The Best Dog Walkers in Chicago, IL
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 6,194 Google reviews of 59 top-rated dog walkers nationwide; 10 of them in Chicago, IL. Updated November 3, 2026.
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Best dog walkers in Chicago for cat sitting (in-home)
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Sparky StepsHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Cat sitting (in-home)”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%4Overall Experts Score 20%99Job match= 94Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.89★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.94
APEXpert Holistic Paws CareHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “Cat sitting (in-home)”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%3Overall Experts Score 20%96Job match= 89Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.89★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.89Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “Cat sitting (in-home)” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.
What customers said about cat sitting (in-home)
Sparky StepsMichael has been such a great help to us since we moved to the city! He is reliable and trustworthy and does a great job helping us with our cat.
APEXpert Holistic Paws CarePamela did a wonderful job watching our cats Ash and Chloe. We were away for a 10 day trip and she was very easy to work with. She sent daily pictures and updates and really took the time to get to know our cats. Chloe’s a diabetic and we felt very comfortable with her insulin treatment with Pamela. Would highly recommend!
Sparky StepsWe have used Sparky Steps for both our cat & dog. Michael’s team is great with animals, reliable, and easy to get ahold of. Would recommend to all pet owners!
Sparky StepsCan’t say enough about Michael and his pet-sitting services. He’s thorough and accommodating, and our cats adore him. I know they’re in good hands when Michael is around!
Sparky StepsMy cat Lucky and I are proud supporters of Sparky Steps. Their cat sitters are reliable and do their diligence with taking care of the cat. Regularly updates you as well.
APEXpert Holistic Paws CarePamela was phenomenal. I appreciated her thorough updates and pictures/videos sent during our time away. She tailored her care to our exact needs and specifications and went the extra mile. I will be using her services for cat care in the future.
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of dog walkers).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Chicago Adventure PackChicago, IL | A 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 | Sparky StepsChicago, IL | A 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Millennium Dog Walkers & Pet Care in Chicago!Chicago, IL | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty86−1.4Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.95 | — |
| 4 |  Pet Concierge ChicagoChicago, IL | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%86+13.1Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 5 | APEXpert Holistic Paws CareChicago, IL | A 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%86+13.1Experts Score= 96Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 5.00 | — |
| 6 | A 93How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%97+52.9Reliability 24%96+23.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%33+2.3Experts Score= 93Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAD | 4.95 | — | |
| 7 |  Windy City Dog WalkersChicago, IL | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%44+3.1Experts Score= 90Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.91 | — |
| 8 |  Dogs Deserve ItChicago, IL | A 85How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%91+49.6Reliability 24%82+19.9Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%25+1.8Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.94 | — |
| 9 |  Urban TailzChicago, IL | A 82How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%85+49.9Reliability 26%77+20.1Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty73−2.7Experts Score= 82Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAB– | 4.91 | — |
| 10 |  Paws For Walks Chicago LLCChicago, IL | A 80How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%81+44.2Reliability 24%62+15Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Experts Score= 80Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAA | 4.86 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Dog Walkers in Chicago, IL at a glance
How the 10 dog walkers we rated in Chicago, IL compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A10100%
- Grade B00%
- Grade C00%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up990%
- 4.80–4.89★110%
- 4.60–4.79★00%
- Below 4.60★00%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality65325%
- Professionalism70127%
- Responsiveness67126%
- Punctuality231%
- Value55521%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price31249%
- Reasonable31149%
- Overpriced41%
- Not sure102%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.