Practical tips to eliminate pet odours, repair damage, and wow buyers — even with furry family members at home.
Thinking about listing your home but worried your dog, cat, or other pets might turn buyers away? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns I hear from sellers across Leamington, Kingsville, and Chatham-Kent.
The good news: with the right preparation, having pets doesn’t have to hurt your sale price or your timeline. A well-presented home can still sell quickly and for top dollar — regardless of who (or what) lives there.
Here’s everything you need to know to get your home show-ready when pets are in the picture
1. Start With the Sniff Test — Eliminating Pet Odours
Here’s the hard truth: you’ve probably stopped noticing the smell. Pet owners naturally become “nose blind” to odours that buyers will notice the moment they walk through your front door. And that first impression matters enormously.
Before anything else, tackle odours head-on:
• Hire a professional carpet cleaner. Steam cleaning with pet-specific enzyme products is the only way to truly lift odours trapped deep in fibres
• Wash all soft furnishings including dog beds, blankets, cushion covers, and throw rugs
• Clean air ducts and replace furnace filters. Pet hair and dander circulate through your HVAC system
• Wipe down walls and baseboards. Odours absorb into painted surfaces over time
• Apply a fresh coat of primer and paint in heavily used pet areas to seal in smells
• Open windows daily to air the home out naturally before showings
Pro Tip: Avoid masking odours with heavy air fresheners or candles. Buyers notice the cover-up and assume something worse is hiding underneath. Neutralize, don’t disguise.
If you’re unsure how your home smells, ask an honest friend or neighbour to do a fresh walk-through. Your real estate agent can also give you candid feedback before listing.
2. Repair Pet Damage — Don’t Let Small Issues Cost You Big
Buyers tour homes with a critical eye. Pet-related damage — even minor — signals neglect and gives buyers reason to lower their offer or walk away. The good news is that most repairs are inexpensive and high-impact.
Do a thorough walk-through and address the following:
• Scratched hardwood floors. Sand and refinish or replace damaged planks. Floors are a major selling feature
• Stained carpet. Steam clean first. If staining is deep into the padding, replacement is worth the investment
• Chewed baseboards and trim. Use wood filler, sand smooth, and repaint
• Scratched doors and door frames. Repaint or replace hardware as needed
• Torn or dirty window screens. Inexpensive to replace and immediately noticed
• Yard damage. Fill dug-up spots with fresh topsoil and sod, clean up after your pet consistently, and repair any fence damage
Why this matters: When buyers spot scratched floors or damaged baseboards, they mentally calculate repair costs and assume there could be more damage they can’t see. Proactive repairs remove doubt and keep buyers focused on what they love about your home.
If the list feels overwhelming, consider hiring a local handyman to knock out multiple small repairs in one day. The investment almost always pays off at the negotiating table.
3. Deep Clean and De-Pet the Space Before Every Showing
Staging your home for sale means creating a neutral canvas — one where buyers can picture their own lives, not yours. Pet accessories, however beloved, work against that goal.
Before every showing and before listing photos are taken:
• Remove all pet items from view including food bowls, water bowls, toys, leashes, litter boxes, pet beds, and crates
• Vacuum thoroughly including upholstery, carpets, curtains, and corners where hair collects
• Wipe pet nose prints from windows and glass doors
• Clean pet door inserts and any pet-specific installations
• Remove pet photos and personalized pet items
Pro Tip: Less is always more during showings. The goal is for buyers to fall in love with your home — not be reminded that animals live there.
Remember: listing photos are your first showing. Everything should be pet-free before your photographer arrives.
Home Staging Tips That Help Leamington Homes Sell Faster
4. What To Do With Your Pets During Showings
This is one of the most practical challenges sellers face, and it’s worth planning carefully. Even the friendliest pet can be a distraction, cause anxiety for buyers with allergies, or simply pull attention away from your home.
Here are your options:
• Ask a friend or family member to take your pet during the showing
• Book doggy daycare or a kennel for open house days
• Use showing notifications to plan ahead. I always give sellers advance notice so arrangements can be made
• If your pet must stay home, secure them in a crate in a quiet area and notify your agent
Important: Never leave a note saying “Cat inside — please don’t let out.” This draws attention to the pet situation and raises concerns before buyers even enter.
Roughly 10–20% of people have pet allergies. Removing animals during showings is one of the most considerate things you can do — for buyers and for your sale.
5. Don’t Mention Pets in Your Listing Description
It might feel natural to mention your pet-friendly yard or how great your home is for animals. Resist the urge.
Highlighting pets in your listing — even positively — signals buyers to look for pet damage. It can also discourage buyers who have allergies or simply aren’t animal lovers.
Let features like a fenced yard or mudroom speak for themselves. Your agent’s job is to market the features of your home — not its occupants.
Selling With Pets in Leamington, Kingsville, and Chatham-Kent
Whether you’re in a lakeside home in Leamington, a rural property in Kingsville, or a family home in Chatham-Kent, the same principles apply. However, local market conditions always matter.
Across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, well-presented homes continue to attract serious buyers. A little extra preparation goes a long way.
If you’re thinking about listing, I can walk through your home and give you a personalized action plan, including:
• What repairs make sense for your budget
• What improvements give the best return
• How to price strategically in today’s market
Your Pet-Ready Home Selling Checklist
✅ Deep clean carpets, upholstery, and air ducts
✅ Neutralize pet odours instead of masking them
✅ Repair scratched floors, chewed trim, and damaged screens
✅ Freshen up paint in pet-heavy areas
✅ Remove pet accessories before photos and showings
✅ Arrange for pets to be off-site during showings
✅ Avoid mentioning pets in listing descriptions
✅ Ask your REALTOR® for a candid pre-listing walk-through
Ready To Sell? Let’s Talk.
Selling your home — whether you have pets, kids, or just a busy life — doesn’t have to be complicated when you have the right plan.
I’m Linda Hakr, REALTOR® with JUMP Realty, and I’ve helped families across Leamington, Kingsville, and Chatham-Kent sell with confidence. I’ll give you an honest assessment of what your home needs and help you get market-ready without the stress.
Call or text anytime: 519-654-6695
Website: lindahakrrealtor.ca
About Linda Hakr, REALTOR®
Linda Hakr, REALTOR® | Top 5% Agent | 3-Year Top Producer | Leamington & Windsor-Essex Real Estate Specialist
Linda Hakr is a Top Producer with JUMP Realty helping buyers and sellers across Leamington, Kingsville, Wheatley, Windsor-Essex, and Chatham-Kent. Ranked in the top 5% of agents and recognized as the #1 Leamington agent on RateMyAgent, Linda has earned 38 five-star Google reviews and maintains a 100% response rate through her relationship-first approach and strategic marketing.
📞 Call or text: 519-654-6695
🌐 Website: lindahakrrealtor.ca
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