Adding a Cleaning Service to Your Dog Walking Business
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Apr 5, 2025
- 5 min read
Adding a Cleaning Service to Your Dog Walking Business
Many dog walking clients value a clean and organised home as much as they value reliable care for their pets. Adding a pet-focused cleaning service to your business is a natural extension that can boost your income, provide extra value to clients, and fill quieter periods when walks are slower.
This service can include tasks like vacuuming pet hair, cleaning bedding, sanitising litter trays, wiping floors, or general tidying related to pets. By offering cleaning alongside dog walking, you position yourself as a full-service pet care professional.
Why It Fits
Complements Existing Services Dog walking often brings up small cleaning needs—muddy paw prints, shedding, or litter mess. Offering a cleaning service solves a real problem for clients and strengthens your service offering.
Increases Revenue During Quiet Periods Dog walking can fluctuate seasonally. Cleaning services provide a way to earn income even when walks are fewer, especially during holidays or quieter weekdays.
Enhances Client Loyalty Clients appreciate businesses that make life easier. A cleaning service builds trust and shows that you care about their pets and their home.
Positions You as a Professional Offering extra services demonstrates professionalism and versatility, making your business stand out from competitors who only walk dogs.
How to Set Up the Service
Define the Scope of Cleaning
Decide exactly what is included:
Vacuuming or sweeping pet hair
Cleaning bedding and blankets
Wiping down food and water bowls
Sanitising litter trays or cages
Spot cleaning floors or furniture
Clearly state what you do and don’t include to manage expectations.
Pricing Your Service
Research local rates for pet-related cleaning services.
Consider time required, frequency, and level of difficulty.
Offer bundled packages with dog walking or one-off sessions for deep cleaning.
Equipment & Supplies
Decide if you will bring your own cleaning supplies or use the client’s.
Keep pet-safe cleaners, microfiber cloths, and portable vacuums handy.
Scheduling & Logistics
Combine cleaning visits with dog walks to make travel more efficient.
Avoid overbooking—maintain high-quality service for both cleaning and walks.
Advertising Your Service
Update Your Website & Social Media
Highlight the new cleaning service under “Services.”
Include clear descriptions of what’s included, pricing, and benefits.
Use before-and-after photos to demonstrate your work.
Email or Text Campaigns
Notify existing clients that you now offer cleaning services.
Offer introductory discounts or package deals combining walks and cleaning.
Word of Mouth
Encourage satisfied clients to refer friends or neighbours.
Ask clients to leave reviews mentioning the cleaning service.
Flyers & Local Promotion
Post in community centres, pet shops, or veterinary practices.
Emphasise convenience, pet safety, and professionalism.
Tips for Success
Stay Pet-Safe: Only use cleaning products that are safe for animals.
Be Consistent: Maintain the same high standard as your dog walking service.
Offer Packages: Combine walks, cat sitting, and cleaning into one value offer.
Track Time & Tasks: Use a checklist to ensure nothing is missed.
Warnings & Considerations
Insurance: Make sure your business insurance covers cleaning or damage liability.
Boundaries: Stick to tasks you’re confident and qualified to do—avoid deep household cleaning or repairs.
Client Expectations: Be explicit about what is included to avoid misunderstandings.
Time Management: Don’t overcommit. Quality of service must come first.
Health & Safety: Use gloves, masks, or protective equipment if needed, and consider allergies or sensitivities.
Adding a cleaning service is a smart way to diversify your dog walking business, provide extra value to clients, and generate additional revenue. With clear boundaries, professional standards, and strategic marketing, it can become a profitable and appreciated extension of your services.
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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