With nearly 70% of U.S. households owning pets1 and 97% of pet owners viewing their pets as family members2, there has been a shift in how people with pets approach vacation planning.
According to KeyData’s analysis of 2022 vacation rental performance, pet-friendly rentals generated an average of $204 per available night, compared with $165 for non-pet-friendly rentals—a 24% difference nationally.³ However, results varied by destination, season and property type, so the revenue opportunity is not the same in every market.
For vacation rental hosts and owners, the opportunity lies in understanding local demand and creating a thoughtful pet-friendly experience. Practical amenities, a clear vacation rental pet policy and a consistent process for managing pets can help a property appeal to more travelers while protecting the guest experience and the rental itself.
Pet owners increasingly want accommodations that welcome their pets as part of the trip. Vacation rental hosts can make their properties more appealing to these travelers by creating a comfortable, convenient and clearly communicated pet-friendly experience.
Preparing for pet guests does not necessarily require major property changes. Depending on the rental, hosts might provide a pet-waste station, washable furniture covers, a crate, food and water bowls or access to a securely fenced yard. A welcome kit can also include:
Although many pet-friendly vacation rentals primarily accommodate dogs, cats are travel companions, too. Hosts who allow cats should consider secure screens and other potential escape routes when preparing the property.
These thoughtful touches can improve the guest experience, help generate positive reviews and give a pet-friendly property a stronger competitive position in the local vacation rental market.
A clear vacation rental pet policy helps guests understand what is expected before they book. It should be easy to find in the property listing, rental agreement and pre-arrival communications.
A comprehensive policy should address:
Hosts should also explain when advance approval is required and what happens when a guest brings an unauthorized pet. Clear, upfront communication can help prevent misunderstandings, unexpected cleaning, property damage and disputes over fees.
Service and assistance animals should be handled separately from standard household pets and according to applicable laws and booking-platform requirements.
Looking for a more detailed planning resource? Download our Vacation Rental Host Guide for additional guidance on creating, managing and protecting a pet-friendly property.
Unlike long-term rentals, vacation rental hosts often receive last-minute booking requests and have limited time to evaluate pets before check-in. Whether a property welcomes pets broadly or reviews them individually, a clear and consistent screening process can help hosts make informed decisions without unnecessarily delaying the reservation.
With PetScreening, hosts can collect relevant information such as a pet’s breed, weight and vaccination records, document each reservation and confirm that guests have acknowledged the property’s pet-related rules.
PetScreening also provides a dedicated process for reviewing assistance-animal accommodation requests, helping hosts manage those requests consistently and separately from their standard pet policies.
Completing these steps before arrival can reduce surprises and help prevent uncomfortable conversations at check-in.
Learn more about reducing risk in pet-friendly short-term rentals through consistent screening, documentation and guest communication.
Even when a vacation rental welcomes pets, hosts may need specific rules to protect the property and create a comfortable experience for future guests. For example, pets may need to remain off beds and furniture, stay leashed in shared outdoor areas or avoid carpeted rooms and other designated spaces.
These expectations should be included in the property’s formal pet policy and communicated before arrival. Friendly signs inside the rental can then reinforce important rules without making pet-owning guests feel unwelcome.
Messages such as “Paws off the bed, please” or “Tail-wagging welcome—just not on the rugs” can communicate boundaries in a friendly, memorable way.
Clear rules allow hosts to protect their properties while still delivering a welcoming pet-friendly guest experience.
For many vacation rental hosts, welcoming pets can create a meaningful competitive advantage—but the opportunity depends on the property and its local market. Hosts should consider traveler demand, competing listings, cleaning requirements, community restrictions and their ability to manage pet-related stays consistently.
When supported by thoughtful amenities, a clear vacation rental pet policy and a reliable screening process, going pet-friendly can help a property reach more travelers while balancing hospitality with risk management.
PetScreening helps vacation rental hosts collect pet information, document reservations, communicate pet-related policies and manage assistance-animal accommodation requests before check-in.
Discover how PetScreening can help you create a more consistent experience for your guests while protecting your property. — Request a demo now.
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Last updated: August 25, 2026.
Sources:
1 American Pet Products Association (2023-2024)
2 Pew Research Center (2023)
3 Key Data (published 2025; analysis of 2022 data)
