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Dog Walking Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Christian Perdomo Christian Perdomo New York, United States Last Updated: August 2024 NAICS OD4350

Revenue

$1.7bn

2024

$1.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

58,493

Businesses

30,035

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Dog Walking Services in the US industry analysis

With more than 189.0 million pets occupying the homes of over two-thirds of US households, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Americans own more pets today than at any other time. Pet owners are also spending record amounts on their companions. According to APPA's 2023 State of the Industry Report, pet owners spent over $136.8 billion on pet-related goods and services including dog walking and pet sitting services. Growing pet ownership and greater spending on pet care provisions lead revenue to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% to $1.7 billion over the last few years, including an estimated loss of 0.4% in 2024.

Trends and Insights

  • Low barriers of entry enable new entrants into dog walking services. Minimal required training and new technology make it easy for new businesses to establish themselves in a small market.
  • Busy professionals in urban areas are key clients for dog walkers. These pet owners hire dog walkers for short walks or extended care during travel. Pet owners also hire dog sitters to provide extended-term care for their dogs when they travel for leisure or business.
  • Most businesses focus on local markets, catering to dog owners in a given town, city or neighborhood. The spread of dog walkers closely mirrors the spread of the population in the United States.
  • Local markets are oversaturated and face intense competition. Professional dog walkers respond by providing high-quality service and having insured and bonded dog walkers, which increases credibility and allows them to charge higher prices.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Low barriers of entry fueled expansion

  • Minimal start-up costs and training requirements make it easy for individuals to become dog walkers, contributing to revenue growth.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Dog Walking Services in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Dog walking services will continue to be a necessity

  • An improving domestic job market and increased working hours will drive demand for dog walking and pet sitting services, supporting industry revenue growth.

Biggest companies in the Dog Walking Services in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($short_0)
2023
Profit ($short_0)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Dog Walking Services in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Dog Walking Services in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Walks 30 minutes or less, Walks longer than 30 minutes and Dog sitting. Walks 30 minutes or less is the largest segment of the Dog Walking Services in the US.

Trends and Insights

The flagship service of dog walkers is walks 30 minutes or less

  • Dog owners hire walkers to take their dogs on walks daily or several times a week for the animal to exercise and use the bathroom during day or night hours.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Businesses include establishments that provide dog walking services. Pet sitters, who commonly visit pet owners' homes to care for dogs and cats, are also included in this industry. The industry doesn't include companies that primarily offer pet grooming, training, boarding or other pet services, which are accounted for in the Pet Grooming and Boarding industry.

What's included in this industry?

Dog walkingPet sittingDog transportation services

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BONDEDCOUPLERPET TAXIGPS TRACKING COLLAR

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 81291 - Dog Walking Services in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Low barriers of entry enable new entrants into dog walking services. Minimal required training and new technology make it easy for new businesses to establish themselves in a...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Busy professionals in urban areas are key clients for dog walkers. These pet owners hire dog walkers for short walks or extended care during travel. Pet owners also hire dog ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Most businesses focus on local markets, catering to dog owners in a given town, city or neighborhood. The spread of dog walkers closely mirrors the spread of the population i...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Local markets are oversaturated and face intense competition. Professional dog walkers respond by providing high-quality service and having insured and bonded dog walkers, wh...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Fetch!. Pet Care Inc. has grown to over 110 franchise locations in over 33 states, serving over 1,500 cities and towns. The company estimates that over 3,000 dog sitters work...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Regulation has been historically nonexistent but is rising. In recent years, however, some municipalities have implemented legislation requiring dog walkers to obtain permits...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    The cost structure for dog-walking businesses varies widely depending on their size, location and scale of operations. Companies commonly operate from a home office, signific...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States is $1.7bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 30,035 businesses in the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 5.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Dog Walking Services in the US in United States include?

    Dog walking and Pet sitting are part of the Dog Walking Services in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is high and steady in the Dog Walking Services in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen you competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Pet Grooming & Boarding in the US

    Complementors

    • Animal Food Production in the US
    • Pet Stores in the US
    • Veterinary Services in the US

    International industries

    • Pet Grooming & Boarding in Canada
    • Pets and Pet Supplies Retailers in Australia
    • Pets & Pet Supplies Retailers in the UK

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

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    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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