Worked example
Alex runs a small dog walking business in Bristol. A group walk lasts an hour, with 15 minutes collecting and dropping off four dogs and a 6-mile round trip. Monthly costs — insurance, van cleaning, a first-aid refresher — come to £150 across about 100 walks. Alex wants £16 an hour.
| Time: 1.25 hours × £16 | £20.00 |
| Travel: 6 miles × 45p | £2.70 |
| Overheads: £150 ÷ 100 walks | £1.50 |
| Cost of the walk | £24.20 |
|---|---|
| Split between 4 dogs (£6.05, rounded up to 50p) | £6.50 each |
| Takings from the walk | £26.00 |
| Earned per hour including travel | £20.80 |
For a 30-minute cat visit with 10 minutes' travel, 4 miles and two cats, the same costs and a 10% margin give £8 per pet — £16 for the visit.
How it works, in plain English
The calculator works out what one walk or visit really costs you and then divides it between the animals you care for at the same time.
Time, including travel
Your hourly rate applies to the walk or visit plus the time spent collecting, dropping off or driving to the home. Travel time is easy to give away for free, and on short visits it can be half the job.
Mileage and running costs
Miles are costed at 45p, the HMRC approved rate for the first 10,000 business miles, which reflects fuel, servicing and wear. Monthly costs such as public liability and care, custody and control insurance, a dog first-aid course, your website and DBS check are spread across all your jobs.
Group walks vs solo walks
Walking four dogs together means each owner pays a quarter of the cost, so group walks can be cheaper for clients and still pay you more per hour. Check your insurance and any council limit on how many dogs one person can walk.
Pet sitting and overnight stays
For drop-in visits, enter the visit length and number of pets in the home. For house sits, enter the hours of active care (feeding, walks, play) and use the extras box for anything you cover, such as fuel to a distant house. Many sitters then add an overnight supplement on top of the result.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for dog walking in the UK?
Work it out from your own costs: your time including travel, mileage at 45p a mile, and a share of insurance and other monthly costs, split between the dogs on the walk. Then compare the result with local walkers rather than starting from their prices.
How much should I charge for a pet sitting visit?
Choose "Pet-sitting drop-in visit", enter the visit length, travel time and miles, and set the number of pets to the animals in that home. Short visits still carry full travel costs, which is why drop-ins often cost more per minute than walks.
Do dog walkers have to pay tax?
Yes, if you earn more than £1,000 from dog walking or pet sitting in a tax year you need to register for Self Assessment and pay income tax and National Insurance on your profit. Use our self-employed tax calculator to see how much to set aside.
What expenses can a dog walker claim?
Insurance, leads and equipment, treats and poo bags, a van or 45p per business mile, phone and website costs, training and DBS checks. Your own pet's food or vet bills are not business costs.
Should I charge more for weekends or bank holidays?
Many walkers and sitters add a surcharge for weekends, holidays and last-minute bookings. Use the profit margin box to see how a 20–50% uplift changes your price.
Estimates only, not tax advice. These figures are a guide based on the information you enter and the 2026/27 rules. Your own position can differ — check GOV.UK or an accountant before relying on them.
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