Fur, Paws, and Policy: Hosting Pets in Your Short-Term Rental

As short-term rental hosts, we quickly learn that no two guests are alike, and that includes the furry (or feathered, or scaly) ones they might bring with them. From playful pups to surprise ferrets, hosting guests with pets can be both rewarding and unexpectedly challenging. In this post, four experienced hosts share their stories, both heartwarming and hair-raising, about hosting animals in their rentals. We’ll also explore what platforms like Airbnb say about service animals, the fees you can charge, and smart cleaning strategies to keep your place pristine.

Meet the Hosts:

• Maria – Coastal cottage host in Charleston, SC
• David – Mountain cabin owner in Colorado
• Jess – Urban apartment host in Austin, TX
• Anita – Lakeside retreat host in northern Michigan
• KP – Bungalow in the greater Seattle area

Maria: “Poodles Are Great. Ferrets? Not So Much.”

Maria has welcomed hundreds of guests to her charming two-bedroom cottage on the Carolina coast. She initially didn’t allow pets, but after multiple requests—and a few cancellations—she decided to open up to well-behaved dogs for a small fee.

“I charge a $75 flat pet fee. Most guests bring their dogs, and for the most part, it’s been fine. Poodles, Goldens, even a Chihuahua with its own bed. No issues.”

But one booking stood out.

“They showed up with a ferret. I didn’t even know that was legal in my state. It wasn’t technically against my rules, but wow, that animal left an odor that took three deep cleans to get out of the upholstery.”

Her takeaway: Always specify what kinds of pets are allowed and consider stating explicitly what isn’t allowed—even if you think it’s obvious.

David: “Big Dogs, Bigger Damage—But Bigger Tips Too.”

David runs a luxury A-frame cabin nestled in the Rockies, and he’s a dog lover himself. He even provides dog bowls and a welcome treat for canine guests.

“One couple brought their two huskies, and I swear they shed more fur than I knew was possible. It was everywhere: floors, couches, even in the refrigerator gasket!”

Despite that, David doesn’t mind the extra cleaning.

“They left me a $100 tip and a glowing review. The trick is to be realistic—pets shed, and that’s part of the deal when you allow them. But the guests were respectful and told me in advance. That helps.”

David hires a cleaning team after every checkout and notes the turnover for pet guests usually costs $30–$40 more, but the pet fees often cover that.

Jess: “Cats Are Sneaky—And So Are Some Guests.”

Jess runs a high-rise rental in Austin. Her listing clearly states no pets allowed, but that hasn’t stopped everyone.

“I got a call from my cleaner one afternoon: ‘There’s a litter box under the sink.’ Turns out the guest had brought a cat and tried to hide it. I ended up charging them for unauthorized pet presence.”

Jess reported the violation to Airbnb, which sided with her and reimbursed the fee under their Host Guarantee.

However, she has a nuanced take:

“Some people bring emotional support animals and claim they’re service animals. That’s tricky, because under Airbnb’s policy, we have to accept service animals even in no-pet homes.”

What Airbnb Says About Pets & Service Animals

If you host on Airbnb (or any other platform), you must understand the difference between pets, emotional support animals (ESAs), and service animals. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Pets – Hosts can choose to allow or not allow pets, and may charge a pet fee or deposit.
• Service Animals – Under U.S. law and Airbnb policy, you cannot refuse a service animal, even if your listing is marked “no pets.” You also cannot charge a pet fee, cleaning fee, or require documentation.
• Emotional Support Animals – Airbnb doesn’t guarantee accommodation for ESAs like it does for service animals, but policies are evolving.

Pro Tip: Include language in your house rules specifying cleaning expectations and ask guests to notify you in advance if they’re bringing a service animal.

Anita: “Guests with Pets Need Tools, Too.”

Anita hosts a modern three-bedroom home near a lake popular with families and dog owners.

“We allow dogs up to 50 lbs, and we’ve had great success with it, because we provide the tools they need to clean up after their pets.”

Anita stocks pet waste bags, an extra lint roller, and a compact vacuum just for pet hair. She also places washable covers on the sofa when guests bring dogs.

“It’s all about setting expectations and giving them what they need. We make it easy to do the right thing.”

Still, she’s firm about what pets can’t do: “No pets on the beds, no dogs left alone in the home.”

KP: Here’s what we actually do

Our Airbnb is pet friendly. Always have been. We have 2 dogs that we like to travel with, and are excited when we find other Airbnbs they are welcome guests, too. Initially, we didn’t charge a pet fee at all – this was when we first began hosting, approximately 2016 – 2020. In 2020, after paying pet fees at various hotels and other Airbnbs, we decided it would be a smart business move to charge a pet fee….after all, in our own travels we were happy to pay the fees since we could have our dogs with us.

We initiated a pet fee of $50 per stay – flat fee – no “dogs only” or even a limit to the number of dogs. Then a guest arrived with 4 huskies. WHAT?! And as an aside, they ended up checking out 2 days early due to a spider allergy, because apparently a spider had babies in the bathroom. Maybe a longer story for another post.

And we’ve hosted cats, probably a total of 6 over the years. One was even identified by the guest as an emotional support cat. Because we are pet friendly, we don’t have much issue with folks bringing pets, except for the occasional NON-pet booking where folks have concerns about an allergic reaction. Our response is: “while the bungalow is thoroughly cleaned between each guest and is hard laminate flooring throughout with a living room area rug, we cannot guarantee the environment is allergen-free. We completely understand if you decide to not book with us, and if you still choose to, we won’t be able to issue a refund if an allergy issue arises.”

When folks initial send us a booking request, if there is not a pet included in the reservation, we still ask “Will you be bringing any pets?” About 20% of the time we receive a response like “yes, actually I am going to bring my well-behaved chihuahua.” And we then ask them to please add the pet to their reservation. We’ve also received “yes, but she is an emotional support dog,” to which we responded by sharing the Airbnb policies regarding this type of pet.

For us, we now charge a $100 flat pet fee, 2 dog maximum. Or cat! Our house rules and initial message after booking with a pet included in the reservation states: “we are happy to host your pup! We please just ask they are not allowed on furniture or left unattended in the house or yard.” We have lost maybe 2 reservations due to us not allowing the pet to be left alone in the bungalow.

We had a difficult experience in 2023 when folks asked if they could leave their dog alone if crated. We said “yes.” Since we live nearby, we could hear the dog barking continuously. For hours. Finally we messaged the guests and shared this information, to which they replied they had an emergency, and ultimately were away for about 12 hours. Now, we no longer allow dogs to be crated and left alone. Lesson learned: we should have stuck to our policy.

Should You Charge a Pet Fee?

Yes, if your platform allows it and you allow pets. Here are some general guidelines:

• Airbnb: Hosts can set a custom pet fee in the pricing section.
• VRBO: Allows for a pet fee and security deposit.
• Direct Booking Sites: You can set whatever rules you want, but be clear in your terms.

Suggested Pet Fee:

• Flat rate per stay: $50–$100 depending on home size, location, and cleaning needs.
• Deposit: Optional, but often refundable if no damage or excessive mess occurs.

Cleaning Considerations

Cordless Vacuums: Great for guests, but they may run out of charge mid-use.
Upholstery & Rug Cleaning: Pet fur and dander can embed in fabric—have a reliable method for deep cleans.
Pet-Safe Cleaning Products: Ensure all your cleaners are safe for use in pet-friendly spaces.

Final Thoughts: Offer a Mix of Access and Control

Many experienced hosts now take a hybrid approach:

• A high-powered vacuum and professional cleaner use only for turnovers.
• A basic, easy-to-use vacuum or pet tool for guests to help manage their stay.
• Clear communication in listings, rules, and check-in instructions.

Hosting pets can bring in loyal, appreciative guests—but only if you’re prepared.

Have you had a surprising pet hosting story? Drop it in the comments below, and check out our other posts on guest communication, cleaning tools, and best listing practices!