5 tips for creating a pet-friendly rental

Rental properties have an incredible opportunity to expand their customer base further by welcoming our favorite four-legged friends with open arms, and we’ve got tips on how to do it.

Simply allowing travelers to bring their pets with them doesn’t qualify as pet-friendly, especially when there are tons of stipulations attached. Being pet-friendly means your rental truly accommodates your guests and their pets by making their stay easy. Some examples might include having treats for pet parents to share with their animals, ensuring the space is safe for pets, and being mindful of the potty areas you provide access to.

Pets can cause wear and tear on a property, but there are ways to update your property regularly to minimize damage and support your investment.

• Install durable floors. Carpet is notoriously bad for collecting dirt, dander, dust, and pet hair. Replace any carpet in the rental with tile or laminate.
• Install a fence. If you don’t already have a fence installed, you should! It create a secure, safe environment that pet parents will appreciate.
• Opt for pet-friendly fabrics. Certain fabrics are more stain resistant so opt for furniture made of canvas or microfiber if possible. If not, turn to slipcovers that can be easily removed and washed.

These sorts of upfront investments will pay off in the long run.

Pets deserve amenities and perks when traveling, too! That’s where pet supplies come in. By providing access to the essentials, you’re already providing above and beyond service for your renters, something they’ll remember in the future.

Here are some of our top suggestions for supplies:

• Stainless steel bowls. These bowls are durable, easy to clean, and safest for pets to drink from.
• Poo bags. Get ahead of any unwanted poo piles in the yard by providing handy poo bag dispensers.
• Treats. While some pets may have a specific brand they prefer, offering a few options of treats is a great touch.
• Toys. For safety reasons, we recommend swapping out toys after each guest, and lucky for us all that stores carry toy packs for occasions such as this.
• Beds. For those pets that don’t sleep with their humans, a comfortable, clean pet bed can be an added bonus.
• Towels and shampoo. Pet specific towels and shampoo in the bathrooms makes pet clean up easy and convenient.
• Cat litter. For pet parents with cats, consider asking about their brand and offering litter and litter boxes.

When welcoming cats into your rental, you may want to consider disposable or stainless steel litter boxes for easy clean up and sanitation.

Don’t forget enrichment!

We already covered the importance of offering toys, but what types are best for your furry guests? For dogs and cats alike, puzzle toys are a low cost, high impact form of stimulation. Whether it’s a snuffle mat or KONG toy, these small moments show your guests that you go out of your way for the wellness of their pets.

Cats may also benefit from a cat condo or scratch tree, both of which give them opportunities for play and focus.

Before welcoming pets into your rental, it’s important to designate spots for pets where they can sleep, rest, feel safe, or use the restroom.

Outdoors, the best possible scenario is to have a fenced in yard for play and potty time. If you don’t have one or are unable to fence it in, it’s a great idea to supply collars and leashes for when pet parents have to take their animals out. While most pet parents will want to relax, some pets may be more high-strung or a working breed. In these cases it may even be helpful to have outdoor obstacles for them to take advantage of to help tire pets out.

When inside, it may be smart to have a few different size crates on hand for pet parents to utilize, especially if the dog is crate trained. These crates can not only provide stability for a pet taken out of their element, but can prevent damages should a dog become anxious or stressed.

When traveling, visitors will depend on you for great recommendations on how to enjoy their stay with their pets. That means that it’s helpful to create documentation that can benefit pet parents. This includes pet-friendly restaurants, parks and dog parks, breweries, and practical recommendations like local emergency vets and pet stores.

Stay up-to-date on health concerns

While pet parents should always be up-to-date on local ordinances for vaccinations, illness outbreaks, or general dangers, it’s helpful for rental owners to be aware of such things. This can go a long way in creating trust between renters and owners.

• Wildlife. Out west, some owners may not be aware of the prevalence of rattlesnakes while eastern states deal with copperhead snakes. Similarly, visitors to Florida may not think about alligators roaming the waterways.
• Climate concerns. Extreme heat and cold may not be something owners consider when traveling. Keep concerns about overheating or the cold in mind when sharing recommendations and safety tips.
• Vaccines. Some regions may require certain vaccines for the safety of pets and owners alike.
• Breakouts. How prevalent are contagious illnesses in your area? For example, it’s a good idea to stay up-to-date on rabies activity in your area for the health of pets and guests.

If your guests travel by plane, packing every essential isn’t feasible. For those with pets that have specific needs, it can be stressful to decide what can come and what can’t. With that in mind, it can be helpful to travelers to accept shipments of their pet supplies ahead of time.

With a reasonable limit on size, rental owners can share this service with renters and hold the contents for a few days prior to the start of their stay. This can alleviate stress on the side of the renter, and can be an added cost tacked onto the stay, which is a net benefit to rental owners.

While welcoming pets to your rental can be fun, you want to ensure it’s being done safely for both you as the owner of the property, and for the pet. Just as you would child-proof a home, here are some examples of ways to promote safety in a rental:

• Hide cords. Even the best pets might get the urge to chew so hide cords as best you can or utilize cord covers..
• Remove toxic plants. Lots of plants can make animals sick. Stay safe and remove any and all potentially hazardous plants from inside and outside. Keep in mind that some plants are safe for dogs, but cats are more sensitive. Explore this list of plants safe for cats.
• Secure hazards. Cleaning products, sharp items, and chemicals (rat poison, bleach, etc.) can all potentially harm pets. Secure them away from their access.