Buying a home in Arizona is a different process when you’re doing it with a dog, a cat, or both. Between HOA pet clauses, breed-restricted insurance policies, and neighborhoods that look great on paper but have zero shade for a August afternoon walk, pet owners have a longer checklist than most buyers. This guide walks through the whole process, in order, from pre-approval to move-in day.

1. Get pre-approved with your pet budget already factored in

Before you start touring homes, get a mortgage pre-approval that accounts for your real monthly costs as a pet owner — not just principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. Vet care, pet insurance, or an in-home pet sitter for when you travel, and (if you’re moving from out of state) any breed-specific insurance surcharges all affect what you can comfortably afford. A lender who only looks at your income and existing debt won’t flag these; you have to build them into your own budget before you sign anything.

If you’re financing with a VA, FHA, or conventional loan, ask your loan officer directly whether the property you’re considering has any HOA restrictions on file — some HOAs disclose pet policies to lenders as part of the condo/PUD approval process, which can save you a surprise later.

2. Check breed restrictions before you fall in love with a house

Two separate things can restrict which breeds you’re allowed to keep in a home: HOA covenants (CC&Rs) and your homeowners insurance carrier. They’re not always the same list, and both matter.

HOA CC&Rs — request the CC&Rs and any pet addendum before you write an offer, not after. Many Arizona HOAs cap weight, breed, or number of pets.
Homeowners insurance — carriers commonly restrict or surcharge for breeds like pit bull-type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and a handful of others. Get a homeowners insurance quote for the specific address before closing, not after — a breed-restricted policy can force you into a more expensive non-standard carrier at the last minute.

Not sure if your dog’s breed is likely to be restricted? See our homeowners insurance breed-restriction checker.

3. Work with a real estate agent who actually asks about pets

A pet-friendly agent will proactively pull HOA pet clauses, flag yards with pool/wall issues for dogs, and won’t schedule showings during 2pm in July without warning you the walk from the car will be brutal on paws. If your agent doesn’t ask about your pets in the first conversation, that’s a signal.

4. Tour homes with your pet’s actual needs in mind

Yard and fencing — full block wall vs. view fencing, gate latch height, gaps under gates, shade coverage during peak sun hours.
Flooring — tile and LVP hold up far better than carpet in Arizona dust and with pet accidents.
Pool safety — if the home has a pool, check for a pet-safe exit ramp and fencing options; drowning is a real risk for dogs who fall in and can’t climb out.
Proximity to a vet — especially an emergency vet, if you’re moving somewhere more rural.

5. Home inspection: what to flag for pet owners specifically

Ask your inspector to pay extra attention to: gaps or damage under exterior doors and gates, block wall integrity (cracks and gaps large enough for a dog to push through or dig under), HVAC condition (critical for pets left home during Arizona summers), and any evidence of past pest issues that could point to entry points.

6. Closing and the first weeks

Once you’re under contract, start acclimatizing your pet to the change early if you can — a visit or two to the new neighborhood, keeping their routine steady during the chaos of packing. On closing day and moving day itself, most pet owners find it easiest to have their pet somewhere calm and supervised rather than underfoot during a move full of open doors and strangers carrying furniture.

That’s exactly the kind of day Scritches exists for — in-home pet sitting while you handle closing, movers, and unpacking, so your pet isn’t stressed (or at risk of bolting out an open door) during the move itself.

Buying a Home in Arizona with Pets: The Complete Guide