Luckily for all you pet lovers out there, selling your home doesn’t necessarily mean banishing your cat or dog to the pet boarders while you show your home to homebuyers, inspectors and appraisers. According to AmericanPetProducts.org, 94 million U.S. households (71%) now own at least one pet, up from 82 million in 2023.

So, as the majority of households own pets, it’s likely your buyers have some, too, but that doesn’t mean they’ll automatically embrace:

-          Potty-mouthed parrots

-          Scary guard dogs

-          Wet fur odors

-          Dirty cat boxes

-          Unwashed pet beds

-          Slobber-soaked toys strewn all over the house

-          Exotic or illegal pets, snakes, rats, tarantulas, lizards

You want buyers to believe that everything will change for the better when they buy your home, not remind them of their own messy pet habits. Then, there are the other people who don’t have pets…

Okay—maybe don’t completely rule out calling that pet-boarder.

Your selling checklist

Create a checklist of what to do about your pet and their belongings and consider bigger issue—how your pet is going to handle the distress associated with selling your home and moving. Here are 5 tips to help both you and your pet:

1.      Consider calling a pet boarder

A lot of strange people will be coming to your home which could make susceptible pets nervous or aggressive. For many of these visits, you’ll need to be present, so have someone reliable to care for your pet during:

·         Any renovations and repairs

·         Agent and buyer showings

·         Appraisals and home inspections

·         Packing and moving

If that’s not always possible, be prepared to put the nervous kitty in a safe carrier and take your territorial dog for a walk. For showings, you should plan for 1–2 hours. For appraisals, one hour. Home inspections, 3–4 hours.

2.      Deep clean everything

Pets are a big reason why your home can quickly look and smell unkempt. Fur gets all over chairs, beds, sofas, and floors. Odors linger. Fish tanks, vivariums, and terrariums get cloudy and unhealthy for inhabitants. Bird cages, perches, and toys can get quickly covered in, well, y’know. Take action with the following tips:

·         Use a clothes brush, sticky tape, or lint roller on cloth furniture.

·         Take old sheets and cover seating where your pet likes to curl up. You can quickly pull them off for a showing.

·         Sweep frequently to prevent dust bunny build-up. Pet fur loves corners.

·         A glass tank should be sparkling and clear, even if you have to clean it more frequently.

·         Smells can easily be absorbed by fabric, so have curtains, furniture, carpets, etc. steam cleaned.

·         Change and wash your bedding frequently and before showings.

3.      Prepare your pet in advance  

Animals can pick up on changes, anxieties and distractions, so make it easier for them to adjust to changes:

·         Get some boxes and let your dog sniff them, let your cat sit in them, and let your parrot chew them up. Pets are happy as long as they’re doing things with you.              

·         Take your dogs to new parks and introduce them to new people. You want to get them used to new things.

·         Take your dogs to your new home. If you don’t have one picked out yet, take them to the neighborhoods you’re interested in moving to.

·         Have coffee at the local shop and let your dogs enjoy being petted and admired. It’s a great way for you to meet people, too.

·         You’re going to be distracted with so many things to do for the next few months, but try to make time to play with your pets as much as you can. One idea: when you’re packing dishes, crumple some paper for your cat to bat around.

Hot tip: If you haven’t crate-trained your dog or cat, now’s the time. Make it their safe place with cushy bedding, a blanket cover, chews, toys and treats. Reward them with long chews for dogs and catnip for cats. Don’t use crates for punishment.  

4.      Monitor your pet’s behavior during and after the move

According to Chewy.com, dogs are creatures of habit and routine. Being left alone for long periods and hearing too many new sounds can cause them stress and anxiety. Look for signs like:

·         Barking

·         Whining

·         Excessive panting

·         Pacing and otherwise not being able to settle down

·         Less interest in favorite things

·         Restless or prolonged sleeping

·         Increased lethargy

Some animals exhibit depression or anxiety with destructive behavior. Your veterinarian can help with some medications and supplements, while your trainer can help with behavior modification if it gets out of hand. Look for:

·         Digestive issues (vomiting, diarrhea) despite no changes in food sources

·         Obsessive foot chewing

·         Scratching; check for fleas, allergies, skin rashes

·         Training regressions like jumping on people and failing to come when called

·         An increase in “accidents”

·         Growling at strangers

Your moving day checklist

Your pet’s safety and well-being should be a priority for moving day.

1.      Take the dog on a long walk before you get in the car and drive to your new home. If your pet suffers from motion sickness and/or anxiety, it may help to medicate them to keep them calm and prevent nausea. 

2.      Go to your vet and get your pet’s medical records if you’re moving out of the area. If there’s an emergency, it will help to have it handy.

3.      Stress isn’t the only reason to keep your pet crated or in another room. Increased comings and goings on moving day could put your pet at risk of getting lost—or in the way.

4.      Don’t overload the car. Everyone, including your pet, needs room to breathe. Rent a  truck or hitch a pod or trailer to your car.

Remember that your new home is still strange to your pet. Unpack familiar toys and foods and find your pet a quiet area to start adjusting to your new home. Prioritize taking your dog for regular neighborhood walks. It will calm them and help them sleep better those first few nights.