Pet-Friendly Hosting
About this article
Published:
16 Dec 2025
Category:
Guest Experience
If you’ve ever considered allowing pets in your Serviced Accomodation, you’ve probably had the same thought most UK hosts do:
“Sounds nice… but what if they ruin the house?”
I get it. I was exactly the same at the beginning.
But after hosting hundreds of guests with dogs — small ones, big ones, barely furry ones, and very, very furry ones… like real Huskies — I can honestly say this:
There was absolutely no need to be scared.
My Real Experience Hosting Pets in Short-Term Rentals
Across our properties, we’ve welcomed hundreds of dogs over the year, and I can confidently say that guests with pets have been some of the most respectful guests we’ve ever hosted.
We’ve never had:
Damaged sofas
Broken chairs or tables
Destroyed carpets
Our houses are always left just as clean as any other stay — and in many cases, even better.
All our whole-house accommodations are dog-friendly.
The only exception is room-by-room bookings, where for allergy and safety reasons, we can only accommodate registered service dogs.
That balance works incredibly well for us.
And here’s something I say very honestly to UK hosts:
If your accommodation isn’t pet-friendly in the UK, you will lose a lot of bookings.
Why Pet-Friendly Airbnbs Perform So Well in the UK
UK travellers love travelling with their dogs, and hotels still make it difficult.
That means pet-friendly holiday lets:
Stand out immediately
Receive more enquiries
Often attracts longer stays
Build loyal, repeat guests
Guests travelling with pets are usually grateful to find a home that welcomes them, and grateful guests tend to respect house rules.
The Key to Success: Clear Rules (Without Being Strict). It’s Not a Prison.
Allowing pets doesn’t mean letting go of control. It just means being clear and fair.
The Rules We Set (And Why They Work)
From day one, we established simple, reasonable house rules, such as:
Dogs must not be left unattended in the property
Dogs are not allowed on beds
If dogs go on the sofa, we kindly ask guests to use the dog blankets provided
That’s it.
We don’t overcomplicate things, and we don’t make guests feel uncomfortable. We promote our properties as “a home away from home”, and these rules are more than enough.
Pet-Friendly Amenities We Provide (Small Touch, Big Impact)
These little details make a huge difference, especially in the UK, where rainy walks are part of life.
We provide:
Dog blankets
Dog towels (essential after muddy walks)
Dog bowls
Poo bags (because sometimes people forget)
A small treat for the doggies
🛋️ Pet-Friendly Furniture & Protection
Washable Dog Blankets
Ideal for sofas and armchairs — we always ask guests to place these underneath their dogs if they sit on furniture.
Lint Rollers (Heavy-Duty)
Essential for quick checks between cleans and emergency touch-ups.
👉 BUY FROM AMAZON
Low-Pile, Easy-Clean Rugs
If you use rugs, choose low-pile or washable options to avoid trapped hair.
🧼 Pet-Safe Cleaning Products (UK-Suitable)
Pet-Safe Floor Cleaner
Non-toxic, effective, and safe for homes welcoming both pets and families. Our cleaners use this regularly in pet-friendly properties for a deep, hygienic clean without harsh smells.
Enzyme Cleaner (For Accidents)
A must-have even if you rarely need it, it prevents odours and repeated marking.
This one is a concentrated 5-litre version; it’s a fantastic product for larger areas.
If there was a bigger accident caused by a dog or cat, or if you had a longer booking and now need to clean the house quickly because the next guests are arriving within 24 hours, here are a few things we have tried and tested for smells.
Non-toxic odour neutraliser (for quick turnaround)
A powerful, non-toxic odour neutraliser that removes pet smells permanently, not just masks them. Safe for homes, Airbnbs, pets, and people, and super easy to use — just open and let it work. Ideal for pet-friendly stays and quick turnarounds. This was more helpful than active charcoal.
These two HG odour sprays
— one for mattresses and one for soft furnishings — are always a really good choice. Our cleaners swear by them and use them regularly to keep rooms fresh, especially in pet-friendly properties.
This high-capacity ozone generator
is extremely effective for removing strong smells like smoke and pet odours in larger spaces. However, you need to be very careful when using it. As it can trigger smoke detectors (speaking from experience 😅). Always use with caution and follow the instructions carefully.
🐶 Guest-Friendly Pet Amenities
Dog Towels (Microfibre)
Perfect for muddy paws — especially in the UK.
Dog Bowls (Stainless Steel)
Durable and the most important is that easy to clean.
Poo Bags (Bulk Packs)
Guests appreciate them — especially when they forget.
Guests genuinely appreciate this.
AND
Respected guests behave respectfully.
Cleaning & Property Condition: What Actually Happens
One of the biggest myths is that pet-friendly homes are harder to maintain.
In reality:
Our properties remain consistently clean
There’s been no increase in furniture replacement
Cleaning standards stay exactly the same
Good rules + thoughtful setup = no drama.
Do You Need to Charge a Pet Fee in the UK?
This comes down to personal preference.
We personally don’t charge for pets.
It aligns with our “home away from home” approach, and it works well for our brand.
That said, many UK hosts do charge a pet fee, and that’s absolutely fine.
The going rate in the UK is usually £15–£20 per pet.
There’s no right or wrong. Just choose what fits your property and your pricing strategy.
UK Rules You Should Know About Pets & Service Dogs
This part is important.
❌ You cannot refuse a registered service dog. Ever
✅ You can choose not to allow pets in your property
✅ Flats or apartments often make more sense as non-pet-friendly
In most cases, guests with pets will self-filter. If your place isn’t suitable, they simply won’t book it.
Is a Pet-Friendly Airbnb Right for You?
Pet-friendly works best when:
You’re renting a whole property
There’s hard flooring or easy-clean surfaces. For instance great example our living rooms, where we only add a hard floor with a rug (easier to clean)
The home suits families or longer stays
It’s not for every setup, and that’s okay.
But if you’ve been avoiding pets purely out of fear, my honest advice as a UK host is:
You really don’t need to.
Final Thoughts from a UK Host Who Was Once Worried Too
I was nervous at the start. Most hosts are.
But after hundreds of pet stays, I can confidently say:
Dogs are not the problem
Lack of rules are
With clear expectations and thoughtful amenities, pet-friendly hosting can be one of the smartest decisions you make.
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