Running a dog walking business comes with more costs than many people realise. The good news is that many of those costs can be claimed as business expenses, as long as they are wholly and exclusively for your work.
This guide covers 15 common expenses UK dog walkers can often claim, plus the record-keeping habits that make tax season much easier. For wider tax support, visit our accountant for dog walkers page.
What Makes an Expense Allowable?
HMRC generally allows expenses that are incurred wholly and exclusively for your business. If something is partly personal and partly business, you should only claim the business-use portion.
You can read HMRC's general guidance on expenses if you are self-employed.
15 Expenses Dog Walkers Can Often Claim
Insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Specialist pet business insurance
- Cover for dog injuries, damage or client claims
Leads and harnesses
- Leads, harnesses and collars used for client dogs
- Muzzles, safety clips and spare walking equipment
- Replacement kit used for business walks
Cleaning supplies
- Poo bags, wipes and disinfectant
- Towels, cleaning products and sanitising supplies
- Vehicle or crate cleaning products used for client dogs
Treats and enrichment
- Dog treats used during walks or visits
- Toys, puzzle feeders and enrichment items
- Items used for multiple client dogs rather than your own pets
Travel and mileage
- Business mileage using HMRC's approved rates
- Or a business percentage of actual vehicle costs
- Journeys to clients, parks, vets, groomers or business appointments
Parking and tolls
- Parking fees for business walks or visits
- Tolls and congestion charges for business journeys
- Keep receipts or app records where possible
Software and tools
- Booking and scheduling apps
- Accounting software and invoicing tools
- Mileage tracking apps
- Payment and client communication tools
Marketing
- Website hosting and domain names
- Facebook, Instagram and Google ads
- Printed flyers, business cards and branded materials
- Listing fees on local directories or pet platforms
Phone and internet
- Business-use proportion of mobile phone bills
- Business-use proportion of internet costs
- Calls, messages, social media, bookings and client updates
Home office
- Home working costs for admin, bookings and bookkeeping
- Simplified flat-rate method where eligible
- Or a reasonable business proportion of actual household costs
Training
- Dog first aid courses
- Behaviour, handling or safety training
- Business skills training that improves your existing business
Professional fees
- Accountancy and bookkeeping fees
- Professional memberships linked to your dog walking business
- Legal or compliance advice where relevant
Bank and payment fees
- Business bank account charges
- Card reader fees
- Stripe, SumUp, PayPal and payment processor charges
Clothing and PPE
- Specialist protective clothing in limited cases
- High-vis gear, waterproof over-trousers or steel-toe boots
- Everyday clothing is usually not allowable, even if worn for work
Accessories
- Secure key storage boxes
- GPS trackers used for business walks
- Portable water bowls
- Rucksacks, treat pouches and walking accessories
A Note on Mileage
Travel is one of the biggest costs for many dog walkers. You may be able to claim either business mileage using HMRC's simplified mileage rates or a business percentage of actual vehicle costs.
The right method depends on how you work and what records you keep. Read our dedicated guide: Can Dog Walkers Claim Mileage?
A Note on Home Office Costs
If you run the admin side of your business from home, you may be able to claim home working costs. This is often done using HMRC's simplified expenses method or a reasonable apportionment based on time and space.
GOV.UK explains the flat-rate method in its guide to simplified expenses for working from home.
Getting Expenses Right as a Dog Walker
The rules can be nuanced, especially when something has both personal and business use. A phone bill, vehicle, internet connection or item of clothing might be partly claimable, fully claimable or not claimable depending on the facts.
At Simplr Accounting, we help dog walkers across the UK stay on top of records and claim legitimate expenses while keeping things simple, compliant and tax-efficient.
If in doubt, ask before guessing. Clean records and sensible claims are much easier to defend than aggressive expenses with no evidence.
How to Keep Expense Records
HMRC explains record keeping in its guide to business records if you are self-employed.