Pets and Listing Photos: Where Pets Go on Photo Day

Updated November 2, 2026 · Listing Prep

Pets should be out of the house, or at least out of every room being photographed, on listing photo day. Their beds, bowls, toys, crates, litter boxes and hair should be packed away too, because buyers notice pet signs in photos and start wondering about smells, scratches and wear. A little planning a few days ahead keeps the shoot on schedule and keeps the animals calm.

Sellers love their pets, and plenty of buyers do too. The goal is not to hide that a dog or cat lives in the home forever. It is to give buyers a clean, neutral first look so they can picture their own life there. This guide is written for agents to forward to sellers, with a few notes for the agent at the end.

Why should pets be out of the house for listing photos?

There are three practical reasons, and none of them is about the pet being a problem.

• Buyers project. A food bowl in the kitchen or a crate in the living room pulls attention away from the room and toward questions: does the carpet need replacing, is there an odor, are the floors scratched?
• Pets move. A dog who wanders into the frame or a cat who settles on the bed means retakes and a longer appointment.
• Some buyers have allergies or fears. The listing photos are the first impression for everyone, so a neutral home works for the widest group of buyers.

It also helps the animal. Strangers, equipment and doors opening and closing can stress a pet, and a quiet afternoon away from the shoot is easier on everyone.

Where can pets go during the shoot?

The best option is out of the house entirely for the length of the appointment. Ideas that work well for sellers around San Luis Obispo County:

• A walk, a trip to a dog-friendly beach or a park, or a drive with a family member.
• A friend's or neighbor's house for a few hours.
• Doggy daycare or a pet sitter for the morning.
• For cats and small pets that do not travel well, a closed room that is not being photographed, such as a laundry room or a garage set up comfortably, with a clear sign on the door so nobody lets them out.

If the home has horses, chickens or other animals on acreage, plan where they will be when exteriors and any aerial photos are taken. A pasture with animals in it can be charming for a ranch listing, but a muddy pen next to the patio is not the picture you want leading the gallery. Talk with your agent about what to show.

What pet items should be put away before photos?

Walk through the house the day before and pack up anything that says "pet lives here." A laundry basket or a bin in the car works well.

• Food and water bowls, mats and treat jars.
• Beds, blankets and furniture covers.
• Crates, gates and playpens.
• Toys, chews and scratching posts.
• Leashes, harnesses and hooks by the door.
• Litter boxes, litter scoops and bags. Clean the area and air it out.
• Fish tanks and cages, if they can be moved safely; if not, make sure they are clean and the area around them is tidy.
• Pet photos and pet-themed decor on the fridge and walls, which counts as personal items.

Our post on what to hide before listing photos covers the rest of the personal items list.

How do you deal with pet hair, smells and wear before the shoot?

Cameras pick up more than people expect. Hair on a dark sofa, nose prints on a sliding door and a worn path in the lawn all show up in high-resolution photos.

1. Vacuum and lint-roll sofas, chairs, rugs and bedding, especially dark fabrics.
2. Wipe glass on doors and low windows where noses and paws land.
3. Wash or remove slipcovers and throws the pets use.
4. Clean the yard. Pick up waste, fill holes and rake bare spots. Put away outdoor toys and the backyard water bowl.
5. Air the house out the day before. Smell does not show in photos, but buyers who book a showing from those photos will notice.

Small repairs matter too. Scratched door trim or a chewed baseboard can be touched up before the shoot. Editing should not be used to hide real condition issues buyers will see in person, so it is better to fix them first. More on that in what is fair to edit in listing photos.

Should pet doors, dog runs and fences be shown?

Some pet features are selling points for the next owner. A fenced yard, a dog run along the side of the house or a mudroom with a pet wash station can matter to buyers who have animals of their own. The difference is between a feature and a mess.

• Fenced yards are worth showing clearly, gates closed, with the lawn and beds tidy.
• Dog runs and kennels should be cleaned, raked and empty. If the run is a selling point, mention it in the listing remarks too.
• Pet doors do not need to be hidden, but the area around them should be clean and free of nose prints and mats.
• Chicken coops and barns on acreage can be a plus for buyers looking for a rural lifestyle in places like Templeton, Nipomo or the hills around Paso Robles. Clean them, close them and keep the animals calm and out of the way of the main exterior photos.

Ask your agent which features to highlight. They know who is likely to buy the home and what those buyers search for.

How far ahead should sellers start pet prep?

A simple schedule keeps it from becoming a last-minute scramble:

• A week out: book a sitter or daycare, and fix any scratched trim or chewed baseboards.
• Two to three days out: deep clean fabrics and floors, clean the yard and wash pet bedding before packing it away.
• The day before: pack the pet kit, wipe the glass and air the house out.
• Photo day: pets out before the appointment starts, and back home once the shoot is done.

What if the pet cannot leave the house?

Sometimes there is no good option, such as an older pet, a pet recovering from a vet visit, or a seller who works from home with a nervous cat. That is fine. Tell your agent ahead of time, and plan a simple rotation:

• Keep the pet in one room while the rest of the house is photographed.
• Move the pet to a finished room so the last room can be photographed.
• Have someone at home whose only job is the pet, so the shoot is not interrupted.

Letting the photographer know at booking means the appointment can be planned around it, rather than discovering a locked door with a barking dog behind it on the day.

What should agents tell sellers about pets and showings later?

Photo day is a good rehearsal for the showing period. The same packing list works before every showing and open house: bowls, beds, litter and toys out of sight, pets out of the home where possible. Sellers who pack a "pet kit" for photo day often just keep it in the car for showings.

Also remind sellers that the listing photos stay online long after the sale. Keeping pets out of frame keeps their pet, and their home's routines, private.

Agent checklist for a home with pets

• Ask about pets at the listing appointment, including outdoor animals and animals that cannot leave.
• Send the seller prep sheet plus a link to this post three to five days before photos.
• Note any pet that will stay home when you book, so the shoot can work around it.
• Confirm the plan the day before: who is taking the pet, and when.
• Walk the yard for waste and holes before exteriors and any aerials.

For a full room-by-room prep plan, see how to get a house ready for listing photos and the listing photo day timeline for sellers.

Ready to book the shoot?

Once the pets have a plan, build the shoot on /book/ and see the price for the home's size. Photos, floor plan showcase and property website arrive within 24 hours.