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Durable and Easy-To-Clean Couches for Dogs

There is a good reason why dogs are known as “man’s best friend” and true pet owners would go to great lengths to protect their pets. However, being a pet owner also means that you have a lot of responsibilities and one of them is making sure that your dog doesn’t chew, knock over, or pretty much destroy your belongings. Training a dog to behave is really important, but there is also the matter of allowing them to feel safe and comfortable in their home. So, what do you do when the dog wants to sleep on your couch? Do you shoo them away? Not if you have sofa covers for pets! Let’s dig a bit deeper and discover more about them.

 Couches for Dogs

Dogs, Couches, Fabrics

As we mentioned earlier, having a dog implies a huge responsibility, and you should take good care of your pet. That means that you need to keep them away from house plants that aren’t safe to chew, avoid feeding them anything they could choke on (like chicken bones), and making sure that the items they interact with are safe for them. So, if you’re out shopping for a new couch and you own a furry friend, here are some things to look out for.

Weave

If you opt for upholstery with a tight weave, you have better chances of protecting your choice from stains because first usually rolls right off the weave instead of penetrating it. That being said, opt for materials like microfiber or denim.

Material

Keep in mind that leather is probably the best choice for couch upholstery if you have a dog for multiple reasons. First of all, it is easier to clean, as leather requires mostly wiping with a clean cloth. However, you need to steer clear of smooth leather because it’s more prone to scratches and you can’t reply on the fact that your dog never scratches stuff. They could always do that by mistake. Real leather is a great option because of its durability and it’s not prone to flaking, like synthetic leather is. Also, you will have to consider that the ease of cleaning that you benefit with a leather couch is invaluable. Consider all the pet hair and the drooling that you’ll have to clean. Doesn’t it just sound wonderful when you can wipe everything off with a clean sweep?

Fabrics

If you’ve ever shopped for patio furniture, then you’re probably familiar with fabrics like Sunbrella, which are designed to be more resistant in the face of wear and tear. Don’t be afraid to bring that fabric inside your home because it’s more durable and easier to clean compared to other types of upholstery fabrics.

Investment

Investing in a sofa cover for your pet is a really good idea. This looks chic, gives the couch a fresh new look and, when it’s time to clean it, you just remove it from the couch, put it in the washing machine, and let this great invention do its trick and clean it. Sofa covers for pets are not difficult to find (we’ll show you some really neat ones later on) and they are really convenient.

Alternatives

If you don’t have a sofa cover to protect your couch or you’re currently washing the one you have and your couch is exposed, you can always use blanket covering as an alternative.  There are plenty of Spanish blankets available on the market that you can use to cover up your sofa and keep it protected from your dog.

Other Materials

Now that you know what your best options are, let’s consider the materials that you absolutely have to avoid when it comes to couch upholstery and stocks. As tempting as it might sound, never choose silk. Sure, a silk sofa is beautiful but it is so easy for the dog to sink its claws into it and then you can say goodbye to having a stylish couch. Furthermore, silk is pretty expensive and it would be a real shame if you didn’t get to enjoy it in the long run.

Suede is also a material that you want to avoid. Even if it’s quite durable, it is very difficult to clean and, when you own a dog, you should always keep in mind that there is a high chance the couch will get soiled.

How to Choose Sofa Covers for Pets

As we mentioned earlier, one way to keep your couch protected is by choosing a suitable sofa cover. We wanted to help you with this buying process by teaching you a little bit about the most important features that you need to look after when you’re on the market buying a sofa cover for your dog

  • The very first thing that you need to pay attention to is fitting. This means that the sofa cover you’re thinking of buying needs to perfectly match the size of your couch. Should your dog find a gap or an opening of any sort, they might have a tendency to scratch the sofa. It is also likely for your dog to move a lot while sitting on the couch but when the sofa cover has a snug fit, it will stay in place and do its job.
  • If possible, try to find a sofa cover with straps because this will help with keeping the cover in place. If you choose to make this purchase, make sure the straps are adjustable because it’s easier to fit the cover to your sofa.
  • The durability of the cover is also an important factor because dogs and especially untrained ones are bound to sink their claws into the fabric at some point. In terms of durability, your best materials choices include leather, spandex, polyester blends, and microfiber.
  • You also want to look into how easy it is to clean the sofa cover you’re thinking of purchasing. Even if your dog isn’t a couch-stainer, they will still shed fur and that fur can be a real nuisance to try to get out of fabrics. That means that you want a cover that can be cleaned inside the washing machine. This is even more important if your dog spends time outside and is likely to bring dirt into the house. While “ease of cleaning” is typically translated into “machine washable”, we’d like to add another feature to the should-have list: waterproofing. A waterproof sofa cover will go a long way in keeping your couch protected against drool, pee, or other stains that might eventually end up on the surface of the couch.

Pros and cons of couches for dogs

Pros:

  • Cuddle time with your pet
  • Can alleviate feelings of sadness
  • Allows your dog to feel included

Cons:

  • Can cause behavioural issues
  • Can create a lot more cleaning

What you should know about having dogs and couches

Before allowing your dog on the couch with the rest of the family in the household, you should know a couple basic facts when it comes to dogs and couches.

Having your dog on your couch will cause a considerable increase in cleaning as you will have to be on-top of the fur and scents. Dogs are territorial animals and they want to leave their scent in their “territory” which includes the couch. Some dogs leave this mark by literally leaving a mark of urine.

Other behavioural issues can come from dogs feeling that they are the same as their master and the other humans in the household as they are alleviated to “on the couch status” and can become irritable when someone sits in their spot. They will also bring these behaviours to other households as they consider themselves allowed on the couch.

Tips for using and cleaning a dog couch

If you do decide to allow your dog on the couch with yourself and the family, why not try a couple of things to make life easier when it comes to cleaning your couch? For example, lay down an old blanket or shirt that your dog will be trained to sit or lay on. This reduces the mess that will be all over the couch. You can also give your dog regular grooming in the form of baths and brushing to remove old, dead fur. The bonus part of this one? That dog smell won’t be as prominent on the furniture.

Best Sofa Covers for Pets

In our next section, we wanted to show some really neat products. First, we are going to focus on some of the best sofa covers for pets so those of you that already own a couch can find a means to prolong its lifespan while still allowing dogs to sleep on the sofa.

Diamond Anti-Slip Pet Furniture Protector Box T-Cushion Sofa Slipcover

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

Here is a beautiful cover made from a polyester blend that looks amazing on just about any couch you place it on. The cover measures 0.1” H x 84” W x 70” D and it is available in a wide range of colors so you can match it with the color of your couch. You can choose between colors such as smoke, burgundy, beige, and more. The cover is designed with plastic drop backing and is slid-resistant. It is a child and pet-friendly product which is machine washable, therefore easy to clean.

L-Shaped Right 2 Piece Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover Set

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

If you think that finding a suitable dog-friendly cover for an L-shaped sofa is difficult, you haven’t been searching the internet properly. This Ebern Designs sofa cover is a polyester blend product available in more than 15 colors, including green, wine, orange, coffee, and olive. This polyester blend cover comes with elastic edges for a better fitting. Let’s talk measurements, as these are super important. The piece for the main sofa measures 62 – 76 inches in length and between 27 – 37 inches in width. The smaller section (also known as the “chaise”) measures 27 – 37 inches in width and 55 – 70 inches in length.

Sofa Skirted Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

Let’s look at these beautiful cotton sofa covers that are so soft to the touch and extremely breathable as well. This cover is designed to accommodate sofas with removable cushions that measure between 94 and 96 inches. It can be secured to the sofa using the integrated ties and, aside from the cover, you will also receive a protective cover for the cushions. There are many beautiful colors to choose from, including green and blush.

Bolster Pet Sofa Slipcover

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

What you are going to love about this product is that it’s designed to be a little dog bed in itself. It can be placed on top of the couch and it is the most practical and adorable thing you’ve seen. It is designed with raised edges that act as a protective barrier to make your dog or cat feel safer when they sleep. Made from polyester, it is a breathable option that provides furry dogs with more comfort. The cover of this mini sofa for pets can be removed and cleaned in the washing machine. This pet bolster is available in a smaller (30” H x 31” W x 6” D) and a larger version (30” H x 46” W x 6” D).

Best Couches for Dogs

We’d also like to show you some of the best couches to own if you have a dog. We’ve chosen these products based on what experts recommends as being the most suitable furniture materials for dogs, so that you can have peace of mind knowing your couch is safe from the fierce predator that is your 4-legged friend.

Manatuto Leather Sofa

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

First up, we wanted to show that leather sofas don’t really have to be expensive and, as we mentioned in the first section of this article, they are super convenient to have if you have pets. They are really easy to clean and way more resistant compared to other types of materials. This sofa measures 36” H x 78” W x 36” D and has a weight capacity of 650 pounds. It has a solid and manufactured wood frame, removable cushions that are filled with foam and springs, and can comfortably seat one person and a large sleepy dog.

85″ Square Arm Sofa

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

Let’s take a moment to talk about this amazing couch and what it has to offer for both humans and animals like. It comes with different types of upholstery materials, ranging from polyester to cotton blend. We would recommend going with the Sunbrella version because it is the easier one to care for when you have a dog around the house. It comes with toss pillows and has a standard design. The wooden frame that supports the couch gives it the power needed to support up to 750 pounds in weight. It measures 35” H x 85” W x 41” D, with 21” H x 71” W x 24” D being the seating area.

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

Bansal Square Arms Sofa Bed

Since we spoke so highly about the wonder weave of denim sofas, it made sense to show you one of the best denim couches you can get if you have a pet. You can opt for the Full or the Queen-sized version of this couch, as this is a convertible sofa that turns into a bed. What’s even cooler is that you choose between an innerspring and a foam mattress, which is surely something you don’t see in couches every day. The material can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, which makes your life as a pet owner way easier.

FAQ

What is the best material for couches if you have a dogs?

Our fur family members’ certainty bring a lot of joy, laughter, and beautiful memories to our lives but they also tend to bring a lot of fur. Depending on the type of couch you have? This could be a normal thing to deal with or something that can be quite the irritant when no matter what you do? There is fur.

To avoid having issues removing the fur of your dog from your household furniture, especially your couch – you need to make sure that either the couch itself or the couch covering is a material that is easy to clean.

So what are some of the best materials out there for your couch(s) if you own a dog? Let’s take a look:

  • Any tight weave fabric – think denim or microfiber. These materials are easily brushed off and fur won’t get trapped in the weaving.
  • Wicker with a couch cover. These couches can be stripped of the cover and easily laundered while dusting or vacuuming cleans the wicker.
  • Leather – leather is easily cleaned. A simple buffing removes fur, dirt, and stains. Just beware of your dog’s claws as they can rip or tear the material.

How do I get the dog hair off my couch?

One of the most common questions when it comes to owning a dog and required maintenance is how do you remove the dog hair from your couch and other fabric-covered furniture in your home? Well, sometimes it depends on the type of couch you have in terms of the material. Some materials have special cleaning instructions while others require a little bit more elbow grease than others. How about we take a look at some of the most common ways to remove dog hair off your couch?

  1. Lightly spray a mix of water and liquid fabric softener on upholstered furniture and wipe off with a damp cloth.
  2. Use furniture polish and a microfiber cleaning cloth on the wooden parts of your couch. Try to get a furniture polish that has anti-dust properties to prevent buildup.
  3. Get a pair of rubber cleaning gloves at your local dollar store, dampen them with water, and run your hands over the fur to remove it.
  4. Purchase a sticky roller brush that is meant for the removal of fur from clothing and material.

Should I let my dog on the couch?

Ultimately, it is your decision to let your dog on the couch as it depends on your preference for animals sharing the furniture that your family also uses on a daily basis. Some people would prefer that the animals are in their own beds and laying on their own mats in the same room but not actually on the couch.

If you are going to allow your dog on the couch, check into a pet pad or blanket that can be laundered with your towels. These will save your couch from stains, scents, and a buildup of dog hair.

Some dogs, when allowed on the furniture, can develop behavioural issues because they equate this being equal to the humans (or master) of the household. Be prepared to undergo training with your dog to show them that they are only allowed on specific pieces of furniture in the house.

Bottom Line

Being a responsible pet owner is mostly about making sure that your pet has everything they need to be healthy and happy. Of course, it also means that you have to protect your belongings in the process. Having a pet that just destroys everything won’t make you a very happy owner, so you need to make sure your home is “pet proof” (pets really are like our children, aren’t they?).