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Reply to a pet request

Message templateFor guestsSend: As soon as a guest asks about a petBy HostCalmlyUpdated Oct 30, 2026How we write templatesReport an error

Short answer

Answer a pet request by pointing to what your listing already says. If you allow pets, confirm the limits and any pet fee shown in your listing, then ask the guest to include the pet in the reservation. If you don't, say no kindly. Service animals are not pets, so pet rules and pet fees don't apply to them.

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Hi [Guest name], Thanks for asking before you arrive. Pets are welcome at [Rental name], within the limits in the listing: - Pets allowed: [number and size limit] - Pet fee: [amount, as shown in the listing] - [Any pet rule from the listing, such as keeping pets off the beds] So everything is set up correctly, please include your pet in the reservation through the platform. If you've already booked, you can add them by changing your reservation. Let me know if you have any other questions. [Your name]
6 parts still in [brackets]

When to send it

Reply as soon as the guest asks, and before they book if the question comes in as an inquiry. A clear answer early saves a disappointing surprise on arrival day. Base your reply on what your listing already says about pets, so the guest sees the same rules in both places.

Tips

  • Match your listing. If it says no pets, the answer is no; if you want to start allowing pets, change the listing first. For reservations booked on or after Nov 20, 2026, Airbnb's Reasonable house rules and requests (opens in a new tab) policy says rules must be on the listing at booking, and fees for an advertised part of the listing must be included in the price shown at booking.
  • For a no, replace the list with something like: "Thanks for asking. Unfortunately, pets aren't allowed at the home, so I can't say yes this time. I hope you find a great pet-friendly place nearby."
  • Ask how many pets and what kind, so you can check the request against your limits before you confirm.
  • Service animals are not pets. Airbnb's Accessibility Policy (opens in a new tab) says "A Service Animal is not a pet" and that hosts may not charge pet fees because of one, and its Welcoming individuals with accessibility needs (opens in a new tab) article says "Except in limited circumstances, hosts are required to accept Service Animals even if they don't accept pets."
  • If a guest mentions a service animal, Airbnb's policy lets hosts ask only whether the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task it has been trained to perform. Don't ask about the disability or for documentation. Emotional support animals follow different rules that depend on location, so check the policy for your area.

Frequently asked questions

How do I say no to a pet request politely?

Thank the guest for asking, say plainly that pets aren't allowed at the home and wish them well. Avoid a vague maybe, which can lead to a pet arriving anyway.

Can I charge a pet fee for a service animal?

No. Airbnb's Accessibility Policy says a service animal is not a pet, and hosts may not charge pet fees or other additional fees related to the reservation because of one.

What can I ask a guest about a service animal?

Under Airbnb's Accessibility Policy, you can ask whether the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task it has been trained to perform. You may not ask the guest to describe the disability, and you shouldn't ask for documentation.

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