Pet Sitting in Berlin: what to know
A sitter keeps your pet in its own flat while you travel. Agree on keys, the Hausordnung and any neighbours who should know in the chat first.
Homes, buildings and access
Many Berliners rent Altbau flats with a courtyard (Hinterhof) and no lift; landlords and house rules (Hausordnung) may have pet clauses. Tell your provider about the floor, stairs, door codes and where keys are kept.
Weather and seasons in Berlin
In summer, walk in the morning or evening, use shady parks and forest paths, and never leave a dog in a parked car.
In winter, check paws for grit and ice between the pads, and consider a coat for small or short-haired dogs.
Before you book
Agree on feeding, medication, keys and house rules in the chat before the first visit, and leave your vet's details with the sitter.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Pet Sitting in Berlin — FAQ
Is pet sitting available in Berlin?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Berlin. Because it's a marketplace, the pet sitters you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet sitting cost in Berlin?
Pet sitters in Berlin set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
What do I need to register a dog in Berlin?
Dogs in Berlin need a microchip, an entry in the Berlin dog register, liability insurance and registration for the dog tax. Keep the records handy — providers may ask about vaccinations before the first booking.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
