Running a pet-friendly B&B doesn’t have to mean chaos.
In this episode, I’ll show how to welcome four-legged guests without turning your breakfast room into a kennel.

How to welcome furry guests while keeping your sanity—and your carpets—intact.

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Before we get started, don’t forget to subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode of Bed, Breakfast & Business. This week’s post is for all you B&B owners brave enough to open your doors to the four-legged, tail-wagging tornadoes we lovingly call pets.

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Why Go Pet-Friendly? Because Money Wags Its Tail Too

Pet owners are a loyal bunch. And when they travel, many are willing to pay extra for accommodation that lets Fluffy or Rex come along. According to industry stats, over 40% of travellers would choose a pet-friendly stay over a posh one—if only because guilt-tripping their neighbour into dog-sitting again is wearing thin.

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But here’s the catch: a pet-friendly B&B can go from charming to chaotic faster than a Labrador spots a squirrel.

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Set Pet Policies Like You Mean It

Before you advertise “pet-friendly” on your booking page, decide your boundaries. Here’s what to cover:

• How many pets per booking? (One is good. Two? You’re brave.)

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• Breed or size limits? If your hallways weren’t built for Great Danes, don’t pretend they were.

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• Restricted areas? Bedrooms might be OK. The breakfast room? Not unless you’re serving bone broth on toast.

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• Extra cleaning fee? Be upfront. Nobody wants a surprise fur-fee after checkout.

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💡 Tip from the Mastering B&B Management course:
“Clear policies reduce awkward conversations and negative reviews. Add them to your confirmation email and house manual.”

Design for Dogs (and Sanity)

Forget cream-coloured rugs and dainty lace curtains. Think washable, wipeable, and chew-resistant.

• Use pet-friendly fabrics in guest rooms. Microfibre or leatherette? Easy wipe.

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• Add a muddy paw wash station by the entrance. Include towels.

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• Place dog beds and food mats in rooms. Guests love thoughtful extras, especially the furry kind.

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🐕 A real-life anecdote:
One B&B owner placed a “doggy welcome pack” in the room—treat, bowl, poop bags. A week later, it got them a five-star review and a handwritten card from the dog. (Well, the owner wrote it, but still.)

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Quiet Nights and Clean Sheets

Let’s talk about the not-so-fluffy stuff:

• Noise complaints: Dogs bark. Babies cry. You can’t stop them, but you can prepare. Offer rooms at the end of the corridor to pet owners. That way, if Rufus starts a midnight aria, fewer guests are disturbed.

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• Allergies: Always keep pet-free rooms in your mix. Mention it on your website. It’ll keep the non-pet crowd from sneezing their way to a bad review.

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• Cleaning protocol: Use a handheld vacuum for fur, and always double check under the bed. Dogs love hiding surprises there.

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🐾 Mastering B&B Management recommends building a 30-minute buffer between pet guest check-out and cleaning. That’s when most “accidents” are discovered.

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Emergency? You’re Covered (Literally)

You don’t need pet insurance. But you do need guest liability coverage that includes animals. Because one day, someone’s cat will claw a £400 curtain trying to catch a moth.

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And yes—make guests responsible for damage. A simple clause in your booking terms can save hours of headache.

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Woo the Pet Parents (They Write Reviews)

Want them to rave about your place?

• Include a pet-friendly guidebook: list walking routes, nearby vets, and pubs that welcome dogs.

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• Offer pet-sitting contacts: if guests want a museum day, you’ll be their hero.

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• Consider adding “dogs stay free in off-season” as a promo. It’s a clever way to drive bookings in slow months.

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💬 One owner we interviewed added this to their check-in chat:
“If your dog likes belly rubs, I’m available after 5.”
That line alone got them a dozen return bookings. People remember warmth and wit.

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Guests won’t remember your thread count.

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They’ll remember how you made them feel.

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“Your B&B Starter Blueprint” shows you how to turn comfort into connection.

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Download it now! You can find a link in the show notes.

Do you allow pets at your B&B?

Share your funniest or furriest guest story in the comments.

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Here Are Your 5 Takeaways

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In Conclusion

Going pet-friendly can be a marketing goldmine—but only if you’ve got systems in place to manage the mess, the noise, and the surprises. Guests will thank you, tails will wag, and your reviews will shine.

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And if you want a deeper dive into setting up smart systems for all your B&B operations (furry or otherwise), check out our “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open” course. You’ll find tried-and-true tips that actually work—even with a poodle underfoot.

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🎬 That’s it for this episode! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss another blog drop. Until then—keep the coffee hot and the dogs off the duvet. 🐶