Dog Walker Prices in 2024: How Much You Should Expect to Pay

Owning a pet isn’t cheap. You may think you’ve got it all figured out with food, toys, and vet bills, but there may be other fees and expenses you haven’t considered. For example, if you’re often busy at work or with friends, it may be a good idea to hire a dog walker. Unfortunately, dog walkers aren’t very cheap. If you want to see average dog walker prices and ways you may be able to save some money, continue reading below.

Factors That Change Dog Walker Prices

Before we get into the cost of hiring a dog walker, you first need to know some factors of a walk that could change the price for you.

Location

Of course, every state and city has different rates. It’s often based on cost of living and demand. However, you also need to think about travel costs for the walker.

If you’re hiring someone who lives on the same block as you, you might get lower prices than if you try to hire someone who lives on the other side of town. Many dog walkers will factor in transportation costs for walks that are out of their way.

Group or Solo Walk

If you’re in an area that’s popular for your dog walker, they may have multiple clients in the area. To save time, your walker will likely walk multiple dogs at once, if it’s alright with their owners and the dogs get along.

Unless your dog isn’t good with other dogs, there’s really no reason to turn down this offer. It provides your precious pet with extra mental stimulation and they’re still getting the walk they need. As an added benefit, you may get a discounted rate for letting the walker take multiple dogs on the same trip.

Length and Frequency

Of course, the length of the walk matters. Most prices are for a 30-minute walk. If you want to have your pet walk longer so they can burn more energy, you’ll have to pay more. Often, it’s just double the price for double the time.

However, how often you want your dog walker to take your pet out may also change the price. If you are a regular customer and have your dog walker take your dog out on several walks a day, you may get charged a different price.

Some dog walkers include package deals, where you can save a little money for multiple walks a day based on their usual fees. This isn’t the standard deal though. Some dog walkers will charge more instead of less for additional walks.

Which way this goes may depend on whether these walks are regularly scheduled or a surprise request. How far your dog walker has to travel and how well-behaved your dog is might also have an effect on the pricing.

Still, it never hurts to ask. If you’re thinking about hiring a dog walker to walk your pet multiple times a day, it may be a good idea to ask them what their rate would be.

Number of Dogs

If you have several dogs to walk, and they can all be walked at the same time, you might get a discount. While you will have to still pay more in total for all your dogs than you would for one, the cost per dog may decrease.

It’s important to note that not every dog walker does this. However, since they’re still taking just one trip, it still saves a walker some time.

Holidays

Like with other jobs, holiday pay is something to expect with your dog walker. You’re likely not the only person busy with the holidays and looking for someone to take one extra task off of your hands.

Your walker is likely high in demand during this time as people look to travel and see family. Some people might even be dealing with more work at their own jobs and need someone to care for their pets during long shifts.

You’re also taking your dog walker away from your own family and friends at this time. It’s perfectly reasonable for them to charge more for a limited time due to the demand and to make up for missing time with family.

If you know you’re going to need a pet walker in advance for the holidays, it’s a good idea to ask them right away. That way, you ensure that you have someone to walk your dog, and you’re not scrambling to squeeze in times with someone who’s already booked.

Average Dog Walker Prices

In 2024, you can expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $30 for a dog walker to walk your dog. This price covers a 30-minute walk.

Since it’s ideal to take your dog on three walks a day, you would be looking at somewhere between $60 and $90 to have someone provide you with a full day’s worth of walks for your dog.