Dog Walker & Pet Sitter

Walk through UK tax with confidence as a self-employed pet care professional.

Allowable Expenses

• Insurance — Pet business insurance covering public liability, animal welfare liability, and care, custody and control — essential and deductible.
• Equipment & Accessories — Leads, harnesses, poop bags, treat pouches, and pet first aid kit — all deductible supplies.
• Vehicle Costs — Mileage to collect and return pets — claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles.
• Licensing & DBS — Local council licensing for boarding or daycare (if applicable) and DBS checks required by some local authorities.
• Marketing — Listing fees on Rover, Bark.com, Tailster, and local advertising or website costs.
• Training & First Aid — Pet first aid courses, professional dog walker training, and behaviour courses.

Tax Tips

• If you provide home boarding (dogs staying overnight at your home), you must be licensed by your local council under the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018.
• All travel between pick-up and drop-off locations is business mileage — keep a mileage log for every round trip.
• Platform commission from Rover or similar is a deductible selling cost — only the net income after fees is your profit.
• Food provided to boarded animals is a deductible cost of providing the service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to walk dogs professionally?

There is no specific dog walking licence in England, Wales, or Scotland. However, if you provide home boarding (dogs staying overnight at your home), you must be licensed by your local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018.

Can I claim travel to collect and return dogs?

Yes. All travel to pick up and return dogs to their owners' homes is business mileage. Keep a daily mileage log showing the date, route, and purpose of each journey. The 45p per mile rate applies for the first 10,000 business miles.

Are platform fees (Rover, Tailster) deductible?

Yes. Commission and service fees deducted by platforms from your earnings are a deductible cost of doing business. Only declare the net income you receive — or declare gross income and deduct the commission as an expense.

Can I claim pet first aid course fees?

Yes. Pet first aid courses (Ofqual-regulated or otherwise) taken to improve your professional competence as a pet carer are deductible professional development costs. Keep the course certificate and payment receipt as evidence.