during showings?
It’s a great question—and an important one. While we all love our furry family members, not every buyer feels the same way.
Remove Pets During Showings
The best practice is to have pets out of the home during all showings. This helps create a more comfortable environment for potential buyers. Some people may have allergies, fears, or simply feel distracted if pets are present.
By removing pets, you allow buyers to fully focus on the home—not the animals.
Eliminate Distractions
Even the most well-behaved pets can unintentionally take attention away from your home. Barking dogs, curious cats, or even pet odors can impact a buyer’s experience.
Your goal is to create a calm, neutral space where buyers can walk through freely and envision themselves living there.
Hide Pet Evidence
Beyond removing your pets, it’s also important to remove signs that pets live there. This includes:
Food and water bowls
Litter boxes
Pet beds and toys
Crates or cages
These items can signal to buyers that there may be odors or hidden damage—even if that’s not the case.
Address Odors & Clean Thoroughly
Pet odors are one of the biggest concerns for buyers. Before showings:
Vacuum carpets and furniture
Clean floors and baseboards
Consider professional cleaning if needed
A fresh, clean-smelling home makes a huge difference in how buyers perceive the space.
Plan Ahead
If you have frequent showings, it helps to have a plan in place. Whether it’s taking your pet for a walk, bringing them to a friend or family member’s house, or using doggy daycare, having a go-to solution will make the process much smoother.
The Bottom Line
Selling your home is all about making it as appealing as possible to the widest pool of buyers. While your pets are part of your family, temporarily removing them—and their presence—from the home can help ensure a better showing experience and stronger offers.
If you’re getting ready to list your home and have questions about preparing it for showings, we’re always here to help guide you every step of the way.
