Hello there, fellow pet lovers in HK! 🐶🐱
In 2026, the trend is clear: Pet Sitting—including personalised home visits and dog walking—is outperforming traditional boarding. For busy professionals in the +852, keeping your pet in their own home environment isn’t just a luxury; it’s the best way to ensure their emotional and physical well-being.
Why Does Pet Sitting Continue to Gain Popularity?
- 🏠 No Place Like Home. Zero territory stress is particularly critical for HK’s massive cat population and senior dogs.
- 🐈The “Cat Economy” Surge. In Asia, cat ownership has surpassed dogs; because cats are highly territorial, sitting is the preferred premium service.
- 😷Health & Safety. No exposure to “kennel cough” or communal parasites in pet hotels.
- 🚶♂️The Gold Standard of Exercise. A walk around the podium or a trek through the Peak? When you hire a sitter/walker, your dog gets 100% of the attention.
- 🕒 Your Schedule, Not the Kennel’s. Cat and dog hotels have strict schedules. Pet sitters work around your busy schedule—perfect for the unpredictable life of an HK professional.
- 🛰Total Transparency. 2026 standards for professional sitters include GPS walk maps and digital “pupdates” with recordings for every visit.
📊 2023–25 Global Growth: Pet Sitting vs. Boarding
The preference for in-home care isn’t just a feeling—it’s a global trend and a multi-billion dollar industry! The chart below clearly shows that across every major market, Pet Sitting (Home Visits/Dog Walking) is the “growth engine” and already surpasses traditional boarding.
This growth is particularly noticeable in densely populated urban areas like Hong Kong, which is known for its high spending on pet care. Here, reducing pet stress and maximizing convenience are considered premium services.
The shift toward pet sitting isn’t just a perception—it’s a global trend and a multi-billion dollar movement! While boarding is still a substantial sector, Pet Sitting & Walking is the “growth engine” of the industry.
Of course, pet owners naturally worry about whether the pet sitter or dog walker is able to properly care for their beloved pets, especially when there are specific medical conditions requiring special care. Not to mention the trust needed to let a stranger into their homes! This is when seeking a high-quality platform that stretches itself to earn your trust and doing your own due diligence becomes critical!
Ready to find your pet’s new best friend? Always have a preparatory “Meet & Greet” and confirm if the pet sitter in Hong Kong carries valid third-party liability insurance before your first booking! 🏠❤️
Mind My Cat takes your pet’s well-being very seriously! Check it out and book here!
Sources & Estimation Methodology: (CN) China Pet Industry White Paper – Based on urban consumption reports for Tier-1 cities; (HK) Euromonitor International – Proportional estimate based on its HK’s $1.44B total pet care spend; (US) APPA – Derived from 2025 State of the Industry reports; (GB) PFMA – Estimated via annual household service spending surveys; (AU) IBISWorld – Analysis of independent contractor growth vs. facilities.
Disclaimers
- General Information Only: The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional veterinary, legal, or financial advice.
- Accuracy of Data: While data is based on 2023–2025 market trends and 2026 forecasts from the cited authorities, market conditions can change. The figures provided are estimates synthesised from various industry reports and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions or business planning.
- Limitation of Liability: The author and publisher are not liable for any actions taken based on the information provided herein. Users are responsible for performing their own evaluation when hiring pet care providers, including verifying independent insurance, background checks, service quality and local business registrations in Hong Kong.
- No Endorsement: References to specific platforms (e.g., Petbacker, Pawshake) do not constitute an endorsement. Owners should review the terms and conditions of any service platform before use.
- Third-Party Links and References: This post contains references to external websites. We have no control over the content or availability of those sites and the inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation.
