{"id":186098,"date":"2025-12-12T11:36:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T18:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=186098"},"modified":"2025-12-12T11:36:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T18:36:34","slug":"the-secret-to-higher-cash-flow-is-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/the-secret-to-higher-cash-flow-is-pets","title":{"rendered":"The Secret to Filling Units Faster AND Hundreds of Dollars in Extra Cash Flow is…Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A dog is not just man\u2019s best friend; it\u2019s turning out to be a landlord\u2019s, too. <\/span>Pet-friendly rentals <\/span>garner<\/span> considerably more <\/span>cash flow<\/span><\/a> than no-pet rentals, according to a <\/span>study from <\/span>RentCafe<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to proprietary stats, the website states that U.S. landlords can charge an average nonrefundable pet fee of $315 <\/span>on top of<\/span> the average pet rent of $36\/month.<\/span> With rental margins tightening due to higher expenses and rising mortgage rates, saying yes to pets could not only yield higher rents but also lead to renewed leases and happier residents.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a High-Stress World, Pets Are an Anxiety Buster<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As of 2024, about 66% of U.S. households owned a pet, a sharp rise <\/span>over the last<\/span> 40 years, according to<\/span> Forbes Advisor<\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span> It\u2019s likely no coincidence that nearly 6 in 10 renters now have a pet, according to<\/span> Zillow<\/span><\/a>, up from 46% before the pandemic. The website says that almost half of renters said they passed on a rental because pets were not allowed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAllowing pets can be a strategic edge for landlords competing to fill units,\u201d said Emily McDonald, a rental trends expert at Zillow, explaining that pet-friendly listings attract more interest in today\u2019s market.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zillow Trends found that listings that allow pets tend to lease up to eight days faster than those that do not. In New York City, generally one of the least pet-friendly cities, apartments that welcome furry friends attract pet parents about 26 days faster than those that don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A<\/span> 2025 report<\/span><\/a> from the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, a philanthropic organization, found that pet-inclusive policies <\/span>reduce tenant turnover<\/span><\/a>. The report\u2019s authors note that communities that embrace pet-inclusive strategies generally see residents staying up to 21% longer, lowering leasing and make-ready costs for landlords. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProperty owners who respond to this trend can expect stronger tenant loyalty, reduced vacancies, and a significant edge in the competitive rental market,\u201d Ross Barker, director of the Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative at Michelson Found Animals Foundation, said in a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost of pet ownership is nothing to bark at. Americans spent roughly $147 billion on pets in 2023, according to<\/span> Reuters<\/span><\/a>, including food and treats, veterinary care, insurance, and supplies. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For owners who cannot keep up with costs, pet care can be a significant <\/span>source of<\/span> financial <\/span>stress<\/span>.<\/span> However, it also illustrates the demand for pet-friendly residences with modest pet fees.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a Pet Package Looks Like<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to RentCafe data, a standard pet package includes:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n