A pet owner’s guide to selling your home this summer

Selling a home with pets brings a few extra things to think about, and summer adds its own twist. Warm weather means open windows, busier viewing schedules and gardens that need to look their best. None of this makes selling a house with pets in the UK impossible. It just means a bit more planning.

Summer is traditionally one of the best times of year to sell in the UK. Buyers get longer daylight hours for viewings, gardens are in full bloom, and many families want to be settled before the new school year. This year’s market has been a bit more mixed. Mortgage rates have started easing again, with the average two-year fixed deal dropping to just over 5% by June, but buyers now have more homes to choose from and are taking their time before committing. In a market like this, presentation counts for more than ever, and that includes how well you manage your pet’s presence during viewings. We covered the wider seasonal picture in why summer is a good time to sell your home, and if you’d like to know what your home might be worth right now, our online valuation tool takes just a couple of minutes.

Talk to your vet before viewings start

Your pet’s comfort is an important part of preparing for a successful sale. Strangers coming through the house regularly, and eventually a move to a new environment, can be genuinely stressful for animals, particularly older pets or those who don’t cope well with change. A quick chat with your vet about your plans can help you spot any issues early and put the right support in place.

Keep pets safe and calm during warm weather viewings

Summer viewings are a great opportunity to make your home feel bright, fresh and welcoming, but it is also important to keep pets secure. With doors and windows often left open for ventilation, take a moment before each viewing to check that garden gates are closed and any possible escape routes are safely blocked.

It is also worth planning ahead for warmer temperatures. Choosing cooler walking times, providing plenty of shade and fresh water, and keeping pets away from hot pavements or parked cars can help them stay comfortable. A calm, secure space during viewings can also make unfamiliar visitors easier for them to manage. The RSPCA has good advice on keeping dogs safe in hot weather, including simple things like checking paw-friendly walking times and never leaving a pet in a parked car, even briefly.

Should you arrange temporary care while you sell?

Many sellers choose to arrange temporary care for their pets during the busiest stage of the sales process. This can help pets feel more settled, make it easier to keep the home viewing-ready and allow the estate agent to focus fully on showing buyers around.

A few options worth weighing up:

• Staying with a friend or family member the pet already knows and trusts.

• Daycare or boarding for the day of a viewing, especially useful during summer holidays when catteries and kennels are geared up for exactly this.

• Staying home with them if neither of the above suits, ideally in one contained room, with the agent told in advance.

Repair any pet damage before you list

A few simple repairs can help your home make the best possible first impression. Refreshing scratched doors, worn carpets, marked skirting boards or patchy lawns before listing can reassure buyers that the property has been well cared for and may support a smoother sale and stronger offers.

Make your garden work hard for you

Outdoor space is one of the biggest draws for summer buyers, pet owners or not. A tidy, well-kept garden signals that the whole property has been looked after.

• Clear away any mess straight away, every time.

• Patch bare or scorched patches of lawn.

• Mend fencing or gates, particularly anywhere a pet has been digging or squeezing through.

• Add a few pots of colour near the entrance for instant kerb appeal.

If you’re selling a flat or a home with a smaller outdoor space, our piece on making the most of your city home this summer has ideas for making a balcony or courtyard feel just as inviting.

Deal with pet odours and stains

A fresh, clean home creates a welcoming first impression for buyers. Consider having carpets and soft furnishings professionally cleaned, treating any stains thoroughly and airing the property each day. Where possible, ventilate the home before viewings so it feels fresh while pets remain safely secured.

FAQs about selling a home with pets

Do pets put buyers off? 

Not usually, but signs of pets, such as odours, stains or obvious damage, can. Most buyers are relaxed about pet ownership itself. What tends to matter is whether the home has been kept clean and well maintained.

Should I be home during viewings with pets? 

It’s best to leave viewings to your estate agent if you can. If your pet needs to stay in the house, keep them in one contained area and let the agent know beforehand.

Where should my pet stay during a summer viewing? 

Somewhere cool, secure and away from open doors or windows, ideally with a friend, family member, or daycare rather than in the house itself if it can be avoided.

How do I stop my pet escaping during viewings? 

Check every door and window before buyers arrive, keep garden gates latched, and consider confining pets to one room with the door shut if they’re staying home.

Ready to sell?

Selling a home with a pet in the house takes a little extra thought, but it shouldn’t hold up a good summer sale. With the right prep, buyers will see a well-cared-for home rather than a well-loved pet.

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