My Cart
I’m pretty sure we’ve all heard a horror story or two about furniture mishaps at the hands of our feline friends and canine companions.
Pets aren’t only our best friends, but a part of our families. But when it comes to furniture and these furry family members, they aren’t always compatible.
You should never have to choose between your pets and your furniture, but there are some things you should keep in mind if you want to live in a harmonious space without fear of damaging or compromising your furniture.
Let’s Talk Fur Family First
If your pets are anything like ours, they rule the house and have free reign of the furniture. But for those willing and strong-willed, one effective way to reduce the likelihood of stains, drool, and scratches is by training them to stay off the furniture. This is crucial to begin when you either get the pet or the furniture. Don’t wait to train!
Deter Bad Behavior
Got a puppy that likes to chew on wood? Consider a deterrent (available in most pet stores or can be made at home) to spray on the legs of sofas, on dining tables and chairs, and other wood furniture that could potentially become sawdust to puppy teeth.
Occupy With a Full Supply
In addition, keeping your pets occupied and fully supplied with toys, scratch posts, and other approved items of interest can keep them from taking out their playfulness on your furniture. For dogs, appropriate chew toys, bones, and even puzzle toys are great for dogs to keep them distracted and occupied. Just make sure to avoid the squeaky ones if you want to keep your sanity.
Personal Space
For both cats and dogs, ensure they have their own personal space and bed where they can retreat to, especially if you don’t want them on the furniture. Make dog and cat beds easily accessible and train and encourage them to use that space.
Grooming
Regular grooming should be a part of your routine already, but it will also help reduce possible damage to your furniture. Avoid the sensation for your sofa to become a scratching post by regularly clipping nails.
Watch Your Pets Patterns
You know your pet best. Watch for similar or patterned behaviors and make adjustments as needed to avoid possible damage. Young animals and old will also have the occasional accident, so make sure you’re aware of their needs and take more preventative actions, like letting them out for this business on a schedule.
Fur Friends and Furniture
Pets aren’t the only cause of damage to furniture, but similar to kids, they can be the most unpredictable.
The best way to avoid or reduce the potential damage a pet can cause is to select the best fabrics. And while we wish we could tell you there’s a new, magical fabric that will resist any type of damage, that just isn’t the case . . . yet. No furniture fabric is completely stain or pet or scratch proof.
The most common damage incurred by pets includes scratches, stains, and tearing from chewing.
There are a few options when it comes to pets and the type of fabric you can choose.
Performance Fabric
Performance fabric is a great option if you’re wanting a warmer upholstered feel and more options to fit your design aesthetic. This tightly woven fabric is designed to resist stains and stand the test of wear and tear from kids . . . and pets. From tracking in mud and dirt to drool and accidents, performance fabrics can offer an additional layer of short-term protection to avoid long-term damage and stains.
Faux or Real Leather
For concerns with scratching and clawing, performance fabric is also a great option as is a textured real or faux leather fabric. While performance fabric will not as easily fray because of its thicker material, a textured leather sofa will also hide any unforeseen scratching sessions better. Leather is also easier to clean and keep clean, especially if you have a pet that sheds enough to create another pet!
Design Tip: If you’re looking at performance fabric options, consider a patterned fabric that can hide potential scratch marks. Avoid delicate fabrics like velvets, tweeds, and silks, which can all be easily damaged and difficult to clean.
Invest in a Protection Plan
One of the smartest decisions you can make when purchasing furniture with fur friends in the home is investing in a protection plan. And honestly, it’s good all around, even if you don’t have pets, but especially if you do! Or kids for that matter.
A protection plan can cover you from all the unexpected and happy accidents you didn’t think would happen. This way, you can invest in the furniture you want without worry and enjoy your fur companions (mostly) stress free.
When it comes to your pets and your furniture, Watson’s understands that you shouldn’t have to compromise. We offer a large selection of furniture in a variety of fabrics that will allow you to enjoy the comfort alongside your fur friends without worry. Contact one of our design experts today to learn more about compatible furniture options for you and your furry companions!
