6 Best Dog Walking Apps for Making Money

It’s no secret that there are two big apps that dominate the field of dog walking: Wag! and Rover. Due to their sheer popularity alone, these are the best dog-walking apps for finding jobs.

If you’ve ever talked to anyone who’s got a dog-walking side hustle, odds are they’ve used at least one of these apps. Many dog walkers have a strong preference for one over the other.

Which one is best for finding dog walking jobs largely depends on which app happens to be more popular where you live, but there are a few distinctions you should be aware of. We’ll give a summary below of what you get from these top dog walking apps, but it’s also worth reading our full breakdown of Wag! vs. Rover and how these apps compare.

Rover

Rover is a wildly popular dog-walking and pet-sitting app. Rover is a general-purpose pet care app for all types of critters. It may be most closely associated with pet sitting and boarding, but dog walking is also a popular service.

We spoke with Amy S., a professional dog walker and sitter for Rover, who noted that the app is convenient and makes the payment process easy. On the downside, Amy said that the app leaves something to be desired in the way of function and design, and the company doesn’t grant walkers and sitters the control and transparency necessary to keep themselves safe on the job.

Despite these concerns, it still ranks number 1 on our list due to recent discussions online that claimed that the lower fees and higher flexibility with pricing give it the edge over Wag!.

What you need to know about Rover

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Fees: Rover works on a commission system. They’ll take a 20% cut of what you make on each walk. You also need to pay a profile review fee of $49.
• Application process: To join the Rover brigade of dog walkers, you need to pass a quiz and a background check.
• Flexibility: You have a lot of freedom to set your own rates, schedule, and services on Rover, and you can even choose your own cancellation policy. However, you can’t set your rates higher than the rate cap of $250 per unit.
• Payments: Rover pays walkers via Stripe as soon as the job is completed, with payment processing typically taking around 2–4 days.
• Insurance coverage: Up to $25,000 in vet care coverage for eligible claims.

Wag!

One of the most popular dog-walking apps, Wag! is available in all 50 states. Wag! has a huge client base, meaning there are tons of dog-walking opportunities, though as expected, rates are going to be lower in rural areas.

Wag! is primarily designed as a dog-walking app, but you can also find pet-sitting and even veterinarian jobs through the platform.

While it’s supposedly better for on-demand walks than Rover, the commission fees are astronomical, so it takes the second spot this season.

What you need to know about Wag!

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Fees: Wag! charges a whopping 40% commission fee. This means you’ll only take home 60% of what you earn for each walk, plus whatever tips you make. You also need to pay an application fee, which covers the cost of a background check. The application fee varies, but we contacted several Wag! walkers who signed up in 2022–2023, and they reported paying fees in the range of $39.99–$50. If you decide to sign up for Wag! Pro, you’ll pay a one-time fee of $149.
• Application process: To join, you’ll be asked to pass a knowledge test and a background check. Wag! will also ask for five people who can vouch for you and your reliability. Providing these endorsements is optional, but Wag! says that it will “speed up the application process and increase your chances of being approved.” 1
• Flexibility: You have the freedom to set your own rates as high as you want. You also get to set your own schedule and even apply for the jobs you want.
• Payments: Wag! will send payouts to your bank account every Friday via Stripe. They also offer an Instant Pay option to withdraw your funds more quickly for an extra 3% fee.
• Insurance coverage: Up to $1 million in coverage for qualifying veterinary bills and property damage.

Just because Rover and Wag! are the most popular and widely used dog-walking apps doesn’t mean they’ll be right for everyone. In particular, they both require you to be at least 18 years old, and they charge pretty high fees.

If you’re not sold on these apps or you just want to explore your options, take a look at these excellent apps like Wag! and Rover.

1. PetBacker

Another site that lets you work as a pet sitter as well as a dog-walker, PetBacker is an international platform with a presence in 50 countries (which means you can also rake in some extra cash while traveling). The application process is relatively simple, so this is one of the easiest apps to begin dog walking through.

What you need to know about PetBacker

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Fees: As a walker, you’ll be charged a variable service fee of 15%–25% to use the app (while pet trainers pay a fixed 35% service fee). The fee starts off at 25% when you first sign up and gradually decreases the more you use the app.
• Application process: You need to submit a selfie and a valid ID for the identity verification process, which takes 3–4 business days. You also need to provide three testimonials and pass an introductory test.
• Payments: PetBacker sends all payments via PayPal, which some dog walkers may find restrictive. It takes 2–7 days for payments to reach your account.
• Insurance coverage: Veterinary coverage and errors and omissions insurance coverage up to $1,000 (with $350 deductible) as well as up to $4,000 in general liability coverage.

2. Care.com

Far from a service exclusively for dog walking, you can offer a wide range of services on Care.com, including babysitting, nannying, house sitting, senior caregiving, and dog walking. In fact, it’s one of the most popular sites among those working as caregivers, so you might find other gigs you can get into as well.

What you need to know about Care.com

• Minimum age: 18 years old.
• Fees: To apply for jobs on Care.com, you need to pay a variable fee of $15–$20 per year for CareCheck background screening. For on-demand “bookings,” you also need to sacrifice a 10% cut of the listed pay. A Care.com membership is free, but you can also upgrade to a premium plan for an unspecified fee.
• Application process: You need to be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number, and pass Care’s CareCheck screening.
• Payments: You can either be paid through the Care.com platform by bank deposit within just 6 hours after the booking or get paid off the platform by whatever method you choose.
• Insurance coverage: No insurance or protections provided.

3. Fetch! Pet Care

Fetch! is less of a gig app for dog walkers and more of a dog-walking franchise with multiple locations nationwide. Instead of working independently as a dog walker through an app or website, you’ll sign up to work for a Fetch! Pet Care location near you, either as an employee or independent contractor.

While Fetch! has been around for a long time and has gained a large following, it doesn’t operate everywhere. In fact, it’s a company with physical branches, so you’ll first need to run your zip code on their site to check if Fetch! is available in your area.

What you need to know about Fetch!

• Minimum age: 13 years old.
• Fees: Unfortunately, Fetch! isn’t transparent about their pricing. According to one Fetch! employee who left a review on Indeed, the platform takes a whopping 50% cut of what you earn (though we haven’t independently substantiated this claim).
• Application process: Another service that’s committed to thoroughly vetting dog walkers, Fetch! requires a background check, an extensive application, and an in-depth interview process.
• Payments: There’s little information available on how Fetch! pays dog walkers. Payment processing may be at the discretion of the branch you work for.
• Insurance coverage: Insurance coverage and benefits vary depending on the location you work for.

4. Swifto

Swifto is a unique dog-walking app that’s available in only three locations: New York City, Miami, and the Charlotte metro area in North Carolina. But if you live in one of these areas, it’s well worth considering.

The Swifto dog walker app is geared toward dedicated dog walkers who can commit to a minimum of 15 walks per week. According to their website, the average Swifto dog walker does 5–10 walks per day. The app provides GPS-tracked walks, so make sure you’re comfortable having your movements monitored while on the job before signing up.

Unlike many of the other apps on this list, Swifto offers standardized rates. According to their recruiting page, they pay $12.50 for a 20-minute walk. Every 400 walks (assuming your clients are satisfied with your performance), you’ll receive an automatic pay raise.

The app has quickly become a favorite among dog owners and walkers. In fact, the biggest drawback of Swifto is that it’s one of the most competitive apps. They claim to hire less than 1% of applicants, and you need extensive dog care experience to be considered. Those who make the cut will be rewarded with an ample clientele, regular schedules, and job benefits.

What you need to know about Swifto

• Minimum age: 13 years old.
• Fees: There do not appear to be any costs to use the Swifto app.
• Application process: Swifto claims to only take the “best of the best,” and they’ll only consider you if you have several years of pet care experience. There’s a thorough application and interview process that involves a criminal background check.
• Payments: Clients pay for walks by credit card, but Swifto doesn’t specify how they pay dog walkers. They do, however, process payments once per week.
• Insurance coverage: Swifto provides insurance that covers expenses related to dog bites, veterinary care, lost keys, and property damage.

According to self-reported salaries from dog walkers across the web, you can generally expect to earn somewhere in the range of $10–$20 per hour from dog walking apps. This tends to be less than what independent dog-walking businesses make.

How much money you can earn walking dogs depends on the following factors:

• Where you’re located
• Your qualifications, training, and experience
• What dog walking service you’re using
• What additional services you offer
• Your reputation

Most of the most popular dog-walking apps allow you to set your own dog-walking rates, meaning your earning potential will partially be within your control. You should be able to gradually increase your rates as you gain more experience and good app reviews.

As you can see, there is a wide range of dog-walking apps out there—from companies that will pay you to sign up and start walking dogs to software designed to help dog-walking business owners earn more money and keep track of their schedules.

Asking yourself these questions will help you find the best dog walker app for your needs:

• Do you want a casual side hustle or a dog-walking business?
• What’s your budget?
• Do you already have clients?
• How much control do you want to have over who you work with?
• Is your main goal to build your client base or make quick money?

Some apps are more geared toward people who are already running their own independent dog-walking business and just want a way to reach new clients. Others function more like employers, giving you less freedom and control over when you work and which clients you work for but also offering better protections and benefits.

Best dog walking apps for 12–17 year olds

Dog walking is one of the most popular side hustles for teens to make extra cash. However, many of the best dog-walking apps (Rover and Wag! included) require you to be at least 18 years old to sign up.

That said, there are a few dog-walking apps for teens under 18 years old: specifically, Fetch! Pet Care and Swifto.

These three dog walker apps can technically be used by teens aged 13 years or older. However, bear in mind that just because you meet the minimum age requirement for these dog walking job apps doesn’t mean that you’ll meet their other requirements.

Best free dog walking apps

Overall, the best free dog-walking app is Swifto. Its services are free for dog walkers to use. Instead, it makes money by charging pet parents a fixed, non-negotiable price (which unfortunately means you can’t raise your rates).

Still, most other (reliable) apps for dog walkers charge some sort of fee. Even if you don’t need to pay to sign up or keep your membership active, you’ll need to sacrifice a cut of your pay with most major dog-walking apps.

Apps for dog walkers can be a fantastic resource, but they can also be a bust if you don’t know how to use them. Here’s some expert guidance on how to make the most money possible from dog-walking apps.

Leverage multiple dog walking apps

If possible, sign up as a dog walker on multiple platforms. This can help you maximize your earnings, especially if you want to be a full-time dog walker and you choose apps with minimal ongoing costs.

Since different apps offer different types of services, using a variety of platforms can also allow you to offer a broader range of additional services, such as dog grooming, boarding, sitting, or training.

Optimize your route

Many experienced and serious dog-walking app users will tell you that commuting time is one of the biggest threats to your earning potential. Many dog walking gigs are relatively short, lasting just 20 or 30 minutes. If you’re spending longer than that getting from one house to the next, you’ll come away with less than half of what you ought to earn from a full day of work.

A good way to overcome this obstacle is to try to plan your schedule and routes to minimize the distance traveled between each gig. If you’re not getting enough business in your area, you can also expand your potential client radius (especially if there’s a higher-paying city or community nearby).

Give dog parents a reason to leave great reviews

Many of today’s top dog-walking apps use algorithms that push the highest-rated dog walkers to the top of the search results. In other words, depending on which app you’re using, higher ratings and better reviews may make you more likely to be seen by dog parents looking for a new dog walker in your area.

Naturally, the best way to land great reviews is to provide excellent dog walking services and follow best practices for being a great dog walker. When dog parents love you, they’ll also be more likely to request your services again and recommend you to people they know.

Use dog walking apps to jump-start your own business

The smartest dog walkers know that while dog walking apps can be a useful resource, they shouldn’t be your only recourse for finding dog walking jobs. The reality is that the future of dog-walking apps is uncertain, and there’s a high chance they’ll become less useful for finding jobs as more dog walkers sign up.

With many gig apps for dog walkers, there’s also a risk of getting banned or losing access to your account. In unfortunate cases, you could get one or two bad reviews and then struggle to get any new clients.

The best way to avoid this possibility is to come up with a solid backup plan and start building your own dog-walking business on the side. Good dog-walking apps can be a great asset in this regard. You can use positive reviews as testimonials to add to your own business site to show prospective clients.