They say the customers are surveying the cattle prices at various markets before deciding to buy.
The traders are hopeful that there will be brisk sale from Thursday.
On Wednesday, traders at Gabtoli, Dhaka’s biggest permanent cattle market, waited with their stock but only a handful of customers went about enquiring about the prices.
Manikganj resident Zakir Bepari brought 60 Indian cows and 14 camels on Monday night. But so far, he has only managed to sell a camel for Tk 350,000.
“The customers are here to observe the market only. They say they will buy cows on the night before the Eid,” he said.
Md Ali Nayeem, a residence of Aminbazar near Gabtoli, echoed Bepari.
Another trader, Md Ali from Dhamrai, on the outskirts of Dhaka, hoped he get good prices for goats this year.
This year, sacrificial animals can be bought from 20 temporary and a permanent market in Dhaka alone, Dhaka City police say. The temporary markets will open three days before the Eid.
Bangladesh will celebrate Eid on Oct 6.
The occasion commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to follow Allah's order to sacrifice his son.
On Wednesday, this correspondent found preparations were afoot to set up a cattle market at Agargaon. The animals would be kept in bamboo pens.
Abul Hossain, working at the site, said the market would be packed with animals within a day or two.
About 1.8 million cattle are estimated to be slaughtered during the Eid-ul-Azha alone, most of them smuggled from India.
The livestock ministry arranges vaccination to prevent any diseases among the bovines. Medical teams will be present at the cattle markets to identify sick animals.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr ABM Shahidullah of Dhaka's central veterinary hospital said, "Veterinary surgeons will be present at the markets during their office hours to make sure no sick animal is sold."
Police are confident of tackling any untoward incident.
Close circuit cameras, watch towers, and machines to identify fake banknotes have been installed at the markets.
Moreover, the law enforcers will keep an eagle eye to prevent extortion on the highways.