How to Raise Your Pet Service Prices (Without Losing Good Clients)
The hardest money decision for solo pet service providers isn't setting your first rate—it's raising it. Many dog walkers, pet sitters, and mobile groomers wait too long, give too much notice, and explain themselves too much. Here is how to know when to raise your prices and how to do it in a way that keeps the right clients and lets go of the ones holding you back.
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The quick answer
You are underpaid if you book 80% or more of new pet sitting gigs or dog walking clients. You are also underpaid if your waitlist for daily walks or holiday care is longer than 4 weeks, or if clients never question your $25 daily walk or $70 overnight stay rate. Raise your prices every year at least. Give 60 days' notice to existing clients and offer one clear, short reason.
Side-by-side breakdown
A small bump: A 10-20% price increase each year. Time this with contract renewals for regular dog walking clients or the new calendar year. This causes the least trouble and helps keep your current client relationships strong. A $25 daily walk can become $30 over three years, adding up fast.
A big jump: A much larger price increase, like 50-100% higher. Often, you combine this with offering a new or better service. For example, moving from basic dog walks to specialized training walks, or from standard pet sitting to a premium service with daily video updates. You will lose some clients, usually the ones who take up a lot of your time but pay the least. This helps you focus on better clients who truly value what you offer.
When you should raise prices now
Raise your prices now if you book almost every pet sitting or dog walking request you get. Raise prices now if your schedule is full and you are turning down new clients. Do it if you have greatly improved your skills, like getting certified in pet first aid or investing in professional mobile grooming equipment. Raise prices if your costs have gone up a lot, such as fuel for your mobile groomer van, pet insurance rates, or the price of quality treats and waste bags. And raise them if you felt you charged too little when you first set your rates.
When to wait
Wait if you are doing a long house sit for a new client you need a good review from. Wait if you just started offering mobile grooming in a new neighborhood and need to build trust more than a higher rate. Also, wait if three or more potential dog walking clients in a row told you your $30 hourly rate was too high. In that case, raising prices might be the wrong move.
The verdict
Plan to raise your pet service prices every January. Set your new rates. For existing regular clients, like those on a daily dog walking plan, let them keep their old rate until their next contract renewal. All new clients should immediately get the new, higher rate. The extra money you earn adds up quickly, and you will almost always lose fewer clients than you think.
How to get started
Draft your price increase email now, even if you do not plan to send it yet. Having to clearly write why your new rates are justified often shows you if the increase makes sense and how to explain it. Then, test your new rates by sending them to your next three *new* pet sitting or dog walking requests, not your existing regular clients first.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
HoneyBook
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FreshBooks
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much notice should I give clients before a price increase?
60 days is the standard for ongoing retainer clients. 30 days for project-based clients. New pricing applies to all new proposals immediately — you do not need to notify prospects, only existing clients mid-engagement.
What do I say when a client says the new price is too high?
Say: 'I understand. My new rate reflects the scope and value we have been delivering together. If the new rate does not work, I am happy to help with a transition plan.' Do not negotiate unless you have a specific structural reason to. The clients who leave on a price increase are usually the ones taking the most of your time for the least margin.
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