How to Check if a Hotel Is Really Pet Friendly in India: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Book

Last checked against the hotel policies below on 23-10-2026.

A “pet friendly” tag on a booking site can mean very different things. Some pet friendly hotels have dog gardens and pet menus; others allow a small dog in one room type and nowhere else. This guide shows what real hotel pet policies in India include, using published policies as examples, and gives you the questions to ask before you pay. For stays near the capital, see our pet friendly resorts near Delhi.

What a real hotel pet policy looks like

IHCL’s SeleQtions hotels publish one of the most detailed pet policies in India. It’s a useful benchmark for what to ask any hotel: [S1]

• Which pets: cats and dogs; birds only in exceptional cases. [S1]
• Weight: pets up to 30 kg; larger pets case by case. [S1]
• Breeds: online bookings not accepted for Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Rottweilers or Boxers; ask the hotel directly. [S1]
• Number: up to 2 pets per room. [S1]
• Fees: a refundable deposit of Rs 3,500 per pet per stay, and Rs 2,000 per pet per night. [S1]
• Documents: anti-rabies and 9-in-1 vaccination details after booking, and licence copies where licensing is mandatory, such as Maharashtra. [S1]
• Where pets can go: only designated pet-friendly areas and specific restaurants, which vary by property. [S1]
• Alone in the room: not unless the pet is in a carrier; tell reception if it’ll be alone more than 2 hours. [S1]
• Behaviour: leash or carrier in public areas, muzzle for reactive or barking pets, and you clean up after your pet. [S1]
• Damage: you’re responsible for damage and injury, charged to your room. [S1]

How much hotels charge for pets

Published examples show how widely fees vary:

• Rs 500 per pet per day at a resort in Uttar Pradesh. [S2]
• Rs 2,000 per villa at a resort near Gurugram. [S3]
• Rs 2,000 per pet per night, plus a Rs 3,500 refundable deposit, at IHCL SeleQtions hotels. [S1]

Always ask whether the fee is per pet or per room, per night or per stay, and whether a deposit is refundable.

10 questions to ask before you book

1. Is the fee per pet or per room, per night or per stay? Is there a deposit?
2. Which room categories allow pets?
3. Is there a weight, size or breed limit?
4. How many pets per room?
5. Which vaccination records do you need, and when should I send them?
6. Can my pet come to the lawn, restaurant or pool area?
7. Can I leave my pet alone in the room? Must it be crated?
8. Is there a pet walking area?
9. Do you provide bowls, beds or pet food, or should I bring them?
10. Can you confirm all of this in writing, by email or WhatsApp?

Red flags

• The booking site says “pet friendly”, but the hotel’s own page says nothing about pets.
• Staff can’t tell you the fee or rules on the phone.
• Official pages contradict each other; for example, one luxury resort’s booking page lists two different pet fees. [S4] Ask which applies, and get it in writing.

What to pack

• Your pet’s vaccination records, which many hotels ask for. [S1] [S2] Keep them in a free Pet Passport.
• Your pet’s food and bowls; some resorts don’t provide them. [S2]
• A crate or carrier, in case your pet has to be left in the room. [S1] [S2]
• Leash, poop bags and a towel. [S1]
• Its own bed or blanket.

The Pawsitive Hoomans Take

The hotel’s own written policy is what counts, not a filter on a booking site. Ask the ten questions, get the answers on email or WhatsApp, and you won’t be turned away at check-in.

Frequently asked questions

Do pet friendly hotels in India charge extra?

Usually yes. Published fees range from Rs 500 per pet per day to Rs 2,000 per pet per night plus a deposit. [S1] [S2]

Can I bring a big dog to a hotel?

Some hotels set limits; IHCL SeleQtions hotels accept pets up to 30 kg and consider larger pets case by case. [S1]

Can I leave my dog alone in a hotel room?

Many hotels only allow it if your pet is crated. [S1] [S2]

Which documents do hotels ask for?

Usually vaccination records, including rabies, and sometimes a pet licence. [S1] [S2]

Sources and last checked

• [S1] IHCL SeleQtions, Pawcations pet policy (PDF, June 2024) – seleqtionshotels.com (PDF) – Last checked: 23-10-2026
• [S2] Baghaan Orchard Retreat, Pet policy – baghaan.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
• [S3] Marriott, The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa (official page, pet policy) – marriott.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
• [S4] Marriott, ITC Grand Bharat (official page, pet policy) – marriott.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026

Disclaimer: PawsitiveHoomans is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with any hotel. Policies change; confirm with the hotel before booking.