Can I Protect My Couch From a Dirty Dog and a Scratching Cat?
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Last year, when my boyfriend and I brought home our basset-hound puppy, Ringo, we were thrilled to be first-time pet owners — but we knew it would bring a slew of new challenges, from crate training and leash manners to figuring out what to feed him. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to protect our apartment from accidents, pet fur, claw marks, and odors. We live in a furnished rental, which makes protecting our sofas and chairs even more important as we’d like to get our security deposit back someday. And while training pets to stay off the couch is probably the easiest way to keep your sofa clean, cuddling with them — especially a ten-month-old basset hound — is way more appealing.
With that in mind, I set out to find the best ways to petproof a couch, whether you have a dog or a cat, and talked to almost a dozen pet owners who shared their best advice, their most effective couch-saving tactics, and the products they swear by in their own homes.
Use a throw blanket (or even a pet bed) to cover the area where they typically rest on the couch
Most of the people I spoke to mentioned thatthrow blanketscan be an easy (and inexpensive) way to protect your couch or sofa (this is what I do, too). “I’ve tried just about everything to protect our couch — slipcovers, tight-weave fabrics, ‘washable’ fabrics — but honestly, nothing beats throwing a few blankets over the sectional and rotating them as needed,” saysKatie Spies, founder and CEO ofMaev. A throw blanket essentially acts as a buffer between your pet and your couch fabric, but it can also be a nice place for your pet to get comfortable. “Pets gravitate toward cozy spaces — if you give them a great one, they’re less likely to claim yours,” adds Michelle Visser, founder ofPet Passion.
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We have a dedicated guide topet-friendly throw blankets, and this is our best overall pick. I’ve owned it for over two years, and thefauxfur has held up remarkably well. It’s excellent for camouflaging dirt and shedding, plus the thickness of the throw prevents it from moving around on the couch, even if you have a dog that likes to burrow or “make a nest” like mine.
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The day we brought Ringo home, I purchased this FurHaven blanket, which features longfauxfur on one side and a soft velvet surface with a waterproof coating on the other. It’s always on our couch except when it gets a quick machine wash, which helps keep the room from smelling like a full-on dog kennel. It protects the fabric from stains caused by muddy paws and accidents, and thanks to the shaggy texture, it hides Ringo’s seasonal shedding well. As a tiny and timid puppy, he always seemed to be comforted by the softfauxfur. We’ve even traveled with it, covering the back seats in our car.
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Visser, who has a Border collie named Mello, uses several nice-looking washable throws and swaps them out regularly for a fresh look. “I love chunky organic-cotton cable throws as well as mélanges and tweeds in bold plaids reminiscent of equestrian blankets,” Visser told me. “They camouflage pet fur, and if they work on my black-and-white dog, they will work well for any colors in between.” For a chunky blanket that stays in place, Visser loves this handmade Pottery Barn throw. “I also use it to throw over my puppy when she gets scared during a thunderstorm. The weight of it calms her down,” she says.
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“I have three dogs (an Italian greyhound, a greyhound, and a Dalmatian), so the couch sees a lot of action,” Spies says. She told me this is her go-to blanket in the XL size. “They have a ton of colors, so we often mix and match. The weave is dense and durable, and it’s designed to be machine washable, which is essential in a dog-filled home,” Spies adds, noting that wool is naturally odor resistant and moisture wicking.
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Danielle Heeren, founder of the dog-accessories brandApproved by Fritz, loves this woven blanket from Lisbon-based shop A Vida Portuguesa. Crafted from 100 percent wool, it doesn’t show much fur, Heeren says, making it the perfect add-on for her couch. If you’re in the market for a brand-new sofa, Heeren suggests choosing one with a color “that’s similar to your dog’s coat” since that can help hide dog hair too. And to avoid scratches, she says, “I make sure Fritz walks on concrete regularly to keep his nails naturally filed.”
Editor’s note: A Vida Portuguesa lists its prices in euros, so this is an approximation of U.S. dollars. Heeren’s original green Shepherd Blanket is sold out, so we linked to a similar one.
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Fluffologycanine trainerSam Pickupuses a dog-“bed”-type cushion at the end of his couch for his husky. “He sheds a ton, so a product that repels hair rather than absorbs it is key,” Pickup explains. “I use this product from Tail Stories, and it’s like magic.” The 600D oxford fabric is coated with PVC to provide water resistance and extra durability.
Add a washable slipcover to your couch
Slipcovers are another petproofing option, and they’re designed to completely cover your sofa, giving you fuller protection. They can also be nice if you’re trying to avoid the cost of reupholstering or buying a whole new sofa.
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When fostering senior dogs (which is often),Tennille Teague, founder ofJust Fred, uses this herringbone cover from Natta. “My own pup, Rizzo, doesn’t shed much, so I don’t keep it on daily. But when a foster comes home, it’s game on,” Teague says. “It’s soft, stays in place when they climb on and off the couch, and is one of the few I’ve found that covers the front of the couch, not just the cushions, which matters more than you’d think.” Teague also says it has a minimal profile, washes easily, and features a water-repellent backing in case of “senior moments.” “I like giving these foster dogs a sense of security sitting with you on the couch, so this cover makes it more convenient to do so,” she says.
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Kimberly Weiner, founder of Fluffology, a luxury dog-grooming salon in Los Angeles, owns a stark-white sofa and two large dogs — a goldendoodle and a poodle — and says these Nolan Interior covers have been a lifesaver. “They are so easy to put on the sofa by just stretching them over each cushion, nicely made, and easy to clean,” Weiner says, adding that they’re “extremely durable but also easily replaceable.” She likes that the brand sells toss-pillow covers, too, and has bought them in accent colors.
If you own a cat, try putting a scratcher in your living room
When it comes to protecting your couch from cat scratching, Kate Benjamin, founder of the cat-gear websiteHauspanther, says it’s important to provide cats with lots of acceptable scratching surfaces to give them an alternative everyone can agree on. “You have to remember that cats scratch not only to groom their claws but to mark their territory with both a visual mark and scent from the glands between their toes. Cats want to mark territory in areas where you spend the most time, so the sofa can be a main target,” Benjamin told me. She says it’s a good idea to add scratchers nearby and reward your cat when they use the scratcher instead of the sofa.
Certified cat behaviorist and trainerRita Reimerssays it can be helpful to identifyhowyour furry friend scratches — whether vertically or horizontally — so you can offer scratchers that will appeal to your cat. “Use catnip or silvervine to entice them to use the scratchers and have a positive experience,” she says. Reimers also suggests picking a scratcher that’s at least three feet tall and sturdy since “cats love to stand on their back legs and stretch against these items.”
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Benjamin recommends the Cat-e-Corner fromHilde & Philas an excellent scratching solution. “It’s a sisal cat scratcher that wraps around the side of the sofa, doubling as an end table,” Benjamin told me. “There are different wood finishes and sisal patterns to choose from, and the height can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of sofa sizes.” The Cat-e-Corner can be used to protect a left or right couch arm and works for lounge chairs. “I think it’s an elegant solution that fits seamlessly into any décor, and I love the multi-functionality,” Benjamin says.
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Reimers says this wraparound protector is her personal favorite. It’s designed to cover the couch arm and side, which is especially great if your cat likes to scratch at corners. It’s available in different colors to blend in nicely with your sofa.
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Although they aren’t a scratcher, these thick vinyl sheets also come recommended by Reimers. They stick on to the sides of upholstered furniture and can help shield the fabric from sharp claws. Simply peel off the backing and place the protector in the area that needs it.
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If you’re trying to keep your pet from going under your furniture — perhaps they enjoy destroying the dustcover stapled underneath your sofa or digging at the bottom of your couch — these transparent blockers can help deter it, Reimers says. They’re easy to install as they adhere to hard floors and can be cut to meet your sofa’s height or length. The best part is they’ll go virtually unnoticed as they are designed to sit just one to two inches under your couch.
If all else fails, have cleaning tools on hand
If some of the above items aren’t cutting it, a few experts also suggested some tools they keep on hand for tidying up their couch and keeping it fresh.
You can protect your furniture with monthly pet grooming, saysLiz Hampton, Fluffology’s director of grooming and education. This ensures your pet will get a proper nail trim (no scratched furniture), a de-shedding treatment (less hair on your couch), and a more extensive bath (removing excess oils and dander so the “dog smell” stays off the furniture).
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For everything her throw blanket doesn’t catch, Spies say this Chom Chom roller is her secret weapon. “It’s low effort, refill free, and works absurdly well,” she says. We’ve written about the Chom Chom roller before: It’s a Strategist favorite because it traps pet hair with a nylon brush, rather than single-use sheets.
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Lint rollers are a must-have if your pet is prone to shedding. “It’s the fastest way to lift fur from our white linen couches — especially when it’s kept within reach,” Visser told me. “I keep these tucked away in every corner of the house.”
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Our deals editor,Sam Daly, who has two cats, uses this cordless Bissell vacuum with the motorized brush attachment on her fabric couch every week. “It’s not perfect, but it works for now. I’ve been thinking about buying an upholstery cleaner, but they’re so pricey,” Daly told me. After vacuuming, she spritzes her couch with this plant-based allergy spray, which is fragrance free and absorbs quickly. “I can definitely feel a difference when I forget to do my routine,” she adds.
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We started using this foamy cleanser once we noticed how much dirt and debris our dog tracked into the apartment after walks around downtown Toronto. It has soft silicone bristles, and the no-rinse formula lets us clean Ringo’s paws without bringing him to our sink or bathtub for an extra scrub down.
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