Trusted Dog Sitting Services in Chicago
Dog Sitting in Chicago
Trusted neighborhood dog sitters, we make the stay-cation happen for your dog.
Book a free Meet & GreetChicago's trusted in-home dog sitters
Heading out of town? With Sparky Steps dog sitting, your dog stays right where they are happiest, at home, in their own bed, with their own routine. Since 2016, our licensed, insured team has cared for Chicago's pets with a gentler alternative to boarding: regular visits throughout the day, optional overnight stays, and plenty of love while you are away. We also offer dog walking and cat sitting across the city.
Why in-home dog sitting
Boarding facilities can be loud, unfamiliar, and stressful for a lot of dogs. In-home sitting keeps everything your dog knows in place: their food, their bed, their backyard, and their daily rhythm. We come to you, several times a day, for walks, feeding, playtime, and company, and we can stay overnight so your dog is never alone for long. You get photos, notes, and GPS after every visit, so you can relax knowing exactly how things are going back home.
- Your dog stays home, calm and on their normal routine
- Optional overnight stays for extra companionship
- The same trusted sitters, plus trained backups
- Photos, notes, and GPS after every single visit
What every dog sitting day includes
A full day of care keeps your dog happy, fed, and never lonely. Every dog sitting day includes:
Three 30-minute visits a day, each filled with a good walk, play, and undivided attention.
We follow your dog's exact feeding routine and keep their water bowl topped up and clean.
For dogs who would rather not sleep alone, a sitter can stay the night right in your home.
Dog sitting pricing
Simple, transparent pricing for a full day of care, from a morning hello to a goodnight visit. Pick daytime visits or add an overnight stay.
Daytime dog sitting
Three 30-minute visits a day, with walks, feeding, playtime, and company.
Overnight dog sitting
Everything in daytime sitting, plus a sitter stays overnight in your home.
How a dog sitting day adds up
A dog sitting day is three 30-minute visits, spaced out so your dog is never on their own for too long: one in the morning, one around midday, and one at night. Each visit is our standard 30-minute rate of $27. Because the night visit lands in our off-hours window (before 9 AM or after 5 PM), it includes a $5 off-hour add-on, which is why a standard weekday day comes to $86 rather than $81. On weekend days, every visit also carries a $5 weekend rate, bringing the day to $101. Adding an overnight stay is $30 more, so a sitter is right there in your home through the night ($116 on weekdays, $131 on weekends).
Per-visit rates and extras
Each visit is priced on its own, which is how the daily totals above are built, and the weekend and off-hour rates are already included in those totals. Extra pets, same-day requests, and holidays add on top. Tell us your dog's routine at your free Meet & Greet and we will confirm the exact plan and price, with no surprises.
Our passion for Chicago pets
We are dedicated Chicago pet care pros who put safety, love, professionalism, and timeliness first. Sparky Steps was founded in 2016 with a dual mission: to spend our days caring for your pets, and to inspire our community to volunteer and adopt local shelter animals.
We are named after our founder's rescue dog, Sparky, to honor his legacy. He brought so much joy into our lives that we built our careers around animal welfare. Whether we are dropping in for a midday visit or staying the night so your pup is never alone, we care for these pets with the same love we gave to Sparky. Cheers bud, we miss you. ❤️
Free Meet & Greet: let's make sure we're a perfect fit
Choosing who stays with your dog is a big decision, so we offer a 100% free Meet & Greet. Think of it as a mutual interview: it matters that you feel comfortable with us, and it helps us learn your dog's routine, quirks, and needs. Your dog is paired with the same trusted sitters, fully trained backups, and a management team on standby, so your pet always sees a familiar face and your care never skips a beat.
Book your free Meet & GreetIn-home dog sitting across the North Side
We sit for dogs all over Chicago's North Side, from lakefront high-rises to leafy bungalow blocks. Explore dog walking and pet care in your neighborhood:
Dog sitting FAQs
How much does dog sitting cost in Chicago?
Daytime dog sitting (three 30-minute visits a day) is $86 per weekday and $101 per weekend day. Adding an overnight stay is $116 per weekday and $131 per weekend day. Add-ons may apply for extra pets, off-hour or same-day requests, and holidays.
What is in-home dog sitting?
Instead of boarding your dog somewhere unfamiliar, a sitter comes to your home for several visits a day, and overnight if you book it. Your dog stays in their own space on their normal routine, which is calmer and less stressful for most pets.
What does a dog sitting day include?
Three 30-minute visits between 9 AM and 9 PM, each with a walk, playtime, feeding, and fresh water. After every visit you get photos, notes, and a GPS record through the DoTimely app.
Do you offer overnight dog sitting?
Yes. A sitter can stay overnight in your home in addition to the three daytime visits, so your dog has company through the night.
Which parts of Chicago do you serve?
We care for pets across Chicago's North Side, including Albany Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville, and Ravenswood. Reach out and we will confirm coverage for your block.
Will I meet my sitter before service begins?
Yes. Every client gets a free Meet & Greet with your assigned sitters, so you feel completely comfortable before your dog's first stay.
