Calculate How Much Wag! Takes
Find out how much you're really paying in fees
How Much Does Wag! Take in Fees?
Wag takes a 40% commission from pet care providers and charges clients a $2.99 booking fee (or $14.99 for sitting/boarding) per service. That means if you charge $50 for a walk, Wag takes $20, and your client pays $52.99 total. You walk away with just $30, before taxes or tips.
These fees add up fast. Whether you’re walking dogs part-time or running a full-time pet care business, it’s important to know exactly what you're keeping and what Wag is taking.
How to Avoid Wag! Fees
Wag helps you find clients, but the 40% cut can be painful, especially if you're doing most of the work to keep those clients coming back. Here are a few ways pet care providers try to reduce the impact of Wag's fees:
1. Move Repeat Clients Off the App
If a client loves you and wants to rebook, consider offering them the option to book with you directly. This way, you keep the full amount instead of losing 40% to Wag. Many sitters switch to text, Venmo, or private bookings after the first meet-and-greet.
⚠️ Keep in mind: While it's not illegal to work with clients off-platform, it does break Wag’s Terms of Service. Messaging about it through the app could lead to suspension or removal. Be thoughtful and build trust first.
2. Raise Your Rates to Offset Wag’s Cut
To earn $50 after Wag’s 40% commission, you’d need to charge around $84. That might not be realistic in your area, but a small price bump can help make up for the fees.
Clients expect some fees with app-based services, and most won’t blink at a few extra bucks, especially if they love your work.
3. Offer Extras That Wag Doesn’t Take a Cut From
Tips go 100% to you, and you can upsell services like training, grooming, or extra time. These can boost your income without adding more bookings, and without giving Wag a bigger slice.
4. Explore Off-App Business Tools
Many seasoned pet care pros start on Wag, then move to managing their own clients. Tools like Scritches help you run your pet-sitting business without giving up 40% of every booking. You keep control, build client loyalty, and get paid directly, without the middleman.
Going off Wag!
Not everyone is ready to leave Wag! immediately, and that's fine. But it's helpful to know when the transition typically happens:
You're ready when:
You have 10+ repeat clients who trust you
Your calendar is consistently full
You're losing significant income to fees ($500+ per month)
Clients ask about booking directly
You're thinking long-term about your business
You might want to stay on Rover if:
You're brand new and need the visibility
You only pet-sit occasionally as side income
You don't want to handle bookings and payments yourself
The convenience is worth the 20% fee
The decision isn't all-or-nothing. Many providers keep a Wag! profile while building their independent business, using the platform for new client leads while managing established relationships directly.
What You Need to Book Clients Independently
If you decide to transition off Wag (fully or partially), you'll need systems to replace what the platform provides:
Essential business operations:
Online booking system so clients can request services
Scheduling calendar to manage your availability
Invoicing and payment processing
Client and pet information management
Service agreements and intake forms
Visit reports and photo sharing
Wag handles all of this, which is why they charge 40%. But when you're losing hundreds of dollars per month in fees, investing in your own systems makes financial sense.
This is where Scritches comes in. We built software specifically for pet sitters and dog walkers who want to run independent businesses without platform commissions.
How Scritches Helps You Keep 100% of Your Earnings
Scritches provides everything you need to manage bookings independently:
Online booking - Clients can see your services, pricing, and availability, then request care without you losing 40%
Invoicing and payments - Automatically create invoices from bookings and accept payments (you keep 100% minus standard payment processing)
Client & pet CRM - Store all client details, pet care notes, emergency contacts, and service history in one place
Pet report cards - Send professional visit updates with photos and notes, just like Rover
Digital agreements - Collect signed service agreements at booking
The software is designed around how pet sitters actually work, without forcing you into rigid enterprise workflows. You can start with one client and scale as you grow.
Cost comparison:
Wag: 40% of every booking forever ($800/month on $2,000 in bookings)
Scritches: Flat monthly fee, keep 100% of your earnings
Most providers break even after their first few independent bookings, then save hundreds per month after that.
Related Tools & Resources
Rover Fee Calculator - See how Rover's 20% commission compares to Wag!
Pet Sitting Rates Guide - How to price your services independently
How to Start a Pet Sitting Business - Complete guide for going independent
Join 200+ petpreneurs already growing their business
