Finding a pet-friendly sofa that looks great and stands up to everyday life with pets can feel like a challenge. Your sofa is where you unwind after a long day, where family and friends gather, and - if you have pets - where they love to nap, play, and sometimes make a mess. Scratches, pet hair, and muddy paws can quickly take their toll.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between a home that looks great and one that works for your pet. With the right fabric, colour, and care routine, you can enjoy a sofa that works for both you and your pet.
Not sure which fabric is right for your sofa or sofa bed? Order up to 8 free fabric samples today and find a pet-friendly sofa fabric that’s not just easy to clean and durable, but looks and feels good too.
What Makes a Sofa Pet-Friendly?
When you have pets, your sofa is often their favourite place to relax, right? If your pet uses the sofa often, it’s inevitable the sofa will experience its fair share of fur, scratches, and the occasional accident.
But what exactly makes a sofa pet-friendly?
- Durable Fabric – Some materials hold up better against claws, pet hair, and stains than others. Fabrics like leather, velvet, and synthetic blends are great for resisting scratches and are easier to clean (more on these different fabrics in the next section).
- Easy-to-Clean Materials – No matter how well-trained your pet is, accidents happen. Stain-resistant fabrics help prevent lasting damage and make cleaning much easier.
- Scratch-Resistant Upholstery – If your pet has a habit of digging into the couch or stretching their claws, choosing a material that can withstand a little wear and tear is important.
- Hair and Dirt Resistance – Some fabrics attract and trap pet hair more than others. Smooth materials like leather sofas or tightly woven fabrics make it easier to keep fur and dirt at bay.
The Best Pet Friendly Sofa Fabrics
Not all sofa fabrics are created equal when it comes to sharing a home with pets. Some materials trap pet hair, stain easily, or show scratch marks, while others are designed to handle the wear and tear that comes with dogs, cats, and other furry friends. Here’s a look at some of the best options for a cat or dog-friendly sofa:
Leather
You might think that, if you have a pet indoors, having a leather fabric (like our Signature Collection Leather Cedar), on your sofa bed or sofa is off the cards completely. But contrary to popular misconception, leather can actually be a great fabric choice for pet-friendly households.
Leather is a hard-wearing fabric that only improves with age, so it's ideal for withstanding daily use. Plus, it can be easily wiped or spot-cleaned if your pet should leave any dusty paw prints behind. Making it extremely easy to care for and keep in pristine condition.
Velvet
The Malford Sofa/ Sofa Bed
Velvet might not be the first material that comes to mind when you think of a pet-friendly sofa fabric, but it’s actually a great option. Our House Velvet fabrics have an incredible rub count of 100,000 - the highest in our fabric range. It's not only hard-wearing, but also stain-resistant too - so it's an ideal choice for pets.
Linen & Synthetic Blends
If you’re looking for a fabric sofa that can handle pets, linen or synthetic blends are excellent options. A man-made fabric such as our House Linen is great for hiding pet hairs, and also for disguising any snags or pulls. Many of our options also come with stain protection, making spills and accidents easier to clean.
Bonus: Removable Covers
The Deverill Sofa/ Sofa Bed
One of the safest choices for pet sofa beds is to choose a fabric that's not only hard-wearing, but also washable too. Almost all of our House Collection Stain-Resistant fabrics are ideal for home washing on a low-heat setting.
It should hold its shape and be resistant to shrinking. Removing your sofa covers and taking them to the dry cleaners every so often is also a great way to keep them fresh while protecting the fabric from deforming. Our Deverill design has completely removable covers while most of our other designs come with removable seat covers.
After all, the damage pets do to your sofa is not always visible to the naked eye. Fibres also have a way of absorbing scents, so a proper dry clean once a year can remove any pet odours from your seat cushions completely.
Best Sofa Colours for Homes with Pets
While choosing a pet-friendly sofa is mostly about finding the right fabric, the colour you pick can also make a big difference. The right shade can help disguise pet hair, stains, and everyday wear, making your sofa look fresher for longer.
- Choosing a Shade That Works for You
The easiest way to decide on a sofa colour is to consider your pet’s fur. If you have a golden retriever, a beige or light brown sofa will naturally hide shedding better than a charcoal or navy one. Likewise, if your cat has dark fur, a mid-tone or darker fabric sofa will keep shedding less noticeable.
- Best Colours for Hiding Pet Hair & Stains
Some sofa colours naturally hide pet hair and dirt better than others. If you want a low-maintenance option, consider:
- Mid-Tone Shades – Colours like brown, grey, taupe, and charcoal do a great job at disguising fur and small stains. They’re neither too light nor too dark, making them the perfect balance for pet-friendly homes.
- Patterned or Textured Fabrics – A subtle woven pattern or heathered texture can help mask pet hair and minor marks better than flat, solid colours.
- Colours to Avoid
Some colours, while better on the eye, can make pet maintenance more challenging:
- Very Light Shades (White, Cream, Pale Grey) – These colours show every bit of dirt, stains, and pet hair, meaning you’ll be cleaning more often.
- Very Dark Colours (Black, Deep Navy) – While dark colours may seem like a safe bet, they can actually highlight pet hair - but only if you have a light-furred dog or cat.
How to Keep Your Pet-Friendly Sofa Clean
Even with the perfect pet-friendly sofa, regular maintenance is key to keeping it looking great. Pet hair, stains, and scratches are all part of life with furry friends, but with a few simple habits, you can keep your sofa clean and comfortable.
Managing Pet Hair
- Use a vacuum with a brush attachment – This helps lift fur from fabric sofas and prevents buildup.
- Try a lint roller or rubber glove – Running a damp rubber glove over your couch can quickly collect pet hair without much effort.
- Wash blankets and throws regularly – If your dog or cat has a favourite spot on the sofa, placing a washable blanket there can keep fur from getting trapped in the upholstery.
Removing Stains & Odours
- Blot spills immediately – If your pet has an accident, gently blot the stain with a dry cloth before using a pet-safe cleaner.
- Choose stain-resistant fabrics – Leather, velvet, and synthetic blends repel stains better than delicate materials like wool or silk.
- Use a fabric-safe deodorizer – This helps neutralize pet odours without leaving a strong chemical scent.
- Get a fabric protection plan - Getting a fabric protection plan like Staingard adds an extra layer of defence against stains and spills, making cleanups easier and extending the life of your sofa.
Properly Educating Pets
One of the best preventive measures you can take to instil respect for your furniture into your pet is to properly train them. Making sure to nip any bad behaviour in the bud early on in your pets' life.
It's part of a cat's nature to want to scratch and claw at things, even your beautiful loveseat sofa bed. So, if you want to ensure the object of its attention isn't your sofa bed or sofa buy it a scratching post and teach it to use it. If it continues to claw at your sofa try spraying it with water whenever it starts attacking your fabric. This should soon get it to stop.
If the problem is with your dog, there are a couple of measures you can take to prevent your beloved four-legged friend from mistreating your sofa. Buy it chew toys to divert its attention away from your furniture legs or arms. And if it still wants to bite at your sofa, try putting sticky tape over the areas it repeatedly returns too. The texture should soon be enough to deter it, while protecting your fabric from damage from sharp teeth.
The Best Sofas For Pet Owners
If you’re looking for a pet-friendly sofa, we offer a range of options designed with pet owners in mind. Here are a few top picks that work well for homes with pets:
| Why It’s Great for Pet Owners | |
The Somerton Sofa The Somerton Sofa Bed |
A simple, compact design available in durable pet-friendly fabrics. |
The Deverill Sofa The Deverill Sofa Bed |
Features removable covers to help extend the life of the sofa. |
The Foxcote Sofa The Foxcote Sofa Bed |
Available in scratch-resistant fabrics like velvet and linen blends. |
The Alderton Chaise Sofa The Alderton Chaise Sofa Bed |
Includes built-in storage for blankets and pet accessories. |
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect pet-friendly sofa doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort or practicality - the right fabric and colour can help protect against pet hair, stains, and scratches.
Still not sure which fabric is right for your home? Order up to 8 free fabric samples today and find a pet friendly sofa fabric that meets all of your needs.
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