According to the American Pet Product Association, up to 47% of Americans have dogs. And 50% of these dog owners will travel with their pets! Therefore, making your Airbnb pet friendly is worth some consideration! Below, find out more about the risks and benefits of hosting Airbnbs that allow dogs. We’ve also included information about Airbnb pet fees and tips for optimizing your Airbnb animal friendly listing.
We have also written an article that discusses the pros and cons for an animal friendly Airbnb that allows cats. For more detailed information when it comes to allowing felines into your home, CLICK HERE to learn more.
What are the risks of having a dog friendly Airbnb?
Below you’ll find the most common issues that can arise from having an Airbnb animal friendly listing.
Property damage to your Airbnb
Of course, this is the most common worry when it comes to an Airbnb with pets. But while property damage is a definite possibility in an Airbnb for dogs, many hosts report that the vast majority of dog owners keep their pets from causing any trouble.
Extra cleaning for your Airbnb
It goes without saying that dogs may shed or have accidents that then might require some extra cleaning. In this case, don’t forget that you can add a special Airbnb pet fee to your listing to cover the time and money spent cleaning. (Find out more about Airbnb pet fees later on in the article.)
Additionally, CLICK HERE to learn more about the type of cleaning that is required when hosting. You will need to pay special attention to the details if you choose to make your home Airbnb animal friendly.
Issues with neighbors
The neighbor factor is an important issue many new hosts forget to consider. When it comes to Airbnbs that allow dogs, an animal that won’t stop barking or isn’t properly restrained on a leash may cause issues with your listing’s neighbors. It is recommended that you specify pet owner requirements in your House Rules section of your listing.
Also, CLICK HERE to learn about avoiding neighbor problems when you host an Airbnb. This is definitely a consideration to think about before opening up the doggie door on your listing.
Airbnb Guests with Allergies
If you or any of your guests are allergic to dogs, the pet hair and dander left behind on the Airbnb pets allowed property could prompt an allergic reaction. A consideration to keep in mind is that an animal friendly Airbnb may be seen as less favorable to those who do not own pets.
This will cause the cleanliness of your listing to be of extra importance as a 5-Star review will be more necessary than ever. Strong listing reviews will help to overcome the above mentioned challenge. It is highly recommended you take careful consideration when it comes to “How to Clean your Airbnb”.
What are the benefits of being Airbnb pet friendly?
Appeal to more potential Airbnb Guests
By making your listing Airbnb pet friendly, you open up your business to a whole new group of guests! Considering that “pet friendly” is the third most searched amenity, that’s quite a few new potential guests!
More guests reviewing your property equates to a higher occupancy rate. A higher occupancy rate equates to increased income!
Set your Airbnb listing apart from the competition
Very few listings are Airbnb animal friendly, so your Airbnb pets allowed property is sure to stand out! Above we discussed that nearly half of Americans own dogs. These people want to be able to travel with their furry friends so if you are willing to make your Airbnb listing dog friendly, you will stand head above the crowd.
Increase your Airbnb Earnings
Because Airbnb pet friendly listings are high in demand but low in supply, you can raise your nightly rate! Guests traveling with pets are typically fine with paying more for an Airbnb with pets in order to travel with their furry friends.
Improve the Guest Experience
For many people, pets aren’t just animals–they’re part of the family! Therefore, making your listing Airbnb animal friendly adds another layer to the guest experience and gives you more opportunities for positive reviews.
Should I set an Airbnb pet fee?
Don’t shy away from adding a pet fee to your Airbnb pet friendly listing! It’s a wise way to protect yourself and your Airbnb pets allowed property from potential damage. While Airbnb doesn’t technically have a way for you to add a pet fee to your Airbnb with pets listing, there are ways to include it.
One simple technique is to add the Airbnb pet fee to your cleaning fee. Another option is to mention that you have a pet fee in your listing description. On average, hosts with an Airbnb for dogs charge $20 for a pet fee. But it’s wise to go through and look at the amount of money you spend on upkeep related to pets in order to select the right amount for you.
However, since Airbnb doesn’t provide a straightforward way to go about charging a pet fee, it’s very important that you communicate with your guests so that you’re both on the same page regarding the fee. Otherwise, you may end up having to submit a claim to the Resolution Center–check out our article about the Airbnb claims process here.
How do I optimize my property to be Airbnb animal friendly?
Here are some simple tips to make your Airbnb pets allowed property perfect for guests with dogs!
Add important guidelines to your House Rules
For example, you may want to add a rule that guests must pick up after their dogs. Or maybe there are certain areas you’d like to be off-limits for dogs. In addition, perhaps you’ll want to include a rule that guests must keep their dogs on a leash whenever they’re outside of the property. Essentially, you want to set up safeguards that will allow the stay to go smoothly. It’s very important to make sure that you and the guest are on the same page!
Choose Pet Friendly Flooring and Furniture
Choose flooring and furniture covers that can’t be easily damaged by pets is essential to the success of your animal friendly Airbnb. Good flooring options for an Airbnb with pets include laminate, hardwood, and tile. These are all easy to clean if an accident occurs, and they can’t be ripped up the way carpet can be. The cleanliness requirement cannot be stressed enough!
Keep extra supplies on hand
It’s great to have a dog bed, food, treats, extra towels, and plenty of cleaning supplies handy for guests to use as needed in your Airbnb pets allowed listing. You can even set up a designated area with a food and water bowl to make things easier.
Main Takeaways for a Dog Friendly Airbnb
- Some of the most common risks of hosting an Airbnb with pets are property damage, extra cleaning, problems with neighbors, and issues with allergies.
- The main benefits of hosting a dog friendly Airbnb are opening up your listing to a new group of potential guests, standing out from your competition, increasing your earnings, and improving the customer experience.
- You can add a pet fee to your listing to cover potential damages and cleaning costs.
- Be sure to add pet guidelines to your house rules, choose appropriate flooring and furniture covers, and keep extra pet supplies on hand.