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Pet care associate vs dog sitter

The differences between pet care associates and dog sitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both a pet care associate and a dog sitter. Additionally, a pet care associate has an average salary of $35,635, which is higher than the $25,532 average annual salary of a dog sitter.

The top three skills for a pet care associate include PET, customer service and sales floor. The most important skills for a dog sitter are PET, customer service, and dog care.

Pet care associate vs dog sitter overview

Pet Care AssociateDog Sitter
Yearly salary$35,635$25,532
Hourly rate$17.13$12.28
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs84,25667,682
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age3232
Years of experience33

What does a pet care associate do?

Pet care associates, though holding a small position, will find its scope much larger than one would initially expect. This position requires an individual with gentleness, patience, confidence, carefulness, diligence, and a hard-working attitude. Paying out at around $33K per year, those who choose this career will be required to help customers with questions and issues related to small mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds.

What does a dog sitter do?

A dog sitter is primarily responsible for taking care of dogs while their owners are away. Their tasks include feeding dogs, taking them to walks or daycares, bathing or cleaning their ears, and providing owners with regular updates. Most dog sitters typically meet with clients beforehand to learn about the dogs and their needs, as some of them may require medicine or particular care. Should there be any problems, a dog sitter must report to the owners right away.

Pet care associate vs dog sitter salary

Pet care associates and dog sitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pet Care AssociateDog Sitter
Average salary$35,635$25,532
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $48,000Between $10,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNWarwick, RI
Highest paying stateOregonConnecticut
Best paying companyPurr'n PoochCARE
Best paying industryRetailProfessional

Differences between pet care associate and dog sitter education

There are a few differences between a pet care associate and a dog sitter in terms of educational background:

Pet Care AssociateDog Sitter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBiologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityTexas A&M University - Commerce

Pet care associate vs dog sitter demographics

Here are the differences between pet care associates' and dog sitters' demographics:

Pet Care AssociateDog Sitter
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 24.8% Female, 75.2%Male, 22.0% Female, 78.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between pet care associate and dog sitter duties and responsibilities

Pet care associate example responsibilities.

  • Achieve detailed grooming including skin, ear, nail care, coat clips and dental care.
  • Prepare foods for various animals to include reptiles, snakes, hamsters, and birds etc.
  • Communicate with customers about events/concerns in which include their pet.
  • Assist patients in meeting their personal care needs and provide individualized interventions while encouraging patient involvement and promoting independence.
  • Used touch point and SMS and can quickly adapt to other computer software's.

Dog sitter example responsibilities.

  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
  • Groom, trim, and clip animals' coats.
  • Provide smaller services such as cleaning ears, clipping nails, and small scissoring around eyes and paws.
  • Bath a variety of dog breeds, and provide basic grooming sanitary needs such as clipping nails and cleaning ears.
  • Maintain professional relationship with pet owners and communicate through email and phone regarding daily pet behavior.
  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.

Pet care associate vs dog sitter skills

Common pet care associate skills
  • PET, 55%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%
  • Administer Medications, 2%
  • Fish Tanks, 2%
Common dog sitter skills
  • PET, 66%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Dog Care, 10%
  • Fresh Water, 1%
  • Clients Homes, 0%
  • Child Care, 0%

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