Best Upholstery Choices for Cat and Dog Owners

As a proud owner of a cat or a dog, you know that selecting the best upholstery can be a little complicated. If you are a realist, you must have realized that not just your prized sofa, but most of your home is at the mercy of your beloved pet. Even when not trying to destroy your upholstery willfully, simply by climbing, sitting or walking on it your pet can exact a heavy toll. As a cat owner I can certainly attest to that.

Here are some problems you might have had to contend with:

• Claw marks and scratches.
• Pet hair clinging to the upholstery.
• Dirt marks.
• Stains from bathroom accidents or throwing up.

Try and select a fabric that has a tight weave, and one that is not very textured as that can get caught in claws. Also, stay away from very light colors unless you have a well behaved and well trained pet. Select a fabric that you would buy for a heavy usage area.

Here are the top two choices that have worked well in my experience.

Leather

Leather is one of the best coverings you can choose, period. It is long lasting, and if anything improves with age and use. It is easy to maintain, and comes in many colors, feels, and is available in different price points. What more can you ask you ask for?

When it comes to pets, it can stand up to most. I've even noticed that some pets don't care too much for sitting or sleeping on it.

Even when they do climb on it, it is easily cleaned and pet hair is easily cleaned because it doesn't cling to it. It is possible for your cat to leave holes in it if it uses your sofa as a scratching post, but that behavior should be discouraged in any case.

It is easy to clean leather, but if you are having any problems, get it professionally cleaned because leather is relatively expensive.

Microfiber

A close second to leather is microfiber, a synthetic fabric.  It is also a good choice, simply because it is easy to clean and maintain and wears well. Microfiber is also a more affordable choice than leather, and can also be found in many colors.

Your pet's claws won't get caught in it, as there are no loops in the fabric. It is not a hair magnet, which is great if your pet is a long haired breed.

Microfiber is also easy to clean for stains, should accidents happen. Just make sure to blot most of the mess with a clean towel and then clean with a little soap and water. But make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. 

You may find that a patterned fabric might work better than a solid, but I would not recommend buying any fabric that is nubby or heavily textured, as your pet's claws can easily get caught in it. Besides, it might be too much fun to scratch. It goes without saying that fragile fabrics, such as silk, wool or linen should be avoided or used only where your pet is not allowed.