Selling a Home With Pets: Do’s and Don’ts

 


Over 60% of U.S. households own a pet, but did you know pets can hurt your home sale if you're not careful? While furry friends bring joy, they also bring smells, fur, and distractions that can turn buyers away.

If you're planning to sell your home and have pets, you need a smart strategy to attract buyers without hiding your pet parent status. Let’s break down the do’s and don’ts for a smooth and profitable sale.

Why Pets Can Complicate a Home Sale

Buyers want to picture themselves living in a home—not your cat lounging on the windowsill or your dog barking during a showing.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 67% of buyers say pet odors or signs of pets are a turnoff. That could reduce offers or delay your sale.

Pro Tip: Even if buyers love animals, they don’t want to smell or see yours during a showing.

DO: Deep Clean Everything

Eliminate Odors First

Even if you're used to the scent of your pet, others are not. Pet smells—especially cat urine or wet dog—can linger and be hard to remove.

  • Shampoo carpets.

  • Steam clean upholstery.

  • Wash all pet bedding and toys.

  • Consider hiring professional cleaners.

Stat: A clean-smelling home can sell 30% faster than one with lingering odors, according to real estate agents.

DON’T: Leave Pet Hair Everywhere

Pet hair on couches, rugs, and clothes is a red flag for buyers. It screams “extra maintenance.”

  • Use a lint roller on furniture daily.

  • Vacuum regularly.

  • Use air purifiers to remove dander.

Pro Tip: A robot vacuum like this one on Amazon (affiliate link) can run daily and keep fur under control effortlessly.

DO: Repair Pet Damage

Buyers notice scratched floors, chewed doorframes, or torn screens. These small signs suggest your home hasn’t been well-maintained.

  • Sand and refinish wood floors if scratched.

  • Replace or patch up chewed areas.

  • Fix any yard damage (e.g., dug-up grass).

Highlight: Small repairs can boost your home’s perceived value by thousands!

DON’T: Keep Pets at Home During Showings

Your dog may be sweet, but barking, jumping, or even just presence can scare off potential buyers—or distract them from seeing the home.

  • Take pets to a friend’s house or daycare.

  • Schedule showings when you can take them out.

  • Use pet boarding temporarily during open houses.

Pro Tip: Buyers often rush through showings when pets are present, even if they're contained.

DO: Hide Pet Items

Too many signs of pets—like litter boxes, food bowls, toys—make your home feel cluttered and less appealing.

  • Store bowls and toys in a cabinet before showings.

  • Move litter boxes to the garage or clean them thoroughly.

  • Remove pet photos from walls or fridge.

Stat: Clutter (including pet gear) can lower perceived space by up to 15%.

DON’T: Forget the Yard

Pets often leave behind evidence in the backyard. That’s a problem—especially if buyers are dreaming of using that space for their kids or events.

  • Pick up waste daily.

  • Fill in holes or yellow grass spots.

  • Remove visible pet structures unless they add value.

Pro Tip: A clean, green yard can boost curb appeal—and that boosts your home’s price.

DO: Mention Pet-Friendly Features (If Marketed Right)

If you’re selling in a pet-loving neighborhood, highlighting pet features can be a bonus.

  • Fenced yard? Mention it.

  • Pet wash station? Showcase it.

  • Nearby dog parks? Add to listing.

But only do this if these features are clean and neutral-looking, not cluttered or overdone.

Highlight: Tailor your listing description to your likely buyer audience—pet-friendly if appropriate, pet-neutral otherwise.

DON’T: Let Pet Smells Resurface

You might clean once, but ongoing smells can come back—especially if your pets stay in the home while it's on the market.

  • Bathe your pets regularly.

  • Use odor-neutralizing sprays (avoid heavy perfumes).

  • Wash bedding weekly.

Pro Tip: Use a HEPA air purifier (like this one: affiliate link) to help keep odors and allergens down.

Final Pet-Selling Checklist

  • ✅ Home deep cleaned

  • ✅ Pet hair removed

  • ✅ Repairs made

  • ✅ Pets out during showings

  • ✅ Yard cleaned up

  • ✅ Pet items stored

  • ✅ Fresh, neutral scent indoors

Check off this list before every showing for the best results.

Conclusion: Can You Sell a Pet-Friendly Home for Top Dollar?

Yes—but only if buyers don't know your pets live there! A little extra effort goes a long way when it comes to cleaning, prepping, and showing your home.

So, how pet-proof is your home right now? Would a stranger know your furry friend lives there?

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