Pet-friendly vacation rental: how to accept pets, earn more, and not wreck your property

Only 10-15% of vacation rentals in Spain accept pets. But 30-40% of travelers travel with their dog or cat. That gap is an opportunity: owners who accept pets face less competition, more demand, and can charge a surcharge of €10-30 per night without the guest blinking. The trick is doing it in a way that doesn't wreck your property.

Many owners rule out accepting pets for fear of damage, smells, and hair. And it's a legitimate fear — a dog can scratch a floor, chew a cushion, or leave a smell that takes days to clear. But with the right measures, the risk is manageable and the financial benefit more than compensates.

The numbers: why it's worth it

More bookings

• 30-40% of travelers have a pet and look for accommodation that accepts them
• Only 10-15% of supply is pet-friendly
• Result: less competition for a large demand segment

More income

Concept	Impact
Pet surcharge	+€10-30/night or flat fee of €30-80 per stay
Higher occupancy (less competition)	+10-20% nights booked
Longer stays (pet travelers move slower)	+15-25% average duration
Loyalty (few places accept pets, they return)	+20-30% repeat rate

The pet traveler profile

• More responsible on average (cares for a living being, tends to care for the property too)
• Less price-sensitive (pays whatever for a place that accepts their dog)
• More loyal (if they find a good spot, they return year after year)
• Books further ahead (fewer options = plans earlier)
• Travels in low season too (the dog doesn't understand seasons)

How to prepare your property

Floors

Floors suffer most with pets. Prioritize:

• Porcelain/ceramic tile: scratch-resistant, easy to clean, doesn't absorb odors. Ideal.
• Quality vinyl: resistant, warm, easy to clean. Good alternative.
• Hardwood/laminate: scratches from nails. If you already have it, put washable rugs in high-traffic areas.
• Carpet: NO. Absorbs odors and hair. If you have it, remove it.

Furniture and textiles

• Sofa with washable cover — essential. Hair goes away with the cover in the washing machine.
• Cushions with removable covers — same principle.
• Washable throws in areas where the dog might climb.
• Avoid delicate fabrics (velvet, fine linen) in areas accessible to the pet.

Outdoor area (if you have one)

• Secure perimeter fence if you have a garden or terrace (so the dog can't escape)
• Shade area for the animal to rest outside
• Outdoor water access

Pet welcome kit

A detail that costs little and generates incredible reviews:

• Bowls for water and food (€2-5)
• Dog bed/mat (€15-30, washable)
• Poop bags (€1-2)
• Old towel to dry the dog if it comes in wet
• List of nearby vets and dog parks

Total kit cost: €25-40. Pays for itself on the first booking with surcharge.

Rules for guests with pets

Set clear rules from the listing. Not to be strict, but so the guest knows what to expect:

Recommended rules

• Maximum pets: 1-2 (depending on property size)
• Type: dogs and cats (exclude exotic or farm animals)
• Size: decide if you accept all sizes or set a limit (many accept up to 20-25 kg)
• Vaccinations up to date: ask them to confirm the animal is vaccinated
• Don't leave the animal alone for long periods (prevents barking and anxiety damage)
• Pick up waste in common areas and outdoors
• No pets on beds (optional, but protects mattresses and bedding)
• Report damage immediately

How to communicate them

Include rules in:

1. The listing description (so they book knowing)
2. The pre-arrival message (reminder)
3. A document/sign in the property (reference during the stay)

Pet surcharge: how much to charge

Model	Amount	Best for
Flat fee per stay	€30-80	Short stays (1-3 nights)
Per-night fee	€10-30/night	Long stays
Included in price (no surcharge)	€0 extra	Differentiating from competition

Include or charge separately?

• Charging separately is most common and what pet owners expect. They're used to paying a surcharge.
• Including in the price differentiates you and can generate more bookings, but you lose that extra income.
• Recommendation: charge a moderate surcharge (€40-60 per stay or €15/night) and allocate part to the extra cleaning required.

Extra cleaning: what changes

A stay with pets requires additional cleaning:

Extra task	Additional time	Extra cost
Deep vacuuming (hair)	+20-30 min	+€10-15
Sofa cover washing	+30 min (washing machine)	+€5-10
Pet bed cleaning	+10 min	Included
Odor check (extra ventilation)	+15-20 min	Included
Total extra per cleaning	+45-60 min	+€15-25

If you charge a €50 surcharge per stay and extra cleaning costs €20, you're left with €30 net additional profit per pet booking.

Protection against damage

Pet-specific deposit

In addition to your regular deposit, you can request an additional pet deposit (€50-150) returned if there's no damage. This:

• Filters irresponsible owners (if they won't pay a deposit, maybe their dog isn't that well-trained)
• Covers you for scratches, stains, or breakage
• Managed the same as the regular deposit (deposit guide)

Insurance

Verify your home/liability insurance covers damage caused by guests' pets. Some don't include it by default. If it doesn't, the pet surcharge should cover that additional risk.

Post-stay inspection

With pets, post-check-out inspection is more important:

• Check floors (scratches)
• Check upholstered furniture (chewing, stains)
• Smell the environment (persistent odors)
• Check garden/terrace (waste, damaged plants)

Homeowners' association: can they stop me?

The homeowners' association may have rules about pets in common areas (elevator, lobby, garden), but cannot prohibit you from accepting pets inside your property. What happens inside your home is your decision.

However, if your guests' pets cause disturbances (constant barking, waste in common areas), the community can act. Set clear rules to avoid conflicts (more on neighbor conflicts).

How Autoregistro fits in

Guest registration is the same with or without a pet — the pet doesn't get registered with SES Hospedajes (only people). But Autoregistro lets you collect additional information in the pre-arrival form: whether they're traveling with a pet, type of animal, size. So you know in advance what to expect and can prepare the welcome kit. One form, all the data you need — the legal stuff and the practical stuff.

Frequently asked questions

How much more can I earn by accepting pets? Between 15-30% more annual income, combining the pet surcharge (€10-30/night), higher occupancy (less competition), and longer stays.

What if the dog destroys something? That's what the deposit is for. Charge an additional pet deposit (€50-150) and do a post-stay inspection. Serious damage is rare if you set clear rules and filter with the deposit.

Should I accept all types of pets? No. Most common is accepting dogs and cats. You can set a size limit (up to 20-25 kg) or number (maximum 1-2). Specify in the listing to avoid surprises.

Can the homeowners' association stop me from accepting pets? Not inside your property. They can regulate use of common areas (elevator, garden). But the decision to accept pets in your property is yours.

Do I need special insurance? Verify your current policy covers damage by third-party pets. If not, extend coverage or make sure the pet surcharge covers the additional risk.