Pet friendly holidays is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the UK travel market, and is predicted to rise. According to Sykes 2021 Staycation Index, we found that bookings with pets have almost doubled this summer, with those accepting pets into their property earning 11% more on average.
With increasing demand for UK pet-friendly holidays following a surge in pet ownership and dog-friendly breaks, there’s huge opportunity for holiday let owners to maximise bookings and boost their earning potential.
If you’re thinking of going pet-friendly, you’ll need to know how best to pet-proof your property.
Pros and cons of a pet-friendly holiday let
From pet insurance and maintenance fees, to pet-safe protocols and anything in between, there are a few things to consider when deciding whether to welcome pets into your property. At Sykes, 32% of bookings in 2021 included pets, and this trend is set to continue. While demand is certainly strong for pet-friendly accommodation, weighing up the potential benefits and pitfalls can help you make an informed decision.
Advantages of running a pet-friendly holiday let
For many UK holiday-goers, leaving their beloved pets behind can often be an emotional experience. With this in mind, dog and cat owners are usually happy to pay extra to bring their pets along and save money on expensive kennel or cattery fees.
Demand for pet-friendly accommodation is on the rise. As more people are choosing to stay on home ground for their holidays, accepting pets may help secure more bookings and increase your holiday rental income.
Offering a pet-friendly holiday let will open up your target market to a wider audience wanting to holiday with their four-legged friends. More than 50% of our properties are now pet-friendly, and this number looks set to continue to rise.
Going dog-friendly may boost year-round occupancy rates and drive low season bookings. Autumn is a popular time of year for pet owner breaks as many seasonal dog bans on beaches are lifted.
If your property meets all the necessary criteria, you may attract repeat business as loyal customers return and recommend your place to others looking for pet-friendly holiday lets.
What are the drawbacks of allowing pets in your holiday home?
While going pet-friendly is great for animal lovers, those who don’t rate dogs or suffer from allergies may be put off by properties that accept pets.
Permitting pets into your holiday let runs the risk of increased wear and tear. Holiday cottages with pets will also mean more mess to clean and increased overheads.
Pet-friendly accommodation increases the chances of flea infestations, which could force your property to temporarily close and potentially result in missed bookings.
Untrained dogs or pets who are stressed in strange environments may damage your property by smashing objects, knocking items, scratching, or chewing furniture.
Dog barking may be noisy and could disturb other guests staying nearby your holiday let.
Will a pet-friendly cottage increase my holiday bookings?
A big question for cottage owners is whether allowing pets into their holiday let will generate more bookings, and the answer is yes – depending on your location. Successful pet-friendly holiday cottages can mainly be found in coastal villages or seaside towns with access to dog-friendly beaches, pubs and country walks.
Looking at the popularity of the area and researching best place to buy a holiday home is a great place to start. You may also want to consider the following:
The highest percentage of pet-friendly properties by region:
Southern Scotland (65%)
Central Scotland (64%)
Mid Wales (63%)
Northumberland (61%)
North York Moors & Coast (60%)
Most popular pet-friendly properties
Home to Roost in Norfolk (955613) had the highest bookings with pets in 2021. Other top pet-friendly holidays include:
Hafod-Heli located in the popular coastal village of Rhosneigr on Anglesey (1008860)
Tyn Y Gorlan with 12 acres of private land near Snowdonia National Park (966889)
Sunrise sea front cottage boasting panoramic views over Filey Bay (974390)
Pemba Cottage in the Yorkshire Dales with dog-friendly walking trails (1016674)
Top pet-friendly properties by country
Scotland (58%)
Wales (56%)
England – (51%)
Ireland – (49%)
Tips for creating a successful pet-friendly holiday let
With more British people bringing their four-legged friends along with them on holiday, making your holiday let pet-friendly can be a great way to attract more bookings, bring year-round appeal and maximise the earning potential of your holiday let income. Here a few top tips to help welcome guests and their pets during their stay:
Choosing your property type: dog, cat, horse-friendly?
Is your holiday let open to different pets, or is it strictly dog-friendly? Do you have restrictions for the size and number of pets guests are permitted to bring? Determining the type of pets allowed, whether it’s canine companions, feline friends, or other types of four-legged guests, will help tailor your pet-friendly property appropriately. Depending on your preferences, you may choose to include an extra charge for pets or offer a pets go free cottage.
Certain farms and self-catering cottages include stables for guests with pet horses or ponies. Equestrian properties are often hard to come by, and can be a strong unique selling point to attract more bookings. Managing a holiday cottage with stabling can also be a great base for guests to explore the local area in rural locations – whether they choose to gallop around the Peak District or trek along the cross country courses in Cornwall.
Pet proofing your holiday let
When furnishing your holiday let, it’s important to opt for materials that are durable, machine washable and easy-to-clean, such as microfibre or leather. Consider investing in protective covers for soft furnishings and pet-proof sofas made from hypoallergenic, flea-resistant fabrics to reduce allergies for both pet and owner.
While some wear and tear is inevitable, decorating your pet-friendly cottage with long-lasting, stain resistant furniture pieces and laying down clear instructions for guests will help to minimise damages.
Keep your pet-friendly cottage safe
Safety comes first, particularly when it involves our beloved pets and electrics. Health and safety regulations for holiday lets require by law that property owners ensure all electrical appliances, circuits and fixed installations are not hazardous to guests. It’s important to block access to any exposed wires and avoid potential accidents or electrical malfunctions. You can do this by:
Securing all cables and sockets, preferably out of reach from pets. This may involve blocking access to any cables with furniture, or securing them at a height that is unreachable.
Purchasing removable protectors for plug sockets for additional security and peace of mind in your pet-friendly home.
Placing remote controls, pet toys, house plants and other small items on a high shelf.
Find fauna-friendly floors
One of the most important features of a successful pet-friendly holiday home is flooring. When choosing the right type of floor for pets, durable flooring is key. From muddy paw prints to scratches and household accidents, there are many problems to consider when investing in suitable pet-friendly flooring. These may include:
Pet fur and hair: This is one of the most important pitfalls to consider, particularly when it comes to cat-friendly cottages. It’s common for cats to molt, leaving fur, hairballs and stains that can be difficult to remove.
Dirt: Pets love to roam outside – is your property able to withstand muddy paws?
Accidents: Even if they are house-trained, being in a strange environment can be stress-inducing for pets and may lead them to mark their territory.
Practical, durable and easy to clean vinyl is considered one of the most suitable floors for pets, and is affordable for those on a budget. As a rule of thumb, scratch-resistant and hard-wearing flooring such as wood or tiles are easier to maintain than carpets which can be easily damaged by chewing, cat scratches and stains.
If carpets are a must, choose one that is hypoallergenic, durable and stain-resistant such as 100% polypropylene. It’s also wise to go for darker shades or patterned carpet as these are low maintenance and easier to clean if bathroom accidents should occur.
Need help with the next steps of your holiday letting journey?
If you're thinking of buying a holiday let or just need some advice, our property experts can help answer any queries you may have.
If your property allows it, creating a pet-friendly outdoor space will go down a treat for furry guests. Pets tend to get claustrophobic when having no space to roam around, and pet-friendly cottages with enclosed gardens are the perfect way to keep pets entertained while in a safe environment. This can include:
Installing secure tall fencing around your dog-friendly holiday cottage and garden area, making sure to patch up any holes and secure borders to prevent pets from escaping
Decorating with pet-friendly, non-toxic outdoor plants such as honeysuckle, sunflowers and roses
Restricting access to potentially dangerous electrics such as outdoor plugs
Creating a designated area such as a sand pit for dogs to play or dig
Using pet-friendly pest and weed control products
Pet-proofing borders and plant beds
Extra tips to pet-proof your holiday let
Eliminate unpleasant odours
While it’s important that your pet-friendly cottage let looks the part, it should also smell good. Opting for non-toxic, dog-friendly air fresheners can help eliminate those ubiquitous doggy smells and keep your property feeling fresh.
Check your insurance
Is your holiday let insured against pet-related damages? Check what’s included on your policy to safeguard against any mishaps. Our comprehensive holiday let insurance guide outlines everything you need to know.
Provide chew toys for dogs
Dogs are notorious for chewing, so it might be worth providing a few pet-friendly toys in your holiday let to avoid damage to furniture, as well as a spare lead, dog bowls and tags.
Provide a welcome pack
Making your guests feel at home with a welcome pack can be a great way to add value and a personal touch to your pet-friendly holiday let. Remember to include a little something for pets, such as a dog hamper to welcome your four-legged guests on arrival.
Your pet welcome pack should include treats, a pet toy, and essential items such as disposable waste bags. This will help pets quickly settle in and make your pet-friendly holiday home feel extra special. You can also claim tax relief on dog welcome packs.
Promoting your pet-friendly holiday let
Once your holiday let is ready to accept four-legged guests, advertising with a holiday let management agency will help make your cottage stand out. Here at Sykes, we manage more than 9,000 successful UK dog and cat friendly holiday homes, including dog-friendly log cabins, dog-friendly coastal cottages and luxury dog-friendly cottages.
Include “pet-friendly” in your property descriptions, which is one of our most popular searches.
Take professional photographs to highlight your cottage’s pet-friendly features.
Populate your welcome pack with a list of pet-friendly places for guests to explore the local area and find the best dog walking spots.
Inform your holiday let agent about your property details and any special features for pet owners. Be clear on rules and regulations for your pet-friendly holiday let, including suitable facilities for pets.
Emphasise the characteristics of your holiday let in your marketing materials such as your website or your welcome pack, where you can include pet-friendly amenities for furry guests.
Looking to manage your pet-friendly holiday let?
At Sykes Cottages, we offer a range of different services to help manage your property.
If you’ve got a property you’re thinking of letting out, why not download our free owners pack today or get in touch with our managed services team on 01244 617724. We are available between the hours of 9am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Need help with the next steps of your holiday letting journey?
If you're thinking of buying a holiday let or just need some advice, our property experts can help answer any queries you may have.
Bernie Clarke, Holiday Let Content Writer
