Pets are part of the family. But when your home is on the market, dogs, cats, and other animals can make showings a little more complicated.

Buyers need to feel comfortable walking through the property, opening doors, looking at the yard, and taking their time without worrying about an unfamiliar pet.

So, what should sellers do with pets during home showings?

Whenever practical, the simplest approach is to have pets safely out of the home during showings and reduce visible signs of them before buyers arrive.

Here are five things to consider.

1. Try to Remove Pets During Showings

If possible, take your pets with you when buyers are scheduled to visit.

You might:

• take your dog for a walk

• visit a nearby park

• have a friend or family member watch your pet

• arrange daycare during a busy showing day

Even a friendly pet can become nervous when strangers enter the home.

Removing pets can also help buyers focus on the property rather than wondering whether it's safe to enter a room or open a backyard door.

2. Don't Assume Every Buyer Is Comfortable Around Animals

You know your pet's personality. Buyers don't.

Some people love dogs and cats. Others may be nervous around them, have allergies, or simply feel uncomfortable around an unfamiliar animal.

A barking dog behind a bedroom door or a cat trying to escape through the front door can change the entire showing experience.

The goal isn't to hide the fact that you have pets.

It's to make it easy for buyers to comfortably experience the home.

3. Remove the Most Noticeable Pet Items

You don't need to erase every sign that an animal lives there.

But before a showing, consider putting away things that create clutter or odors, such as:

• food and water bowls

• toys

• pet beds

• litter boxes

• crates, when practical

• leashes and supplies

Clean up the yard as well, especially if buyers will be viewing the outdoor space.

These small details can help the home feel cleaner and more organized.

4. Pay Special Attention to Odors and Damage

When you live with a pet every day, you may stop noticing certain smells.

Buyers walking into the home for the first time won't.

Before listing, check areas where pets spend the most time. Look for odors, scratched doors, damaged flooring, stained carpet, chewed trim, or worn landscaping.

Cleaning or addressing obvious pet-related damage before showings can help prevent those details from distracting buyers.

Be careful with heavy fragrances, too. Trying to cover an odor with strong air fresheners can create another distraction.

A clean, fresh home is usually the better goal.

5. Create a Pet Plan Before the Home Goes on the Market

Don't wait until the first showing request arrives to figure out what to do with your pets.

Decide beforehand:

Where will the pet go when someone wants to see the house?

This becomes especially important when you're trying to accommodate short-notice showings.

Your plan might be different for an individual appointment than for an open house or a weekend with several showings.

Having a routine can make the selling process easier for you, your pet, and potential buyers.

Watch This: The Power of Home Staging—How to Attract More Buyers

Preparing for buyers isn't only about furniture and décor. It's about creating an environment where people can comfortably picture themselves living in the home.

👉 In “The Power of Home Staging: How to Attract More Buyers,” we explain how thoughtful presentation can help buyers focus on the home and its features.

Managing pet items, odors, and distractions is another small part of creating that experience.

The Bottom Line

What should sellers do with pets during home showings?

When practical, have them safely out of the home while buyers are there.

Also think about:

• pet odors

• toys and supplies

• litter boxes

• yard cleanup

• pet-related damage

• buyer comfort

• your plan for short-notice showings

👉 You don't need to pretend you don't have pets. You simply want to make sure buyers remember the home—not the barking dog, litter box, or pet odor.

Contact

At Cornerstone Real Estate Team, we help Tri-Valley homeowners prepare their properties for showings so buyers can focus on what makes the home stand out.

Jameel Batshon and Ramez Bahu are real estate professionals with Cornerstone Real Estate Team serving buyers and homeowners throughout the Tri-Valley, including Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, Danville, and San Ramon.

📞 925-203-5672

📧 [email protected]

Cornerstone Real Estate Team – Jameel Batshon and Ramez Bahu

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