Looking for a side hustle that gets you outside, keeps you active and doesn’t need a big investment? Dog walking and pet sitting might be the perfect fit. Americans love their pets, and busy owners are happy to pay someone they trust to care for them.
Here’s how to get started, what you can realistically earn and how to stand out, whether you use an app like Rover or Wag or find clients on your own.
The short version: you can start dog walking with almost no upfront cost. Apps make it easy to find clients but take a cut of every booking, while finding local clients yourself lets you keep more. Build trust with great reviews, consider pet sitting insurance and offer extras like overnight stays to boost your income.
Why pet care is a popular side hustle
Side hustles have become a must for many households. In a 2026 Penny Hoarder survey, 70% of working Americans said they rely on a second source of income to cover regular expenses, up from 47% the year before.
Pet care stands out because:
- It’s low cost to start. You mostly need time, reliability and a love of animals.
- Hours are flexible. Walks often fit around a day job, like early mornings, lunch breaks or evenings.
- Demand is steady. Pets need care every day, not just during busy seasons.
- It’s good for your health. You get paid to walk.
How much can you earn?
Pay depends on where you live, how many clients you have and which services you offer. For a sense of scale, ZipRecruiter listed the national average pay for a dog walker at about $35,770 a year as of October 2026, which is a full-time number. As a side hustle, most people earn a smaller, part-time slice of that.
Your income grows with:
- More services: overnight pet sitting, drop-in visits and house sitting usually pay more than a single walk.
- Repeat clients: a few regular weekday walks add up quickly.
- Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and summer vacations are busy times, and many sitters charge holiday rates.
Option 1: Use a pet care app
Apps like Rover and Wag connect you with local pet owners, handle payments and give you a profile where reviews can build up.
Pros:
- Built-in client base, especially helpful when you’re starting out
- Secure payments and scheduling tools
- Some support and protections for bookings made through the app
Cons:
- Fees. Rover, for example, takes a 20% service fee from pet care providers on each booking.
- Competition with other sitters in your area
- Less control over how you’re found and booked
Option 2: Find clients on your own
Going independent means you keep all your earnings and set your own rules. Ways to find clients:
- Neighborhood apps and groups like Nextdoor and local Facebook groups
- Flyers at vet offices, pet stores, groomers and coffee shops (ask first)
- Word of mouth from friends, family and happy clients
- Apartment complexes with lots of dog owners
Many sitters do both: start on an app to build reviews and experience, then take on private clients over time.
How to get started, step by step
- Decide your services and area. Walks only, or also drop-ins and overnights? How far will you travel?
- Set your prices. Check what other walkers and sitters charge nearby, then price yourself competitively.
- Create a profile or simple flyer with a friendly photo, your experience with pets and your availability.
- Meet first. Always do a free meet-and-greet with the owner and pet before the first booking.
- Get the details in writing: feeding instructions, health issues, vet contact, emergency contact and house rules.
- Communicate. Send a quick photo and update after each visit. Owners love it, and it leads to great reviews.
Protect yourself and the pets
- Consider pet sitting insurance and bonding, especially if you work with private clients. It can cover accidents, injuries or damage.
- Know your limits. Only take dogs you can safely handle, and be careful walking several dogs at once.
- Keep basic supplies: extra leash, poop bags, water, treats and a small first-aid kit.
- Track your income. Side hustle income is taxable, so set some money aside for taxes. A budgeting app can make this easier. See our picks for the best budgeting apps.
The bottom line
Dog walking and pet sitting are some of the easiest side hustles to start, and they can bring in steady extra cash, especially around the holidays. Start small, focus on reliability and reviews and grow from there. Want more ideas? Read our guide to side hustles you can start for under $100 or explore legit ways to make money online.
Pay figures come from ZipRecruiter (October 2026). Fees and survey figures come from Rover’s published fees and The Penny Hoarder’s 2026 State of Savings report. Rates and fees vary by location and can change.
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