Selling a house is already a big job but it gets trickier when your furry friends are still roaming around. If you’re a pet owner trying to get your home ready for showings or photos, you might be wondering how to make things presentable without scrubbing every inch. The good news? You don’t have to deep clean to make a solid impression. With some smart steps, you can make your place feel inviting and tidy while still keeping your pets comfortable and stress-free.

This blog will guide you on how to prepare your home for sale with pets still in residence no intense deep cleaning required.

When potential buyers step into your home, their first impression happens within seconds. This is why visual distractions (like overflowing litter boxes or chewed-up toys) can take away from the appeal even if the place is otherwise clean. 

Start with curb appeal and walk through your front door like a buyer would. Is there a strong pet smell? Does fur trail down the hallway? While you don’t need to scrub everything spotless, doing a quick assessment of how the home feels is important. Often, small adjustments go a long way.

One of the most noticeable signs of pets is the smell. It might be something you’ve gone nose-blind to over time, but new visitors will pick it up instantly.

Open windows for at least 15–30 minutes a day leading up to showings or photos. Use odor-neutralizing sprays not overly perfumed air fresheners, which just mix with the smell. You can also place bowls of baking soda or charcoal in corners to help absorb odors.

If you have rugs or furniture your pets use often, sprinkle baking soda, let it sit, then vacuum. This doesn’t require full deep cleaning, but it helps reduce lingering smells dramatically.

Buyers don’t need to see every toy, food bowl, or pet bed your furry friend loves. These things make your house feel lived-in to you but to a buyer, they can be distractions.

A simple storage bin or decorative basket can be a lifesaver. Use it to scoop up toys, grooming tools, leashes, and food bowls just before a showing. Keep it by the door or in a closet for quick cleanup. That way, you’re not doing a full clean every time someone stops by, just a quick tidy.

If you own cats, the litter box can be one of the biggest challenges. But there are ways to make it less noticeable.

Try placing it in a less trafficked area, such as a laundry room or guest bathroom, and keep the lid on if possible. Scoop daily, but also consider putting an air purifier or deodorizer nearby. It doesn't need to be spotless; it just shouldn't be the first thing someone sees or smells.

For extra discretion, place a small screen or decorative plant to subtly shield it from view while keeping airflow open.

You don’t have to get every single hair off your couch but minimizing visible fur is still helpful. A quick daily sweep with a lint roller or pet hair brush on furniture can make a big difference.

Invest in a handheld vacuum or a sticky roller and run it over high-traffic areas. Target just the spots that would stand out in photos or showings like couches, throw pillows, and beds.

Also, choose neutral-colored blankets to throw over furniture your pets use. These can quickly be removed and washed when needed and make furniture look cleaner without much work.

If you’ll be present during a showing or photo session, it’s good to have a quiet place to send your pet so they don’t interrupt. This could be a closed-off room, a crate, or even a friend’s house for a few hours.

Keeping your pet calm also keeps your house calm. No barking, jumping, or frantic movements just a relaxed environment that makes buyers feel more comfortable walking through.

If you have a dog that spends time outside, make a habit of checking the yard before showings. Clean up waste, tuck away chew toys, and straighten up any areas they’ve dug or damaged.

This small habit can save you from embarrassment and keep your outdoor space looking tidy without a full landscaping job.

A quick rake or sweep of fur from patios or porches also helps freshen up your exterior presentation, which many buyers pay close attention to.

Your real estate agent should know about your pets upfront. Not just because they’ll help coordinate showing schedules, but because they’ll know how to communicate the situation to potential buyers.

They can help time showings during hours that are easier for you and your pets, suggest ways to highlight pet-friendly features (like fenced yards), or downplay pet signs when needed.

And if you’re ever thinking about skipping the hassle altogether, companies like We Buy Any Vegas House make it easy to sell without worrying about the details of pets, repairs, or showings included.

Finally, remember that many buyers are also pet lovers. You don’t need to hide the fact that you have pets, you just want to reduce anything that might be distracting or feel like extra work for a future homeowner.

Your goal isn’t perfection, it’s a warm, welcoming home that feels easy to care for. By minimizing mess, reducing odors, and creating quick-clean systems, you’ll be ready for photos or visits with little effort.

This way, you can keep your life as normal as possible while still making your house look great and your pets won’t be stressed out in the process.