Many cat owners have experienced the knot in the pit of their stomach after they recently bought a beautiful new sofa, and then within weeks they see and hear and hear their cat going to town on it with their claws.
You don’t want to have to declaw your kitty. So you start to wonder …. is it even possible to be a pet owner and still have nice-looking furniture?
The good news is that there are plenty of protective couch covers that can either save your couch and/or cover up the damage that’s already been done. Here are our top picks to make your sofa look new again.
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Best Overall Couch: Stendmar Microfiber Sofa
Stendmar 3pc Sectional Sofa & Ottoman Set
So, the damage has been done, and it’s time to replace your worn-out disgrace of a couch. The positive aspect of this situation is that you can make a better choice this time round, considering the amount of damage your cat can inflict on inferior upholstery fabric.
The Stendmar Microfiber Sofa is excellent for households with multiple pets and kids. This is one of the best options if you need a beautiful couch that’ll stand up to daily use, is easy to clean, and is comfortable to boot.
The microfiber fabric is durable enough to withstand your cat’s claws without ripping. The microfiber couch cushions have easy-to-remove covers, which makes them a breeze to clean. Simply unzip and throw in the washing machine.
This sectional sofa set strikes a good balance in terms of value for money. The more significant dimensions of 72″D x 120″W x 34″H make it a good choice for a larger household, but small apartment dwellers may want to assess whether this is a good fit. Microfiber is also soft and comfortable, so the whole family will enjoy spending time on it.
The three sections of this couch can be arranged in various configurations, including a daybed, which is excellent if you have children and pets. The extra couch scatter cushions are a bonus. All these features make it a value-for-money buy.
This sofa is only available in grey, but this modern color looks stylish with throws, extra cushions, or couch covers.
Pros
• Durable microfiber fabric
• easy cleaning
• Great design for pets and children
• Sturdy and easy to assemble
Cons
• Only available in grey
• Suitable for larger households
Best Couch Cover: Purefit Reversible Quilted Sofa Cover
PureFit Reversible Quilted Sofa Cover
There are quite a few couch covers on the market; however, this is the top pick for many reasons. Firstly, the heavy duty, quilted design with quality microfiber fabric means that this cover will last you many years.
Cat vomit is no match for the thick, soft cover. If you have children, this cover provides excellent protection from spills and will prevent your sofa from staining. It’s machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean.
It’s easy to remove pet hair from microfiber fabric, so your daily cleaning should be a breeze. If you have members of your household who are allergic to cat dander, the microfiber fabric doesn’t allow the dander to get nestled into the fabric.
Couch covers differ from couch throws in that they fit your couch, while throws easily slide off. The Purefit Reversible Quilted Sofa Cover has elastic straps that give a secure fit.
Before opting for this cover, make sure that your couch design suits the shape and design of this couch cover. This cover is recommended for busy households with multiple pets and children. It’s also recommended for those with allergies. It’s available in different sizes, so make sure you choose the correct one.
The thick quilted design makes sure that your couch is adequately protected. Lots of thinner couch covers will still allow stains to form and dander to filter through to your couch. I particularly like that this is a reversible cover, so you can choose which color best matches your winter or summer lounge décor.
Pros:
• Water Resistant
• Made from quality Microfiber fabric
• Six Month warranty
• Available in a wide range of colors
• Reversible
• Machine washable
Cons:
• There are small sections of the couch that aren’t covered
• Dimensions of your couch may differ from the available sizes
Best Throws For Couch Cushions: Dono Waterproof Throw Blanket
Dono Waterproof Sherpa Fleece Pet Blanket
Throw blankets are an excellent solution for homes with cats. They make great décor items and add texture and interest to your lounge. Unlike couch covers, you won’t be able to secure them to your sofa, but the advantage is that you can move them around to cover sections of furniture as needed while they double as a fashion statement for your home.
You can spread this comfortable throw on your couch to protect it from cat claws, spills, and pet accidents. It has three layers of fabric for protection, so it will endure any abuse your kitty throws at it.
This throw blanket is reversible, with quality microfleece on one side and Sherpa fleece on the other side. Either way, it provides a soft, comfortable blanket for you and your favorite snuggle buddy.
If you’re trying to avoid cat fur getting on your bed or car, you can simply move this blanket throw from room to room. It even makes for a great blanket to put in your cats’ sleeping basket or as a cover for your car seats when transporting your dogs.
A throw blanket is easy to clean, and you can stock up on more than one. If you have visitors who are allergic to your cats, removing the throw blankets is quick and easy, and you can give your couch a quick vacuum before they arrive.
You may have noticed that your cat is very fond of scratching the arm sections of your couch. Or perhaps it’s already a bit of an eyesore; a throw blanket is perfect for covering up while providing family members with a soft covering to enjoy.
Pros:
• Machine washable
• Great for avoiding stains on the couch
• Soft, comfortable material
Cons:
• May easily pick up lint
• Will not completely cover your couch
• Only available in grey
Best Cat Couch Sofa: Getifun Cat Sofa
Pet Couch Chair with Removeable & Washable Cushion
Perhaps your kitty may be persuaded to have mercy on your couch if you provided him with his own. Providing a comfortable spot where your cat can recline is an excellent way to detract attention from the family sofa.
If you have a senior cat, a cat sofa can provide some furniture close to the ground that’s easier to access. A cat sofa is a good choice for families with a single cat, but the Getitfun cat sofa comfortably accommodates two cats if they’re inclined to share.
The dimensions of this cat sofa are 26.2x16x14 inches, and it has a sturdy frame constructed out of solid wood and plywood. It’s soft and plush, stuffed with a high-density sponge and dall cotton.
The velvet and linen blend fabric is durable and attractive, and the sofa comes with a removable couch cushion that can be used separately. At the back of the sofa, you’ll find a handy pouch where you can store some of your cats’ toys, making it an overall thoughtful design.
The semi-enclosed design is an excellent feature that provides your kitty with a snug, secure seat to snuggle down. It’s also fairly heavy, weighing in at 11 pounds. All of these features make this piece of cat furniture a solid investment.
You can encourage your kitty to spend time lounging on their unique furniture instead of ruining your expensive couch. There are a few features that make a cat sofa an attractive option. Having cat hair designated to the cat sofa is one of them.
The removable sofa cushion cover can conveniently be thrown into the washing machine. Still, the rest of the couch will need to be cleaned with a wet cloth for stains and vacuuming to remove accumulated cat fur.
Investing in some quality cat furniture may be more expensive, so this isn’t a budget-friendly solution. It’s undeniably cute and can add an extra point of interest to your lounge.
The Getitfun cat sofa is available in six different colors — brown, blue, pink, light brown, grey, and light grey — so you can pick a color that blends well with your living room. Generally, getting a cat sofa is a more expensive option, but the Getitfun cat sofa is comparatively good value for money
Pros:
• Sturdy construction
• Quality fabric
• Fashionable
• A good option for senior cats
• Removable cushion and pouch
• Relatively easy to clean
Cons:
• Quite expensive
Best Furniture Guard: Panther Armor
Panther Armor 8-Pack Cat Scratch Protectors
For cats who are obsessive furniture scratchers, you may want to mitigate the damage by installing furniture guards. The Panther Armor Furniture Protectors are eight sheets of durable plastic that protect your couch from being scratched.
The system consists of 4 pieces of X-Large plastic sheets measuring 17″L 12″W and four pieces of large plastic sheets measuring 17″L 10″W self-adhesive sheets. The plastic panels are self-adhesive and simple to attach to your couch.
Pros:
• Easy to install
• Customizable
• Deterrent for cat scratching
• Durable
Cons:
• May not be aesthetically pleasing
H.Versailtex Pet Couch Cover
Wanna make people think you bought a brand new couch? Then get one of these beautiful stretch covers from H. Versailtex.
They’re made of luxurious plush fabric and they fit over your entire couch. It comes in several different solid colors, including teal, chocolate, navy, black, and off-white, so it’s sure to go with your existing color schemes.
It comes with elastic straps to keep the cover neatly in place. The elastic runs under the couch from front to back so they doesn’t pop up at the edges. It also includes foam rods that you tuck into the seams so there will be a secure fit along the arms of the couch. (Some reviewers found the rods to be a bother and said the cover stayed tucked in just fine without them.)
Pros:
• Twelve color choices
• Washable
• Soft material
Cons:
• Some customers claimed the fabric wasn’t durable enough to withstand sharp kitty claws
Heavy Duty Plastic Couch Cover for Pets
Heavy Duty Plastic Couch Cover for Pets
The great thing about a plastic couch cover is that cats don’t like the feel of plastic against their paws, so it acts as a really good deterrent. It also acts as a waterproof cover, if you have issues with cats peeing or spraying on furniture. And, of course, it’s easy to clean.
The bad thing about a plastic cover is … umm, pretty much everything else.
First of all, they’re kinda ugly. Second, they’re kinda uncomfortable for humans to sit on.
However, several customers were pleased with this particular cover. (Some even admitted that, yes, it was ugly, but hey, it did the job!)
It probably would work best for a temporary solution. Personally, I can’t imagine covering my couch in plastic all day every day for years.
What Is The Best Fabric For A Sofa When You Have Cats?
We can’t deny that snuggling up with your kitty for a good snuggle on the couch while you watch a movie is one of the joys of life. It’s just that cats are not very kind to couches and will enjoy the sofa for different reasons when you’re not around.
The best thing a cat parent can do is to choose a sofa with material that is simply not very attractive for your cat to scratch.
The following materials are known to work well:
- Microfiber
- Faux Suede
- Denim
- Synthetic Polyester
- Nylon
- Rayon
- Acrylic
- Velvet
- Sunbrella Material
Faux suede is back in fashion, and even though it may seem like an unlikely choice for cats, its soft feel will not be a target for your cats’ claws. Microfiber is also a good choice, as it’s durable enough to survive an attempt from your cat.
All these fabrics will need to be cleaned from cat hair, though. Avoiding rips and tears is only part of the battle won, and if you have a plush, long-haired cat like mine, I know you feel the pain of regularly cleaning cat hair off everything.
Even though these materials are not inviting for your cat to get his claws into, it doesn’t mean you won’t have to deal with cat hair. You’ll need to remove cat hair from your sofa regularly to avoid hair collecting in the corners of the sofa.
Because of this problem, lint rollers are a regular item on my shopping list. Latex gloves also work well. Put on the gloves and slide them over the sofa, collecting the cat hair in one place. Also, be prepared to vacuum your sofa when you clean the house, lift the couch cushions, and get into the seams of the upholstery for a proper clean.
You may even look for couch throws or couch covers in these fabrics. I’m a fan of couch covers simply because I get to change up the look of my sofa, and they can easily be thrown into the washing machine when it’s time for a good clean.
Is there An upholstery fabric that cats won’t scratch?
Honestly, there are very few materials that cats will not scratch. There’s simply no guarantee that your fur baby won’t be tempted to dig his claws into a specific upholstery fabric.
Whichever fabric you choose to upholster your couch, it’s always prudent to use throws, furniture guards, or couch covers to prolong the life of your couch.
What fabric is durable with cats?
Paying attention to specific qualities when selecting a piece of furniture that will last years in your home is advisable. The fabric you choose needs to be dense, water resistant, and should not be an attractive option for your cats to use as a scratching post.
Over the years, different upholstery fabrics have come into fashion, and many manufacturers and designers have considered the trials and tribulations of pet parents. Sunbrella fabric is a relatively new trend that offers a solution to families with cats.
The word ‘sunbrella fabric’ literally refers to the fabric used to make outdoor umbrellas. This super durable fabric was built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, and they are difficult for your cat to damage with its claws.
Cats may be tempted to scratch fabrics that provide the right texture for pruning their claws. Look for durable, close-weave fabrics into which your cat will get his claws hooked without any loose threads. Any fabric with loose threads and a rough texture will be on their radar.
What is The best material for a couch if you have pets?
Look for durable materials with a closed weave that is easy to clean. Microfiber, for example, has tiny polyester and nylon threads woven tightly together to create a smooth surface. Microfiber is also sturdy enough to withstand a few scratches.
Avoid fabrics such as Sisal and Leather if you have multiple pets. These particular materials are most likely to get rips and tears in them. Fabrics with a loose pile that cats can easily snag their claws into are very tempting.
I have learned from painful experiences that these two materials are a nightmare when introducing a feline into your household. Ask my sisal carpet and faux leather couch. They didn’t survive.
You may have heard that leather is suitable for a couch if you have cats. It’s one of the best materials for cleaning up messes like vomit your cat may make, but there are mixed reviews regarding resisting scratches.
Because of my experience with my faux leather couch would advise against leather. Of course, faux leather is not as durable as natural leather, so genuine leather may stand a better chance when pitted against your tiny tiger.
The only problem is that genuine leather is rather pricey, and it would be a shame to have it damaged. I would certainly not recommend it, as once the leather is ripped, it’s near impossible to fix and will eventually become an eyesore. It’s not worth the risk and expense.
Clawing at furniture is your cat’s instinct; it’s merely looking for a way to sharpen its claws. Anything that snags easily or provides some resistance is a temptation for them.
Look for velvet, faux suede, or denim materials with a smooth, soft, denser texture. A velvet-linen composite material has a short, flat pile with no loose, raised weaves. Your cat will not enjoy clawing it.
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