For Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Passover, book pet care as early as possible, ideally one to two months ahead, because many Israelis travel at the same time and good sitters fill up quickly. Home visits for cats start at 110 ₪ and dog boarding at 220 ₪ per day, with a 30% surcharge on the main holiday dates. Stays of 7 days or more still get the 10% long-stay discount.
Why holidays are peak season
The autumn holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot) and Passover in spring are when Israeli families travel abroad or to relatives, and school holidays make longer trips possible. Demand for pet care rises sharply at the same moment as many sitters want to be with their own families. That is why availability shrinks and prices go up across the market.
A booking timeline
- 8–10 weeks before: decide what kind of care you need and send a request. This is the best moment for popular cities and long stays.
- 4–6 weeks before: still realistic in most cities, especially for cat visits.
- 2–3 weeks before: possible, but your choice of sitters may be limited.
- Last week: we try, but cannot promise. Cat visits are easier to arrange than boarding.
Also consider the summer holidays in July and August, which are similarly busy.
How the holiday surcharge works
The 30% surcharge applies only to the holiday dates themselves, not to the whole booking. If you travel for ten days and three of them are holiday dates, only those three days are charged with the surcharge. The 7-day discount applies to the full booking.
Planning tips
Share exact dates and flight times. A late-night return flight may mean the sitter needs to do an extra evening visit.
Think about Yom Kippur. Traffic stops in much of the country and many sitters do not drive. If your sitter does not live within walking distance, agree in advance how visits will be handled, or choose home boarding or an overnight sitter.
Consider stress at home. Holidays mean guests, cooking and noise. Some pets do better staying with a sitter during big family gatherings, even if you are at home.
Food safety. Holiday meals include foods that are not safe for pets. Ask guests not to feed your pet from the table, and keep bones and leftovers out of reach.
Passover cleaning. Cleaning products and moved furniture can unsettle animals. Store chemicals securely and keep your pet in a quiet room during cleaning.
What happens if plans change?
Flights during holidays can change at short notice. When you book, ask how extensions or early returns are handled. With PetHome Israel we confirm the conditions before the booking starts.
Cats vs dogs over the holidays
For cats, home visits remain the calmest option even over holidays. For a long holiday absence consider two visits a day at 190 ₪.
For dogs, home boarding is the most common choice. If your dog is anxious or you have several pets, an overnight sitter at 380 ₪ per night keeps everyone at home.
A quick holiday checklist
- Send your request with exact dates, flight times and the number of animals.
- Buy enough food and litter before the holiday, when many shops close early or change hours.
- Confirm how the sitter will reach your home on holiday days.
- Leave your vet's details and the nearest after-hours clinic, since many clinics work reduced hours over the holidays.
- Agree on the update schedule, so you can enjoy the holiday without checking your phone every hour.