Allow Pets in Your Airbnb: The Data Says You're Losing Money If You Don't
71% of U.S. households own pets. Only 30% of short-term rentals allow them. The math is simple — and the law already requires you to accept service animals anyway. Here's how to do it right.
The average annual cost of pet damage across short-term rentals is $39.
Read that again. Thirty-nine dollars a year.
Meanwhile, a simple pet fee structure — $250 upfront plus $30 per month in pet rent — generates $600 to $700 per year in additional revenue per property. That's not a rounding error. That's a 15x return on the actual risk.
I've been hosting for nine years across 20+ properties, and I resisted allowing pets for the first three. I was afraid of scratched floors, fur on everything, and the guest who'd leave their Great Dane unsupervised for eight hours. When I finally ran the numbers and talked to hosts who'd made the switch, I realized I'd been leaving money on the table the entire time.
Here's the case — backed by expert data, federal law you need to know regardless, and a practical playbook for doing it right.
You're Already Required to Allow Service Animals
Before we talk about pets, let's talk about the law — because this part isn't optional.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Airbnb's own accessibility policy, you must allow service animals in your property. Period. A service animal is a dog individually trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability — guiding someone who's blind, alerting someone to seizures, calming someone with PTSD during an anxiety attack. Service animals are not pets. Your "no pets" policy doesn't apply to them.
Service animals and emotional support animals are legally not considered 'pets' under Fair Housing and ADA laws, meaning standard pet policies do not apply to them.
Here's what you need to know:
You can only ask two questions. If the disability isn't obvious, you may ask: (1) Is the dog required because of a disability? (2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? That's it. You cannot ask about the guest's disability. You cannot ask for documentation or certification. You cannot ask the dog to demonstrate the task. There is no national service animal registry — any website selling "official" certification is a scam.
You cannot charge any fees. No pet fee, no cleaning surcharge, no pet deposit. Under both federal law and Airbnb policy, service animals are accommodations for disability, not optional amenities.
You cannot refuse based on allergies or breed. The ADA is explicit: allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access to someone with a service animal. No breed or size restrictions apply.
Guests don't have to tell you in advance. Airbnb's policy confirms that guests are not required to disclose a service animal before booking. They can show up with one and you must accommodate them.
What happens if you refuse? In 2025, an Airbnb host in Tampa was arrested and charged with a second-degree misdemeanor — "denial of rights of the disabled" — after forcing a guest with a seizure-alert service dog to leave the property. Beyond criminal exposure, Airbnb can delist your property and you face federal discrimination complaints through HUD.
The only exception is a formal exemption granted by Airbnb, typically for severe documented medical allergies, which requires medical proof and an application process.
What the Analyzer Shows
Our Listing Analyzer checks your house rules and flags pet-related policies. If you have restrictive language that could be interpreted as refusing service animals, it flags it — because Airbnb's algorithm also scans for potential accessibility violations.
What About Emotional Support Animals?
ESAs provide comfort but aren't trained to perform specific tasks. Airbnb changed its policy — hosts are no longer required to accept ESAs in most states. The exceptions: California and New York have state laws that may require you to accommodate ESAs similar to service animals.
For every other state, you can treat an ESA the same as a pet. You can apply your pet policy, charge a pet fee, or decline.
But here's the thing — once you're legally required to accommodate service animals anyway, the question shifts from "should I allow animals?" to "should I also welcome pets and get paid for it?"
The answer is yes.
71% Own Pets. 30% of Listings Allow Them. Do the Math.
That's 94 million households. And the pet population keeps growing — the U.S. dog population alone jumped from 52.9 million in 1996 to 89.7 million in 2024.
Now look at the supply side: only 30% of short-term rentals in the U.S. are pet-friendly, according to AirDNA. In ski markets, it's less than 10%.
Think about what happens when a guest with a dog filters for "pet-friendly" on Airbnb. Your competition just dropped by 70%. You're not competing against every listing in your market anymore — you're competing against the small fraction that also allows pets. That's a structural advantage you can't buy with a pricing tool.
70% of my MTR guests travel with pets. By not allowing pets, hosts effectively cut themselves off from 30% or more of potential market demand.
The economics are even clearer than the competition math. AirDNA data shows pet-friendly listings see a 2-3% occupancy boost on average, rising to 4% for detached homes with yards. In urban markets, pet-friendly properties command a 6% higher ADR. PriceLabs data from February 2026 puts it at $17.41 more per night for pet-friendly portfolios.
Now consider the guest's perspective. They have a dog. They're booking a weekend trip. Their options are:
Option A: Leave the dog at a kennel or doggy daycare. Cost: $50 to $75 per day. For a three-night trip, that's $150 to $225 — on top of the rental.
Option B: Bring the dog. Pay your $50 pet fee for the entire stay. Travel together. No separation anxiety for the dog or the owner.
Your pet fee isn't a burden to these guests. It's a bargain. And they'll choose your listing over a cheaper one that doesn't allow pets, because pet owners aren't price shopping — they're availability shopping. They filter for pet-friendly first and book from whatever shows up.
What Pet Owners Actually Cost You (Spoiler: Less Than You Think)
The biggest fear hosts have is damage. Hair everywhere. Scratched hardwood. The dreaded pet accident on the carpet. These fears are real — and massively overblown.
Allowing pets is a significant competitive advantage; data suggests annual pet damage averages only $39, while pet rent and fees yield much higher returns.
Thirty-nine dollars a year. The incremental cleaning cost per pet turnover — extra vacuuming, lint rolling furniture, checking for accidents — runs $30 to $50 according to experienced hosts who track it. That's covered by a single pet fee.
And your backup is solid: Airbnb's AirCover provides up to $1 million in host damage protection that specifically includes physical damage caused by pets. It's not insurance (you should still carry your own STR policy), but it's a meaningful safety net for the guest who lets their dog chew your couch leg.
The Risk Reframe
Erin Spradlin puts it this way: evaluate the risk by comparing the cost of one month's vacancy against the likely cost of potential pet damage. A single empty month costs you $2,000-5,000 in lost revenue. The annual pet damage average is $39. Which risk are you actually worried about?
The hosts who have problems with pets almost always have the same root cause: no rules, no preparation, no communication. That's what we fix next.
The Pet Welcome Kit: Protect Your Property AND Differentiate
Most hosts who check the "pet-friendly" box do exactly that — check the box. No supplies, no rules, no acknowledgment that a pet is coming. The guest arrives with their dog, uses your nice throw blanket as a dog bed, feeds the dog out of your cereal bowls, and you're picking fur off the couch for three days.
The Pet Welcome Kit solves this. It's a physical container — a labeled bin or basket — that you keep at the property with everything a pet-owning guest needs. It does double duty: it protects your property (the blanket goes on the couch instead of your throw, the towels catch muddy paws before they hit the floor) and it differentiates you from every other listing that reluctantly tolerates pets.
Here's what goes in it:
| Item | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable lint roller (ChomChom) | Fur removal from furniture — recommended by multiple cleaning experts | $12-15 |
| Doggie waste bags (roll) | Outdoor cleanup, prevents yard and trail messes | $3-5 |
| Washable couch/bed blanket | Protects upholstery from fur, dirt, and drool — your biggest damage prevention | $15-25 |
| Pet towels (2-3) | Muddy paws after rain or hikes, wet fur after swimming | $10-15 |
| Food/water bowls with mat | Prevents guests using your dishes, protects floors from spills | $10-15 |
| Laminated pet rules card | Clear expectations in the property — reusable, professional, impossible to miss | $3-5 |
| Local emergency vet card | Safety — includes nearest 24/7 vet name, address, and phone number | $2-3 |
| Small treat jar | The "we love your pet here" signal that earns you 5-star reviews | $5-8 |
| Poop bag dispenser (for walks) | Clips to the leash hook, prevents neighborhood messes | $5-8 |
| Wall-mounted leash hook | Convenience — gives the dog a "place" near the door | $5-8 |
| Total | $70-107 |
The kit pays for itself with a single pet fee. Restock per turnover is $5-10 for bags and treats. Everything else is reusable.
The blanket is the MVP of this kit. It goes on whatever furniture you want protected. Guests use it because it's there and it's labeled. You wash it between turnovers like any other linen. The fur that would have been embedded in your couch cushions is now on a blanket that takes 40 minutes in the washing machine.
The laminated rules card matters more than you think. It sits in the kit, visible when the guest opens it. Clear rules delivered at the right moment — when they're unpacking and settling the pet in — land differently than rules buried in a House Manual PDF they never opened.
One more thing: consider photographing the kit and adding it to your listing photos. AirDNA research found that showcasing pet amenities in your gallery signals genuine welcome. It's the difference between "pets tolerated" and "pets expected."
Use our free Supply Calculator to estimate your full pet kit costs and restocking budget →
The Rules That Protect You
Clear rules prevent 90% of pet problems. Here's a framework based on what experienced pet-friendly hosts actually use:
Before booking (in your listing description):
- Maximum number of pets (two is standard)
- Size or weight limit if you have one (many hosts cap at 50-75 lbs, though smaller properties may go lower)
- Pets must be house-trained
- Pet fee clearly stated
At check-in (laminated card in the Pet Welcome Kit):
- Pets are not allowed on beds or upholstered furniture without the provided blanket
- Pets must not be left unattended in the property
- All waste must be picked up immediately (bags provided)
- Any damage caused by pets will be charged to the guest's payment method
- Excessive noise (barking) may result in neighbor complaints and early checkout
- Emergency vet information (on the card)
In your Airbnb message templates: Send a brief message after booking confirmation that acknowledges the pet, asks for the pet's name (guests love this), and reminds them about the kit waiting at the property. This small touch builds trust before arrival.
The "no unsupervised pets" rule is the most important one. Most pet damage — chewing, accidents, barking complaints — happens when the owner leaves the property and the dog is anxious. Stating it upfront sets the expectation. Most responsible pet owners already follow this naturally.
The Cleaning Protocol for Pet Turnovers
Your cleaners need a pet-specific checklist. This isn't complicated, but it is different from a standard turnover.
The pet turnover add-ons (15-20 minutes extra):
Fur removal first pass: Run the ChomChom roller (or a lint brush) across all upholstered furniture, bed surfaces, and throw pillows before standard cleaning. Hit curtains and lampshades too — don't wash them (causes shrinkage), just roll them. Multiple cleaning professionals recommend this specific approach.
Deep vacuum: Use a pet-specific vacuum (Dyson Animal series is the most-recommended across STR cleaning channels) on all carpets, rugs, and upholstered surfaces. Standard vacuums miss embedded fur.
Carpet check: Inspect for accidents. If you find one: apply cleaning solution with a pump-up sprayer, let it dwell 5-10 minutes, then use an extraction machine. Don't just blot and hope — the smell comes back.
Final lint roll: After beds are made and furniture is arranged, do one final lint roll across all surfaces. This catches anything shaken loose during cleaning.
Air purifier: Run one between pet stays if you have guests with potential allergies booking next. This is extra credit, not mandatory — but it's a thoughtful touch.
Wash the kit blanket and pet towels every turnover. These are your primary damage-prevention tools and they need to be clean and ready.
The total incremental time is 15-20 minutes. At a cleaner rate of $25-30/hour, that's $8-10 in labor. Add $5-10 for restocking bags and treats. Your total pet turnover premium: $13-20. Your pet fee: $50-150. The margin is enormous.
The Money Math
Let's run the full numbers for a typical property.
Net annual benefit: approximately $5,643 in additional revenue against $681 in costs. Even if you only count the pet fee income alone — ignoring the ADR premium and occupancy boost entirely — you're still ahead $519.
The conservative case (pet fees only, no ADR premium, no occupancy credit) still generates over $500 in net annual profit per property. The realistic case, including the documented rate and occupancy improvements, puts you at roughly $5,000 ahead per year.
For a host managing five properties, that's $25,000 in annual revenue you're currently declining.
Service Animal vs ESA vs Pet: The Cheat Sheet
| Service Animal | Emotional Support Animal | Pet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Dog trained to perform a specific task for a disability | Animal providing emotional comfort — no task training | Companion animal with no legal status |
| Must you accept? | Yes — always | Only in CA, NY, or where local law requires | Your choice |
| Can you charge a fee? | No — never | Only in states that don't require ESA accommodation | Yes — set your own fee |
| Can you ask for documentation? | No | Varies by state — some allow ESA letter verification | Yes |
| Questions you can ask | (1) Required for disability? (2) What task is it trained for? | Same two questions | Anything |
| Breed/size restrictions? | No | Typically no where required | Your choice |
| Who governs this? | ADA + FHA + Airbnb policy | State laws + Airbnb policy | Your house rules |
| Damage liability | Guest pays for actual damage (same as any guest) | Guest pays for actual damage | Guest pays + pet deposit if you set one |
Save this table. Print it. Know it. The number one legal mistake hosts make with animals is treating a service animal like a pet — charging a fee, asking for papers, or refusing the booking. That's a discrimination violation, a potential Airbnb ban, and in some jurisdictions, a criminal charge.
Where to Start
If you're currently a "no pets" listing, here's your action plan in order:
This week: Understand service animal law. You're already legally required to accommodate them. Review your house rules for any language that could be read as refusing service animals or ESAs inappropriately. If your listing says "absolutely no animals," that's a problem.
Next week: Build your Pet Welcome Kit. Order the supplies — the full kit runs $70-107 and arrives in a few days. Write your laminated rules card. Find your nearest 24/7 emergency vet and add it to the card.
Week three: Update your Airbnb listing. Check the pet-friendly box. Set your pet fee ($50 per stay is a safe starting point). Add a line to your description about welcoming well-behaved pets. Photograph the kit and add it to your gallery.
Ongoing: Brief your cleaners on the pet turnover protocol. Monitor your first few pet stays closely. Adjust your fee and rules based on experience. Most hosts find that after 5-10 pet stays, the fear evaporates completely — because the reality is so much better than the worst-case scenario they imagined.
Run your listing through the free Listing Analyzer to check your current pet policy, house rules language, and amenity setup. It flags restrictive language and shows what pet-friendly competitors in your market offer that you don't.
The pet travel market hit $2.4 billion in 2024 and is growing at 8-9% annually. Seventy-eight percent of American pet owners travel with their pets each year. The demand isn't slowing down — and the supply of pet-friendly listings hasn't caught up.
You're already required to welcome service animals. The data shows pet-friendly listings earn more, book more often, and face minimal damage costs. A $90 kit and a clear set of rules is all that stands between you and a 15x return on the risk.
Fix your pet policy. The dogs — and the revenue — are waiting.
Sources & Research
Expert Video Sources (Watch on Learn STR):
- Erin Spradlin, Midterm Rental Consulting — Rentals and Emotional Support Animals
- Erin Spradlin, Midterm Rental Consulting — Pet Fee Costs in the Midterm Rental Space
- Midterm Rental Consulting — If You Allow Dogs, You Should Advertise for Them
- Hospitable — Everything You Need to Know About Handling ESA & Service Animal Requests
- James Svetec — STOP Dropping Rates on Airbnb: 12 Tips to Charge MORE
- Build Short Term Rental Wealth — 400% ROI on Airbnb Amenity
External Sources:
- ADA.gov — Service Animals FAQ | ADA Requirements
- HUD.gov — Assistance Animals
- Airbnb — Accessibility Policy | Hosting Pets Guide
- AirDNA — How to Make Your Airbnb Pet-Friendly
- PriceLabs — Pet-friendly portfolio ADR data, February 2026
- American Pet Products Association — Pet ownership and travel statistics, 2024
- Grand View Research — Pet Travel Services Market Report, 2025-2030
Related Guides:
- How to Optimize Your Airbnb Listing →
- How the Airbnb Algorithm Actually Works →
- The Amenities That Actually Pay for Themselves (coming soon)