and one slip lead handles 99% of situations.
- Treat pouches that look like they're for K9 unit officers. A small bag in your jacket pocket works.
- Anything with "Pet Sitter Pro" on it. This is the same energy as YouTube hustler branding in other categories.
What experienced sitters actually carry
After talking to working pet sitters, the kit that experienced sitters actually carry, beyond the standard list:
- Spare phone charger and spare AAA batteries because finding an outlet at a customer's house when your phone dies is a real problem
- A small carry of cash for parking, emergency vet co-pay if requested by owner, etc.
- Detailed notes from the previous visit in their phone or notebook
- A spare key locked in their car (with permission) in case they accidentally lock themselves out of a customer's house with the keys inside
- Their own water bottle because sitting gets dehydrating
- Snacks because sitting can stretch through meals
Supplies you should never bring
- Choke chains, prong collars, or pinch collars unless explicitly requested by the owner. Many cities and countries have regulations about these tools and their misuse can injure dogs.
- Treats from your own dog's stash without checking ingredients. Some dogs have allergies and the customer's dog might react badly to a brand they don't normally eat.
- Anything fragile or valuable in your bag because you'll be in a customer's home and things get lost or damaged.
- A friend or partner to "help" with the visit unless the customer has explicitly approved it. Customers expect you to be alone in their home.
Cost comparison to other small businesses
| Business | Typical equipment startup |
|---|---|
| Pet sitting | $50-$200 |
| Carpet cleaning | $2,500-$6,000 |
| Pressure washing | $1,000-$4,000 |
| Landscaping | $1,500-$8,000 |
| Vending machine | $3,000-$15,000 |
Pet sitting's equipment cost is roughly 10-50x lower than the next-cheapest small business on this site. The barrier is almost entirely about finding customers and getting trusted, not about gear.
Next steps
- How to Advertise Pet Sitting - the customer-finding side
- How to Start a Pet Sitting Business - the full sequence
Or back to the Pet Sitting Business guide for the rest.