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Turning your Airbnb rental into a pet-friendly property can provide significant benefits like attracting more guests, increasing booking rates and occupancy, and boosting your overall revenue. But it requires carefully weighing the pros and cons, as allowing pets also means taking on extra work and responsibilities as a host.
If you thoroughly consider both sides and decide opening your rental to pets is the right choice for your business, there are several important steps to take in order to properly prepare and protect your space.
Safety Pet-Proofing Your Rental:
You'll want to thoroughly pet-proof your rental to keep both pets and your property safe. Install sturdy gates or barriers to prevent pets from accessing any private rooms or areas that are off-limits. Make sure to keep trash cans sealed or locked away so pets can't get into them and make a mess. Tuck electrical cords out of reach and set up barriers around unsafe areas like fireplaces, stairs, or balconies.
For smaller pets like cats, dogs, rabbits, etc., make sure there are no hazardous small spaces they could crawl into and get stuck. Check for any loose flooring or hazards that could injure roaming paws. And if you have a pool or hot tub, install proper fencing or covers to prevent pets from falling in. Taking these pet-proofing precautions helps protect both your rental property and your guests' beloved furry companions.
Choosing Durable, Pet-Friendly Decor:
When furnishing and decorating your pet-friendly Airbnb, opt for fabrics and surfaces that are more resistant to fur, stains, scratches, and damage. For indoor and outdoor furniture, microfiber or canvas fabrics are great choices, as they tend to be more durable and easier to clean. Using slipcovers that are machine-washable is also recommended for simplifying cleanup of pet fur and accidents.
Avoid absorbent carpets or rugs which can harbor allergens and odors over time. Hard surface flooring such as tile, wood, or vinyl is ideal for an Airbnb rental that allows pets. Not only do hard floors better withstand paws and claws, they are much simpler to clean and sanitize between guest stays. Natural stone tiles or wood with polyurethane coating tend to be more scratch-resistant.
Providing Backup Supplies for Accidents:
Even well-behaved pets may have the occasional accident, especially in an unfamiliar new environment. So it's wise to provide some backup supplies for your guests just in case. Keep extra sheets, towels, blankets available so guests can quickly swap out bedding if needed. Include clear instructions on where to place any soiled linens. Restocking on cleaning supplies is also a good idea.
For quick cleanup of floors or furniture, have an enzymatic cleaner on hand that is formulated to neutralize pet odors and stains. Nature's Miracle and Bissell Pet Stain Eraser are popular enzyme cleaner options. Stocking up on lint rollers helps remove fur from upholstery or bedding too. Be transparent with your guests about where to find backup supplies for any pet mishaps during their stay.
Providing Helpful Pet Amenities:
Offering some extra pet-friendly amenities and accessories helps create a more comfortable, enjoyable stay for traveling animal owners and their companions. Set out stainless steel food and water bowls so guests don't have to remember their own. Keep a litter box stocked with extra litter for cats staying over.
Provide waste pickup bags for dogs, and designate an acceptable outdoor area for bathroom needs. You can also offer toys like balls, chew ropes, catnip mice, or laser pointers to keep pets happily occupied indoors. Consider providing bowls, beds, treats, leashes, or other accessories specific to common visiting pet types. Offering these pet extras helps build great reviews and repeat visits.
Updating Listing Details and Setting Policies:
To properly market your rental as pet-friendly on Airbnb and other platforms, you need to update all your listing information to clearly indicate pets are allowed. In your Airbnb account settings, check the box to specify "Pets Allowed" which will display this in search results. Revisit your listing title, description, photos, and amenities to highlight your pet-friendly features.
Specify your particular pet policies such as size limits, allowing only certain types of pets like cats but not dogs, restricting aggressive breeds, limits on number of pets, etc. Provide this key info upfront in your listing description and house rules to prevent misunderstandings. Make sure your extra pet fees are clearly spelled out and set proper expectations.
Calculating a Fair Pet Fee:
Charging a pet fee in addition to your nightly rate helps cover the extra costs of allowing pets, including additional cleaning time and supplies, repairs, replacing damaged items, restocking amenities like litters, and wear and tear over time. Calculate how much per month you're spending on pet-related supplies and maintenance for your rental. Divide this by your average bookings per month to determine a fair per booking pet fee rate.
Some hosts charge a flat pet fee per stay, while others charge a lower nightly pet rate. Take into account factors like number of pets, size, breed risk, length of stay, and your local market rates. Make sure your pet fee is adequate to cover costs, but remains reasonable enough that guests don't balk at the extra charge. Finding the right pet fee balance takes some trial and error. You can start on the lower end around $10-25 per night and tweak as needed.
Ensuring a Smooth Guest Experience:
While the extra revenue potential is attractive, allowing pets is ultimately about providing an enjoyable, hassle-free stay experience for your guests. Be flexible and understanding that traveling with pets poses unique challenges for owners. Clearly communicate directions to nearby pet parks, trails, beaches or other outdoor areas.
Provide a list of local pet shops, vets, groomers, walkers or sitters in case guests need to find someone to care for the pet while they go out. Restock supplies diligently after each stay to ensure the space is fresh and clean for the next visiting pet. Address any issues or damage promptly and fairly. Take steps to make both owners and pets feel at home and comfortable in your rental.
Weighing the Tradeoffs of Pets:
At the end of the day, allowing pets requires weighing extra work and responsibility against the benefits of appealing to a broader guest audience, driving more bookings, and increasing your revenue potential. There's no one right decision - you have to honestly assess your own tolerance for managing additional pet-related tasks and costs.
If done right, going pet-friendly can transform your Airbnb into a top rental choice that provides memorable vacations for the growing number of pet-owning travelers. But pet policies require due diligence to protect your property and keep everything running smoothly. Take the necessary preparations and your Airbnb can reap the substantial upside of allowing pets while mitigating the downsides.