How much would you pay a teenager to feed 2 cats for a week?

[Mellowyell292]

He lives in our street, would need to visit twice a day. No litter tray to change. What's the going rate? He's 15 and we're in the Midlands (if that makes a difference!).

I’d advise my child to not to bother, a good lesson in cheeky people, being taken advantage of and it being ok to say no. Two visits really fucks up your day so really not worth it. I hate people taking the piss like this with kids.

£10 a day -@2 visits a day

£150 to chuck some food in a bowl twice a day for a week?

Yes - I would also tell a teen boy to say no for the reason @JePréfèreLesChiens gave.

this isn’t a favour between peers, or helping out an elderly neighbour in need.

it’s probably not even minimum wage - if you include the time take to wash the cat bowls and fork, replace the water, stroke the cats a little if they are home.

m it’s important that even at a young age kids learn the value of their time - and that other people will sometimes take advantage.

Bloody hell, this cat feeding malarkey is lucrative!
Putting cat food out twice a day, taking about 10 mins?

Plenty generous. It's not hard labour.

£50.00 .

😆😆😆

Obviously it’s not difficult work but really a generous payment should be because it affects their whole day. They can’t stay overnight somewhere or spend the entire day out. To be tied down like that I definitely wouldn’t accept under £50

£30 is mean I think. They will begrudge the task on that measly fee, and you risk them not bothering to turn up twice a day.

If it was me I'd want to pay generously as it's my cat whom I adore.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks it's crazy

I think £5 a day is reasonable. My sons are currently doing this for the family of one of DS2's friends. I told him £5 a day was the going rate (after reading old threads on MN). He was thinking maybe a tenner for whole time (it's over 2 weeks). They have to feed the cats once a day and water plants every few days. Lock up securely. I will mention picking up post and putting it in the kitchen would be helpful.
They are actually being paid £7.50 a day, they are taking it in turns/sharing the days. I think that's a lot, but it's a 10-15 minute walk away and they do have the responsibility of keeping the place secure, so it's not unreasonable.
We paid £100 for an experienced adult to feed ours once a day for a week.

@RagzRebooted but this is twice a day - double the work. So OP is only wanting to pay the poor kid £2.14 a visit.

I'm a professional pet sitter and charge £15 a day for two 15 minute visits. That includes feeding, litter trays, any medication they need to take and photos and little updates for the owner if they wish.

So, it's £105 per week but tbh it's a real pain in the arse doing twice daily visits and I'm thinking of upping my prices 🤣 it means you have to be available morning and evening - no lie ins, and you have to plan your nights around the evening visits.

I'd just have a think - if he refuses to do it for £30 (and I can hardly blame him) - you'll be looking at more than triple that amount to get a professional with insurance etc. to come and do it instead.

Yeah I missed that, definitely more than £5 then. £8-10.

but they're just putting food in a bowl?

This would only be suggested on MN 🙄 parallel universe sometimes

It’s not the work itself - tho bowls have to be washed daily

it’s the commitment

my teens wouldn’t commit to this for les than £10 a day as it isn’t work ut

Worth it

I am getting one to feed mine once a day (she has dried food) , and will work it at £5 a day.

My daughter has just done similar for £10 a day. She puts a lot of time and care in (they are cats that like cuddles).

They are interrupting their day, going to a neighbours house, being responsible for keeping th who use locked up, cleaning bowls, refreshing water cleaning utensils. For £2?

OP is saving a fortune - a cat sitter would cost multiples of that. £12 where I am for a one visit day.

OP isn’t even paying a fiver a day.

seems low. Yea an adult neighbour might do it for free - but to be honest I would only do this sort of favour for a neighbour I really liked and owed a big favour to because having to go to someone’s house every 12 hours for a week is a huge pain in the ass.