These Are The Best Pet-Friendly Couches

As much as we absolutely love our pets, they can sometimes wreak havoc on our furniture. Living room seating — couches and sofas in particular — is especially vulnerable to the pet hair, rips, tears, and stains that our furry friends can leave behind. That's why pet-friendly furniture is key to keeping you, your pets, and your home happy. With the help of a few experts, check out our guide to finding the best couches for pets.

To put together our list of pet-friendly couches, we took into consideration expert insight and:

• Ease of cleaning
• Customer reviews
• Material
• Design

Burrow Block Nomad Sofa

$1,599.00 at Burrow

Burrow's Nomad Collection is specifically designed with pets in mind and uses tight olefin fiber weave, which is scratch- and stain-resistant. With a stunning selection of cat- and dog-friendly couches, sectionals, and accent chairs to choose from, you can't go wrong with any product, not to mention that most are customizable with different fabric colors, leg finishes, arm styles, and cushion styles.

But if we had to pick, we love the Burrow Block Nomad Sofa since it has a built-in USB charger and can be upgraded with a moveable chaise, ottoman, lumbar pillows, and more. And when it comes to cleaning up spills, the brand recommends spraying it with water and a bleach solution and blotting it away.

IKEA Uppland Sofa

$899.00 at IKEA

Our top affordable pick is this pet-friendly, washable couch from IKEA that's under $900 ‌and‌ a bestseller. It's extra soft yet supporting and firm with a deep seat that's perfect for lounging with your cat or dog. And it's super easy to clean with a removable cover that you can toss in the washing machine.

Article Timber Leather Sofa

$1,899.00 at Article

Made from high-quality full-aniline leather (aka real leather), the Timber sofa has unique markings that get better with wear over time and a stunning midcentury modern design. So, no matter how many times your pet jumps around on it, it'll still look amazing. Plus, it has a corner-blocked, solid wood frame for extra stability.

When it comes to cleaning, Article suggests wiping with a clean, soft cloth and seeking professional cleaning for tougher stains.

Apt2B Harper Sofa

$2,748.00 at Apt2B

Perfect for both human and pet children, this top-selling sofa from Apt2B will instantly upgrade your living space. It has a solid wood base, so you don't have to worry about miscellaneous toys rolling underneath, and it can be customized with all sorts of resilient, cleanable, and breathable performance fabrics, including vibrant velvets, not to mention that the velvet is extra soft, virtually snag-resistant, easy to maintain, and totally durable with a 100,000 double rub count.

According to the brand, performance velvet sofas at Apt2B can be cleaned by brushing or steaming regularly. For spills, you can spot clean the couch and let it air dry. The cushion covers are also removable for even easier cleaning.

Birch Lane Momeyer Upholstered Loveseat

$939.00 at Birch Lane

Birch Lane is stocked with seating upholstered with performance fabrics like Sunbrella and Sustain, including this loveseat. The Sunbrella Canvas Spa fabric in particular is especially pet-friendly, as it's stain-, UV-, and fade-resistant, and it can easily be cleaned with a water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner.

On top of the durable fabric, it has a solid wood frame and has cushions filled with foam and backed with supportive springs. The brand also throws in two pillows to complete the look.

West Elm Newport 2-Piece Chaise Sectional

$3,498.00 at West Elm

As one of West Elm's bestsellers, this comfortable sectional can be customized with pet-friendly fabrics, like plain weave performance coastal linen and velvet, that are heavy-duty and long-lasting. The coastal linen blend is also one of the brand's best-selling fabrics and has an oil- and water-repellent coating. Designed for high-traffic use with a casual feel, it's even been tested to withstand up to 40,000 rubs.

To clean the sectional, West Elm recommends spot cleaning with a damp cloth or sponge, blotting to remove excess water, and allowing it to air dry. But for heavier stains, reach out to a professional cleaner.

Joss & Main Kodie Upholstered Sleeper Sofa

$1,727.00 at Wayfair

Sleeper sofas aren't just for humans — they can be considered pet-friendly furniture too. This sofa from Wayfair can be customized with over 60 different fabrics, including performance upholstery from Sunbrella and Sustain along with many more pet- and kid-friendly options that are stain-resistant and easy to clean. And to top it off, it pulls out to reveal a comfortable queen-size mattress for overnight guests.

Inside Weather Modular Bondi 3-Seater Sofa

$6,175.00 at Inside Weather

If there's ever been a sofa worth splurging on, it's a buildable modular design that you can customize to your liking and also happens to be an animal-friendly couch, aka the Bondi sofa from Inside Weather. The Bondi paired with the Classic Weave upholstery is especially what makes it one of the best sofas for dogs and cats in our book. Made with polyester, it's a soft and flat weave that's liquid-repellent and comes in at 100,000 rubs on the Wyzenbeek test, which measures the abrasion resistance of a material. And if you or your pets make a bit of a mess on the sofa, the covers can be easily removed and cleaned.

Crate and Barrel Avondale Wood Leg Apartment Sofa

$1,649.00 at Crate and Barrel

Here's another compact sofa ideal for apartments and small spaces. Considered one of Crate and Barrel's family-friendly sofas (yes, pets are family too), you can customize the Avondale sofa with over 200 pet-friendly fabrics, including bouclé, canvas, chenille, linen weave, microfiber, and more.

One of the best-selling fabrics you can customize this sofa with is microfiber upholstery, and we're loving the way the Brandy hue looks (almost like leather but with a soft, velvety texture). According to Crate and Barrel, it's super durable, stain-resistant, and ideal for high-traffic homes.

Joybird Holt Grand Sectional

$7,124.00 at Joybird

Looks can be deceiving. This massive sectional, perfect for spacious living rooms and entertaining lots of guests, is made from fine knit velvet that feels like silk but is durable enough for your pets. And, as Chang mentioned above, velvet makes this design a cat-friendly couch, as they might not love the feeling of it and may be deterred from scratching it.

To clean this luxurious sectional, Joybird recommends vacuuming regularly, blotting (never rubbing) any spills, and using only water- or solvent-based cleaning products, specifically for the Royale velvets.

Castlery Tana Chaise Sectional Sofa

$1,999.00 at Castlery

Want a simple, affordable, and pet-friendly design? Check out this washable sofa sectional from Castlery. Available in a neutral gray color and either left- or right-facing chaise options, this pick also has removable and washable cushion covers for easy cleaning. And if you find that your sofa cover has received enough wear and tear, you can buy a new fabric cover for $229.

A Solid Frame

According to Nicole Hunt, former product development manager at Article, you're going to want to start by looking for seating with a solid foundation. "Look for a sofa with a solid wood structure, especially if your pets like to use your sofa as a launch pad," Hunt tells Hunker.

Hunt also recommends investing in frames that are reinforced by corner blocks — pieces of wood placed at the sofa's joints to help improve structural stability. "While it may seem simple, it can help your furniture last a long time," Hunt says.

Removable and washable cushion covers can do wonders when you're in a pinch, but Bria Hammel, creative director and CEO of Brooke & Lou and Bria Hammel Interiors, suggests that the right upholstery is well worth the investment. "We encourage our clients to invest in high-quality, performance fabric upholstery pieces that will not only withstand the messes but also the repeated use (especially if your pet loves to jump up on the sofa throughout the day) over time," Hammel says.

Whatever seating style you're looking for — whether you like couches, sectional sofas, small-space-friendly loveseats, or chaises — if you have dogs, cats, or other pets, the best couches are made with durable materials and high-performance fabrics.

"[The upholstery] should withstand the Martindale rub test, which simulates the natural wear of the sofa," Hunt says. "If your furniture will be placed in a high-traffic area, look for something that can withstand 25,000 rubs or more."

In addition to passing the Martindale rub test, which can typically be found on the retailer's product page, Hunt also suggests looking for upholstery with tightly woven fabrics, especially if you're up against tiny cat claws. With a tighter weave, claws are less likely to snag and pull on the threads.

Leather

If you're a pet owner and love a leather sofa, you're in luck. Leather upholstery happens to be a great pet-friendly option. "Not only is leather tough, but it's easy to clean and puncture-resistant," Hunt says. "As a natural material, leather will often have wrinkles, scars, and color variations, so any nips and scratches will add to the rustic look. With time, leather is known to develop a beautiful patina, so the scratches will fade as the leather ages." And best of all, pet hair doesn't stick to leather, making cleanings even easier.

However, not all leather is created equally, and the type of leather can make a difference in price and durability.

Amazon

‌Bonded leather:‌ Bonded leather is typically cheaper and essentially made from smaller pieces of real and faux leather.

Wayfair

‌Split grain leather:‌ Split grain leather is made from the inner layers of leather. It's the most affordable of genuine leathers.

Article

‌Full grain leather:‌ Full grain leather is durable and more expensive leather.

Wayfair

‌Top grain leather:‌ Top grain leather is the top surface layer of leather and one of the most durable types of leather. It's one of the best couch fabrics for dogs, as it's thicker and doesn't crack or tear as easily as others

Microfiber is a synthetic material that's not only super soft but also pet-friendly. It's stain-resistant, water-resistant, and durable, making it one of the best couch fabrics for dogs, cats, and high-traffic living rooms and homes.

Although velvet is a luxe material, it's surprisingly great for pets. Due to the smooth texture of velvet couches, it's less likely that fur will get trapped between the weaving, Natalie Chang, interior designer and former design house stylist at Joybird, tells Hunker.

"Most pets, specifically cats, seem to not like the feeling of velvet on their paws either, so they tend to not want to scratch it," Chang adds. As for what to avoid, Chang recommends steering clear of thicker, textured fabrics that are more susceptible to snagging due to claws.

When it comes to the best couches for pets, performance fabrics are tough to beat. They're built to withstand all sorts of wear and tear and are often used in outdoor furniture (so you know they mean business). Plus, they're easy to clean, stain-resistant, and resistant to color fading. According to Hammel, be on the lookout for names like Crypton, Inside Out, and Sunbrella for the ultimate pet-friendly couch.

If there was a fully pet-resistant sofa on the market, we'd buy it in a heartbeat, but no couch is totally immune to the damage a pet can do. While you can't control whether your dog tries to tear up the sofa or your cat tries to use the side of your couch as a scratching post, there are plenty of ways to try to pet-proof your couch.

Blanket

To minimize pet hair (whether you have a cat or dog), Meighan McLaughlin, associate director of global commercial PDC at BISSELL, says the solution is as simple as a blanket and regular cleanings.

"If you're like us and enjoy pet snuggles on the couch, the best way to pet-proof would be to put a blanket down over the cushions that your pet can lay on," McLaughlin says. "Otherwise, consistent cleaning maintenance of your couch should help to keep it looking, smelling, and feeling fresh."

If you want to try preventing pet damage to your sofa, try a slipcover. It can help keep pet dander off the couch and can essentially turn any sofa into a washable sofa.

For cats, you can also purchase clear furniture covers to prevent scratches, or if your cat is truly persistent in scratching the couch, buy a sofa protector that doubles as a scratch mat.

This is much easier said than done, but trying to correct your pets' behavior is key to a pet-resistant couch. For cats, you can redirect scratching the couch to using a scratching post. For dogs, try positive reinforcement when the dog gets off and stays off the couch. And for either cats or dogs, you can get them their own pet-friendly furniture, like a comfy dog bed or cat tree.

Before you start cleaning any pet-friendly furniture, McLaughlin recommends checking the manufacturer's tag for specific cleaning instructions. "On upholstery, it's likely called the manufacturer's cleanability code tag. If the fabric is coded 'WS' or 'W,' it's safe to clean," McLaughlin explains. "If your tag is coded 'X' or 'S,' it is not safe to clean due to the type of fabric the couch is made from. Once you see that it's okay to be cleaned, test a small hidden area of your couch for colorfastness."

How do I clean a couch with pets?

Cleaning a pet-friendly home doesn't have to be difficult, but it is a process. As for how to clean your couch with pets, McLaughlin recommends that you:

1. Remove all pillows and blankets.
2. Use a vacuum to remove hair and loose dirt from the couch surfaces.
3. Make sure to take note of the specific cleaning instructions for your couch and keep in mind the kind of material from which it's made. If the sofa material allows for it, you can use an upholstery cleaner to deep clean your couch and uplift stains.

According to McLaughlin, how often you clean your couch is largely dependent on how much traffic you get in your home, but either way, in a house with pets, it should be cleaned more frequently.

"We recommend a quick refresh (light vacuuming [and] spot and stain removal) at least once a month and a deep clean with a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner every two to three months," McLaughlin tells Hunker.

However, if your pet sheds a lot, you'll want to vacuum more frequently to remove pet hair from furniture.

If you want to keep your animal-friendly couches in top-notch condition when you have pets, there are a few supplies you should have in your cleaning collection, including:

• A handheld vacuum
• Cleaning cloths
• A portable carpet and upholstery cleaner
• Pet stain remover

If you've tried to clean any pet stains and odors yourself and they just won't budge, it's time to call in some professional help. And don't hold it off for too long, as pet urine stains can be permanent. Professional upholstery cleaners are equipped with the proper tools that can help get rid of stubborn stains.