8 Best Pet Businesses to Start

This post about fun pet businesses to start contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support! Please also note that any prices, offers, and terms listed are subject to change at the discretion of the companies mentioned.

If you love pets and have marketable skills, there are several ways to channel this into a profitable business. While any of the following pet businesses can potentially generate extra income, several can become full-time ventures.

Note that if you plan to run your own business, there’s some standard stuff you’ll have to learn, like marketing, business taxes, and liability issues, for example. Moreover, some businesses may require you to be licensed, have special skills, and adhere to local regulations.

For those of you not keen on starting your own pet business, I’ve listed some ideas for finding remote pet jobs.

Table of Contents

Sell Pet Photos

If you’re good with a camera (and yes, you can use your phone to snap and sell pictures), consider selling your photos via microstock photography sites like Shutterstock or iStock.

Though earning potential varies greatly, the average income, per PhotoWorkout is $1 per download. (Microstock sites usually pay a commission when your photo sells.) So making decent money will depend on the number of photos you download and whether there’s a demand for them.

Manufacture Pet Products

Do you have a winning idea for the next best parrot toy, cat carrier, or dog swim vest? With an increasing number of ecommerce options, entrepreneurship has become more accessible than ever.

Everyday people are turning their ideas into successful small businesses. CatIsInTheBox.com, for example, is a company that makes whimsical cardboard cat condos in shapes like cheese wedges, milk containers, and beach houses; and K9 Sport Sack manufacturers unique dog carriers.

If you plan to sell on a smaller scale -directly to customers at trade shows or wholesale to local stores, for example- you can create your wares at home. Before starting on production, be sure there’s a market for your product.

Start a Pet Blog

If you like to write, are passionate about a topic, and work well independently, a pet blog might be a good fit. Once you’ve grown your readership, there are a number of ways to monetize your blog, including through affiliate marketing, ad networks, brand sponsorships, and sales of your own products. Bloggers report earnings all over the board. While some pet bloggers earn just a few bucks, others like Jessica Rhae report earning close to $11,000 in a month with her pet blog. Know that while it’s possible to make decent money with a blog and nobody should talk you out of your dream, a small percentage of bloggers earn a full-time income.

You’ll need a marketable niche that isn’t too broad or too specific. A few blogs that strike a good balance and can serve as inspiration are Fidose or Reality, The Broke Dog, and Incredibull Stella.

There are a gazillion books and workshops on how to start a blog. For pet specific advice, one book I’ve read and am confident in recommending is Pet Blogging for Love and Money (paid Amazon link)

Or consider writing content for companies and websites that focus on pets. Some examples include dog food companies, cat food companies, pet-themed news and information sites, and professional or association magazines.

One of the best ways to find good-paying writing jobs is to network with other writers, especially those who write within your niche. Consider joining writing organizations, as well as professional trade organizations (like those catering to veterinarians) to meet valuable contacts. Another effective way to find decent writing gigs is to send letters of interest editors and content managers at companies you’re interested in writing for.

Would you rather write freelance pet content for someone else? A few places to consider approaching include pet food companies, veterinary associations, and pet health sites. I recommend reading The Freelance Content Marketing Writer (paid Amazon link) for tips on how to find paying clients.

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!

Walk Dogs (Work for Yourself or Someone Else)

There are two basic ways to earn money with dog walking.

The easiest option is to work for a dog walking business like Wag! or Rover. With this model, someone else handles the business aspects, while you focus on walking pups. The earning potential is less limited if you start your own business, however it also means that the company’s finances, finding customers (which can be challenging in some areas with high competition), problem solving, insurance considerations, and website maintenance are all up to you.

Whichever option you choose, you should be reliable, responsible, and genuinely care about dogs. Having doggie first aid skills is a huge plus.

Watch Other People’s Pets

Pet sitting and boarding is not just for the dogs. Pet parents also want responsible and caring people looking after their cats, birds, and scaled family members. This is the type of job or business for someone who truly cares about animals and can handle a number of emergency situations that can arise.

Similar to dog walking, you can opt to work for a company (like Rover) or run your own business. One book to help you get started is Six-Figure Pet Sitting.

Services That Pair Well With a Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business

(Note that some of these require additional training and licensing.)

pet grooming
dog training
pet sitting
pet transport
licensed veterinary technician

Make & Sell Dog Treats

Pet parents spend billion of dollars on pet food and treats annually, per the American Pet Products Association.

If you can make a healthful, unique treat that pups go nuts for, and you relish the idea of spending your free time baking, this business might be for you. Potential customers could include farmers markets and local pet supply shops. Another variation of this business is to offer gift baskets filled with your dog treats and possibly toys and other goodies.

Before getting started with a pet bakery business, it’s essential to learn about the FDA‘s rules and regulations for pet food and treat manufacturers. Diva Dog Bakery offers a step-by-step online course about how to start your own dog treat business. You can check out her free training workshop before investing in her course. If you don’t want to invest in a full course, you might want to read a book like Pet Bakery Business Startup (paid Amazon link) for guidance.

Create an Online Pet Course

Are you an expert on the art and science of dog massage, or do you have a gift for teaching others how to promote their own pet businesses? Creating an online course can be a way to make extra cash, share your knowledge, and even market your business.

You can sell your course through your own website -like Diva Dog Bakery does- or create a course and sell it through platforms like Udemy and Kajabi.

Find Pet Jobs

Would you rather work for someone else? A job at your local animal shelter is always a great option, but there’s no need to limit yourself. Larger rescue organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and ASPCA sometimes have remote pet jobs in a variety of disciplines. Also check out The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement for a regularly-updated listing of animal rescue jobs and careers around the country.

If you search online for pet jobs, a few suggested terms to try are

jobs with dogs
dog care jobs
animal rescue careers
animal rescue jobs
pet jobs

Creating something to be proud of takes time, especially so if you run your own business. If you’re passionate about animals and are willing to be patient and put in the work, earning extra cash (or even a full-time living) is possible.

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!