Are You Expected to Be at a Housesit 24/7?
Us on a day out in Norway, around 3 hours away from our housesit
Spoiler: Absolutely not.
Welcome back to our mini housesitting blog series! In these short and specific posts, we pull back the curtain on the questions we get asked the most through our inbox, Instagram DMs, or on housesitting forums. After over three years of full-time house and pet sitting around the globe, we’ve pretty much seen it all. So let’s dive in…
Today’s Topic: Do You Have to Be at the House 24/7?
Quick answer: No.
If a homeowner expects you to be there all day, every day, it’s a major red flag.
You’re not a live-in robot. You’re a person with your own needs, routines, and life. You might need to go food shopping, go to the gym, get out for a hike, or simply take a breather away from the house, and that is completely normal.
What About the Pets?
The key thing to remember: pets are used to their owner’s routine, so that’s what you should always aim to follow. But that doesn’t mean you have to be chained to the house:
Cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters: These guys are totally fine being left alone for long periods, up to around 8 hours (but always check with the homeowner).
Dogs: Different story. Most dogs can be left for up to 4–6 hours, depending on their needs and personality. Again, ask the homeowner for guidance.
Some owners have dog flaps, which is a huge bonus as it means dogs can access the garden freely.
Cats usually have litter trays or cat flaps, which makes them very low-maintenance in terms of toilet needs.
But remember: it’s not always about toileting - it’s sometimes about loneliness. A dog used to lots of company might not cope well being left alone all day.
What’s Reasonable?
If we’re on a longer sit (around a month or more), we expect to have the freedom to do two or three full days out during the sit to explore the local area. Most homeowners understand this and support it completely. Often they encourage this by telling you the best things to do whilst there.
We’ve even had homeowners offer to get neighbours or professional sitters to watch the pets so we can take an overnight trip. That’s incredibly generous, but it’s an exception, not the rule, so don’t expect it.
On a hike in Cape Town with our friends Mel & Krish, having left the dogs we were caring for at the house for half a day
What to Look Out for
If a sit description suggests you must be at the house constantly, think twice.
Are you able to take breaks? Can you leave the house for a few hours? If you need any time away from the property - whether for your mental health, errands, or exploring - don’t agree to a sit where the homeowner states that won’t be possible. This is completely unreasonable.
Always clarify:
How long the pets can be left alone
If they have separation anxiety, special needs, or habits
Whether there are neighbours or backup options in case of emergencies
If a pet needs constant attention, that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, but only take it on if you’re comfortable with the responsibility.
Jess speaking on stage at a festival we travelled to/from a housesit to attend
Final Thoughts
A good housesit is one based on mutual respect. You’re taking great care of someone’s home and precious pets and in return, you deserve the freedom to live your life, explore, and make the most of the experience.
If someone expects you to stay at the house 24/7 without exception… just say no. You’re a housesitter, not a prisoner.
Stay tuned for Mini Blog #3!
Got questions about housesitting? We’d love to help. Message us anytime on Instagram: @hitchedhikingandhousesitting