If you’re a dog lover looking to earn some extra cash, new data reveals that your passion for pets could be more profitable than you think – depending on where you live.
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From belly rubs to big bucks, looking after someone else’s four-legged friend is no longer just a favour – it’s fast becoming a booming business. In fact, in some of the UK’s biggest cities, dog sitting is now one of the most in-demand side hustles for people seeking flexible income streams.
A new study by OddsMonkey has ranked the most profitable cities in the UK for dog boarding, using average overnight rates from Rover.com – one of the country’s leading pet care platforms. Their research team manually reviewed listings from at least 20 dog sitters in each of the ten most populous UK cities, as identified by Statista.
Rates were gathered in June 2025 and reflect the average nightly boarding fees across different neighbourhoods, experience levels, and service offerings. By calculating the mean rate per city, the team created a reliable snapshot of the UK’s top-earning areas for dog sitters.
The Top Dogs of Dog Sitting
It’s little surprise that London leads the pack, with sitters in the Capital charging an average of £41 per night. With its dense population and high concentration of pet owners heading off for business or holidays, the demand in London shows no signs of slowing down.
Close behind are Belfast and Southampton, where pet lovers can expect to earn £30.85 and £30.80 per night, respectively. With staycations and international travel increasing over the summer months, the need for pet-sitting services continues to grow.
Further north, Leeds (£29.50) and Manchester (£27.45) remain strong contenders, while Bristol, Newcastle, and Glasgow all hover just above the £26 mark.
At the lower end of the scale, Birmingham (£26.25) and Liverpool (£26.10) still offer respectable returns for dog sitters – proof that even in more affordable cities, this side gig can yield reliable income.
| City | Average Boarding Rate (Per Night) |
| London | £41.00 |
| Belfast | £30.85 |
| Southampton | £30.80 |
| Leeds | £29.50 |
| Manchester | £27.45 |
| Bristol | £27.20 |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | £27.10 |
| Glasgow | £26.30 |
| Birmingham | £26.25 |
| Liverpool | £26.10 |
A Flexible Favourite
“Dog sitting is fun, flexible, and profitable if you are in the right city,” said a spokesperson from OddsMonkey. “With the cost of living at an all-time high, these flexible side incomes are more important now than ever.”
The insights were backed by a consistent methodology: OddsMonkey selected the UK’s ten most populous cities based on Statista’s 2023 “Largest Urban Agglomerations” report. From there, they compared average nightly boarding fees on Rover by manually collecting and averaging the rates of at least 20 sitters per city. While individual prices varied based on services, experience, and neighbourhood, the averages present a clear picture of where dog sitting offers the best return.
Thanks to platforms like Rover, turning your spare time – and spare room – into a money-maker has never been easier. Whether it’s a weekend gig or a full summer hustle, the blend of flexibility and demand makes dog sitting an ideal option for pet lovers with entrepreneurial spirit.
More Than Just a Walk in the Park
Beyond the cashflow, dog sitting brings its own emotional rewards. For those who can’t commit to pet ownership full-time, it’s a way to enjoy the company of dogs without long-term responsibility. And for owners, knowing their pet is in a comfortable home environment instead of a kennel adds peace of mind.
As more people look to supplement their income through remote and local gigs, dog sitting is proving itself to be a surprisingly lucrative and enjoyable way to earn.
So whether you’re in London setting premium rates or offering competitive care in Liverpool, this wholesome side hustle shows that the best opportunities sometimes come with wagging tails.
