We know you love your pets. They're part of the family, right? Over time, we become nose-blind to just how badly they can smell. When you're listing your house, be sure you've eliminated all traces of pet odors. Having the house professionally cleaned is the best way to be sure your home smells and looks fresh.
Pet dander can trigger allergic reactions to a lot of potential buyers. Your sale will be lost before you can say "achoo!" Remember that you want to attract the most people as possible to your home. Make it a welcoming environment. Not everyone is as enamored with Fido and Fluffy as you are.
Once the place is clean, remove all pet paraphernalia. This includes food bowls, dog beds, litter boxes and cat climbing towers. Take the pets out of the home during all showings. While it's inconvenient to you in the short term, it will help buyers to see the space itself. The other items are a distraction.
Placing candles strategically throughout the house helps. Or, put a pot of simmering water on the stove. Fill it with cinnamon, apples and nutmeg to mimic the smell of apple pie. If you have time, bake some brownies and leave them on the counter. Not only will it be comforting to smell, you've now left a sweet taste of home in their mouth.