If you love dogs more than humans, you aren’t alone! But did you know you could turn that love for dogs into your very own lucrative side hustle? There are a surprising number of pet side hustles that allow you to make money from your love of animals! Read on to find out about our top 5 doggy side hustles:
Dog walking
Being a dog walker is one of the easiest ways to make some extra money whilst doing something you love. The beauty of being a dog walker is that you can choose to work whenever and wherever you want.
Whilst there are no specific qualifications required to become a dog walker, having qualifications or experience in areas such as animal first aid, animal behaviour, or animal care, will help. Dog walking heavily relies on positive word of mouth as dog owners will have to trust you with their prized possession (their pooch!). Encourage people to leave reviews and tell their friends about your service.
Make your pooch a social media star
If you have your own dog, then this could be the perfect side hustle for you. Start by making your dog an Instagram account and think about what makes them stand out. Your phone is probably already filled with cute pictures of them so that will give you plenty of content to start with.
Once you build their profile you can reach out to brands to try and gain partnerships. Consistency and patience are key when building your Instagram stardom, but the rewards can be big if your content resonates with a wide audience. Some of our favourite influencers to take inspiration from are Rupert the Cockapoo, Gizmo the Chihuahua and Oscar the Pug.
Start a business selling pet products
Start with something simple like homemade treats or doggy bandanas. There are many online recipes and guides to help you get started. You don’t need to create a shiny new website to start selling; many small companies now use social media or sites such as Etsy to sell directly to their customers.
Do some research first by looking at what other pet businesses are selling and try to see if there are any gaps in the market. It is also worth considering the cost of materials so you can work out how much you need to make to break-even.
Become a dog photographer
Who doesn’t love taking pictures of their pooch? If you think you have an eye for photography, then why not combine it with your love for dogs? Start by creating an online page for your business where you can showcase your work.
Dogs aren’t always the best at sitting for photos so make sure you’re prepared to be flexible in your approach to taking photos. You may want to come prepared with some treats so that you can reward the dogs for their pawfect poses.
Dog washing
Many pet owners find bathing their dog stressful. By offering a dog washing service, you can really help minimise this stress whilst earning money at the same time. Do some research first into how to make the process as efficient as possible. Not all dogs are fans of the bath but there are many ways to make the experience more enjoyable for them. Giving them a waterproof toy such as a TastyBone will keep them occupied whilst you wash.
You could extend this approach by providing dog grooming services as well. There’s a little bit more to dog grooming than just washing, like clipping nails and trimming fur. You might need more materials and more experience but it can make you a lot of money in the long run!
Have you started a doggy side hustle? Connect with us on social media and share your stories!
