Pet Sitting in Istanbul: what to know
In-home sitting keeps your pet at home; agree on keys, the kapıcı and site security in the chat.
Homes, buildings and access
Most people live in apartment buildings (sites or older blocks) with a building manager (yönetici) and sometimes a caretaker (kapıcı) who helps with keys and access. Tell your provider about the caretaker, lifts and site security.
Weather and seasons in Istanbul
In summer, walk early or late, use shady parks and seaside paths and carry water.
In winter, dry your dog after rainy walks and take care on slippery, steep streets.
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 Istanbul — FAQ
Is pet sitting available in Istanbul?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Istanbul. 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 Istanbul?
Pet sitters in Istanbul 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.
Does my pet need to be registered in Türkiye?
Yes. Pet dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered in the national pet registration system. Keep the records handy for providers.
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.
