Adding a Cat Sitting Service to Your Dog Walking Business
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- May 31, 2025
- 5 min read
Adding a Cat Sitting Service to Your Dog Walking Business
Running a dog walking business is rewarding, but there are often quiet periods—particularly during holidays or seasonal lulls. One of the smartest ways to fill your schedule, increase your income, and offer more value to your clients is by adding a cat sitting service.
Cat sitting is a natural complement to dog walking. Many dog owners also have cats, and cat owners often need reliable care while away. Offering this service keeps your business busy even when dog walks are quiet and positions you as a versatile pet care professional.
Why It Helps Your Business
Smooths Out Downtime Dog walks can fluctuate week to week, especially during holiday periods. Cat sitting offers an alternative service to keep revenue flowing during quieter times.
Attracts New Clients Many clients start with one service. Offering cat sitting can open the door to dog walking clients, and vice versa. It’s an easy way to expand your customer base.
Diversifies Your Income Relying on just dog walking can leave you vulnerable to seasonal dips. Cat sitting adds another revenue stream that balances the business and reduces financial risk.
Strengthens Client Relationships Clients appreciate businesses that can cover multiple needs. Providing cat sitting alongside dog walking demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and versatility, increasing client loyalty.
How to Offer Cat Sitting Services
Decide on the Service Type
In-home visits: Check in on the cat, feed, refresh water, clean litter trays, play, and provide companionship.
Overnight stays: Stay in the client’s home overnight, offering comfort and supervision. This can command a premium rate.
Set Clear Pricing
Research local rates for cat sitting and consider your experience and the services included.
Factor in travel time, frequency of visits, and any special care instructions.
Develop a Checklist for Each Visit Include feeding schedule, litter box maintenance, medication administration (if applicable), playtime, and any notes on behaviour. This ensures consistency and professionalism.
Communicate Clearly with Clients
Discuss expectations, boundaries, and emergency procedures before accepting the booking.
Obtain written instructions and any necessary emergency contacts.
Consider Insurance and Liability Check that your business insurance covers cat sitting. If not, update your policy to protect yourself and your clients’ pets.
Tips for Success
Familiarise Yourself with Cats’ Needs: Cats are different from dogs—they may be shy, territorial, or sensitive to new people. Learn how to read body language and respect their space.
Start Small: Begin with a few cat clients to gain experience before scaling up.
Use Cat-Specific Equipment: Collapsible litter trays, separate feeding bowls, and toys make visits efficient and professional.
Track Visits and Notes: Keep a log for each cat detailing feeding, behaviour, and any observations. Clients appreciate updates—they build trust and credibility.
Warnings & Considerations
Allergies: Ensure you’re aware of any allergies among staff or yourself before committing.
Multiple Pets: Be careful when cats are sharing a household with dogs; introductions must be handled cautiously.
Health Issues: Cats may have medical needs. Only accept responsibilities you are confident handling safely.
Boundaries: Do not overcommit. If you are juggling dog walks and cat visits, make sure you can maintain quality for both services.
Legal & Insurance: Confirm insurance, contracts, and permissions are in place to protect both your business and the pets in your care.
Adding a cat sitting service is a simple, profitable way to diversify your business and keep revenue steady during quieter periods. By treating it with the same professionalism as your dog walking service, you can expand your client base, strengthen relationships, and make your business more resilient year-round.
A note on business and professionalism
This guide assumes one thing: you are running a business, not a hobby.
Pet care is more than a passion—it’s your livelihood, and it deserves the same professionalism, planning, and respect as any other business. Treating it like “just a job for fun” won’t get you the results or freedom you want.
You are allowed to:
Charge enough to make your business sustainable
Set and enforce clear boundaries with clients
Expect respect from clients, peers, and the wider pet care industry
Take your work seriously, even when others don’t
Build a business that supports you, not just every pet and client
Professional success starts with self-respect—and pet care businesses built on self-respect thrive for the long term.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. Before building my own dog walking company, I worked as a dog trainer and held corporate roles at Pizza Hut’s Head Office in London and at PricewaterhouseCoopers, based at Embankment Place. Business, structure, and people management have been part of my life for a very long time.
With full time, hands-on experience in the dog industry since 2007, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is intended to support pet care professionals in understanding common legal considerations when operating a dog walking or pet care business in the UK.
This content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor or legal professional. Laws, regulations and local authority requirements may change over time and can vary depending on location and individual circumstances.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.
By using this website, you acknowledge that:
✓ You are responsible for ensuring your own business complies with all relevant UK laws and local authority rules
✓ You should seek professional legal advice before drafting, using or relying on any contract or legal document
✓ The website owner accepts no liability for loss, damage or legal issues arising from the use of this information
If you are unsure about any legal obligations, contractual terms or liabilities, it is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor experienced in small business or consumer law.
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