What to Tell Your Cleaning Service If You Have Pets

Most cleaning companies are completely comfortable around pets, but a few details upfront make the visit easier for everyone — your pet included.

Pets Are Not a Problem — But They Are Worth Mentioning

The overwhelming majority of cleaning companies work in homes with pets regularly and aren't thrown off by it. That said, a few specifics upfront make the actual visit smoother for the cleaner, your pet, and you.

What to Tell Them Before the First Visit

• What pets you have — species matters less than temperament; a nervous or territorial animal is worth flagging specifically
• Whether pets will be home during the cleaning, and if so, where they'll be (a closed bedroom, a crate, outside)
• Any behavior quirks — a dog that barks persistently at strangers, a cat that bolts for open doors, anything that affects how the cleaner should move through the home
• Litter box or pet area cleaning — confirm whether this is included in the standard scope or something you need to add on separately; policies vary by company

Pet Hair and Odor: What's Reasonable to Expect

Standard cleanings typically include general vacuuming, which helps with pet hair on floors and visible surfaces, but a heavier pet-hair situation (upholstery, under furniture, embedded in carpet) may need to be called out specifically or booked as an add-on. If odor control matters to you, ask directly what products or methods they use for it — this is a completely normal request.

Should You Be Home If You Have Pets?

Not necessarily, but it's worth considering for the first visit specifically, so you can introduce your pet to the cleaner and confirm everyone's comfortable with the arrangement. After that, many pet owners who aren't home during cleanings simply secure pets in one area (a bedroom, a yard, a crate) for the duration of the visit.

If a Pet Is Reactive or Anxious Around Strangers

Be upfront about this — a good cleaning company would rather know in advance than discover it at the door. Common solutions: crating or confining the pet to a separate room during the visit, scheduling around a walk or nap time, or in some cases, simply rescheduling if a pet is having a particularly anxious day.

A Few Pet-Specific Questions Worth Asking

• "Are your products pet-safe?" (especially relevant if pets will be on cleaned floors or surfaces soon after)
• "Is litter box cleaning included, or is that a separate add-on?"
• "Do your cleaners have experience with [specific type of pet], if that's relevant to you?"

Bottom Line

Pets rarely complicate hiring a cleaner — a few specifics shared upfront is usually all it takes for a smooth, comfortable visit for everyone, pets included. Get a free price estimate to get started.

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