How to Make Your Airbnb Pet-Friendly: A Complete Guide to Attracting More Guests

Did you know that 30% of travellers are looking for holiday rentals that accept pets? With such a significant percentage of guests seeking pet-friendly accommodation, it’s highly recommended that your Airbnb allows pets. Becoming a pet-friendly property can increase your bookings and attract a broader range of guests. Here’s a guide to setting up your Airbnb to welcome pets and make your property stand out.

Pet-Friendly Requirements: What You Need to Consider

To ensure your Airbnb is genuinely pet-friendly, you should meet a few essential requirements:

• Allow pets inside: Welcoming pets indoors is key to being pet-friendly.
• Have a fully enclosed garden: A secure, enclosed garden provides a safe space for pets to play and helps give pet owners peace of mind.
• Supply water bowls and dog toys: Adding simple amenities like water bowls and toys for dogs can enhance your pet-friendly appeal. Just be sure to replace toys regularly to keep them fresh for each guest.

If your property doesn’t have a fully enclosed garden, you can still accept pets. One option is to create a fully enclosed dog run in part of the garden, which allows pets to safely enjoy the outdoors even if the entire garden isn’t fenced. Make sure to clearly communicate any limitations to guests before they book. Transparency is key to ensuring a positive experience for both pets and their owners.

Expand Your Pet-Friendly Policy: More Than Just Dogs

While dogs are the most common pets that travellers bring along, some guests may have other pets, such as cats, birds, lizards, or even snakes. Expanding your pet-friendly policy to allow pets other than dogs can help you attract a wider range of guests. If you accept cats, remind guests to trim their cats’ claws and bring their own litter box to help protect your property. It’s important to clearly communicate any specific requirements for different types of pets to ensure your property remains in good condition.

Establish Pet-Friendly Rules

While being pet-friendly can boost your bookings, it’s also important to set clear rules to protect your property. Providing guests with a list of pet-friendly guidelines ensures that your property is respected and left in good condition. Here are some sample rules you can implement:

• No dogs on couches or beds: To maintain cleanliness and prevent damage. However, if your guests know their pet is likely to jump on the furniture, suggest they bring a blanket to protect the couch.
• Bring a dog or pet bed: Remind guests to bring their pet’s own bed to ensure their comfort and help keep your property clean.
• Clean up excessive pet hair: Encourage guests to tidy up after their pets.
• Pick up dog waste: This is especially important if your property is child-friendly.
• Return pet toys to their proper place: Avoid mixing them up with kids’ toys.
• Don’t take the pet toys home: Gently remind guests to leave the provided toys behind.
• Put pet bowls back where you found them: Keep things organised for the next guests.
• Dispose of chewed-up items: If a pet chews something to death, ask guests to put it in the bin.
• Don’t leave pets unattended if they get anxious: Many pets become anxious when away from their familiar homes and may bark or behave disruptively when left alone. Ask guests to avoid leaving their pets unattended if they are prone to anxiety or distress.

Additionally, pets tend to lie on rugs, which can cause them to become smelly over time. To keep your property fresh and clean, consider steam cleaning your rugs more frequently than usual.

Clear rules and proper maintenance help ensure that your property remains in great shape, even after hosting pets. It’s a good idea to include these guidelines in your welcome book or send them to guests ahead of their stay.

Conclusion

Making your Airbnb pet-friendly can significantly increase your appeal to a wider audience of travellers. By allowing pets—including dogs, cats, birds, and even more exotic pets—offering amenities like enclosed gardens, water bowls, and toys, and setting clear rules, you create a welcoming environment for both pets and their owners. If you cannot fully enclose your garden, consider adding a dog run to keep pets safe. Reminding guests to bring items like pet beds and blankets, and advising them not to leave anxious pets unattended, helps ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. Additionally, steam cleaning rugs regularly can prevent them from becoming smelly due to pets lying on them. Not only does this enhance the guest experience, but it also sets your property apart from the competition in the short-term rental market. With the right approach, being pet-friendly can lead to more bookings and positive reviews, making it a valuable addition to your Airbnb management strategy.