How to Sell a Home with Pets — Keep Your Value High and Showings Smooth

Pets are family—but when it comes to selling your home, they can create challenges you may not expect. From lingering odors to scratched floors to buyers with allergies, animals can impact a home’s appeal, value, and showing success.

The good news? With the right preparation, you can sell quickly and maintain top dollar—even with furry roommates at home.

Here’s your complete guide to selling a home with pets while keeping stress low and your value high.

1. Remove Pet Odors Before Listing Photos

The very first impression buyers get is from your listing photos. If the home looks great but smells like pets, buyers will walk out fast.

How to eliminate odors:

Deep clean carpets and rugs
Wash or replace pet bedding
Scrub walls, baseboards, and upholstery
Use an enzyme-based deodorizer
Consider professional odor removal if needed

Never try to simply mask odors. Buyers can tell.

2. Repair Pet Damage Before Listing

Small signs of wear from pets can give buyers the impression the home wasn’t well-maintained.

Check for:

Scratched doors
Damaged trim or baseboards
Chewed corners
Stained carpets
Torn screens
Worn-out backyard patches

Fixing these issues upfront helps protect your home’s value and reduces negotiation leverage for buyers.

3. Hide Pet Items for Showings

Buyers shouldn’t be able to tell you have pets the moment they walk in.

Before showings, remove:

Food bowls
Litter boxes
Pet toys and blankets
Cages, crates, or climbing towers
Large dog beds

A clean, neutral space helps buyers imagine the home as their own—not your pet’s.

4. Take Pets Out of the Home During Showings

Pets can cause stress, distractions, and safety risks during showings.

Best solutions:

Take pets with you during the showing
Ask a friend or family member to pet-sit
Use a daycare service for dogs
For cats, secure them safely in a carrier and leave a note for agents

Never leave dogs roaming during showings. Even friendly pets can react unpredictably.

5. Deep Clean the Yard

Outdoor spaces matter just as much as indoor areas—especially for buyers who value a clean, well-kept yard.

Make sure to:

Pick up all pet waste
Fill in holes your dog may have dug
Clean or replace damaged grass areas
Secure outdoor toys
Repair fence damage

A tidy yard boosts curb appeal and helps avoid negative surprises during showings.

6. Handle Litter Boxes Carefully

Litter boxes are a top buyer complaint.

To keep things clean:

Scoop twice daily
Use odor-neutralizing litter
Place litter boxes in low-traffic areas
Consider a covered or self-cleaning model
Deep clean the area weekly

Buyers should never smell a litter box before they see it.

7. Minimize Pet Noise

Barking dogs or loud animals can make showings uncomfortable.

Solutions include:

Relocating pets
Using white noise machines
Playing soft background music
Taking dogs for long walks before showings

Quietness helps buyers focus on the home—not the noise.

8. Be Honest with Your Agent About Pets

Your real estate agent needs to know exactly what kind of pets you have and where they stay.

This helps them:

Schedule showings strategically
Advise on staging
Avoid surprises for buyers
Keep your pets safe

Agents who understand your situation will protect your home and your animals.

9. Consider Professional Cleaning Before Listing

The quickest way to refresh a home with pets is a top-to-bottom professional clean.

Pros can help with:

Carpet steam cleaning
Upholstery sanitizing
Odor removal
Hair and dander elimination
Stain treatment

This small investment can significantly improve first impressions.

10. Highlight Pet-Friendly Features (If They Add Value)

Some buyers love pet-friendly homes! If your home has features that add value, showcase them.

Examples:

Fenced backyard
Mudroom
Dog wash station
Durable flooring
Pet doors
Nearby walking trails or dog parks

If the features are modern and clean, they can become selling points.

Final Thoughts: Pets Don’t Have to Hurt Your Home Sale

Selling a home with pets just requires smart planning. With proper cleaning, preparation, and a bit of strategy, you can create a space that appeals to buyers while keeping your animals safe and comfortable.

A pet-friendly home can still show beautifully, attract strong offers, and sell for top dollar—so long as buyers see the home first and the pets second.

Tina Jingru Sui 隋静儒

Associate Broker | Team Leader of TJS Team, Keller Williams

Serving Metro Atlanta — Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford, and beyond