If you have a dog, cat or other pet and you're getting ready to sell your Tri-Cities home, you may be wondering:

Do I really have to take my pet out of the house every single time there's a showing?

Not necessarily.

But we do need a plan.

I'm not expecting you to pretend a pet has never lived in your house. Pets are part of people's lives, and plenty of sellers live in their homes with animals while they're on the market.

What I don't want is your pet becoming the thing buyers remember most about the showing.

I'm Kim Feliciano, a REALTOR® in the Tri-Cities helping buyers and sellers in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, West Richland and Benton City.

When I'm helping you prepare for showings, I'm thinking about the buyer experience.

I'm also thinking about your pet's safety.

I'm not asking you to pretend a pet has never lived in your house. I want buyers paying attention to the house instead of wondering whether the dog is going to escape when they open the back door.

Do Pets Have to Leave During Home Showings?

There's no single answer for every pet.

Some sellers can take their dog with them whenever they leave for a showing.

Some crate their pet safely.

Some have a cat that hides under a bed and couldn't care less that strangers are walking through the house.

Other pets are anxious, protective, territorial or extremely interested in escaping through an open door.

That's why I want to talk about your specific animal before the first showing.

You know your pet better than I do.

Tell me what we need to know.

Your Pet's Safety Comes First

A showing means unfamiliar people are entering your house.

Doors open.

Back doors open.

Buyers may step into the yard.

Garage doors may be opened.

Someone may open a door because they think it's a closet.

That's normal buyer behavior during a showing.

If your pet is likely to run outside, we need a plan that doesn't depend on every person who enters the property remembering exactly what to do.

A note saying:

“Please don't let the cat out.”

is helpful.

A setup that prevents the cat from getting out in the first place may be even better.

Buyers Shouldn't Be Responsible for Your Pet

This is one of the simplest ways I think about it.

I don't want a buyer or buyer's agent spending the showing worrying about whether they need to:

Hold your dog back.

Keep your cat inside.

Feed an animal.

Move a crate.

Put a pet back into a room.

Open or close a special gate.

Manage your pet in any other way.

They're there to look at the house.

The easier we can make that experience, the better.

What If My Dog Is Friendly?

Great.

But the buyer doesn't know your dog.

And your dog doesn't know the buyer.

Some buyers love dogs.

Some are afraid of them.

Some have allergies.

Some simply don't want to interact with a pet while evaluating a house.

Even an incredibly friendly dog can become excited when strangers enter.

So:

“Don't worry, he's friendly!”

doesn't automatically solve the showing problem.

We still need to decide what setup makes sense.

What If My Dog Is Protective of the House?

Tell me.

Please don't downplay it because you're worried it will make showing the house harder.

I'd much rather know beforehand.

If your dog is protective, nervous around strangers, uncomfortable with unfamiliar people or unpredictable when you're not there, removing the dog during showings may be the safest option.

That's better for the buyer.

Better for the agent.

And better for your dog.

Can I Crate My Dog During Showings?

Possibly, if your dog is comfortable and secure in the crate and that arrangement makes sense for your situation.

But think about the buyer experience too.

If a buyer walks into a room and a large dog is barking continuously from a crate, are they going to spend much time evaluating that room?

Probably not.

They may rush through that entire part of the house.

So even if the dog is physically secure, we still need to think about how the showing feels.

What About Cats?

Cats create their own showing challenges.

Some disappear the moment the doorbell rings.

Others are determined to make a break for freedom.

If your cat must remain inside, tell me.

We can make sure showing instructions clearly communicate that.

But again, I prefer not to rely entirely on a stranger remembering one instruction while they're opening doors throughout the property.

If there's a safer arrangement available for your particular cat, let's discuss it.

Don't Lock a Pet in a Room Buyers Need to See

This can become a problem.

Imagine a buyer touring your home and seeing:

“Do not enter. Dog inside.”

on the primary bedroom.

That's a major part of the house they can't evaluate.

Same thing with a garage, bonus room or backyard.

If we're asking someone to potentially spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on your property, I want them to be able to see it.

If a pet has to remain home, let's try to find a setup that doesn't make an important part of the property inaccessible.

What About the Backyard?

This is a big one with dogs.

Buyers want to see the yard.

They may walk around the side of the house.

Look at the fence.

Check the patio.

Look at irrigation.

See the landscaping.

Look at a shed.

Think about where their own dog might play.

If your dog is loose in the backyard, some buyers simply won't go outside.

Now we've effectively removed part of your property from the showing.

If the yard is one of your home's selling features, that's not ideal.

Clean Up the Yard Before Showings

Yes, we're going to talk about poop.

If you have a dog, clean up the yard.

Especially before listing photographs and buyer showings.

A buyer should be able to walk around the backyard without staring at the ground the entire time.

And they definitely shouldn't discover something with their shoe.

This sounds minor.

It isn't when it happens.

What About Pet Odors?

This is probably one of the most important pet-related showing issues.

You may not notice the smell anymore.

You live there.

Buyers don't.

Pet odors can come from:

Carpet.

Rugs.

Furniture.

Pet beds.

Litter boxes.

Accidents.

Dog crates.

Fabric.

Certain rooms.

If there's an odor, let's deal with the source.

I don't want to cover it with an overwhelming fragrance.

Now the buyer smells pet odor plus artificial fragrance.

That's not better.

Be Careful With Air Fresheners

You don't need your house smelling like a candle store.

Heavy fragrances can make buyers wonder:

“What are they trying to cover up?”

They can also be unpleasant for buyers who are sensitive to scents.

Clean is the goal.

Not perfume.

If there's a pet odor, address the source as much as reasonably possible before we start trying to cover it.

What Should I Do With the Litter Box?

You don't necessarily have to make the litter box disappear for every showing.

Your cat still needs to live there.

But keep it clean.

Very clean.

If possible, put it somewhere that doesn't become a major focal point.

If the litter box is the first thing a buyer smells when they enter the laundry room, that's what they're going to remember about the laundry room.

Again, we're trying to keep attention on the property.

What About Pet Hair?

Stay on top of it.

You don't need to remove every individual hair from your house.

That's not realistic.

But excessive pet hair on furniture, floors, stairs and baseboards can affect how clean the home feels.

Vacuuming more often while your home is listed may become part of the routine.

This is especially important before photography and scheduled showing blocks.

Do I Need to Hide the Dog Bowls?

Not every time.

A water bowl isn't going to ruin your sale.

But before professional photography, I generally want to simplify the visual environment.

Pet bowls.

Large food containers.

Leashes.

Beds.

Crates.

Toys.

Cat trees.

You don't necessarily need to remove every sign of your pet.

We just don't need those items dominating the photographs.

Remember, we're photographing the house.

Not documenting everything that lives in it.

What About a Giant Dog Crate?

This is where space matters.

If the crate takes up half the dining room, buyers may have trouble understanding the size and purpose of the room.

Can we move it?

Can we reposition it?

Can it go somewhere else temporarily?

Maybe.

If not, we'll work around it.

Selling your house while living there requires some practicality.

I'm not going to create a showing plan you can't realistically maintain.

Pet Damage Is Different From Evidence of a Pet

A dog bowl tells me you have a dog.

A chewed door frame is property condition.

Those aren't the same thing.

Look for things like:

Scratched doors.

Chewed trim.

Damaged flooring.

Torn carpet.

Stained carpet.

Damaged screens.

Scratched walls.

Damaged landscaping.

Do you have to fix every mark?

Not necessarily.

Just like every other pre-listing decision, I want to ask:

Will addressing this increase the likelihood of selling the property or improve the way buyers perceive it?

Don't Hide Known Damage

If your pet caused actual property damage, don't try to hide something material that should be disclosed or evaluated.

Let's deal with the property as it actually exists.

Sometimes that means a repair.

Sometimes it means pricing and presenting accordingly.

Sometimes it's minor.

If you're unsure whether something creates a disclosure obligation, that's a question to address appropriately rather than guessing.

What If My Carpet Smells Like Pets?

This is a different question from:

“My carpet is old.”

If there's significant pet odor or staining, we need to look at it.

Maybe professional cleaning helps.

Maybe it doesn't.

Maybe replacement makes financial sense.

Maybe the home's overall condition and pricing mean we leave it alone.

I don't automatically tell every seller to replace carpet.

I want to know whether spending that money is likely to improve the property's ability to sell.

Buyers May Have Allergies

Another reason to keep the house clean is that some buyers are sensitive or allergic to animals.

We can't turn a house where pets live into a pet-free environment overnight.

But regular cleaning, vacuuming and reducing loose pet hair can help make the showing experience more comfortable.

Again, we're not pretending a pet never lived there.

We're presenting the home as clean and well cared for.

Build a Showing Routine You Can Actually Maintain

This is where sellers sometimes create a plan that's impossible to follow.

They say:

“Every time there's a showing, I'll vacuum the entire house, mop every floor, take both dogs to the park, hide every pet item and clean the backyard.”

That sounds great.

Then you get a showing request on a Wednesday afternoon while you're working.

Now what?

I would rather build a realistic routine.

Maybe you have a quick checklist:

Pick up pet waste.

Empty the litter box.

Vacuum the main areas.

Put toys in a basket.

Secure or remove the pet.

Check the yard.

Leave.

Simple enough that you can actually do it.

Showing Notice Can Help, but Too Much Can Hurt

If you need some notice to arrange for your pets, tell me.

That's understandable.

Maybe you need time to get home and pick up the dog.

Maybe someone else helps.

Maybe you use daycare on certain days.

We'll build that into the conversation.

At the same time, the more difficult it is to schedule a showing, the greater the chance a buyer chooses another property that's easier to see.

It's a balance.

I want a showing process that works for you without unnecessarily blocking buyer access.

What If I Work Away From Home All Day?

Then we need to solve the pet plan before listing.

Maybe the dog goes to daycare on certain days.

Maybe a family member can help.

Maybe the pet is comfortably crate-trained.

Maybe you establish specific showing windows.

Maybe there's another safe arrangement.

The answer depends on your life and your animal.

The worst plan is no plan.

What If I Have Multiple Pets?

Then the routine matters even more.

Two dogs and three cats may require a completely different strategy than one older cat that sleeps all day.

Think about:

How the animals react to strangers.

Escape risk.

Noise.

Odor.

Where they're normally kept.

Whether they can safely be removed.

How much notice you need.

How buyers will access the whole property.

Let's solve those things before the first buyer is standing at your front door.

What If My Pet Gets Anxious Around Strangers?

Your pet's stress matters too.

Repeated showings can be disruptive.

Doorbells.

Voices.

Strangers.

Different smells.

People walking through rooms.

If your animal becomes extremely anxious during that process, leaving them home for every showing may not be the best option.

Talk with the appropriate pet-care or veterinary professional if you need guidance about managing your animal's stress.

From the real estate side, I'll work with you on making the showing schedule as manageable as reasonably possible.

Scenario: Your Dog Is Friendly but Excited

Let's say your dog loves everybody.

Unfortunately, your dog expresses that love by jumping, barking and following visitors from room to room.

You may think it's adorable.

The buyer may spend the entire showing focused on your dog.

If you can take the dog with you during showings, that's probably going to create a better buyer experience.

Now the buyer can focus on:

The kitchen.

The bedrooms.

The yard.

The layout.

The house.

That's what we want.

Scenario: Your Cat Is an Escape Artist

You have an indoor cat that watches the front door like it's planning a prison break.

This is something I need to know.

We can put clear instructions in the showing information.

But I'd also want you thinking about whether there's a more secure arrangement during showings.

A buyer shouldn't have to spend the entire tour panicking because they opened the front door and your cat disappeared.

Scenario: You Have a Dog in the Backyard

Your dog is completely happy outside.

But the yard is one of the best parts of your property.

Now every buyer has to decide whether they're comfortable walking into a yard with an unfamiliar dog.

Some won't.

Even if the dog is friendly.

We've accidentally made one of your strongest selling features harder to see.

That's why removing the dog during showings may be worth the inconvenience.

Scenario: You Can't Remove Your Pet Every Time

This is real life.

Maybe removing the pet for every showing simply isn't possible.

Okay.

Tell me.

We're not going to pretend it is.

Now let's create the safest and least disruptive setup we reasonably can.

Maybe that involves a secure crate.

A specific room.

A combination of showing windows and pet care.

Clear agent instructions.

Whatever we decide, I want the plan established before showings begin.

Should I Have Indoor Cameras Watching My Pets During Showings?

In my own listing practice, I don't want indoor cameras recording buyer conversations during showings.

Buyers need to be able to walk through the property and talk openly with their agent.

If you use cameras or smart-home equipment, tell me so we can discuss the appropriate setup before showings begin.

Security matters.

Buyer privacy matters too.

Don't Stay Home to Manage the Pet

This usually isn't the solution I want.

If you stay home because you're worried about your pet, now the buyer is touring the house with the seller present.

That can make buyers uncomfortable.

They may rush.

They may avoid opening doors.

They may not speak honestly with their agent.

They may leave sooner than they otherwise would.

If we can create another pet plan, I'd rather give the buyer space to experience the house.

Common Mistakes Sellers Make With Pets During Showings

One mistake is assuming every buyer will be comfortable around a friendly dog.

Another is leaving a loose pet and expecting the buyer's agent to manage it.

Another is locking a pet in an important room buyers can't enter.

Another is leaving a dog in a backyard buyers need to see.

Another is ignoring pet odor because the seller no longer notices it.

Another is trying to cover odor with heavy fragrances.

Another is forgetting to clean up the yard.

Another is letting pet hair build up while the home is listed.

Another is creating showing restrictions that make the property extremely difficult to see.

Another is leaving pet damage unaddressed without considering how buyers will perceive it.

And one of the biggest mistakes is waiting until the first showing request to figure out what you're going to do with the pets.

FAQ: Pets and Home Showings in Tri-Cities, WA

Do I have to remove my dog for every home showing?

Not necessarily, but removing a dog is often the easiest way to give buyers full access to the property while protecting the dog and visitors. The right plan depends on your specific animal and circumstances.

Can I leave my dog in a crate during showings?

Possibly, if the dog is safely and comfortably crate-trained. Consider whether barking or the crate's location will interfere with buyers experiencing the home.

Can my cat stay in the house during showings?

Possibly. If your cat must remain inside or is likely to escape, make sure your REALTOR® knows and develop a safe plan before showings begin.

Should I hide all evidence that I have pets?

No. You don't have to pretend a pet never lived in the house. The goal is a clean, well-presented property where pet items don't distract buyers.

Should I remove pet beds and bowls for listing photos?

When practical, simplifying pet items before photography can help keep attention on the property. You don't necessarily have to remove every pet item before every showing.

What should I do about pet odor before selling?

Address the source rather than trying to cover it with strong fragrances. Cleaning, carpet treatment or other steps may be appropriate depending on the situation.

Should I repair damage caused by my pets before listing?

Maybe. Evaluate the extent of the damage, cost of repair and whether addressing it is likely to improve the property's presentation or selling position.

Can I stay home during showings because of my pet?

I generally prefer giving buyers space to tour and speak openly with their agent. If possible, create a pet plan that allows you to leave during showings too.

Your Pet Isn't the Problem. We Just Need a Plan.

You can absolutely sell a Tri-Cities home while you have pets.

I don't need you to erase every sign that a dog, cat or other animal lives there.

I need us to think through the showing experience.

Can buyers safely enter?

Can they see every important part of the property?

Is your pet secure?

Is the buyer comfortable?

Is the house clean?

Can we manage odor and pet hair?

Can you realistically maintain the showing routine?

Those are the questions.

I'm not asking you to pretend a pet has never lived in your house. I want buyers paying attention to the house instead of wondering whether the dog is going to escape when they open the back door.

I'm Kim Feliciano, a REALTOR® in the Tri-Cities helping buyers and sellers in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, West Richland and Benton City.

Tell me about the pets before we list.

The friendly ones.

The nervous ones.

The barkers.

The runners.

The cat nobody has seen since Tuesday.

All of them.

We'll create a showing plan that protects your animals, makes your life manageable and lets buyers focus on the reason they're there.

Your house.

Book a time with me here.

Kim Feliciano
Tri-Cities, WA REALTOR®

Helping buyers and sellers navigate the housing market in:

Richland
Kennewick
Pasco
West Richland
Benton City

Website: www.heykimfeliciano.com
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