Pet Amenities: How They Will Become Your Property's Competitive Advantage

Eddie0:00 If you own apartments, hotels or rentals, being pet friendly isn't helping your business the way you think it is. Today we're breaking down exactly how it works. Pamela, head of partnerships, works directly with properties navigating this every day at PetsVivo. Pamela, welcome. A lot of properties call themselves pet friendly, but what does that actually mean today, and why isn't it enough anymore?

Pamela0:25 "Pet friendly" is becoming an outdated term, so now we refer to pet inclusivity. Pet friendly often implies the property tolerates pets — maybe a water bowl or a dog bone — but doesn't recognize that the vast majority of pet parents, about 98%, include their pets as part of their family. It's critical that housing, hotels, and travel recognize this trend. When we recognize that emotional tie and include pets, we create loyalty and go beyond just pet friendly.

Eddie1:28 When a property actually does it right, what changes for the business and for the residents or guests?

Pamela1:50 As a pet parent, when someone isn't a dog or cat person, it's obvious — and that's obvious with businesses too. When they're genuinely welcoming, it shows in everything from onboarding to amenities. If a server brings your dog a special little treat, now it feels like an experience, and you're creating loyalty and a bond. That genuine inclusivity shows through in the little things, particularly amenities.

Eddie2:53 That genuine touch has to show up in bookings and retention, because guests get the feels and want to come back.

Pamela3:06 Exactly. When a business includes and recognizes your family, you create loyalty. Retention is huge — you'll see it in your numbers. A hotel will see repeat bookings over one that isn't inclusive and doesn't go the extra mile with amenities and little touches that recognize that emotional bond.

Eddie3:41 If we use the word "curated," what does that look like in real life — not buzzwords, but what are properties actually doing differently?

Pamela4:03 Take housing: a truly inclusive property won't have heavy breed restrictions. They'll provide washrooms, waste stations and bags, and welcome kits — we do this at PetsVivo frequently and it's a huge hit. In hotels it starts at booking. Often you don't even know the pet policy, and it's hit or miss at the front desk, which leads to people sneaking pets in because there's no return on the fee. An inclusive hotel provides ROI: a welcome box, or dog TV in the room to calm anxious pets, maybe a bed. Welcome boxes have been a big hit. It's a little something to say we appreciate having your family here.

Eddie6:05 Those moments stick with people and turn into loyalty. Besides the warm and fuzzies, it returns to the property owner as money. Do you have data on that?

Pamela6:33 Yes. If hotel A provides that experience with your pet, it's a no-brainer to rebook. Pet parents are willing to spend on luxury items. Statistics show that when a pet parent travels with their pet, they spend between $250 and $400 on their pet during that trip. Hotels may be hesitant to charge a fee, and they should charge if they provide the return. Pet parents are willing to spend — the issue is providing the return so the fee means something.

Eddie7:35 Pet owners are super comfortable paying that premium, within reason, for the comfort of knowing the experience will be better for them and their pet.

Pamela7:54 We're seeing pet parents sacrifice premium foods for themselves in favor of their pet. It's become a discussion in the industry, and it demonstrates the extent to which pet parents will go to make sure their pets are comfortable.

Eddie8:19 What are properties getting wrong — the most common mistake when they try to improve the pet experience without a clear strategy?

Pamela8:43 Across housing, hotels, and even airlines: charging fees for the sake of charging fees. Many businesses don't understand why they're charging. They say pets cause damage, but statistically only about 9% of pets cause damage, averaging around $200. These fees aren't justified. I travel with my 14-pound Yorkie in her carrier under the seat — her ticket is usually more than mine and takes a carry-on slot, with no benefits commensurate with what we spend. At PetsVivo we make the fee make sense: amenities, peace of mind, insurance — all tied to the fee so it's a win for everyone. The biggest mistake is not making fees make sense.

Eddie11:12 When it comes to partnerships and amenities, what actually works, and what might feel forced or not organic?

Pamela11:58 It goes back to being equal to the experience. A milk bone makes sense at the bank or car wash, but not at a five-star resort. In our welcome box we included Bonne et Filou — French macarons for dogs in adorable boxes with gold foil lettering, a luxurious feel. We look for partners with long-term capability, like Petmate, a recognizable name brand that provides balls, toys, and plushies. These are thoughtfully curated welcome boxes from brands pet parents already trust, so we're tying loyalty again — saying we get you, we see you, we understand your culture.

Eddie14:59 I don't see how that's not a win-win partnership for everyone. As a pet parent of over 30 years, I notice the companies and hotels that make it easier and more enjoyable. If you're not providing that level of service and care and attention to detail, you're going to lose some. So if owners and operators ignore this growing shift, what does that mean for their business moving forward?

Pamela16:44 About 78% of pet parents travel with their pets in any given year, and it's growing. The age group spending the most is still 55 to 64, but millennials and Gen Z are buying premium products for their pets and that will trend upward as their salaries grow — insurance, supplements, premium foods, travel. The majority of renters have pets. Businesses that ignore this trend will be left behind. The differentiation is how you welcome and manage pets — being inclusive versus merely tolerating them — and that will mean revenue now and in the decades ahead.

Eddie18:36 I look forward to adding more of these conversations. If you're an owner or operator and this resonates, connect with PetsVivo and follow along — we'll keep sharing real-world examples of how properties use it to stand out. Thank you so much, Pamela.

Pamela19:12 Thank you so much.