Not Securing Pets During Showings

Yes—while we love pets and they’re family, they can ruin showings fast. Buyers aren’t coming to meet your dog or cat; they’re trying to picture their life in your home, and your four-legged family members can totally derail that process. Yappy dogs make buyers feel rushed or uneasy, curious cats hover, pounce, or sneak into closets, allergies are real concerns for many people, and muddy paws, scratching, barking, jumping, or just being in the way makes buyers uncomfortable, distracted, and ready to leave quickly. Even animal lovers don’t want to trip over dog beds, dodge litter boxes, or fend off 90-pound greeters when trying to focus on kitchen layouts. This is one area where sellers often get defensive saying “But my dog’s friendly!” but that doesn’t mean buyers want to meet them. Your pets should not be present during showings—take them for walks, crate them, drop them off with friends or family, or best of all, remove them completely during showing periods. Your goal is creating calm, neutral space where buyers can explore without distraction, and pets—adorable as they are—make that very difficult. You only get one shot at first impressions—make it about your house, not your pets.