More and more people want to take their pets with them on vacation, because after all, dogs and cats are part of the family. As host of a vacation apartment or vacation home, you might ask yourself: should I accept four-legged guests as well?
Vacation with dog
Many people love animals and many have a dog, cat or other pet. Currently 7 % of the U. S. population own a dog (source). So it’s no wonder that many vacationers also want to take their pets on vacation. Nevertheless, it is not always easy for travelers to take their dog, cat, etc. with them, as pets are not welcome in every vacation accommodation. Also for hosts of vacation apartments and vacation homes the question arises: Should I allow or forbid pets in my vacation apartment?
Why you should allow pets in your vacation rental
Expand your target group and attract new guests
Millions of Americans have a dog or cat and would love to go on vacation with their pet. So by opening up your vacation accommodation to pets, you are targeting an even larger market of potential guests. This means you can improve your occupancy rate – especially during the low season.
Increase your revenue
If you accept pets in your accommodation, you can charge an additional fee. Pet fees allow you to earn more, but also cover additional expenses for equipment like kennels, food bowls, etc. Also, if a guest books with a pet, you can increase your cleaning fees because the cleaning service will need more time to thoroughly clean the property.
What are the risks of accepting pets in your vacation home?
Noise
When on vacation, most people prefer it peaceful and quiet – at least at night. Unfortunately, our furry friends can be noisy at times and repeated barking can annoy even understanding neighbors and cause you trouble. In fact, it can be noise pollution if the volume of barking exceeds 5 dB during the day and 3 dB at night. Therefore, dogs should keep quiet, especially at night, so as not to cause a disturbance of the peace. Make sure your guests know this before booking.
Damage
Cats climb everywhere and have an unpleasant tendency of wanting to reach the unreachable, throwing objects down. Dogs, on the other hand, can easily damage furniture. Of course, this doesn’t happen that often, as most animals are well behaved and don’t cause any problems. Still, you should insure yourself against property damage.
Allergies & Household
Some of your future guests might be allergic to dog or cat hair. They may then experience health issues during their stay in your vacation home if dogs or cats were previously present. Remember to shampoo your carpets and rugs regularly and check for fleas or ticks.
How can you prepare your holiday home for pets?
Equipment of your accommodation
You should prepare your accommodation well for guests with pets, so that both the pets and their owners can enjoy the vacation. For example, you can provide two bowls: one for dry food and one for water, set up a dog house or design a corner of your apartment especially for dogs.
Write down the rules of conduct in your house rules
If you decide to allow pets in your accommodation, you should update your house rules. There you can set rules for the behavior of animals in your vacation home, such as:
- Which areas are allowed for animals and which are prohibited?
- Behavior in common areas
- Remind to avoid noise
- Parks nearby that are suitable for walking pets
Conclusion: allow pets in your vacation rental?
Ultimately, it’s your decision whether to allow pets in your vacation rental. If you accept dogs, cats, etc., it can help you attract additional guests to your accommodation. Especially in the low season, you can prevent vacancies and achieve a good occupancy rate of your vacation home.
