What puppy and kitten care costs, and the options available

The biggest mistake people make when pricing puppy and kitten care is comparing only the daily or hourly rate. A lower price doesn't tell you what's included—so it's worth checking whether toilet breaks, socialisation, and specialist handling for young animals are covered before booking, rather than assuming they are.

Understanding what actually goes into the cost helps you see exactly what you're paying for, at any price point. The price you see advertised is almost never the whole story.

What's bundled and what costs extra

The base rate—whether it's per day, per hour, or per visit—covers basic care: feeding, water, toilet breaks, and a safe space. Nothing more. Everything else typically adds to that number.

Specialist handling for puppies and kittens, because they're fragile and reactive, costs more than minding an adult dog. Young animals need shorter, more frequent interaction sessions, which demands higher staff-to-pet ratios. If a carer is charging the same for a three-week-old kitten as for an adult cat, it's worth asking directly how supervision and handling differ between the two, since the needs are quite different.

Socialisation and play are often listed as "included" but vary wildly in what that means. One facility might offer 15 minutes of structured play; another might mean your kitten sits in a pen near other animals. Ask exactly what happens and when.

Medication—even something as routine as probiotics or anti-anxiety drops—usually costs extra. Feeding special diets (prescription food, raw, home-prepared) sometimes incurs a surcharge. Some carers charge to administer supplements or apply flea treatments; others include it. Emergency care, if your pet gets sick while in their charge, might be covered by them, by you directly, or split—this needs clarity in advance.

Collection and drop-off fees, minimum stay lengths, and weekend rates all shift the final bill. A facility quoting a low daily rate might require a three-day minimum, making a weekend stay much pricier than it first appeared.

Why young-animal care costs more

Kittens and puppies aren't just smaller versions of adult pets. They demand different things, and that specificity has a cost.

House-training means toilet breaks every two to four hours—you can't batch this with other tasks. Very young puppies (under 12 weeks) need feeding four times a day. Kittens under 8 weeks often need bottle-feeding and warmth management. A carer juggling multiple young animals has to stagger these tasks, which limits how many they can safely take on at once. Fewer animals per session means higher per-pet cost.

Young animals are also more prone to stress and illness during transitions. Reliable carers build in acclimatisation time, which isn't billable but gets factored into their rates. They hold insurance that covers injury or illness in young animals, which costs more than standard pet care cover.

Socialisation at the right developmental window—roughly 3 to 14 weeks for puppies—requires intentional, structured exposure to different sounds, surfaces, people, and (for vaccinated animals) other animals. This isn't passive supervision; it's a trained skill. Facilities that do this well charge accordingly.

Comparing quotes without being fooled

When you get two very different prices, ask these cost drivers straight:

• What's the staff-to-animal ratio during the hours your pet is there?
• Are toilet breaks, feeding, and play time scheduled, or on-demand when the carer has time?
• Does the quote include handling, or is basic containment the only guarantee?
• What happens if your pet gets diarrhoea or won't eat? Who pays the vet, and who decides when to go?
• Are there charges for special requests—extra cuddles, training reinforcement, or even video updates?
• Does the facility require vaccinations, flea treatment, or health checks, and if so, do you pay for those separately?

A higher quote can reflect lower animal-to-carer ratios, more frequent handling, or clearer emergency protocols. It doesn't automatically mean better care—what matters is asking the provider directly how they staff and handle young animals, regardless of price.

When you're ready to book, Strove's vetted carers are transparent about what their rates include and exclude. Compare their answers to these questions, not just the numbers, and you'll get a clear picture of what each quote actually includes—so you can decide what matters most for your budget and your pet.