Selling a Home With Pets? Here’s How to Keep It Clean, Calm and Market-Ready
A Practical Guide for Pet Owners Navigating the Real Estate Market
If you’re a pet owner getting ready to sell your home, you already understand how much warmth and personality animals bring into a space. Pets are part of the family and to you, their presence makes a house feel like home.
However, potential buyers may not share that same perspective. In fact, pets can present some of the most overlooked challenges when it comes to staging and selling a home. Lingering odors, unexpected messes, fur-covered furniture and overly enthusiastic greetings at the door can all make a lasting impression but not always the kind you want.
The good news is that with thoughtful preparation and a few smart adjustments, you can maintain a home that feels fresh, welcoming and appealing to buyers without having to remove your pet from the picture. Here’s how to create a clean, calm and market-ready space while keeping your furry companion comfortable and safe.
1. Start With a Deep Clean and Maintain It
Even in the tidiest homes, pet hair, dander and subtle odors can accumulate over time. These are the kinds of details that may go unnoticed in day-to-day life but stand out immediately to potential buyers walking through your space for the first time.
Before listing your home, schedule a professional deep cleaning that covers high-impact areas such as carpets, rugs, baseboards, upholstery, drapes and air vents. These are all places where allergens and smells tend to linger. Steam-cleaning fabric surfaces can help eliminate embedded odors and using enzyme-based cleaners will neutralize pet-related smells at the source. Consider having your HVAC system cleaned or installing HEPA filters to reduce airborne allergens, especially if buyers are sensitive.
Once the heavy lifting is done, commit to a consistent maintenance routine. Vacuum daily or every other day, especially in areas where your pet lounges or sheds the most. Wipe down hard surfaces regularly, launder pet bedding at least once a week and clean litter boxes or pet pads often to avoid buildup. Don’t overlook windows and sliding glass doors — smudges from wet noses or muddy paws are surprisingly noticeable during showings and can detract from your home’s polished look.
Pro Tip: Keep a stash of lint rollers, pet-safe cleaning wipes and odor-neutralizing sprays near the front door for quick last-minute touch-ups before showings or open houses. A few minutes of prep can help keep your home feeling fresh, clean and ready to impress.
2. De-Personalize and De-Clutter Pet Zones
One of the biggest goals when staging your home is helping potential buyers imagine themselves living there. That becomes harder to do if every room includes reminders of someone else’s pet. While your dog’s toy basket or your cat’s favorite window perch may bring you joy, buyers might see them as distractions or worse, signs of extra upkeep.
Before listing photos or showings, remove or minimize visible signs of your pet’s daily routine. Store items like food and water bowls, litter boxes, beds, crates, scratching posts and toys. Ideally, these should be packed away entirely, but if that’s not practical, keep them consolidated in one tidy area using neutral-colored bins, washable mats or discreet shelving. The goal is to keep pet-related items from making the space feel cluttered or overly personal.
This isn’t about pretending your pet doesn’t live there. It’s about creating a clean, organized environment that feels move-in ready. A neat and thoughtful setup suggests that the home is well cared for and easy to maintain, even with pets.
While you’re streamlining pet zones, take a close look at any signs of wear and tear they may have caused. Buyers tend to spot small imperfections quickly and things like scratched door frames, chewed baseboards or torn screens can make them wonder what else has been neglected. Walk through your home with a critical eye or better yet, with your real estate agent and take note of any red flags. Touch up scuffed paint, replace damaged carpet, patch up claw marks and reseed worn areas of the yard if needed.
These small improvements show buyers that your home has been loved and maintained, which builds confidence and helps avoid unnecessary objections during negotiations.
3. Repair Pet Damage Before Buyers Spot It
Over time, pets can leave behind small signs of wear that you may no longer notice — but buyers will. What feels like a normal "lived-in" character to you can raise red flags for someone seeing the home for the first time.
Look closely at areas like scratched hardwood floors, chewed or clawed door frames, torn window screens, frayed carpet edges and damaged baseboards. While these issues may seem minor, they can make a buyer question how well the home has been maintained overall. That perception can lead to lower offers or requests for repairs during negotiations.
Before listing, walk through the property with fresh eyes or alongside your agent. Make note of any visible signs of pet damage and take care of them ahead of time. Small repairs such as touching up paint, replacing trim, sanding and resealing floors or installing new carpet can make a big difference in the home’s presentation.
Be sure to check the outdoor areas as well. Yards often show signs of pet activity, such as patchy grass, bare spots, or digging holes. Reseeding, laying fresh sod or covering worn areas with mulch can quickly improve curb appeal and help your home show better.
Tending to these details early helps your home appear well cared for and move-in ready, which builds buyer confidence and can give you an edge in a competitive market.
4. Neutralize Odors Without Going Overboard
Smell is one of the first things buyers notice when they walk into a home. Pet odors - no matter how faint - can quickly shift a buyer’s impression from positive to hesitant. At the same time, overwhelming the space with heavy air fresheners or chemical sprays can be just as off-putting. The goal is to create a subtle, clean scent that makes the home feel fresh without making it obvious that you’re masking something.
Start by airing out the home regularly. Open windows and let fresh air circulate for at least 15 to 30 minutes each day. Use baking soda on carpets, pet beds and fabric furniture to absorb hidden odors, then vacuum thoroughly. For more persistent smells, consider using enzyme-based cleaners designed to eliminate pet odors at the source rather than simply covering them up.
In areas where odors tend to linger — like around litter boxes or pet bedding — place low-scent odor neutralizers or natural air purifiers like charcoal bags. For showings, a simple trick like simmering citrus peels or cinnamon sticks on the stove can add a light, welcoming aroma that feels natural and comforting.
Avoid anything too strong or artificial. The goal is for buyers to walk in and focus on how clean and inviting the home feels — not to wonder what smell is being covered up.
5. Plan for Pet-Free Showings
This part can take some extra coordination, but it makes a big difference: try to have your pets off-site during showings. Even if your pet is friendly and well-behaved, having animals in the home while buyers are walking through can create unnecessary stress for everyone involved.
Some visitors may be allergic, uneasy around animals or simply distracted by barking, meowing, or movement. The last thing you want is for a buyer to rush through a tour because they’re uncomfortable. Your goal is to create an environment where they can relax, take their time and imagine themselves living there.
If you have a flexible schedule, plan showings around times when you can take your pet out for a walk or drive. If not, reach out to friends, neighbors or a trusted pet sitter for help. Doggy daycare or short-term boarding can also provide a great solution, especially during a busy stretch of showings or an open house weekend.
Extra Bonus: Knowing your pet is safe and calm somewhere else gives you peace of mind and lets you stay focused during the selling process.
6. Highlight, Don’t Hide, Pet-Friendly Features
If your home has a fully fenced backyard, a mudroom perfect for post-walk cleanups, or luxury vinyl plank floors that are scratch-resistant and easy to clean, these can be appealing to pet-owning buyers. Just make sure these features are positioned as value-adding elements—not necessary solutions for managing damage.
In your listing description or during showings, you might hear your agent casually mention, “This flooring holds up great even in homes with pets,” or “ The backyard has been wonderful for four-legged family members.” It’s all about subtlety and positioning.
A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you manage the challenges of selling a home with pets. They’ll offer advice on timing showings, preparing the home, and presenting it in the best possible light.
They may also have trusted cleaning services, repair vendors, or staging professionals who can help address any last-minute concerns.
Look for an agent who respects both your goals and your pet’s routine. Their experience can make the process far less stressful.
7.Work With a Pet-Savvy Realtor
A great real estate agent will help you navigate the pet-related nuances of selling. They’ll give honest feedback on staging, recommend trusted cleaning services, and even help coordinate showings around your schedule. Most importantly, they’ll know how to market the home without making pets the centerpiece—or a red flag.
If your agent has worked with pet owners before, they’ll be able to anticipate common concerns buyers may have and help you address them proactively.
A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you manage the challenges of selling a home with pets. They’ll offer advice on timing showings, preparing the home, and presenting it in the best possible light.
They may also have trusted cleaning services, repair vendors, or staging professionals who can help address any last-minute concerns.
Look for an agent who respects both your goals and your pet’s routine. Their experience can make the process far less stressful.
Clean, Calm, and Confident
Selling a home while caring for pets does require extra effort, but it is absolutely manageable. With a focus on cleanliness, organization, and planning, you can create a space that’s inviting to buyers and still comfortable for your pet.
First impressions matter. A tidy, odor-free, and well-maintained home shows buyers that the property has been cared for. The fewer distractions they notice, the easier it is for them to see your home’s full potential.
With a thoughtful approach, you can make the transition smooth for everyone involved—including the four-legged family member who makes your house a home.
Selling a home with pets doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. With a little extra prep and a pet-conscious strategy, you can create a welcoming, spotless environment that shows off your home’s best features—and makes buyers feel right at home.
After all, the goal is to highlight your property, not your pet’s personality (as charming as it may be). So grab that lint roller, light a fresh candle, and let your listing shine.