If you enjoy spending time with dogs and want to make some extra cash, dog walking apps are one of the easiest side hustles to start. You can choose your own schedule, stay active, and get paid to hang out with friendly pets.
Many pet owners are busy during the day and need someone reliable to walk their dogs, which means there’s a growing demand for dog walkers. Thanks to dog walking apps, finding clients and getting started is easier than ever. Some walkers even turn it into a full-time income by building regular clients and offering extra services like pet sitting or drop-in visits.
1. Rover
If you love dogs and want an easy way to make extra money, Rover is one of the best places to start.
Rover is one of the biggest and most trusted pet care platforms. It connects dog walkers with pet owners who need help with walking, sitting, or daycare. You can earn money by doing simple tasks like walking dogs, visiting pets, or taking care of them while their owners are away.
One of the best things about Rover is its flexibility. You can choose your own working hours, accept only the jobs you want, and set your own prices. This makes it a great option for students, part-time workers, or anyone looking to earn extra money.
To get started, you just create a profile, describe your pet care experience, and complete a basic verification process. Once you’re approved, you can start receiving booking requests from people near you who need help with their pets.
Your income depends on your location, experience, and how active you are on the platform. Many beginners start small, but over time, good reviews help you get more clients and better-paying jobs.
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2. Wag!
Wag! is a dog walking app. People often call it the “Uber for dogs” because it quickly connects dog walkers with pet owners.
It is designed for people who want to start making money fast. You do not need to wait a long time to get clients. After you apply and pass a background check, you can start taking dog walking jobs in the app. Wag! works in real time. This means dog walking jobs show up right away.
When someone needs a dog walker, nearby walkers get a message on their phone. The first person to accept the job gets the walk. This is different from apps like Rover, where pet owners choose the walker first. On Wag!, being fast is the most important part.
Your earnings depend on your experience and how many walks you complete. Wag! uses a tier-based payment system.When you first start, you usually keep about 60% of each walk price. For example, if a walk costs $20, you earn about $12. As you do more walks and get good ratings, your pay can go up to about 70% to 75% per walk. This means you can earn more over time.
Most walkers earn about $12 to $22 per walk, depending on the walk time, location, and demand.
3. PetBacker
PetBacker is a trusted pet care platform that helps you earn money by offering dog walking and other pet services, including boarding, grooming, and pet taxi.
What makes PetBacker more popular is that it is not limited to just dog walking. You can increase your income by offering multiple services on the same app. This means that if you have extra time or experience with pets, you can take on more types of jobs instead of waiting only for walking requests.
The app works by letting pet owners post requests, and you can apply or get matched depending on your profile and location. A strong profile with good photos, clear service descriptions, and positive reviews can help you get more bookings over time.
PetBacker also uses a review system, which is very important. The more positive reviews you collect, the easier it becomes to get new clients. Many users start with lower prices at first to build trust, then increase their rates later as their reputation grows.
Another useful point is that PetBacker operates in many countries, so it is a good option if you are outside the United States or want a global platform. It is especially helpful for people who want to turn pet care into a long-term source of side income instead of just part-time jobs.
4. Barkly Pets
Many people choose Barkly Pets because it is an easy way to start dog walking. It connects you with pet owners who are looking for someone reliable to walk their dogs, so you don’t have to search for jobs on your own.
This app is a bit more serious than some other dog walking apps. It is best for people who want to build a steady side income and work with repeat clients instead of one-time jobs.
To join Barkly Pets, walkers usually need to pass a background check. This helps make pet owners feel safe. Once approved, you can start getting dog walking jobs in your area.
One good thing about Barkly Pets is how much walkers can earn. In many places, you can keep about 75% of what you charge. Most walks pay around $13 to $25 for a short walk, depending on the city and time. The app also shows updates to pet owners while you are walking the dog. For example, you may send photos or location updates. This helps build trust and can help you get more jobs from the same clients.
However, Barkly Pets is not available everywhere. It mostly works in big cities. Also, it may have fewer job requests compared to bigger apps like Rover or Wag.
5. Swifto
If you are looking for a more professional and structured way to earn money as a dog walker, Swifto can be a strong option.
Swifto mainly operates in New York City and focuses on high-quality, reliable dog walking services. It is different from many gig apps because it prioritizes trained and carefully selected walkers instead of open sign-ups.
One of its most useful features is live GPS tracking. This allows pet owners to see exactly where their dog is during the walk and receive real-time updates, photos, and messages. This helps build trust and makes clients feel more secure.
For walkers, Swifto offers more stable and structured work compared to typical on-demand platforms. Instead of constantly searching for random bookings, you are usually assigned regular clients, which can lead to more consistent income.
Plus, Swifto lets you set your own prices, so you have control over what you charge for each service.
6. Pawshake
While dog walking is an easy way to make extra money, Pawshake makes it even easier for beginners to start. Pawshake is an app that helps connect people who need dog walkers with people who want to earn money taking care of pets.
On Pawshake, you make a profile. You write a little about yourself, your experience with dogs, and when you are free. Then pet owners near you can find your profile and message you if they need help. You can offer services like dog walking, pet sitting, or short home visits.
Before you start working with a new dog, you usually meet the owner first. This helps everyone feel safe and comfortable. It also helps you understand the dog’s habits and needs.
One good thing about Pawshake is that you can choose your own prices. This means you can start with lower prices when you are new and increase them later when you get more experience and good reviews.
The app does take a small fee from each job, so you do not keep all the money. Still, many beginners like Pawshake because it helps them find real clients and build trust over time.
7. Holidog
Holidog is a pretty simple app that helps you find dog walking and pet sitting jobs, mostly in Europe.
If you’re just starting out and thinking, “How do I even get my first dog walking job?” this app can help with that.
Here’s how it works. You sign up, make a profile, and then you can start looking for pet jobs near you. Pet owners post what they need, like someone to walk their dog or look after their pet for a few hours or days. One nice thing about Holidog is that it tries to keep things safe. It checks users so people feel more comfortable working together. In some areas, it also offers extra protection for jobs, which is reassuring when you’re new.
You also get to choose your own schedule. So if you’re busy or just want to work part-time, you can pick jobs that fit your time. And it’s not just about dog walking. You can also do pet sitting, which can help you earn a bit more money if you want to take on longer jobs.
8. Care.com
Care.com is an app where people can find help with different jobs, like pet care, babysitting, and cleaning. One of these jobs is dog walking.
This app is good for beginners because it is simple to use. Pet owners post jobs, and you can apply for the ones you like. You do not have to take every job. You choose what works for you. Care.com is also helpful because you can build long-term work. If a dog owner likes you, they may ask you to walk their dog again and again. This means you can earn steady money over time.
It is also a good choice if you want more than one type of job. For example, you can do dog walking and also babysitting or other small jobs on the same app.
9. UrbanSitter
UrbanSitter is an app for people who want to make money by walking dogs and caring for pets.
The app was first made for babysitting jobs, but now people also use it to find dog walkers and pet sitters. Pet owners can easily find and hire local caregivers.
One of the best things about UrbanSitter is flexibility. You can choose when you want to work and which jobs you want to accept. This makes it a good choice for students, part-time workers, or anyone looking for extra income.
With UrbanSitter, you may find jobs like:
- Dog walking
- Feeding pets
- Drop-in pet visits
- Overnight pet sitting
The app also has reviews and background checks, which helps pet owners feel more comfortable hiring new walkers.
Another big Benefit is that many caregivers keep most or all of the money they earn. This can help you make more compared to some other apps that take larger fees.
Your success on UrbanSitter may depend on where you live. Bigger cities usually have more pet owners and more job opportunities.
If you love dogs and want a easy side hustle, UrbanSitter can be a great app to start with.
Conclusion
Dog walking is a great way to make money. With many apps to choose from, there’s an option for everyone. Whether you want flexible hours, steady pay, or simply enjoy spending time with dogs, these apps can help you turn your love for pets into a rewarding side hustle. Choose the app that fits you best and start earning today!