Dog Sitter Demands Extra Pay For Cleaning Client’s Filthy Bathroom Unsolicited, Sparks Debate

by Sophia

Dog sitting can come with unexpected surprises, but one Reddit user found themselves in a particularly unsavory situation.

Tasked with looking after a client’s pet, they encountered a bathroom so filthy it was almost uninhabitable. The toilet was coated in layers of dried urine, and the bathtub mat was so black with grime it needed a bleach soak. Dust clung to every surface, making the room a health hazard.

Despite the client not requesting a bathroom clean-up, the dog sitter couldn't bear staying in such conditions and took it upon themselves to scrub everything down. This led to a dilemma: should they ask for additional payment for the unexpected cleaning service?

Posting their predicament on Reddit, the dog sitter sought advice on how to approach the client for compensation, sparking a heated debate.

Some argued that cleanliness is part of a professional dog sitter’s job, while others believed the client should pay extra for the impromptu housekeeping. The situation highlights the blurred lines in service roles and the importance of clear boundaries and expectations.

For the dog sitter, the experience served as a lesson in standing up for oneself and ensuring that one's efforts, especially those beyond the call of duty, are recognized and compensated.

Just take a look at this post...

Is it wrong to ask clients to pay for cleaning their filthy bathroom while dog sitting? The cleaning was done out of necessity.

Scroll down to see what people had to say!

Sorry, they’re not a superhero; they’re a dog sitter. Clean-up duties weren’t in the job description!

If they didn’t ask for cleaning, they’re not paying for it. Squeamishness isn’t a billable service!

Their cleaning service feels like an unsolicited lawn mowing scam—showing up uninvited and demanding payment. YTA.

YWBTA if they’re expected to pay for tasks not in the job description. Just apologize and move on.

YWBTA. Their bathroom might be gross, but cleaning it was for their peace of mind, not payment.

Understanding the bathroom’s awfulness, they’d still be the A-hole expecting payment for unsolicited work.

YTA. They knew the situation, so clean it themselves or avoid it. Don’t bill for preferences.

YWBTA to ask for payment. They're hired to dog sit, not clean, landscape, or renovate.

YTA. They never asked for it, so expecting payment for unsolicited work is just unreasonable.

YWBTA. Inspect the house before accepting the job in the future—no surprises, no complaints.

YTA. They should’ve contacted them immediately to arrange cleaning or declined the job, not cleaned and billed.

YTA. They cleaned the bathroom for themselves. They can’t bill for services that weren’t requested.

They should’ve refused to work if conditions were unacceptable. Payment is asked only when agreed, not after.

YTA. Since hired only for dog sitting, demanding payment for unoffered services could breach contract.

YTA. If it’s too unsanitary, they should’ve left and explained why, not cleaned and billed.

Yes, they’d be the A-hole for asking. They were hired to care for the dog, not clean.

Didn’t they give a home tour? Next time, ask beforehand or avoid disgusting jobs entirely.

YWBTA for doing extra work unasked and then expecting payment. They weren’t hired for that.

YTA. They didn’t ask for cleaning; they chose to do it. Payment isn’t due for unsolicited work.

YWBTA. A bonus would be nice, but asking for it might just come off as petty.

Next time, dog sitters should bring cleaning fees to the table. Because when life hands you filthy bathrooms, make sure you’re paid for the bleach. After all, nobody signs up for a dog-sitting gig to become an impromptu janitor.

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