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Pet Friendly Furniture Buying Guide

You love your pets; that goes without saying. However, that fact doesn't eliminate the inevitable byproducts of living with your furry companions. Shedding, scratching, and "accidents" can cause lasting damage to your furniture and test the bonds between you and your pet. This guide helps you shop for pet friendly furniture with your trusted sidekick in mind, ensuring you live a happy and stress-free life together.

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Step 1: Know Your Pets

Training

Cats or dogs who scratch can cause significant damage and leave lasting marks. Choose a tightly woven fabric to resist damage or a patterned one to hide marks.

Shedding

Cats or dogs who scratch can cause significant damage and leave lasting marks. Choose a tightly woven fabric to resist damage or a patterned one to hide marks.

Licking / Chewing

An obsessive licking habit can leave unattractive wet spots on your upholstery that can resemble water marks, while a chronic chewer can wreak havoc on exposed wood. Be wary of microfiber type fabrics, as they are more prone to water marks.

Scratching

Cats or dogs who scratch can cause significant damage and leave lasting marks. Choose a tightly woven fabric to resist damage or a patterned one to hide marks.

Step 2: Choose the Right Fabric

Your upholstered pieces are the most vulnerable to pet behavior and damage. Leather, distressed leathers, and synthetic fabrics are, in most cases, the best choices for pets. Regardless, you'll save money, time, and stress just by choosing a fabric that both you and your pet will love.

Leather

Benefits

  • Easily Remove Hair
  • Easily Wiped Clean
  • Odor Resistant

Disadvantages

  • Vulnerable to Scratching
  • Doesn't Hide Blemishes

Distressed Leathers boast all the benefits of normal leather, PLUS the distressed pattern will be able to better hide blemishes.

To learn more about leather, click HERE to see our Leather Buying Guide.

Fabric (will differ between types)

Benefits

  • Easily Remove Hair
  • Easily Wiped Clean
  • Can Withstand Scratching
  • Tightly Woven to Resist Damage

Disadvantages

  • Vulnerable to Odors
  • No Pattern to Hide Blemishes and Licking may Leave Water Marks

Fabrics to Avoid

Tweed

Extremely difficult to remove  hair

Velvet

Permanent stains

Chenille

Claws will easily destroy

Silk

Much too delicate.

Other Things to Consider
  • This should go without saying, but taking care of your pet will go a long way in preventing furniture damage. Regular bathing, clipping nails, and taking them out when they need to all contribute to a healthy lifestyle for you and your pet.
  • If accidents do happen, make sure to wipe them up as soon as possible to prevent permanent stains and odors.
  • If you really don't want to share your chair or sofa, consider furniture designed specifically for them. Dog beds and cat trees will give your pal a comfortable place to relax that they can have as their own.
  • If your cat loves to scratch or dog loves to chew, make sure they have scratching posts or toys nearby to steer them away from your furniture.
  • Slipcovers are a great way to not only protect your upholstery from your pets, but to also introduce a new look or color for your piece.

Have a question? We're here to help.

We offer chat and email assistance to help you with online buying. 
Feel free to give us a call to speak with one of your sales staff or better yet stop by to see us in person and we'll help you every step of the way.

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