Introduction
Finding a reliable Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in London can be surprisingly hard: busy work schedules, long commutes, flat living, and limited outdoor space all mean many owners need dependable help for daily walks, drop-ins, and pet care.
This guide explains what to look for, what you should expect to pay, and which providers are best suited to different needs (from last-minute cover to ongoing weekly care).
The list below is based on publicly available information (when clearly stated) including service scope, transparency around how bookings work, and review/verification signals. Where specific details are not publicly stated, they’re marked accordingly rather than guessed.
About Dog Walker / Pet Sitter
A Dog Walker / Pet Sitter supports pet owners by providing structured walks, in-home visits, feeding routines, basic companionship, and (in some cases) overnight stays. In London, they’re commonly used to cover office days, travel, mobility issues, reactive dogs needing consistent handling, and puppies that can’t be left alone for long periods.
Typical services include scheduled dog walks (solo or group), puppy visits, medication reminders (if offered), litter tray changes, and holiday cover. Many providers also offer “meet and greet” sessions to confirm routines and temperament before the first booking.
Average cost in London: varies by area, timing, and whether the service is solo or group. As a general market guide, many owners see:
- Dog walking: roughly £12–£25 per walk (often 30–60 minutes, varies / depends)
- Drop-in visits: roughly £12–£25 per visit (varies / depends)
- Overnight pet sitting: often £40–£90+ per night (varies / depends)
Licensing / certifications (London / England): There is no single “dog walker licence” requirement in London. However, certain activities can require a local council licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, such as:
- Boarding in a home (home boarding)
- Doggy day care
- Boarding kennels/catteries
Pet sitting that stays in your home usually does not fall under boarding licensing, but details can vary by arrangement—confirm directly with the provider and check your borough council guidance if needed. Many owners also look for proof of public liability insurance, pet first aid training, and clear emergency procedures (these are common trust signals but not universally required).
Key takeaways
- A Dog Walker / Pet Sitter helps with walks, visits, routines, and holiday cover.
- In London, pricing varies significantly by postcode, duration, and 1:1 vs group care.
- Licensing may apply for home boarding/day care; ask for clarity before booking.
- Insurance, references, and a meet-and-greet are practical trust checkpoints.
How We Selected the Best Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in London
We assessed providers using criteria that matter for real-world bookings and safety:
- Years of experience (when publicly stated)
- Verified customer review signals (publicly available only; otherwise noted)
- Service range (walks, drop-ins, sitting, boarding/day care where applicable)
- Pricing transparency (clear explanation of how prices are set and paid)
- Local reputation (brand presence, consistency, and clarity of policies)
Only information that is publicly available and confidently attributable to the provider is included. If a phone number, email, rating, or review summary isn’t clearly published or consistent, it’s listed as Not publicly stated rather than estimated.
About London
London is a dense, fast-paced city with a high concentration of professionals, renters, and multi-pet households—conditions that drive steady demand for dependable Dog Walker / Pet Sitter support throughout the week.
Service demand is typically strongest in areas with high dog ownership and access to parks, plus neighbourhoods with heavy commuter patterns. Commonly served areas include (varies by provider coverage and sitter availability): Islington, Hackney, Camden, Clapham, Battersea, Fulham, Hammersmith, Greenwich, Richmond, Wimbledon, and Canary Wharf.
Because London is made up of many boroughs with different park rules, travel times, and housing types, most pricing and availability is postcode-dependent.
Top 5 Best Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in London
#1 — Rover
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Dog walking, drop-in visits, house sitting, dog boarding, doggy day care (availability varies by sitter and postcode)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (set by individual sitters)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.rover.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Choice and availability (broad marketplace of local sitters)
#2 — BorrowMyDoggy
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Dog walking and dog sitting arrangements between owners and local borrowers (model and availability vary by member and area)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (membership model; arrangement terms vary)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Community-based support (owners seeking a more social/shared-care approach)
#3 — Tailster
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Dog walking, drop-ins, pet sitting, and other pet care services (varies by provider profile and postcode)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (set by individual carers)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://tailster.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Comparing options (owners who want multiple quotes/choices in one place)
#4 — We Love Pets
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Pet sitting and dog walking (services may vary by local branch and coverage area)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (branch-based pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.welovepets.co.uk/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Ongoing routine care (owners who prefer a structured company/branch model)
#5 — Petpals
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Pet sitting and dog walking (services vary by local franchise coverage)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (franchise-based pricing)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.petpals.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Local, repeatable support (owners wanting a consistent local operator where available)
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rover | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Choice and availability |
| BorrowMyDoggy | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Community-based support |
| Tailster | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Comparing options |
| We Love Pets | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Ongoing routine care |
| Petpals | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Local, repeatable support |
Cost of Hiring a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in London
London pricing varies by borough, parking/travel time, and whether your pet needs 1:1 handling. As a broad guide, many owners encounter £12–£25 for a walk or drop-in, with higher costs for longer sessions, solo handling, multiple pets, or complex routines (all varies / depends).
Emergency and short-notice bookings (same-day, late-night, holiday periods) often cost more. Some providers charge a premium for key pickup/drop-off, extended travel, or add-on tasks.
What typically affects your final cost:
- Duration (30 vs 60+ minutes) and frequency (one-off vs weekly schedule)
- Solo vs group walk (solo is usually higher)
- Location (Zone 1–2 vs outer boroughs; travel and parking time)
- Pet needs (puppy routines, reactive dogs, medication, mobility issues)
- Time/day (peak commute hours, weekends, bank holidays)
- Number of pets (multi-dog households may be priced differently)
For best value, many London owners book a consistent weekly slot and confirm clear cancellation terms upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter cost in London?
Most owners see pricing that varies by postcode and service type. A common range is £12–£25 for a walk or drop-in, with overnight sitting often higher. Exact pricing depends on duration, timing, and whether care is 1:1.
How to choose the best Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in London?
Prioritise a meet-and-greet, ask about insurance, emergency procedures, and how keys are handled. Choose someone who can explain their routine clearly and who’s comfortable with your dog’s temperament and local walking routes.
Are licenses required in London?
There’s no single licence just for dog walking. However, home boarding and doggy day care can require a local council licence under England’s animal activity licensing rules. If a provider offers boarding/day care, ask what licensing applies to their setup.
What questions should I ask before booking?
Ask about walk length, solo vs group walks, how many dogs are walked at once, recall/lead policy, handling of reactive dogs, and what happens if they’re delayed. Confirm fees, cancellation terms, and what updates you’ll receive (photos, notes, timing).
Who offers 24/7 service in London?
Varies / depends. Some marketplaces and local operators may have sitters available outside normal hours, but availability is not guaranteed. If you need late-night or emergency cover, message multiple providers and confirm response times before relying on it.
Is a meet-and-greet necessary?
In London, it’s strongly recommended. It helps confirm your pet’s behaviour, entry instructions for flats, lift/stair access, and the safest nearby walking routes. It also gives you a chance to agree expectations for updates and timing.
Should I choose a solo walk or a group walk?
Solo walks suit puppies, seniors, reactive dogs, or dogs in training. Group walks can work well for social dogs and may be better value. Confirm group size, supervision approach, and whether dogs are matched by size/temperament.
What should be included in a pet sitting agreement?
At minimum: dates/times, services included (walks, feeds, meds), price and payment method, cancellation terms, emergency vet details, and key handling. If your building has concierge or access rules, include those too.
How do I know if a sitter is insured?
Ask directly and request proof (policy details or confirmation). If it’s a platform booking, read how protection/guarantees work and what is or isn’t covered—terms vary and are not always the same as personal insurance.
Final Recommendation
If you want the widest choice of available Dog Walker / Pet Sitter options across London (including potential short-notice bookings), a large marketplace like Rover can be practical—just be thorough with profile checks and meet-and-greets.
If you prefer a community-based arrangement and like the idea of shared care, BorrowMyDoggy may suit you, but you’ll need to confirm expectations carefully since arrangements can differ between members.
If you want to compare multiple local carers and choose based on profiles and availability, Tailster is typically used for that purpose. For owners who prefer a structured local operator model (where available by postcode), We Love Pets or Petpals may be a better fit—confirm the local branch/franchise coverage, processes, and any licensing needs if boarding is involved.
Get Your Business Listed
If you’re a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in London and want your details added or updated, email contact@professnow.com or registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.