Selling your home is a whirlwind, and staging it with a menagerie underfoot can be a nightmare. The best strategy is to relocate your pets completely—ideally to a local doggy daycare, a trusted friend's house, or a pet-friendly boarding facility—to keep your furry best friends safe and potential buyers completely focused on your home. Here is a quick, stress-free playbook for managing your pets during house showings:
1. Make a Temporary Relocation Plan
The Daycare Option: Drop your pets at a trusted local doggy daycare or boarding facility. It burns off their energy so they are relaxed and happy when they return.
The Playdate Pivot: Ask a local friend, family member, or trusted neighbor to host your pet for a few hours.
The Purr-fect Day Trip: If you have an outdoor space, consider a Pet-Friendly Hotel or cat hotel for the day so your pet gets a vacation too!
2. If They Must Stay on Property
If you can't transport them away from home during a showing, you need a safe on-site strategy:
The Traveling Crate: Place your pets in secure, comfortable crates in an out-of-the-way area, like the basement or a large walk-in closet. Always leave a polite note for agents to avoid opening these doors.
The Backyard Retreat: Weather permitting, let outdoor-loving pets hang out in a clean, secure backyard or kennel.
The "Do Not Enter" Room: Designate one specific bedroom or room as a safe haven. Add a highly visible sign on the door (e.g., “Pet inside! Do not enter, please keep door closed”) so agents and buyers know to steer clear.
3. The Pre-Showing Purge (For You, Not Them!)
No matter where they are, your home needs to smell and look completely pet-free to appeal to buyers:
Hide the Gear: Stow away food bowls, litter boxes, toys, and crates in a sealed plastic bin. Hide it all in the garage or your car.
The Odor Offense: Vacuum thoroughly, wash pet beds, and use neutral odor eliminators.
Spotless Check: Double-check carpets and furniture for any stray hair. If you use a Petcube Camera to monitor your pets, quickly stash your phone away so buyers don't feel like they are being watched. By taking these proactive steps, your home stays spotless, buyers can easily envision their own lives in the space, and your pets stay safe and stress-free!