Do You Earn Rewards on Pet Boarding and Dog Walking?
How pet services code
A boarding facility, kennel, groomer, or dog-walking service rings up under a pet-services or general-services category code, outside the usual bonus buckets, so most cards earn their base rate. This is separate from veterinary care, which has its own considerations in rewards at the vet, though both are base rate.
Apps versus individual sitters
Booking through a platform like Rover or Wag charges your card and earns the base rate, plus it keeps a record. Paying an individual sitter or walker in cash or a peer-to-peer app usually earns nothing, since there is no card purchase. If earning matters, book through the platform or pay by card.
The best card for pet care
With no pet-services bonus, a strong flat-rate card earns the most across boarding, grooming, and walking, especially for regular dog walking that adds up. Run your spending through the rewards calculator to find the best base-return card, and see options in best cash back cards.
Frequently asked questions
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