Wag is a US app that connects pet owners with walkers, sitters and trainers, best known for on-demand dog walks. Pet Caregivers set their own rates, keep 100% of tips and are paid weekly. The catch is the gap between what you charge and what the owner pays: Wag says owners pay roughly your rate multiplied by 1.67.
At a glance
| Type of work | Dog walking, drop-in visits, sitting, boarding and training |
| How you earn | The rate you set for each service, plus 100% of tips |
| Platform cut | Owners pay about 1.67 times your rate, before tips and fees |
| Cost to join | A non-refundable application fee |
| Payout | Weekly through Stripe: processed Wednesday, paid Friday |
| Requirements | 18+, authorized to work in the US, background check and pet safety quiz |
| Where it works | Across the US |
How Wag works for caregivers
You download the Wag Pet Caregiver app, create a profile, pay the application fee, pass a background check and complete a safety quiz on handling dogs. Once approved, you set your rates and availability, and owners can book you directly or request on-demand walks that go out to nearby caregivers.
Walks often involve a lockbox or key handoff, a GPS-tracked route and a short report card with photos for the owner at the end. Beyond walks, you can offer drop-in visits, overnight sitting, boarding at your home and, if qualified, training.
How caregivers get paid
You receive the rate you set for each service. Wag doesn’t publish a commission percentage, but its help center says pet owners pay roughly your set rate multiplied by 1.67, before tips, booking fees and taxes. In other words, about 40% of the owner’s base price goes to Wag, which is why Wag is often described as charging walkers a 40% cut.
Tips go to you in full. Payouts run through Stripe on a weekly cycle that covers Tuesday to Monday, processed on Wednesday and paid on Friday, with no fee for the standard payout.
A note on the company
Wag Group went through a pre-packaged Chapter 11 restructuring in mid-2025, which handed ownership to its main lender, and emerged in September 2025 as a private company. The app kept running throughout. It’s worth knowing when you decide how much of your income to build on one platform.
What it costs you
Beyond the application fee, your main costs are time and travel between walks. Bags, treats, a leash backup and comfortable shoes add up too. In the US you’re an independent contractor, so set money aside for taxes and track any mileage if you drive between clients.
Owen’s take
Wag is good at one thing: getting a brand-new walker their first bookings quickly, because on-demand requests go to whoever is nearby. That’s useful when you have no reviews. But the pricing means owners pay a lot more than you see, which pushes your rate down if you want to stay competitive. I’d use Wag to build experience and a few regular clients, and run Rover alongside it, where the cut is smaller once you have reviews.
Who it suits
It suits animal lovers in busy US cities who want flexible, short jobs and need help finding their first clients. It suits less well anyone outside dense areas, or anyone planning to build a long-term pet care business on one app.
Similar options
- Rover is the biggest alternative, with a lower sitter fee in the US.
- Care.com lists pet care alongside childcare and senior care jobs.
- TaskRabbit covers other local jobs if you want to mix work types.
More local options are in Gig Work, and US-only platforms are in USA.
Pros and cons
Pros
- On-demand requests help new walkers get started fast
- You set your rates and keep 100% of tips
- Weekly payouts with no standard payout fee
Cons
- Owners pay about 1.67 times your rate, so your effective cut is large
- Non-refundable application fee
- Company went through bankruptcy restructuring in 2025
FAQ
How much does Wag take from walkers?
Wag doesn’t publish a percentage. Its help center says owners pay roughly your set rate multiplied by 1.67, which works out to about 40% of the owner’s base price going to Wag. Tips are yours in full.
When does Wag pay caregivers?
Weekly through Stripe. The pay cycle runs Tuesday to Monday, payouts are processed Wednesday and paid Friday.
Is Wag still operating after its bankruptcy?
Yes. Wag completed a pre-packaged Chapter 11 restructuring in September 2025 and kept operating throughout, now under private ownership.
What do I need to become a Wag walker?
You need to be 18 or older and authorized to work in the US, pay the application fee, pass a background check and complete a pet safety quiz.
