How To Welcome Pets into Your Vacation Rental

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For the sake of this post, I’m going to assume you’ve already done your due diligence and your research and decided that going pet-friendly is what you want to do.

With that in mind, here are some great tips to welcome furry friends to your property:

#1. Pet-Specific Throws

Instead of asking pet parents to bring sheets/towels with them to cover all the furniture, why not supply them with these items? It’s a win-win. Your guests will certainly appreciate not having to lug additional items with them and you can at least be somewhat confident that your furniture will get covered.

These needn’t be top quality, of course. Walmart sells pet blankets for less than $10 each.

As an aside, if you’re going to permit pets in your home, it would absolutely be in your best interests to protect your furniture with a fabric and upholstery protector.

#2. A Welcome Basket

Make your guests feel that their pets are welcome rather than just tolerated. Leave a small gift selection of some treats, a toy or two, dog shampoo, wipes, some potty bags and a coupon or gift certificate for a nearby pet store or service. Also, since some pets get anxious in new surroundings, perhaps a pheromone or aromatherapy spray would be appreciated (by both pet and guest!)

#3. Pet Information Book

Just as you leave an information book for your human guests, it’s a great idea to put together the same for your canine guests. Items to include could be area veterinary information, local pet-sitters, pet-related services such as groomers or doggie day-care, pet-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly beaches, dog parks.

#4. Beds

In addition to the throws, it’s a lovely and welcoming gesture to provide beds for your canine guests (it may also cut down on their furniture cruising).

Because you don’t know how large the pets will be, it may be better to err on the side of caution and purchase medium-to-large beds. It’s adorable to see a Shih-Tzu in a bed big enough for a Labrador, though not so much the other way around.

Be sure to purchase beds with zip-off covers, so they can be easily tossed into the washer and dryer.

Keep a stock of these on hand, especially if you allow more than one dog, and have the housekeeping staff rotate after each guest. That way, each new guest gets a fresh, clean bed.

#5 Designated Dog Towels

There’s a better than average chance that the dog(s) will get a bath at some point during the week. To protect your supply of linens, add a well-marked supply of pet towels to your linen closet.

Make a reference to the pet towels in the welcome basket with the dog shampoo.

#6. Water/Food Bowls

Another great way to earn the gratitude of your (human) guests! As anyone who has ever packed for a vacation knows, anything provided for you that you don’t have to lug around is appreciated.

Again, keep a supply of various bowls on hand. Don’t buy the water/food bowl combos. Invest in some decent single-item metal bowls (less than $5 each at Walmart.com). Don’t forget placemats to save your floors.

If you really want to be a rockstar to your guests, provide them with collapsible water bowls for days out of the house hiking or at the beach.

These above steps have been simple, inexpensive ways to make your human and canine guests welcome at your pet-friendly property and want to stay with you again.

The following suggestions take it to the next level. Naturally, none of them are required. Some guests may not even use them.

The intent with suggesting them is for you, the owner, to create a next-level experience for your guests. That level of thoughtfulness, thoroughness and care reaps rewards in glowing reviews and loyal repeat guests. In the vacation rental business, particularly as markets become more and more competitive, this is gold.

#7. Crate(s)

Many dogs feel safe and comfortable in their crates. Unfortunately, we return once again to the space issue. If pet parents are packing a vehicle with a family’s gear, some big and bulky items may have to get left behind. That dog crate will, unfortunately, probably make one of those top 3 items.

Think what a relief it would be to have the convenience of a dog crate at a vacation rental property. It could also easily save you, the owner, from a possible mess or destruction from a nervous or unsupervised dog.

#8. Fenced Yard w/Access from the House

It’s certainly not necessary to fence in the whole yard. But if you decide to fence in even a portion of it, be sure that it can be easily and securely accessed from an interior door. There’s not much point in having a secure space for the dogs to play or potty if the pet parents have to put them on a leash to bring them out to it.

I guarantee your guests will love you for this.

#9. Doggie Door

If you decide to fence in your yard or a portion of it, it’s worth considering a doggie door. It’s a great convenience for your guests.

Be sure to get one that can be closed off from both sides, for security purposes.

#10. Small Pool

A small, inexpensive kids play pool would be a most welcome amenity for your canine guests. We all know that dogs can’t take heat the way we humans can and offering them the opportunity to be able to cool off means they can spend more time outdoors with their humans. Another win-win for everyone.

Best of luck with your canine (and human) guests!

Property Managers: Would you like to create some more owner's guides like the one above? Click here to send me an email and let's talk!