Pet-Friendly Airbnbs: Smart Strategy or Risky Move? Here’s What Hosts Say

Marifil Limpahan
55 minutes ago
4 min read

Should You Make Your Airbnb Pet-Friendly? Pros, Cons & Real Host Experiences

More travelers than ever are bringing their pets along for vacations, and that means there’s a massive opportunity for hosts who are willing to welcome four-legged guests. But if you’ve ever talked to other Airbnb hosts, you already know this topic is divisive.

Some hosts swear that making their listing pet-friendly skyrocketed bookings. Others say it was one of their biggest regrets.

So how do you decide what’s right for your Airbnb strategy?

At BNB Guardians, we help hosts analyze decisions like this through the lens of profitability, guest experience, and long-term Airbnb management. In this quick guide, you’ll get the real pros and cons straight from the hosting community, so you can choose what works for your business.

The Biggest Pros of Making Your Airbnb Pet-Friendly

1. You Stand Out Immediately, And Get More Bookings

“Pet-friendly” is one of the most-used filters on Airbnb.Yet in many markets, only a small percentage of listings allow pets.

Less supply + high demand = more visibility and more bookings.

Many hosts report that their pet-friendly units consistently outperform their non-pet units simply because they attract a niche travelers can’t easily find accommodations for.

2. You Tap Into a Loyal Niche (and Get Better Reviews)

Pet owners are often incredibly grateful when a host welcomes their dog or cat.

Because options can be limited, these guests tend to:

Leave more appreciative reviews
Treat your home respectfully
Become repeat bookers
Recommend your property to friends

3. You Can Charge More (and Earn More)

Pet owners expect to pay more. That allows you to:

Increase nightly rates
Add a pet fee
Count pets as additional guests
Require a security deposit

This can easily boost profit and offset any added cleaning or maintenance.

The Cons (That Hosts Don’t Always Talk About)

1. Risk of Damage, Noise, and Complaints

Even well-trained pets can leave hair, stains, scratches, or smells behind.You may also get:

Barking complaints
Upset neighbors
Extra wear and tear

Some hosts feel the increased cleaning and occasional damage simply isn’t worth it especially if they’ve invested heavily in furniture or renovations.

2. Higher Operating Costs

Pet-friendly units can come with additional expenses:

Extra cleaning time (and higher turnover costs)
More laundry
Replacement linens or damaged items
Higher insurance premiums
Pet accessories (optional but appreciated)

If you decide to go pet-friendly, build these into your Airbnb pricing strategy so you’re still profitable.

3. You May Turn Off Non-Pet Owners

Some guests are allergic. Some assume “pet-friendly” means “less clean.”That perception alone may prevent them from booking even if your place is spotless.

This is why many experienced hosts don’t advertise “pet-friendly” in their title. Travelers using the pet filter will find the listing anyway, while non-pet guests aren’t discouraged.

How to Decide If Pet-Friendly Is Right for You

Here’s the truth: there’s no universal answer.

Ask yourself:

Is my property durable enough to handle pets?
Does my market lack pet-friendly options?
Am I willing to charge more to offset cleaning?
Will welcoming pets give me a competitive edge?
Am I prepared for occasional issues or complaints?

Inside our Airbnb coaching program, we help hosts analyze their market, pricing, and operations before making this choice because the right answer depends entirely on your business model.

If You Go Pet-Friendly, These Tips Will Save You Headaches

1. Create a Clear Pet Policy

This is essential. Add rules to your Airbnb house rules and welcome book, such as:

Where pets can and can’t go
If pets can be left unattended
Furniture rules
Required clean-up
Breed/size restrictions (if allowed in your area)

Clear expectations = fewer issues.

2. Protect Your Furniture

Add:

Washable sofa covers
Durable rugs
Hard-surface flooring (if possible)
Easy-clean bedding

A little prep goes a long way.

3. Provide Basic Pet Amenities (Optional, but Guests Love It)

A small investment that creates 5-star reviews:

Bowls
Treats
Poop bags
A pet bed or blanket

It sets you apart and creates a memorable experience.

4. Share Local Pet-Friendly Recommendations

Include nearby:

Dog parks
Pet-friendly restaurants
Groomers
Trails, beaches, or activities

Add this info to your digital guidebook or Airbnb welcome letter.

5. Use Tools Like Guesty to Manage Cleaning + Messaging

Guesty helps you:

Send automatic messages with pet rules
Notify cleaners about pet stays
Sync calendars
Manage all communication in one inbox

Automation = fewer mistakes and a smoother guest experience.

Final Thoughts

Making your Airbnb pet-friendly can absolutely boost your bookings, income, and online visibility, if you’re prepared for the added cleaning, management, and occasional damage.

For some hosts, it becomes their most profitable niche. For others, it’s not worth the hassle.

The key is choosing what aligns with your Airbnb strategy, your market, and your long-term goals.