Expert Tips for Selling a House With Pets

Pet ownership is incredibly common in the U.S. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are over 89 million dogs and more than 73 million cats nationwide. While pets bring joy to our lives, selling a house with pets can present unique challenges.

If you're getting ready to list your home, there are specific steps you can take to minimize the impact of pet ownership and make your property as appealing as possible. Below, you'll find expert tips to help you navigate how to sell a house with pets—without turning off potential buyers.

Why Pets Can Be a Problem When Selling Your Home

Even if your pets are well-behaved and clean, they can still affect a buyer’s perception of your home. Here are some of the most common issues sellers face when trying to sell a house with pets:

• Odors and allergens: Pet smells and dander can trigger allergic reactions or turn off buyers.
• Damage: Scratched floors, chewed trim, or torn screens can suggest deferred maintenance.
• Staging obstacles: Pet beds, bowls, crates, and toys clutter the home and make it harder for buyers to envision themselves in the space.
• Distractions during showings: Pets present during showings can create awkward or unsafe situations and distract from the home itself.
• Noise: Barking dogs—especially from neighboring yards—can create a negative impression during showings or open houses.

Tips for Selling a Home With Pets

Selling a house with pets at home requires extra care to ensure your space feels clean, neutral, and welcoming to every potential buyer.

1. Hide the Evidence

Your goal is to make it seem like no animals live in the home. Before showings or listing photos, remove all pet-related items—crates, bowls, beds, toys, leashes, litter boxes, and scratching posts. Don’t forget about photos or decorations that show your pets. Buyers often look inside closets, so store pet items in sealed bins or off-site when possible.

2. Repair Pet Damage

Take care of any visible signs of pet-related wear and tear. This might include:

• Scratched doors or floors
• Torn screens or chewed trim
• Stained carpets
• Damaged landscaping from digging or pet waste

If refinishing floors or replacing carpets isn’t in your budget, talk to your real estate agent about offering a flooring credit to potential buyers.

3. Deep Clean Everything

Even well-groomed pets can leave behind hair, dander, and smells. Hire professional cleaners to:

• Wash upholstery, bedding, and curtains
• Steam clean carpets and rugs
• Clean baseboards and air vents
• Eliminate lingering odors

A thorough cleaning helps create a fresh, neutral environment that appeals to all buyers.

4. Keep Pets Out of Marketing

It might be tempting to highlight your home’s pet-friendly features, but it's usually best to avoid showcasing pets in your listing photos or description. Buyers with pets will recognize features like a fenced yard or mudroom without calling extra attention to it. Highlighting pet ownership could raise concerns about hidden damage or lingering odors.

5. Remove Pets During Showings

Take your pets with you during showings or open houses. This avoids allergy issues, eliminates distractions, and ensures the safety of your pet and the potential buyers. If removing your pet isn’t possible, consider a temporary stay with a friend, family member, or pet daycare.

6. Be Proactive About Neighbor Pets

A noisy dog next door can be just as problematic as your own pet. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, consider asking them to bring their pets inside during showings. If that’s not an option, try masking the noise with a white noise machine or a water fountain near the window or patio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pets affect home appraisals?

Pets don’t directly affect a home's appraised value, but pet-related damage can lower it if it impacts the property’s condition. Appraisers may take note of odors, stains, or visible damage during their evaluation.

Do sellers have to disclose pets?

In most cases, sellers do not need to disclose that pets live in the home. However, if the pet caused material damage or there's a history of infestations or repairs, that information should be disclosed depending on state laws.

What should you do with pets when showing a house?

Pets should be removed from the property during showings to avoid distractions and ensure a comfortable experience for potential buyers. If removal isn't possible, they should be safely crated in an out-of-the-way area.

Selling a Home With Pets? You Have Options

Selling a house with pets at home doesn’t have to be a challenge—just a little extra prep. By cleaning thoroughly, hiding signs of pet ownership, and removing your pet during showings, you’ll help buyers focus on what really matters: your home’s potential.

But if you’d rather skip the cleaning, repairs, staging, and constant showings, selling to a cash home buyer like 800CashToday can save you time and effort. Get a fast, no-obligation cash offer and avoid the stress of getting your home market-ready. Contact us today to get started.

Sources:

American Veterinary Medical Association. U.S. pet ownership statistics.