Top 9 Side Hustles for Dog Moms

If you have ever thought about ways to make money as a dog lover, you’re not alone. As a fellow dog lover myself, I have thought how cool it would be to combine my love for dogs with some extra cash each month.

Many dog moms are jumping on the trend of pet-related side hustles that offer flexibility and most importantly, enjoyment. As someone who’s a dog blogger myself, I can tell you there’s never been a better time to dive into this rewarding niche.

Remember that these business ideas take time and a lot of effort to build. We are not interested in “get rich quick schemes.” Make sure to have a good head on your shoulders and think through things and put in the work. Trust me, it is worth it. The following blog post is a list of 9 legit side hustles for dog moms.

Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on them, I may get a commission (without any extra cost to you).

Top 9 Side Hustles for Dog Moms

Below is a list of 9 legit ways to make money with dogs. Most of these I have done myself or know someone who has. Hopefully you find something on this list that inspires you to take the next steps in the journey.

1. Start a Dog Walking Business

If you’re someone who loves being active, consider starting a dog walking business to make some extra income. You get to spend time outdoors and enjoy the company of different dogs.

Many people are away from their homes through the week and have no one to walk their dog while they are working their 9-5. This job solves a pain point for people and that’s always a great foundation when starting a business. Here are some tips to get started:

• Setting rates: I would research what other dog walkers in your area are charging. In my area, dog walkers are making about $15-$20 per hour. Consider rates based on the length of the walk, number of dogs, and additional services like feeding.

How to Find Dog Walking Clients

This can be the thing that trips people up the most. If there are no clients, then there is no business. Here are some ways to find clients for your dog walking business.

• Pass out Fliers at Pet-related Businesses around your Town. Many dog boutiques, pet groomers, veterinary clinics, dog parks, etc. will let you put up fliers for your new business. Just ask and the worst they can tell you is no.
• Create a Yelp/Google Business profile online that will show up in people’s internet searches. When people search “dog walkers near me” you want your profile to show up.
• Start a Facebook Page/Instagram for your local area. Start posting content about your dog walking services. Make sure to use relevant location specific hashtags like #chicagodogwalker.
• Join Local Established Facebook Groups. For example, if you live in Hilton Hills, see if there is a Facebook page dedicated to that neighborhood and post your services there. I see a lot of dog walkers on my local neighborhood Facebook page advertising their businesses.
• Use Pet Service apps such as Rover or Wag! to advertise your dog walking business.
• Attend local dog events in your community.

2. Become a Pet Sitter

Pet sitting involves caring for pets while their owners are away. Responsibilities of a pet sitter are feeding, walking, playing, and taking care of the pup while their owners are out of town. I have been a pet sitter many times over the years.

There are two options for pet sitting. Either you go to the dog owner’s house several times a day to take care of the dog or the owner drops their dog off to stay at your house. This is one of the easier side hustles for dog moms to get started in (my opinion of course). There is such a demand for it in many cities across the country.

• Responsibilities: Ensure you can commit to feeding, walking, and playing with pets, as well as administering any needed medications. If you need pet sitter templates to use with your clients, check out my planner here.
• Marketing your service: Utilize platforms like Rover or Wag! for greater visibility. Share client testimonials to build trust. Join your local community (specific neighborhood) Facebook groups and share that you are offering pet sitting services. Also, don’t forget the power of ‘word of mouth.’ Tell your friends and family you are watching peoples pets as a side hustle. This will help get the word out.
• Earnings: Pet sitting rates can vary so much. Determine fees based on duration and specific pet care needs. I have seen pet sitters charging anywhere from $40-$120 per night.

3. Become a Dog Blogger/Petfluencer

As a dog blogger myself, I can attest to the fun and potential earnings from crafting content around your love of dogs and your pets. Blogging and content creation takes a ton of work.

If you are looking to make money super fast, this category is not for you. It can take about 6 months to start to see any money coming in. But, if you love to write and create content around your pets/dogs then this can be a great business to start.

I am not going to go into all the nitty gritty details on how to start a blog. But if it’s something you want to look into, check out this article that helped me get started a couple years ago.

I love learning new skills through courses, if you are serious about becoming a blogger, I swear by this blogging course by blogger, Sophia Lee. This is the course I took when I got started nearly two years ago and I still think it is worth every penny.

Ways to Monetize as a Dog Blogger

Here area few ways petfluencers can monetize their business (this is not an exhaustive list by any means-just some of the most popular ways).

• Affiliate marketing: Promote dog-related products on your blog or social media through links and earn commissions on sales.
• Sponsored posts: Partner with brands to create posts about their products on your blog and social media accounts.
• Display Advertising: Partner with an ad network and run advertisements on your blog.
• Selling Digital Products: Create your own products such as templates, planners, etc. and sell to your audience.

Social Media is another branch of being a pet influencer. Check out my article on how to be come a pet influencer on Instagram if you’re interested in more info on the topic.

Goodness, there is a steep learning curve when it comes to pet blogging, but this will give you a good general overview. You can learn more about how to become a petfluencer through podcasts, Youtube, blogs that write about how to blog, blogging courses, etc.

4. Start a Dog Bakery from Home

I do a lot of baking at home (for me and my dogs). It’s fun and a big stress-reliever for me. I have many homemade dog treat recipes on my blog.

Check them out here if you are interested (shameless plug). If this seems up your ally or have been curious about starting your own dog treat business, check out this in depth article on where to begin.

This is another business that can take awhile to build from the ground up but I have heard many people making a lot of money with this “side hustle.” I have seen anywhere from an extra $200-$3,000 dollars depending on your location, client pool, pricing, etc.

I am always honest with ya’ll, this is one on the list I have not personally done…YET (super interested though). I create my own dog treat recipes all the time, and share them on the blog, but I have not ever sold any to paying customers. If this is something that intrigues you I highly recommend doing a lot of research before jumping in.

Here is a free Facebook group of fellow dog bakery owners, I recommend joining if your interested in the dog bakery world. The group owner also has a Youtube channel called Pawsitive Profit with lots of great videos on starting and running a dog treat business.

5. Open an Etsy Shop for Handmade Dog Accessories

An Etsy shop can be a great platform for selling unique dog accessories. I have opened several Etsy shops over the years selling dog bandanas and digital products.

Why do I recommend Etsy when you are just getting started? Well, Etsy is a low-risk, easy way for new business owners to get started because it requires minimal initial investment and offers low startup costs.

The platform provides access to a large, established customer base that is already looking for unique, handmade, or artsy items, which can drive traffic to your shop without extensive marketing efforts.

Pet Product Ideas that are Perfect for a Dog Mom to Sell in their Shop

• Personalized collars and leashes
• Bandanas and bow ties
• Sweaters and jackets
• Customized beds
• Customized blankets
• Handmade toys
• Dog-themed home decor
• Natural shampoos and soaps for Pets
• Homemade dog treats
• Apparel for dog moms (T-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags)
• Dog-themed jewelry and accessories

• Attracting customers: Use eye-catching photos, compelling product descriptions, and SEO keywords to make your products easy to find. There are so many great resources out there on Youtube on how to be successful on Etsy.

6. Create Custom Dog Portraits

If you have an artistic flair, creating custom dog portraits can be a lucrative side hustle. I also do this occasionally on the side.

I prefer to do my art digitally on Procreate (with my ipad) but you can offer portraits in watercolor, line art, acrylic, whatever you like! Many dog lovers are sentimental and love giving away dog portraits as gifts to loved ones or have as a keepsake.

Here are some Beginner Tips to Get Started:

• Build a Portfolio: Create a small portfolio showcasing your best pieces. Use high-quality images to highlight your work.
• Set Up an Etsy Shop: Start an Etsy shop to reach a large audience of potential customers.
• Define Your Style: Develop a unique style that sets your work apart and use consistent branding.
• Price Your Work: Research similar listings to price your work competitively. Consider the time you spend on each piece.
• Promote Your Business: Share your work on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to attract potential customers.
• Offer Customization: Provide personalized portraits based on customers’ photos, which can be a big selling point.
• Collect Reviews: Encourage your first customers to leave reviews to build credibility.

7. Become a Pet Event Planner

Yes, you read that right-an event planner but for pets. If you are someone who is organized and loves to plan events then consider starting a pet event planning business.

Now, this will depend on your location and demand for this sort of thing. Not everyone is willing to spend money on a birthday party for their dog, BUT there are plenty of dog lovers who absolutely would! Here’s how to get started:

• Identify your niche (e.g., dog birthday parties, adoption anniversaries, dog-friendly festivals, etc.).
• Research the local market and create unique event ideas (e.g., agility courses, costume contests).
• Develop event packages with different levels of service and pricing.
• Build relationships with local vendors (caterers, photographers) and pet-friendly venues.
• Create a professional website and social media profiles for showcasing your services.
• Advertise locally and run targeted social media campaigns.

8. Start a Pet Photography Business

If you are a photographer or someone who is talented in capturing beautiful photos, consider starting a pet photography business on the side. This is definitely a growing niche and there are plenty of pet parents willing to pay to have their dogs photographed.

You will definitely need knowledge on editing, lighting, camera skills, and how to keep the pup behaved during the photoshoot. After some research, it looks like many pet photographers charge anywhere from $150-$300 per session.

If you are interested in learning more, I recommend checking out Nicole Begley’s Youtube channel here. She has some great videos on the pet photography business.

Sell your Dog’s Photos as Stock Images

• If you take pictures of your own dog or dog-related photos, consider selling some of your pictures as stock images. Many websites, bloggers, journalists, e-commerce shops use stock photos in their imagery. Of course, these need to be photos that you took and of your own dog. If you’re interest in selling your own photos, check out websites like Shutterstock or istock to get started.

9. Become a Certified Dog Trainer

Obviously becoming a trainer needs certification from a reputable organization. You can’t just jump into training people’s dogs out of the blue. Dog Training requires knowledge on dog psychology, body language, and behavior. You need plenty of hands-on experience working with dogs in order to become a dog trainer.

Aspiring Dog Trainers will need to take courses from reputable organizations such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) or the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).

You will need to obtain certification from recognized organizations like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

If becoming a dog trainer is something you are really interested in, check out this post from the AKC on how to become a certified dog trainer.

Side Hustles for Dog Moms Conclusion

I hope you found this list of side hustles for dog moms not only helpful but inspirational too. Most of us could use a little extra income in our lives, why not combine it with our love of dogs? There are so many great ways to make money as a dog lover. If you are interested in following along for more content, find us on IG @thedogdarling.