Most people have someone who they consider to be their companion. For some, it’s their best friend. For others, it’s a member of their family, such as a sibling, parent, or cousin.
To many, that companion just so happens to be their very own pet. Just like with a best friend or a family member, the two are like peas in a pod and are completely inseparable, wanting to go wherever the other party does. This extends to going on holidays together, especially when staying over at an Airbnb. The only trouble is that only three percent of Airbnb accommodations will allow pets to join the owner during their stay.
Have you decided that your Airbnb is going to be a pet-friendly one, but you don’t know where to start? Well, this guide is for you. Below is a list of four tips that’ll help you get started.
Update your house rules
As soon as you’ve decided that you’re going to allow pets to stay in your Airbnb, you must lay down the groundwork and update your house rules. Rules that you must be clear of with your guests regarding their pets are:
- Areas that are off-limits to the pets.
- When it needs to be on a leash. This may apply to more than just dogs.
- When it is or isn’t acceptable to leave the pet unattended.
- How and where to dispose of waste.
- They need to control the amount of noise the animal makes. Again, this applies to more than just dogs.
- They’ll need to report any property damage immediately.
In addition, you’ll need to take on board these details that are certainly unwritten rules:
- You must mention if there’ll be pets on your property.
- In relation to the above, if you own pets yourself, you must disclose it. This is important largely if the pet in question is difficult to move, such as a fish or reptile of some sort.
- Assistance animals, whether they’re for people with disabilities or require emotional support, are always allowed unless due to health and safety concerns, such as allergies.
Pet food (and other bits and pieces for them)
Just as you’d provide food and beverages for your guests, you should also provide it for their pets as well. While it’s likely that they’ll provide the food themselves, there’s no harm in stocking up on pet food as not just a backup, but a way of showing hospitality. Dogs, as well as cats to a lesser extent, are the most popular pets to own, so it’s ideal to have dog and cat food spare. Another no-brainer is that you should provide bowls for the food and the water to go in if the visitors have not brought their own or have forgotten them. In terms of your own pets, if they are easy to feed (as with fish), show visitors how to do this as well in case you’re preoccupied.
Other than food, it is ideal that you provide other resources for your guests’ pets as if they were at home. Keep on hand a scooping tray to pick up dog waste, while also possessing a litter box for cats. Animal beds are also a good idea to have spare, again due to the possibility guests might not have brought any, while toys for the animals to play with can be an added bonus for guests. These can extend to more than just cats and dogs.
Pet-proof your Airbnb
Even if you do decide to allow pets to join their owners during their stay, you’ll need to make sure that your Airbnb is a suitable environment for them to be in. If you don’t want them to go into certain areas, whether that is due to privacy or health concerns, put up a child gate or barrier to prevent them from accessing the off-limits location. It’s also vital that you keep hazardous items out of reach which, as with the gate or barrier, you would also do if children were visiting.
You’ll also need to take into consideration how you and the pet owner will need to clean up after their pet. Other than waste, animal hair will be something you’ll find you’ll be needing to clean up a lot, but by having pet-friendly furniture covers, this will make things a lot easier, notably if said pet has claws. If you want to make sure that the floor will be easier to clean from mud, water, or anything they might drag in, you can try installing pet-friendly flooring. This can include vinyl, hardwood, or laminate flooring to name but a few ideas, or you could just simply rely on a carpet or rug. You could additionally supply designated towels to wipe paws at the door when they arrive back to your Airbnb from a trip out.
External help (and other useful things)
Of course, while you may be allowing pets to stay, you might not be an expert on how to handle certain animals. If a visitor wants some time away from their pet while they go out, you should recommend local pet-sitting services along with any kennels for dogs. With your Airbnb’s guidebook, you can mention the nearest park for the owner and their pet to visit, along with pet stores to gather supplies, and – in case of an emergency – vets to treat the animal.
In short
Although they say “never work with children or animals”, you’ll be finding that taking precautions can ensure your Airbnb will be safe for pets to stay in. It’s vital that your house rules are updated if you’ve decided to allow pets onto your property, as you’ll need to be absolutely clear on what can and can’t be done. You should also stock up on pet food and other titbits regardless of whether or not your guests have supplied their own to show your hospitality. By pet-proofing your Airbnb, it won’t just be easier for you to clean up after the pets, but will also be potentially safer for them, while you should additionally specify nearby pet stores, parks, vets, and anything pet-related that can come in handy for the guests that you might not be able to handle yourself.
These were just four tips on how to manage having pets at your Airbnb. If you’d like to learn more on this topic or another one entirely, don’t hesitate to contact us at Keey today.