Pet-friendly holiday rentals are in critically short supply relative to demand. Hosts who open their doors to dogs are capturing premium rates and loyal returning guests.
There is a persistent and significant mismatch in the UK holiday rental market between the supply of pet-friendly accommodation and the demand for it. Approximately 59% of UK households own a pet, and dogs in particular are now considered family members whose inclusion in holidays is non-negotiable for a large share of British travellers.
Yet surveys consistently show that only around 35–40% of UK holiday rental listings accept pets. The consequence is a structural supply deficit that hosts willing to accommodate dogs can exploit commercially — charging premium rates, achieving higher occupancy in shoulder seasons, and building a loyal base of returning guests who have limited alternatives.
If you've been hesitant about going pet-friendly, this post makes the case — and addresses the legitimate concerns that hold hosts back.
The financial argument for accepting pets is compelling:
Pet-friendly properties in high-demand areas typically charge 10–20% above comparable non-pet-friendly listings for equivalent accommodation. In some coastal and rural markets, the premium is higher. When alternatives are scarce, guests will pay for the certainty of a property that welcomes their dog.
Most pet-friendly hosts charge a pet fee of £25–£50 per dog per stay. For a property that welcomes dogs in 50 bookings per year, this generates an additional £1,250–£2,500 in revenue that non-pet-friendly hosts simply don't access. The fee is also reasonable — guests expect it and pay it without complaint as long as it's transparent upfront.
The demand for pet-friendly accommodation is less seasonal than leisure demand generally. Dog owners can't necessarily leave their dogs with family or friends, so they take their dogs on holiday at all times of year — not just school holidays. Pet-friendly hosts consistently report better shoulder and off-season occupancy than non-pet-friendly equivalents.
Because supply is restricted, pet-friendly properties in most UK markets have lower vacancy rates than equivalent non-pet-friendly listings. The effective occupancy premium varies by market but is meaningful across the industry.
Dog owners who find a property that genuinely suits them — with good walks, an enclosed garden, appropriate flooring, and a host who doesn't make them feel unwelcome — tend to return. The returning guest rate for well-run pet-friendly properties is significantly above the industry average, and returning guests are the most valuable guests in any accommodation business: zero acquisition cost, high predictability, and strong review propensity.
The hesitation around accepting pets is understandable. Here's an honest assessment of the common concerns:
Reality: the risk is real but manageable. The vast majority of well-behaved dogs on holiday cause no damage whatsoever. The small minority of guests who bring poorly behaved dogs and fail to manage them are the issue — and the solution is clear house rules, a refundable damage deposit, and clear communication rather than a blanket ban on all pets.
Practical risk management:
Reality: accepting dogs does typically add some cleaning time and cost. Professional cleaning after a dog-owning guest requires attention to pet hair, any muddy areas, and a thorough check of garden space. A pet supplement of £25–£35 per booking, applied consistently, covers the additional cleaning cost in most cases and still leaves significant net revenue gain.
Reality: most pet owners are genuinely conscientious and anxious to find accommodation that's truly welcoming. Guests who are travelling with their dogs have made that choice specifically and are typically very motivated to leave a positive impression so that pet-friendly accommodation remains available to them. Clear rules that are communicated upfront — not buried in a 47-point house rules document — are effective.
Reality: this concern is largely unfounded. Non-pet-owning guests booking a listing that says 'well-behaved dogs welcome' simply won't be bothered by this. Those with severe allergies may self-select out, but this is a small segment and one who would have a bad experience in any case — you're better off having them filter themselves out at the listing stage.
There's a meaningful difference between 'pets accepted' and 'genuinely pet-friendly'. The latter generates premium rates, rave reviews, and returning guests. Here's what it looks like in practice:
Enclosed garden or outdoor space: this is the single biggest filter for dog-owning guests. A fully enclosed garden (fenced with no gaps) allows dogs to be outside unsupervised without risk. List this prominently — 'fully enclosed private garden' is one of the most-searched terms by dog owners booking holiday accommodation.
Hard flooring in key areas: tiled, stone, or laminate flooring in hallways, utility areas, and dining rooms makes cleanup after muddy walks easy. Deep carpeting throughout is a liability with dogs; a mix of hard flooring and easy-clean rugs is ideal.
Dog welcome amenities: a dog bed, a dog bowl, a supply of poo bags, towels for drying muddy dogs, and a dog-friendly welcome card or note signals genuine welcome rather than grudging tolerance. These cost almost nothing but generate disproportionate guest delight and reviews.
Outdoor tap or shower: a hosepipe attachment or outdoor shower for washing muddy dogs before they come inside is genuinely useful and beloved by dog-owning guests.
Information on dog-friendly walks and local businesses: a dedicated section in your welcome guide listing nearby dog-friendly walks (with distances and difficulty), dog-friendly pubs and cafes, and any local dog-related services (groomers, vets, dog daycare) is highly valued and frequently mentioned positively in reviews.
Effective pet house rules are clear, specific, and framed positively where possible:
Airbnb: tick the 'pets allowed' amenity — this makes you filterable by the significant share of guests who search specifically for pet-friendly listings. Include 'dogs welcome' or 'dog-friendly' naturally in your listing title and description.
Booking.com: has a dedicated 'pets allowed' filter. Enable it and specify any conditions (e.g. 'up to 2 well-behaved dogs').
Dog-specific platforms: list on dedicated dog-friendly accommodation sites — Canine Cottages, Cottages With Dogs, Dog Friendly Retreats, and similar platforms have audiences of exactly the guests you want and relatively low competition.
Instagram and social media: dogs are the single most-shareable content on social media. Encourage guests to tag your property in their dog-holiday photos and reshare the best ones (with permission). This creates authentic, viral marketing content that no advertising budget can replicate.
Lead with the dog experience, not just the property:
Including one or two lifestyle photos featuring a dog in your listing (with appropriate permissions if it's a guest's dog) signals genuine pet-friendliness in a way that text alone cannot. A photo of the enclosed garden, the dog bed, or the outdoor tap communicates the practical welcome immediately.
Being pet-friendly doesn't mean accepting all pets with no conditions. Reasonable parameters include:
Be transparent about any restrictions in your listing to avoid booking then cancellation situations.
Beyond the immediate revenue benefits, a genuinely excellent pet-friendly property builds compound advantages:
LetPilot helps pet-friendly holiday rental hosts manage the details that matter — from automated pet policy messaging sent to every booking, to track which guests are bringing dogs so your cleaning team is always prepared. Building a thriving pet-friendly business is easier with the right tools behind you. Try LetPilot free at letpilot.co — no credit card required.