skip to main content

Buying and Selling Homes

What Do You Do With Your Pets for Showings?

14 years ago

Hi All,

My DH & I are hoping to get our home on the market in the next 2-3 months or so. I have 3 kitties! One is 20 yrs old, doesn't want to be bothered & stays upstairs (I know his time is coming soon :( & the other 2 love the unfinished side of the basement.

I'm thinking I might need to get some oversize crate/cages to keep them confined & safe. One is definitly a flight risk. And they do have their claws, so I don't want anyone to try to pet them--even if I put a warning sign on the cage.

I don't have family or neighbors here that can take them in for awhile. I can board them for Open Houses, but that won't work for any spur of the minute showings. I'm thinking of putting one of those small dog runs inside the basement with a covered tarp. Would this be TOO tacky? Or a good solution? For those of you with fur-kids, what do you do for showings.

TIA ~~ katclaws

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

rar1
14 years ago
All of your ideas are great, and most are what we did with out dog. We put her in a create in a secondary bedroom with a postit note on the door. We took her to doggy day care, and sometimes we took her for a ride around town...she loves to travel!

The dog run thing might work as long as it is a closed top unit.

Good luck!
Zoe52
14 years ago
I have three cats and a toy poodle of 6 pounds. I remove all cat posts and store in the basement during showings. I clean up and remove 2 of the 3 litter boxes (I have one in the basement that I clean out well) and place the other 2 in the garage (covered) during the showings.

Then I crate all three cats (2 go in a medium crate together and one in a small crate) and take them with me in the car with the dog. My neighbor who sometimes watches my cats (and I hers) will let me bring them over to her house especially now that it is so hot out while my house is being shown.

My cats are gettting smart lately and will disappear when they see me get out the crates so now I have to grab each one of them and crate them and THEN bring the crates up from the basement.
Related Discussions
Do you show your emotions or do you have a poker face?
Q
Comments (18)
Everything in moderation has always been my motto. If I'm hit with news of any kind I show that it has registered and the emotion I'm feeling but not to the extreme. What always goes through my mind is when a suspect of a horrendous crime is brought into court and the comments that follow his/her reaction. If they are poker faced, they are unfeeling, uncaring monsters. If they are highly emotional, they are an unstable, disturbed individual. Everything in moderation I always say. :-) Jodi-
...See More
Where do your pets eat? Do they eat 'in style'?
Q
Comments (37)
We have 2 large dogs and 1 cat--just saying that so you'll know I'm a pet lover. However, just like I don't leave human food out all day on the counter or in dishes under the counter (even dry food), I also am grossed out by the sight of usually slightly dirty pet dishes (I realize that part wouldn't apply to any of you here) with half-eaten food in them, usually in locations where they get bumped or small hands can touch. So we have a little cat door that leads to the garage where the cat's litter box and food/water dishes are. The dogs also have theirs outside, but since we have outbuildings, their food is kept there available through a dog door. We've tried the laundry room and bathrooms, but it's such a pain for everyone to use the rest of the room since where there are cats, there's usually stray litter box filler, and spilled water, etc. Believe me--your non-pet friends (and many pet ones) will love you! And no amount of cute bowls will change that. OK---quickly dodging the rotten tomatoes as I race for cover!
...See More
Do You Let Your Pets on Your Bed?
Q
Comments (61)
When I was a teen we had a dog named Scooby. She was a great bed dog and would curl behind my legs and we both slept great. Fast forward a few years (sic) and now I have Jetty dog. He is 57 pounds now and is turning into a great bed dog - as long as he doesn't get there first. He is lots bigger than Scooby - but he is longer too and stretches out behind my back with his back against mine. We both have a fine sleep! Smaller Sage dog is at the bottom of my feet. Most times if they get on the bed they leave in the night and I miss them when I wake up (they go downstairs and each takes a sofa).
...See More
For those with pets what do you do with the water bowl?...
Q
Comments (30)
we live in a split level and we have the dog's bowl at the bottom of the steps on lower level with a pet mat underneath b/c she is such a messy eater and drinker. the cat gets fed on top of W/D b/c dog will eat his food ASAP... so no food bowls in my kitchen. i was always knocking the water bowl pre-reno and did want to deal with it in new kitchen. so sorry for everyone's loss. it is just heartbreaking to lose your pet. we lost two dogs some years ago and we still miss them and talk about them. our dog now is going on 13 and really slowing down... thinking of rescuing another soon. i would just hate to something to happen to her and then have no dog at all.....our cat is going on 11 but still acts like a kitten, so hopefully he has alot more years in him. he is indoors only, so i think that really helps further his life. he was a rescue. we found him at 6 mos of age on the jetties in cape may, nj. brought him home and have had him every since. he's is just awesome, more like a dog than a cat. always the first to greet you at the door, we all just love him so much. we always wondered what made someone dump him, but their loss was our gain. here's a pic of Tori, just taken this morning and Jetty, taken 4 yrs ago, he looks the same!!
...See More
kats_meow
14 years ago
We did different things with different pets.

In one house we had 4 cats at the time and put them in the utility room with a do not open note on the door (with a pic of the utility room) and said it would be available for inspection if wanted.

In our next house we had 3 cats and we put them in a large multi cat cage and put a cover over it. Worked very very well.

We also had 2 large dogs at the time and we boarded them with friends for the duration of the time the house was on the market.
FatHen
14 years ago
I'd remove pets if I worried for their safety--not everyone will be careful not to let pets dash out the door, or keep their kids from harrassing them, and not everyone will act with common sense to avoid being bitten by a caged pet. Loose pets ARE a liability if they are capable of biting, even if you think they never would. BUT, leave some obvious clue you HAVE pets like dishes or toys. That way a buyer can't later claim the presence of pets was concealed from them, a gray area about disclosures that could be stressful, even costly, if you hide EVERY clue to their presence. Also, though many on here have mentioned it, get rid of pet odors if they exist by cleaning, not covering up with air fresheners. Air fresheners, potpourris, and candles, are a dead giveaway that some persistent odor lurks, perhaps from animals, mold, or poor housekeeping. That includes getting dogs bathed, cleaning cages, and keeping litter boxes clean. Owners may not notice it themselves but believe me, buyers do.

Related Stories

PETS Here’s How to Show Your Pet Even More Love

By Becky Harris

February 20 is Love Your Pet Day. Find all the ideas and inspiration you need to celebrate right here

PETS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Pet Projects!

By Becky Harris

Bubble windows, fountains, doghouses, showers — what outdoor treats have you put together for your furry friends?

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Show Your Pet Some Love

Beds, bowls and toys to show your furry friends how much you care

0

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

PETS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Summer-Loving Dog!

By Mitchell Parker

Share a photo of your pooch kicking back in the backyard, helping you in the workshop or enjoying your favorite summer getaway

PETS Houzz Pets Survey: Who Rules the House — Dogs or Cats?

By Mitchell Parker

New data shows that pets make people happy, and pet owners love spending big to return the favor

SHOP HOUZZ Gifts for Well-Loved Pets

Pick up some creature comforts to show them you care — and decor for you, too

0

COMMUNITY Want a Cleaner, Safer Neighborhood? Show You Care

By Mitchell Parker

Our behavior strongly influences others, says a new study. Show neighbors you care about your street and watch them follow suit

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 7 Must-Dos on the Day You Show Your House

By Lurdes Abruscato

Don’t risk losing buyers because of little things you overlook. Check these off your list before you open the front door

KITCHEN DESIGN Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary

By KitchenLab Interiors

Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space

Sponsored

More Discussions

Resale Value: Composit vs PVC Deck

28

Color Suggestions for Railings, Deck and Roof

7

This is a new one for RE listing

10

Which shower pan would you choose with this marble-look wall tile?

4

Addition or move?

20