Dog walking and pet sitting jobs across Switzerland
Swiss households own around half a million dogs and well over a million cats, and most of their owners work full time. Dog walking is the most repeated job on the platform — the same dog, the same time, several days a week — which makes it the easiest category to turn into steady weekly income.
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What the work looks like
These are the jobs clients ask for most often in this category.
Daily dog walks
A midday walk while the owner is at work — booked two to five times a week with the same dog. The most reliable recurring income in this category.
Cat visits
Feeding, litter tray, fresh water and a bit of company while the owner is away. Short visits, often twice a day, and the classic holiday booking.
Holiday and weekend care
Looking after a pet at the owner’s home or yours over a weekend or holiday. Booked weeks in advance and paid per day.
Puppy and senior visits
Extra visits for young dogs that cannot be alone all day, or older animals that need medication on time.
What you can earn
You set your own price and agree it directly with the client — Werkara takes no fee until the end of October 2026, then 9 %. The figures below are usual market rates in Switzerland, not a Werkara tariff.
| Job | Usual rate |
|---|---|
| Single dog walk (60 min) | CHF 25–35 |
| Cat visit (per visit) | CHF 20–30 |
| Day care at your home | CHF 45–70 / day |
| Overnight pet sitting | CHF 60–100 / night |
Guide values. Rates are higher in Zurich, Zug and Geneva than in rural regions, and higher for evening, weekend and short-notice work. Income from tasks is taxable — see our article on tax and AHV.
Who we are looking for
Genuinely comfortable with animals
Owners can tell in the first five minutes. Most bookings start with a meeting between you, them and the animal — treat it as the real interview.
Reliable at the same time every day
A dog waiting at 12:30 cannot be rescheduled. This category rewards routine more than any other, and reviews say so.
Insured and honest about limits
Say how many dogs you can handle at once and which sizes. Check that your liability insurance covers animals in your care.
How it works
From registration to your first paid task in three steps:
- Sign up free — Takes a few minutes on the website. No sign-up fee, no credit card.
- Create your profile — Say what you do, where you work and what you charge. Add photos and any certificates.
- Get tasks — Clients near you post tasks. You choose what fits, send your offer and agree the details directly.
Good to know before your first task
Occasional walking or sitting for a few animals is free of formalities. Pet care counts as commercial when it is regular, paid, advertised and involves more than five animals a day — then the cantonal veterinary office requires a permit, plus the specialist FBA training from six animals and a professional qualification from twenty. Several cantons also limit how many dogs one person may walk at once.
More detail: which work needs a permit in Switzerland · tax, AHV and insurance for freelancers. Werkara is a platform, not an authority — the binding answer always comes from the responsible cantonal office.
Frequently asked questions
How much do dog walkers earn in Switzerland?
You set your price and agree it with the owner. A one-hour dog walk is commonly CHF 25 to 35, a cat visit CHF 20 to 30, and overnight pet sitting CHF 60 to 100. Two regular midday dogs, five days a week, already add up to a meaningful monthly side income.
Do I need a permit to walk dogs?
Occasionally and for a few animals, normally not. It becomes commercial — and needs a cantonal veterinary permit — when it is regular, paid, advertised and covers more than five animals a day; from six animals the specialist FBA training is required. Some cantons also cap how many dogs you may walk at the same time.
Do I need training or experience with animals?
No formal training for small-scale walking and sitting. What owners look for is calm handling, references and a first meeting with the animal. If you have completed the FBA or a related course, upload it — it is a strong differentiator.
What if the animal is injured or gets ill?
Agree in advance who the vet is and who pays, and keep the owner’s number and the vet’s number with you. Check whether your liability insurance covers damage caused by, or to, animals in your care — many private policies exclude it.
Can I look after pets in my own flat?
Yes, if your tenancy allows animals and the owner agrees. Day care at your home is usually CHF 45 to 70 a day. Remember the five-animals-a-day threshold above which cantonal rules apply.
Other areas on Werkara
You can offer more than one — most taskers do.
Ready for your first task?
Sign up free, set up your profile and get tasks from clients near you — in Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Winterthur and Lugano, and everywhere in between.
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