According to new Zillow data, analysis of more than 11 million rental listings shows that pet-friendly properties across the US are typically leased eight days sooner than those prohibiting animals.
These listings also receive 9 per cent more views, 12 per cent more saves, and 11 per cent more shares on the Zillow platform.
The trend comes as pet ownership among renters continues to climb, with nearly 58 per cent of tenants now having pets, up substantially from 46 per cent before the pandemic.
This shift is partly attributed to renters getting older and settling into long-term renting arrangements.
Emily McDonald, Zillow rental trends expert, said there is a strategic advantage to allowing pets.
“Allowing pets can be a strategic edge for landlords competing to fill units,” Ms McDonald said.
“Today’s renters are more established and more likely to have a pet, and we clearly see that pet-friendly rentals attract more interest on Zillow.
“In a market where renters have more options, allowing pets can make the difference in finding a tenant quickly.”
Texas cities dominate the pet-friendly rental market, with Austin (80 per cent), Dallas (79 per cent), and San Antonio (78 per cent) leading major metropolitan areas in the percentage of listings welcoming pets. Conversely, Houston has the lowest share nationally at just 38 per cent, followed by Providence and Hartford at 43 per cent each.
The impact varies significantly by location. In New York City, pet-friendly units rent 26 days faster than those prohibiting pets – the largest gap of any major market.
Other cities seeing substantial differences include Tampa (16 days faster), Columbus (12 days), Phoenix (11 days), and both Cincinnati and Austin (10 days each).
Despite the clear benefits, some markets show resistance to the trend.
New York was the only major market where pet-friendly listings received fewer views and shares, though they still garnered more saves.
This anomaly likely stems from these properties spending significantly less time on the market.
The data highlights a growing disconnect between renter preferences and available inventory.
Nearly half of renters report having passed on properties specifically because they weren’t pet-friendly, suggesting landlords who adjust their policies could gain a competitive advantage.
