When tipping pet care providers like boarders, trainers, and sitters, the rules aren’t always very straightforward. They can also change based on where you’re located and where you’re getting the service, such as a private business vs. a chain store.

Generally, you should tip independent individuals that provide a service for your dog. For instance, you should provide a tip for private pet groomers. Dog walkers and sitters also fall into that category. However, those who work for a larger business often don’t get tipped (and they may not even be allowed to accept tips). Veterinary staff don’t get tipped, for instance.

That said, it can be a bit more complicated than this. What about a pet groomer at a private business vs. a pet groomer at a chain store? We’ll explore all of these differences below.

Who Gets Tipped?

You should generally tip all independent individuals that spend a lot of time on your dog in particular. For instance, dog walkers and sitters spend quite a bit of time caring for your specific dog.

Plus, even if they are technically working for a larger company, dog walkers and sitters work mostly independently. Therefore, they should be tipped due to the large amount of time they spend on your dog. 10–15% is often good. You should tip them similarly to a waiter or anyone else who provides a service.

Groomers are similar to hairstylists. Therefore, you should also tip them. However, at larger chain stores, groomers often don’t work as independently and may not be allowed to take tips. Independent groomers are different, of course, as they typically work alone or with very few other groomers. Tipping 10–15% of the total bill is recommended.

Daycare staff should also be tipped. It can depend on the daycare setup, though. If your dog is assigned to one individual, it is a good idea to tip that particular caregiver. However, if the space is watched by several different people, it often makes less sense to tip them.

You can also tip less for daycare staff, as they often spread their attention more thinly to all the dogs. Around $5 is a good option, though you can raise this if one individual is paying particularly close attention to your canine.

Who Doesn’t Get Tipped?

You should always tip when you feel like someone has gone above and beyond for your dog. However, there are some pet care providers that aren’t usually tipped.

Vets and vet techs usually aren’t tipped. These professionals aren’t service providers in the same way a waiter is. Several vets and vet techs will likely come into contact with your dog during a vet visit, so tipping one individual often doesn’t make sense. Just like you don’t tip your doctor, you don’t need to tip your dog’s doctor, either.

Trainers usually don’t need to be tipped, either. They often set their own packages and fees, and most don’t expect tips. Therefore, you typically don’t need to give them extra money. That said if your trainer goes above and beyond your expectations, you may want to provide a tip.

A positive online review is often worth a lot for an independent dog trainer, too.

Pet boarders don’t require tipping, either. In most cases, your dog will receive attention from several different individuals as their shifts change. The person you pick your dog up from may not be the person that your dog spent much of their time with. You may not know who to tip even if you want to.

Exceptions

Of course, each of the generalized suggestions above has exceptions you should consider. For instance, any time a service provider goes above and beyond, you may want to consider tipping. Extra walks or dealing with unexpected situations often require a tip. If you rushed your dog to the vet at the last minute and they didn’t charge you extra, you may want to tip those who stayed past closing time to care for your pooch.

Extra walks, playtime, and attention may all warrant extra tips.

A particularly experienced individual may also require a bigger tip than someone who is less experienced. If your dog sitter has been watching your dog for years, they may deserve a bigger tip than a new dog sitter. You aren’t just tipping for that particular walk or playtime. You’re tipping for the years of experience that person has built up.

Of course, consider your budget, too. Even a small gesture is appreciated, especially if that individual usually doesn’t get tipped.

Tipping Alternatives

If you decide not to tip someone for one reason or another, there are plenty of other ways to show your appreciation. Sometimes, these alternatives can mean more than a $5 tip. We recommend these alternatives for those who aren’t usually tipped (like vets) or in situations where a 10% tip would be very low, like for a $15 dog walk.

Of course, when you can tip and do these alternatives, that’s often the best option. New businesses often need online reviews to get “on the map,” for instance. When someone goes above and beyond, providing that five-star review can help them build up their client base.

Negative reviews tend to be left more often than positive reviews. For every person who has a positive experience, very few tend to leave reviews. Therefore, taking the time to leave a positive review is a great option.

Final Thoughts

Tipping can be complicated. It often differs from one area to another, especially with pet service providers. In the United States, tipping is relatively common. Therefore, many pet service providers may expect tips and set their pricing accordingly. Other times, tips may not be allowed at all. It all depends on the situation and business.

When in doubt, asking is always the best policy. You can also look for a tip jar or other sign that tips are welcome.

Featured Image Credit: Pereslavtseva Katerina, Shutterstock