Grand Rapids homeowners calmly preparing their dog and cat for a home showing, getting ready to leave the house together.

How do I handle showings for my Grand Rapids home if I have pets?

ByJason Pohlonski

Selling your Grand Rapids home is a big step, but when pets are part of your household, managing showings becomes a unique challenge. Many sellers want to keep their listing competitive while also ensuring the safety and comfort of their pets. The right approach can make a real difference in how smoothly the showing process goes—and how buyers and agents perceive your home.

If you’re a pet owner preparing to list, you’re likely wondering how to coordinate showings, minimize stress for your pets, and avoid any issues that might discourage offers. Fortunately, there are proven strategies that Grand Rapids sellers can use to keep their sale on track and their pets protected.

Quick Answer

To handle showings for your Grand Rapids home when you have pets, plan to remove or safely contain your animals during every scheduled showing. This keeps your listing accessible, avoids distractions, and helps agents feel confident bringing clients through your home. It also protects your pets from unexpected stress or escape.

Preparation is key—use carriers, crates, or arrange for temporary off-site care during showing times. If you’re dealing with this, I’m happy to walk through it with you.

1. Coordinating Showings Around Your Pet’s Schedule

When your home is on the market, showings can pop up with little notice. For sellers with pets, this means thinking ahead about how to manage both your pet’s comfort and your listing’s accessibility. Most sellers find it works best to set clear showing windows with their agent, so you have time to remove or contain pets before a visit.

Jason’s take: “If your pet is anxious or territorial, proactively blocking off nap or feeding times and setting realistic showing windows can reduce stress for everyone. I’ve found that most buyers’ agents respect these boundaries when communicated upfront.”

It’s also smart to let your agent know about any special pet considerations—such as a dog that barks at strangers or a cat that shouldn’t be let outside. This way, your listing instructions are clear, and last-minute surprises are minimized.

2. Removing Pets During Showings—Why It Matters

One of the most effective ways to keep your Grand Rapids home showing-ready is to physically remove pets during every scheduled appointment. Even the friendliest animals can distract agents and their clients, or worse, trigger allergies or fears. Removing pets helps your home appeal to the widest possible audience and reduces the risk of incidents during showings (NAR Seller Safety Guidelines).

Jason’s take: “I’ve seen listings where a dog or cat was left loose, and even if the pet was calm, it caused agents to rush the showing or miss features of the home. When pets are removed, the feedback is almost always better.”

If you can’t be home to take pets out, consider enlisting a neighbor, friend, or pet-sitting service for scheduled showing times. This keeps your listing open for last-minute appointments, which can be critical in a fast-moving market.

3. Creating a Safe, Contained Space If Removal Isn’t Possible

Sometimes, removing pets from the property just isn’t realistic—especially for cats or multiple animals. In these cases, set up a secure, comfortable space such as a laundry room, spare bedroom, or crate where your pets can stay during showings. Always leave clear instructions for agents so they know which areas are off-limits or where to expect animals (ASPCA: Tips for Selling Your Home with Pets).

Containment not only protects your pets but also prevents accidental escapes. Make sure food, water, and bedding are available, and double-check that the room is safe and free of hazards. A polite sign on the door (“Please do not open—pet inside”) helps agents avoid mistakes without disrupting the showing.

A word of caution: Even with containment, some buyers may be hesitant to enter a room with a pet. If your listing isn’t generating activity or is getting negative feedback about pets, this is an area to revisit with your agent.

4. Minimizing Pet Odors and Signs of Pets

Strong odors or visible pet-related wear can be a stumbling block for Grand Rapids sellers. Before each showing, clean litter boxes, vacuum fur, and remove food bowls, bedding, or toys from main living areas. Address any lingering odors with deep cleaning or professional carpet treatment if needed.

Jason’s take: “Even if you’re used to pet smells, a new visitor will notice right away. I advise sellers to ask a trusted friend or their agent to do a ‘nose test’—it’s amazing what a difference it makes.”

If the market isn’t responding and feedback points to pet-related concerns, consider a pre-listing deep clean or even temporary boarding for pets during the most active showing period.

Real Seller Case Study: A Grand Rapids Success Story

Last spring, I worked with a Grand Rapids homeowner who had two large dogs and a cat. The initial listing struggled to generate activity—feedback from agents noted barking during showings and pet odors. We adjusted our strategy: The seller arranged for doggie daycare during all scheduled showings and set up a secure room for the cat with clear instructions for agents. We also invested in a professional deep clean and removed all pet items before each appointment.

Within two weeks of making these changes, showings increased and the seller received multiple offers. By proactively managing their pets and presenting a clean, neutral environment, the seller overcame early hurdles and achieved a strong sale price.

Grand Rapids Market Insight

In the Grand Rapids market, many sellers are pet owners, but listings that minimize visible pet presence often attract faster and stronger offers. Feedback from local agents consistently shows that homes where pets are removed or contained—and pet odors are addressed—perform better than those where animals are left loose or signs of pets are obvious.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in Grand Rapids

  • Should I mention my pets in the listing?
    It’s best not to highlight pets in your listing description. Instead, communicate directly with your agent about your pet management plan for showings.
  • What if I can’t take my pets out for every showing?
    Securely contain them in a safe room or crate, and provide clear notes to agents. If feedback is negative, revisit your strategy with your agent.
  • Will pet odors really affect my sale?
    Yes—pet odors are a leading source of negative feedback in Grand Rapids listings. A deep clean and regular maintenance can make a major difference.
  • How much notice will I get before showings?
    You can request a minimum notice period through your agent, but more flexibility typically leads to more showings and a faster sale.

Related Resources

About the Author


Jason Pohlonski
 is a Michigan licensed real estate salesperson with Keller Williams Grand Rapids East. He helps buyers and sellers throughout Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Ada, Byron Center, Jenison, Cascade, and surrounding West Michigan communities.

Jason began his real estate career in Chicago in 2004, later expanding his experience in Ann Arbor from 2014 to 2019, and has been serving clients in the Grand Rapids area since 2019.

With over 20 years of combined real estate experience across multiple markets, Jason focuses on helping clients make clear real estate decisions involving pricing, offer terms, inspections, appraisals, relocation timing, and buy-sell planning.

Industry Recognition

Jason is recognized by platforms and industry organizations including Zillow, Grand Rapids Magazine Real Estate All-Stars, and Real Producers for his work serving West Michigan buyers and sellers.

Jason also supports One More Moment, a nonprofit that grants wishes to late-stage cancer patients, by donating $100 for every successful closing.

Professional Disclosure

Jason Pohlonski
Michigan Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
License Verification: Verify Michigan License #6501386166
Brokerage: Keller Williams Grand Rapids East
Brokerage Office: 1555 Arboretum Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

📱 Call or text: 616-916-9770
📅 Schedule consultation:
https://calendly.com/pohlonskirealestate/30min
📧 Email: jpohlonski@kw.com

This article reflects real client experiences and market conditions in Grand Rapids and surrounding communities at the time of publication. Real estate outcomes can vary depending on market conditions, property characteristics, buyer demand, financing terms, inspection results, appraisal results, and lender requirements.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, engineering, inspection, or floodplain determination advice. Buyers and sellers should consult qualified professionals before making decisions involving financing, insurance, inspections, taxes, legal issues, or property risk.

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