Not every opportunity to make extra money requires specialized skills. For example, dog walking jobs are a perfect way for animal lovers to earn cash while working flexible hours.
This gig provides a chance to make over $30 an hour. The best part is that there are plenty of jobs available. According to the ASPCA, over 40 percent of homes in the U.S. own dogs.
Though not every family will seek out walking services for Fido, there are numerous opportunities to get paid to walk dogs.
What Are the Top Dog Walking Apps to Work For?
There is a lot of potential to make money taking care of pets. If you need to supplement income from your full-time job, this is a terrific opportunity.
Here are the best platforms that can help you make money pet sitting.
1. Rover
Rover is one of the most well-known dog walker job sites. The platform lets you create a profile to attract clients and showcase testimonials.
You can also care for cats with Rover.
It’s possible to earn cash by offering the following services:
- Walking dogs
- Pet boarding, which includes overnight care
- House sitting
- Drop-in visits
- Doggy daycare
Overnight boarding requires the most time. However, it can pay the most money and is a terrific way to supplement your income.
You can select which services you want to perform, plus choose the dog sizes and breeds you’re comfortable with. For example, you can avoid large dogs that weigh at least 100 pounds.
Each booking gives you up to $25,000 in Rover Guarantee coverage for qualifying vet care, property damage, and bodily injury.
It’s important to note that this benefit isn’t liability insurance. If you want this kind of coverage, you must purchase it separately.
Sitters and dog walkers have to be at least 18 years old and pass a background check to use the platform. You will encounter similar requirements with most apps on our list.
Some states require more certifications than others when it comes to pet sitting.
Getting testimonials from friends, family, or dog owners who have used your services in the past is the best way to build a competitive profile. If you’re known in the community, such as an educator, you could make good money.
Read our guide on the best jobs for teachers in the summer to identify other earning opportunities.
You keep 80 percent of your earnings with Rover and can expect to earn up to $1,000 per month, according to their site.
Keep in mind that with Rover, you work as an independent contractor as opposed to a company employee. In fact, this is the case with most dog walking services.
Read our Rover app review to learn more.
2. Wag!
You can board or walk dogs for money at Wag!. The service is available in over 4,600 cities across the country.
Wag! is a popular dog walking app, and how much you make depends on the location of the service as well as the length of the walk.
*Related: Looking for a unique earning opportunity? Read our guide on how to get paid to exercise to earn cash by staying fit.*
Like other sites, you can offer additional services beyond a straightforward walk.
You can expect to earn between $13 and $20 per hour for dog walking jobs. Plus, you’ll receive weekly payments to your bank account.
You can also pet sit, perform drop-ins, board pets, and provide training lessons.
Each booking includes up to $1 million in property damage insurance for pet parents.
3. Care.com
Care.com is a site that connects customers needing some sort of in-home care, including helping with pets, with service providers.
Through Care.com, you can earn cash caring for dogs or cats in the following ways:
- Dog sitting
- Boarding (at your house or the pets)
- Grooming
- Walking
- Training
In addition to caring for pets, you can also make money on the side by babysitting, tutoring, or offering housekeeping services. This makes it a perfect solution to find weekend jobs to supplement your income.
Care.com is available in all 50 states. You can get started by submitting your zip code and completing an application if you’re at least 18 years old.
4. Steady
Steady is a side gig app that can help you secure dog walking jobs in your area. The app can also help you find other side hustles with local and online tasks.
Some of the opportunities include:
- Delivery jobs
- Warehouse jobs
- Working from home
- Data entry
- Online surveys
- Testing mobile apps
Your hourly rate depends on the job along with the liability insurance benefits. This is one of the best apps to find side jobs quickly.
Read our Steady app review to learn more.
5. Fetch! Pet Care
Fetch! Pet Care is one of the older players in the space. The app allows pet owners to purchase services to meet their pet’s daily needs, but it also offers specialty services.
You can earn money offering services like:
- Dog walking
- Pet sitting
- Overnight visits
- Pet taxi
- Pet medical administration
- Cat playtime
These services can be offered for dogs and cats alike. It’s good for dogs to have at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, and that’s what you’d be in charge of providing.
In addition to caring for dogs and cats, you may also be able to tend to lizards, small caged pets, and rural livestock.
To browse pet care opportunities, enter your zip code on the website to see if there are any options in your area. There are franchises in approximately 30 states and Washington, D.C.
Like other opportunities, you can make your own schedule. However, you must purchase your own pet care insurance policy.
6. PetSitter.com
PetSitter.com lets you find walking and grooming jobs across the United States and Canada.
Your income opportunities can include:
- Cat and dog boarding
- Dog grooming
- Dog training
- Caring for farm animals
Unlike most dog walking apps for walkers, this service only helps connect you with potential clients.
You will coordinate payments with the owner. This means that you won’t have the payment and insurance protection benefits like other services.
Fortunately, this flexibility and lack of extra benefits can reduce the platform fees. In turn, this may make your business more profitable.
Get started by submitting your zip code and completing an application if you’re at least 18 years old.
7. DogVacay
DogVacay is to looking after pets as AirBnb is to hosting travelers. The app is best for overnight pet sitters, but you can also offer an on-demand walking service.
This service partners with Rover, and each animal has up to $25,000 in vet care coverage. However, you will need to purchase additional insurance.
Like Rover, the app keeps 20 percent of your earnings. In spite of this fee, you can earn at least $1,000 per month through their service.
It’s possible to join in each U.S. state, but you’ll find the most opportunities in major cities.
8. Barkly Pets
Barkly has a nationwide presence but got its start in New York City.
It’s one of the best dog walking apps because they have reduced platform fees. For example, the first $100 in monthly income is fee-free, although credit card processing fees apply.
Then, you pay a flat $8.50 monthly membership fee when you earn at least $100. The fee doesn’t increase if you’re a high-earner.
When joining, you pay a one-time $10 enrollment fee to cover your onboarding expenses. In return, you receive a website to advertise your services and certifications.
It’s important to note that you must purchase a separate insurance policy.
9. Holidog
Holidog is a marketplace for dog lovers who want a part-time gig caring for pets. Potential opportunities include:
- Walking dogs
- Cat and dog sitting
- Daycare
- Certified training
Like other services, you set your own schedule and work as a part-time dog walker.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live in the United States.
Default prices are set for each service, but Holidog encourages sitters to determine their own prices. Dog walkers can expect to earn at least $30 per day, according to their website.
Sitters can choose the client’s house or their own to watch the pet. This is changeable at any time in the settings section of your profile.
You won’t pay any platform commissions as the pet owner pays you directly. It’s also free to join as a sitter since the pet owner pays a monthly fee to find caregivers nearby.
How Much Should I Get Paid to Walk a Dog?
If you love animals, you may want to know how much dog walkers get paid before pursuing this income opportunity.
*Related: Are you looking for other side hustle opportunities that pay fast? Read our guide on same day pay jobs anyone can do.
How much you earn depends on several factors, such as:
- Where you live
- Your availability
- Types of services you offer
- Your experience
Each of the above impacts your rate, though where you live plays a significant role as well. If you live in a less populated area, there may not be much demand.
However, if you live in a larger city, it’s possible to earn more.
At a minimum, dog walkers can expect to earn $15-$20 for a 30-minute walk. However, your rate might be $30 for a half-hour walk in pricier communities like San Francisco, New York, or Chicago.
Some services claim you can earn over $1,000 per month if you turn this into a reliable side job.
You can also walk more than one dog at a time to increase your income, making it one of the best jobs that pay $20 or more an hour with little to no experience.
Pet owners may have multiple dogs, or you can watch more than one family’s dogs at once. Taking on more dogs can double or triple your income.
Just make sure you don’t take on more dogs than you can safely handle.
If you offer specialized services like grooming or boarding, this also impacts earnings.
Build trust and comfort with the pet and owner upfront to gain repeat clients. If you’re starting from scratch, be sure to use these sites and apps to help you find quality paying gigs in your area.
Additionally, walking dogs is one of the more perfect jobs for 16-year-olds as it offers flexibility and doesn’t require specialized skills.
Which Dog Walking Service Pays the Most?
You may have the most success with Rover as it’s one of the most popular apps. More potential customers means you’re more likely to receive a job offer.
However, the service fee is 20 percent per booking.
It’s also worth trying platforms like Wag!, DogVacay, and Holidog. These platforms charge minimal or no commissions, allowing you to keep more of your cash.
One benefit of the gig economy is that you can join several platforms and see which one is the most successful for you.
It’s important to point out that many dog walking apps require you to be at least 18 to work for their service. This makes it one of the beset summer job ideas for college students.
If you want to make money as a kid, walking dogs for money is still an option. However, you’ll want to focus on resources other than apps to find jobs.
If you’re unable to find suitable alternatives, read our guide on places that hire at 14 to identify other income possibilities for your teen.
How Can I Increase Earnings as a Dog Walker?
Offering multiple services is the best way to maximize your income. Services like pet sitting, daycare, and overnight boarding can help.
Having several pet care credentials and certifications can help as well.
It’s possible to work with different breeds, sizes, and ages. While you should only care for dogs you feel safe around, caring for multiple pets at once can maximize your earnings.
*Related: Are you looking for additional opportunities to earn cash? Read our guide on ways to make money without a job to learn how to find a profitable side hustle.
Most importantly, positive feedback from your previous clients is also vital.
Multiple positive reviews can help you appear first in the search results. Reviews also add a level of trust before interested clients interview you.
You may consider increasing your hourly rate as your experience level and feedback ratings increase. Additionally, you could work with your partner to increase earning potential.
Read our guide on other side hustles for couples to earn more money.
Finally, you can walk multiple dogs simultaneously if you have a tight schedule. Read our guide on other ways to make money in one hour if you’re short on time.
Do Dog Walkers Need Insurance?
Some platforms may offer insurance for veterinary care or damage to your property. Nevertheless, you should buy pet care business insurance to cover other incidents that you might be liable for.
Most services also recommend dog walkers, pet sitters, and groomers to purchase a standalone insurance policy.
Bottom Line
Dog walking jobs can be a fantastic way to earn extra cash if you work from home. If you love pets, this is an awesome way to supplement your income doing something you love.
You can have a flexible schedule, earn more than many side hustles, and get paid to exercise.
What are some of the other apps you’ve used to earn cash on the side?
Leave a Reply