We love our pets; after all, they are part of the family. They provide endless cuddles, hilarious antics, and a warm welcome when we walk through the door. But let’s be honest: as much as we love and cherish them, our pets can be absolute chaos in the living room, especially the furniture.
Between the zoomies across your favourite sofa, the mysterious licking of the armrests, and the cat’s sudden urge to treat a brand-new corner sofa like a giant scratching post, it’s a lot to handle.
You shouldn’t have to choose between pristine living room furniture and a happy pet. In fact, it is quite possible for you to have both. It just takes a bit of strategy, the right materials, and maybe a few sneaky home remedies if accidents do happen.
So, let’s unpack everything you need to know about sofa pet protection. Whether you’re dealing with a Great Dane who thinks he’s a lap dog or a kitten with a vendetta against velvet, we’ve got you covered.
What does sofa protection actually entail?
When we talk about sofa protection, people often think of those clear plastic covers that were used back in the day. You know, the ones that made a crinkling sound every time you sat down. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since the 90s.
Modern sofa pet protection is a bit more of a layered approach, rather than just throwing something over the top of your furniture. You pretty much want to create a sort of safety net for your furniture so that life, with all its muddy paws and wagging tails, doesn’t leave a permanent mark.
Here is exactly what goes into a proper sofa protection strategy:
The physical barrier
This is the most direct form of protection. I know we said sofa protection is more layered nowadays, but that doesn't mean we shouldn’t also include a protective layer over the sofa. You want to be using removable, washable layers that can take the hit so your sofa doesn't have to.
You don’t have to use those thin plastic sheets, though. Instead, modern protection involves heavyweight, tightly-woven throws. These are designed to stop claws from reaching the actual upholstery. They also come in a variety of different colours and patterns, so you can use them for decoration while offering a bit of protection for your sofa.
These throws are also great because your pets can still cuddle up with you on the sofa after a long day. If they are shedding that winter coat or if there is a little accident, you can remove the throw pretty easily and pop it in the washing machine.
Chemical shields
Sometimes the best protection is the stuff you can't see. Now, we know, chemicals can sound a bit harsh, especially when pets are involved. But we are not talking about the harsh stuff like bleach or cyanide. These are pet-friendly solutions that just help keep the nasty bacteria at bay, and keep your sofa smelling fresh and clean.
One chemical shield you can use is fabric protectors. These are specialist hydrophobic sprays that coat each individual fibre of your sofa. This means that if your dog drools or spills, the liquid stays on the surface rather than soaking in. This gives you time to grab a cloth and dab up the mess. Try to stay away from scrubbing, because that can sometimes break down the protector and force the liquid into the sofa.
A cleaning routine
As much as it would be great to just throw something over your sofa, or hit it with a protective spray and then leave it, in reality, sofa protection isn't a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Think of it as more of a routine, much like you probably have a routine for cleaning everything else in your home.
It can be a bit of a chore, but try to vacuum weekly. You might not notice it, but your pets can shed a lot of their hair daily, and pet hair can be very stubborn. If it is left on the sofa, continuous sitting on it can grind the hair into the fibres and weaken them. A quick vacuum once a week can help protect the fabric's structural integrity and keep those hairs from being set too deeply in the sofa.
If an accident does happen, try using enzymatic cleaners, which use natural proteins and bacteria to break down organic waste. Standard soap won't work on your pet's biological warfare. You need cleaners that actually eat the proteins in the stain to ensure the scent is gone, preventing your furry friend from marking the same spot twice.
Why is all of this protection necessary?
If you’ve invested in a quality piece of furniture, like a modern 2-seater sofa or a sprawling corner sofa, you've probably bought something that you want to last for a good chunk of time. However, pets pose a triple threat that can age a sofa prematurely if you don't have a protection plan in place. What is this triple threat you ask?
- Odours: Even the cleanest dog has a natural scent. Without protection, those natural oils seep into the foam layers of your cushions. And they can be very difficult to get rid of once set.
- Claws: It’s not just about scratching from your feline room mate. Even a dog jumping up to join you for a cuddle uses their back claws for traction. On a fabric sofa, this causes pulls that can eventually turn into holes.
- Biology: We love them, but drool, muddy paws, and the occasional oopsie are part of the package. A protected sofa handles these as minor 5-minute cleanup jobs.
By putting an action plan in place to help protect your sofa, you can have the joys of cuddling a happy pet while still having a clean and intact piece of furniture.
What are the best sofas for pet owners?
If you’re currently in the market for a new piece of furniture, the best sofa pet protection starts with choosing the right base. Not all fabrics are created equal in the eyes of a cat or a dog. Different upholstery options handle shedding, scratching, and liquids differently.
Leather sofas
Leather is often the go-to for dog owners. Why? Because hair doesn’t stick to it! You can simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. However, it does come with its own set of issues. While leather is great for most dog owners, it can be a nightmare for cat parents.
If a cat gets their claws into a soft leather sofa, those marks are permanent. If you have cats, look for protected or pigmented leathers (grain or embossed leather), which are usually tougher.
Fabric Sofas
Tightly woven synthetic fabrics like microfibre are incredible. Because the weave is so tight, a cat’s claw can’t actually get between the threads to pull them. This is probably as close as you can get to a cat-proof sofa.
Because of the tight weave, they are pretty good at keeping pet hair out, too. This is more of a concern for dog owners, but some cats also do their fair share of shedding. The tight weave also helps keep odours from skin oils out.
Pet-specific sofa protection
We have briefly touched on which sofas are best for different pet owners. As they are the most common pets, we will focus on dogs and cats. When it comes to cats and dogs, they both have their own strange behaviours when it comes to sofas.
For cats, there is just something about getting a good scratch in that really hits the spot. It’s part yoga, part manicure, and part territory marking. Unfortunately for you, it’s often the base or the corners of your favourite sofa that fall victim to those tiny retractable razors.
For pooches, they love a good lick. While they often see it as a way to clean themselves, they are usually, well, let’s just say their aim isn't exactly professional. That means while Spot is giving his paws a thorough cleaning after a walk, he is also accidentally depositing a fair amount of drool all over your sofa's armrest.
So what can you do?
How do you stop cats from scratching sofas?
To answer how to stop cats from scratching sofas, you can make use of deterrents and alternatives. To deter your cat from scratching, try using some double-sided tape around the area that they are scratching. Cats hate the feeling of sticky paws. Applying clear double-sided tape to the corners of the sofa for a few weeks can usually break the habit.
If that doesn’t do the trick, you can also try scent deterrents. Cats have super-sensitive noses. A homemade citrus-smelling spray can act as a stop sign. Just make sure you avoid potentially toxic substances, like eucalyptus, as they can be harmful to cats.
In terms of alternatives, you can try giving your cat something more interesting to shred than your sofa. Scratching posts are a great example, but you need a post that is better than the sofa. It should be tall enough for them to fully stretch out and sturdy enough not to wobble.
Put the scratching post right next to the spot they are currently scratching. Once they start using the post, you can slowly move it a few inches a day to a more convenient location.
Why do dogs lick sofas? And how can you stop it?
There are usually three reasons. If you have the habit of eating on your sofa, there are undoubtedly going to be some leftover crumbs. To a dog, your sofa is a buffet bar. So, they might be licking the sofa to clean up all those crumbs or get a bit of a taste of the meal you accidentally spilt last night.
Sometimes they will also start licking as a sign of anxiety or a method of self-soothing. Licking releases endorphins in dogs, like a human biting their nails. If they are stressed by a thunderstorm or a change in routine, they might turn to the sofa for comfort.
And if neither of those is the case, sometimes, they just have nothing else to do! If your pup is bored, they might turn to licking to just have something to do to pass the time before their next walk or meal.
So, how can you stop it? If it’s for taste, give your sofa a deep clean with a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner to remove those tempting scents. If it’s boredom, try a snuffle mat, a chew toy, or an extra-long walk to redirect that stored-up energy.
The Heatons Furniture solution
Sometimes, despite all your best efforts and your careful planning, damage to your sofa is unavoidable. And to be honest, life is too short to worry about your furniture every time your dog wags its tail. While sofa protection is a brilliant way to extend the life of your investment, it isn't magic. Over time, the wear and tear of a happy, pet-filled home will take its toll.
When the throws no longer hide the stains, and the vacuum can't keep up with the fur, it’s time to upgrade. And when you do decide to upgrade, remember the tips in this blog about which sofas are best for you as a pet owner. Choosing a sofa designed with pets in mind means you can spend less time cleaning and more time cuddling.
Ready to trade in the dog-eared old sofa for something spectacular? Browse our full sofa collection, give us a call or visit us in store. We’re a friendly bunch, and we promise not to judge the amount of dog hair on your trousers!
