The honest market picture in Kathmandu
Pet-friendly short-stay inventory in Kathmandu is roughly 4–6% of the overall market. Most of it sits in two clusters: Patan (independent heritage guesthouses with courtyards) and Boudhanath (Tibetan quarter homestays where local dogs are already part of the household). Mainstream serviced-apartment operators — Tiny Living included — almost universally run no-pet policies because of allergy crossover with family bookings and the two-day deep-clean overhead between a pet stay and the next family stay.
Platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO) carry a wider apparent pet-friendly inventory, but the "pets allowed" filter is significantly over-set — many hosts ticked it years ago and then quietly changed their mind. Always confirm with the host directly before booking a pet trip. A two-line WhatsApp / inbox message saves a difficult check-in.
What to look for in a genuinely pet-friendly Kathmandu rental
- Ground-floor or first-floor apartment — walk-up multi-storey buildings are physically harder with a dog on a long stay.
- Private outdoor space — courtyard, patio or balcony. Apartments without it become difficult for dog-owners within days.
- Tile or polished concrete floors — not carpet, not rugs the host loves. Easier on cleanup; less likely to trigger a deposit dispute.
- Host who lives on the same plot — means there is real on-site judgement when something needs handling, rather than a remote operator.
- No shared building entrance with a baby-stroller-heavy household — courteous, and avoids friction.
Hotels in Nepal that accept pets
Internationally-branded chain hotels in Nepal almost universally do not accept pets — their corporate standards override any individual property's willingness. The exceptions are a small set of independent boutique properties:
- A handful of Pokhara lakeside guesthouses in the Lakeside North area accept dogs on case-by-case terms with a refundable security deposit. Confirm directly.
- Bandipur heritage properties (Old Inn, Heritage Bandipur) have informally accepted well-behaved dogs in the past — not a published policy, but a quiet practice.
- Some Kathmandu Valley estate-style properties (Dwarika's, the older Park Village in Budhanilkantha) have accepted service animals and trained pets in specific suites. Treat as case-by-case, not a standing policy.
Bringing your pet into Nepal — paperwork checklist
- Import permit from Nepal's Department of Livestock Services (DLS), arranged before arrival.
- Updated rabies vaccination certificate — issued at least 30 days before travel and within 1 year.
- International health certificate from a registered veterinarian in your departing country, issued within 10 days of travel.
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) — not strictly required for entry but expected by most international airlines.
- Airline approval — check directly with your carrier; many Gulf carriers do carry pets to KTM but allotment is limited.
Quarantine is rare for vaccinated pets arriving from rabies-controlled countries. Confirm the latest requirements with the Nepali embassy in your country — they change occasionally.
Service animals at Tiny Living
Welcome with prior arrangement. Message us on WhatsApp before booking with:
- Your travel dates and which apartment you would like to stay in.
- Your service animal's training certification, or an equivalent letter from a treating professional.
- Any specific accommodation needs (ground-floor preference, water bowl, etc.).
We will confirm the apartment is suitable, brief the housekeeping team to deep-clean after your stay, and waive the standard "no animals" language in your house rules. The standard rate applies — no service-animal surcharge.
For pet-free travellers who care about a pet-free apartment
If anyone in your party has a severe pet allergy: every Tiny Living apartment is uniformly pet-free, with no resident pets in the building. Housekeeping protocols include allergen-aware vacuuming and soft-furnishings rotation. The studio with rooftop terrace has hard floors throughout, which is generally the lowest-allergen of the three apartments.