Between Rover bookings, direct clients found through word of mouth, and the constant driving between pick-ups, a busy dog walking or pet sitting round has a lot of moving parts. Here's how they all fit together for MTD, and the one insurance detail that's easy to get wrong.
Since January 2024, platforms including Rover must report what they've paid their walkers and sitters to HMRC each year. Clients you find directly, through word of mouth or your own marketing, aren't reported by anyone but you, which makes your own digital records the only source of truth for that part of your income.
Standard public liability insurance protects against injury to people or damage to property, but it typically doesn't cover an animal in your care being injured, escaping, or falling ill. For that, you need Care, Custody & Control (CCC) cover, a specific extension aimed at pet professionals, and it's a fully allowable business expense.
| Expense | Typically allowable? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage between pick-ups and walks | Yes | 45p/mile first 10,000 miles, 25p after |
| CCC pet care insurance | Yes | Different from standard public liability |
| Leads, harnesses, poo bags | Yes | Equipment used for client animals |
| Rover platform commission | Yes | Deduct the fee, declare the gross amount |
| Your own dog's food and vet bills | No | Personal pet costs, even if it joins walks |
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Yes. Since January 2024, UK platforms including Rover must report your earnings to HMRC annually under OECD digital platform reporting rules. This applies alongside any direct clients you have outside the platform, which you still need to declare yourself.
Yes. Platform bookings and clients you find directly are normally the same self-employment dog walking or pet sitting business, so all the income is added together as one gross figure against the MTD threshold.
Standard public liability insurance usually isn't enough. Dog walkers and pet sitters typically need Care, Custody & Control (CCC) cover, which pays out if an animal in your care is injured or causes damage. This is normally a fully allowable business expense.
Yes. Mileage between pick-ups, walking locations, and drop-offs is normally the single biggest allowable expense for dog walkers, claimed at 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year, then 25p per mile after that.
No. Your own pet's food, toys, and vet bills aren't a business expense, even if your dog regularly joins you on client walks. Only costs specifically incurred for client animals are allowable.