Top 7 Best Couch Materials and Fabrics for Dogs

A dog can be a blessing to you and your family. Your furniture might not share your sentiments.

Furniture is often damaged by dogs, whether it’s intentional or accidental. But that doesn’t mean your dog has to go outside. You might consider buying furniture made from dog-friendly fabrics.

Some furniture fabrics are not strong enough to withstand the demands of pet ownership, but others can. Before we get to them, let’s look at the different ways that your pet might destroy your couch.

How dogs destroy furniture

Dogs don’t destroy furniture just for ill will. They don’t just destroy furniture because they don’t like it. Dogs are most likely to cause furniture damage by accident.

Claw Marks

Furniture may get scratches and tears from their nails when they jump on and off. This is the easiest way to avoid it. You just need to keep your dog’s claws trimmed and up-to-date with their grooming. This will stop them from snagging. You can also invest in a couch made from tightly woven fabric.

Helping Others

Dog nails are not the only thing to be concerned about. You might accidentally let your dog go to the bathroom on the couch. Perhaps a young, energetic pup loses control over its bladder. Your older dog may be experiencing incontinence problems. It doesn’t matter what, you will need to clean it up. This is possible with some furniture types. You can clean the furniture with a damp cloth.

Anxious Energy

Your dog’s ability to destroy furniture is the worst nightmare. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, this is a common occurrence. This can be prevented by teaching your dog proper egress/ingress behavior when you leave the house.

1. Real Leather

Ask veteran pet owners to poll them about the best furniture materials for dogs. The most popular answer is likely to be genuine leather. It’s not surprising. Leather is a great choice for many reasons.

First, it’s durable. It’s durable. Your dog will jump on the couch no matter what you do. A sharp claw could puncture through other materials. Leather will not have this problem.

Their claws won’t get caught in the leather and cause rips. Because leather is a solid material, it’s easy to see why. Their nails won’t get caught in any gaps in the weave. If they do make scratches on the couch, these will cause the leather to become soiled and can be used to distress it. This is something that many people pay top dollar for.

Leather is easy to clean. You don’t even need to take your leather to the dry cleaner. You can wipe it clean with a damp towel and then you are good to go.

The main problem with the leather is its price. Leather furniture is often expensive. Consider it an investment. You won’t need to replace your couch as often because it’s pet-friendly. Your leather furniture could last you for many years.

• Very solid
• Solid piece of fabric
• It is easy to clean
• It can be made more appealing by scrubbing it
• It lasts for a very long period of time

• Expensive
• Can get very hot in warmer months

2. Outdoor Acrylic Fabrics

Outdoor seating is a good option if you are looking for furniture that you can use indoors with your pet. Outdoor furniture can withstand heavy rain, snow, and sleet. It will be safe enough for your dog.

Don’t worry about style or selection. You’ll be convinced that outdoor furniture doesn’t have to be limited to your patio or sundeck. There are so many options. The Polaris Garden Set looks great indoors and outdoors. It’s made from durable rattan so your dog can climb on it without worrying about damaging it.

Outdoor furniture is often cheaper than indoor. If you are looking to reduce your spending on furniture, outdoor furniture might be a good option.

When shopping for outdoor furniture, there is one thing that you need to be careful about: cushioning. Although cushions are simple to clean, they can be too porous or light for your comfort. You may need additional support, so make sure you check out other pet-friendly options.

• Relatively affordable
• It is very easy to deep clean
• There are tons of styles to choose from

• You might not like the idea of using outdoor furniture indoors.
• Lightweight with minimal support

3. Denim

Denim may not be your first thought when you think about furniture. It shouldn’t be overlooked. It can be made into durable, comfortable jeans that are also pet-friendly. A living space with denim furniture can have a youthful and casual vibe.

It’s also great for pets because it is super durable and protects them. It is almost as durable as genuine leather. It is also much more breathable. Denim’s weave, although it is tightly woven, is much more breathable. It allows air to flow and prevents things like dog teeth or nails from sticking out.

Denim furniture has a major flaw. It’s a very niche fabric. It can be hard to find denim furniture you like, and even harder to match your existing decor. Denim furniture can be an excellent choice for a home that is undergoing a major remodel.

• Durable and durable
• Uniquely casual design
• Strikingly woven

• Niche fabric that is difficult to find
• May not fit your decor

4. Canvas

Canvas is not just used for ship sails or painting. Canvas is a great furniture fabric. Canvas is another durable and comfortable option. Canvas is very similar to denim, as it’s a durable option that’s tightly woven together. It has a natural feel, so it will have a pleasant roughness.

It can be hard to find canvas furniture because manufacturers prefer other fabrics. You can get one custom-built, but that will cost you a premium. It’s a great fabric for a natural feel. It has the look of linen but without wrinkles, the toughness of jeans without the limited color palette, as well as the ease of cleaning leather.

• Sturdy and tough
• Strikingly woven
• Nature’s touch
• It is easy to clean

• It is difficult to find
• Prices high

5. Tight Weave Twill

Twill is not a fabric but a type of weave. Twill is usually made of cotton or a polyester-cotton mix, but it can be made with many thread counts. It’s also one of the most sought-after furniture covers. It’s easy to find a twill sofa or couch.

It might take some searching to find the right weave and thread count. There are many styles and patterns available in twill, both printed and textured. It is important to choose a textured pattern. Textured patterns made from twill are more durable than regular printed ones and will withstand the abuse of your dog’s nails.

There are many twill patterns that can be used to make pet-friendly furniture.

• It’s super easy to find
• There are tons of designs to choose from

• It is more difficult to clean
• Still more prone to tearing than other materials, like leather and canvas.

6. Microfiber

Microfiber is a great alternative to leather if you like the look but don’t want to pay too much. Microfiber is specifically made to look like suede or leather, but it also has many benefits.

Many microfiber couches can resist staining unlike leather and are easy to clean. Microfiber couches can be cleaned like leather, but they are also machine washable. If you are looking for a more comfortable couch, it will be softer than leather.

This option is a great choice for dog parents looking for furniture that’s both durable and affordable. Microfiber couches are not as durable as real leather furniture. They’re likely to need replacement much sooner than genuine leather furniture.

• Very common
• It’s affordable
• Easy to clean

• Fabrics are not as durable as some other fabrics
• Can be torn or ripped.

7. Protected Fabrics – Crypton, Scotchgard

There are a few other options for protected fabrics if you don’t mind stains from pets or rips. These fabrics are made to reduce odors and stains or can be layered on top of your existing couch to provide a barrier.

Many hotels and cruise ships use Crypton furniture. Crypton fabric, a patent technology that makes furniture stain-proof and prevents the growth of bacteria, is used in many hotels and cruise ships.

There’s an alternative if you don’t want to spend the money on Crypton fabric. Scotchgard or any other upholstery protector can be purchased. Scotchgard is great for protecting the upholstery from stains and liquids. It also helps to block unwanted pet odors. Scotchgard can be used temporarily, but it’s much more affordable than buying new furniture.

• Alternatives are available at a very affordable price
• Interdicts the growth of bacteria

• There are not many appealing stylings.
• Protective sprays must be reapplied every so often.

BONUS: Slipcovers

Slipcovers are another cost-effective and effective way to protect furniture from dogs. Slipcovers look similar to fitted sheets for your bed but are designed for your sofas or chairs.

These slipcovers are often very affordable and can be used for those on a budget. You can find slipcovers in many different colors and patterns, making them suitable for any room in your home. They can be machine washed, making them very easy to clean.

Avoid these Fabrics with Dogs

There are not all fabrics that are a good choice for dogs. Some fabrics are easily damaged and should be avoided.

Tweed

Although Tweed can give your home a rustic feel, it is not ideal for pets. It’s loosely woven and therefore may not be suitable for them. It’s much easier for your dog to grab and start ripping apart your couch because it’s loosely woven together. The loose weave traps hair and dust which can cause furniture to smell very unpleasant.

Suede

Suede is a soft, gentler version of leather, but it’s not suitable for dogs. It is durable but attracts and locks water spots. Any wet spots, whether they are drool or pee, or mud will be very visible and difficult to clean.

Silk

Silk is one of your best materials for crafting furniture. Even for people who don’t have pets, silk is very difficult to maintain. It’s almost impossible to keep it pristine if you add a dog. Silk is a thin, loosely woven fabric that can easily tear. Silk is also susceptible to stains and should be cleaned by a professional. If you are a parent of pups, it is best to avoid silk.

Velvet

Velvet is another furniture material that requires a lot of maintenance. Although velvet isn’t as thin and loosely woven as silk, it has its own problems. Velvet is a magnet for hair from dogs. Even if your dog is very low-shedding, there will still be enough hair to make another dog. It’s very absorbent for ripe, unwelcome smells. You’ll find most dog owners avoid velvet furniture if you combine that with the need to hire a professional cleaner.

Last Thoughts

Your furniture won’t be destroyed by a dog. It can happen, but it doesn’t have to. Your dog and your furniture can co-exist peacefully if you choose the right furniture and take precautions against damage and stains from pets.

Remember: Leather and tightly woven fabrics are your friends. If you feel adventurous, bring your patio furniture inside.