Once upon a time, picking out a new piece of furniture was an exciting experience that came down to style, budget and comfort. Enter Fido and Fluffy. While most of us wouldn’t trade our precious pets for the world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when every piece of furniture you love looks like it’s just waiting to be destroyed.

As both a dog and cat mom, I’ve experienced this frustration firsthand when picking out a new sofa for my home, and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve made some mistakes in the name of style (cat + linen sofa = major no-no). That said, the sound of razor-sharp claws digging into my brand-new couch is a memory that sticks with me and guides me on future furniture purchases. And while I learned my lesson the hard way, you don’t have to.

On my hunt for a new sofa, I was determined not to make the same mistake twice. I did extensive research to find the best sofas for pet parents, and I was delighted to find several options that boasted durability and style. It seems furniture companies have finally realized pet parents like nice things, too, and I’ve found some seriously beautiful pieces that are actually designed to stand up to claws, drool, hair and whatever else your fur baby can throw at it.

To start, it’s important to understand that every pet is different. While my biggest issues are scratching and shedding, you may be dealing with chewing or incontinence. Start by assessing the biggest issues you face and work from there.

Leather

Leather is a great option for many pet parents, particularly dog owners, as it’s easy to clean, repels odors and is generally very resilient. Real leather is the best choice for durability and longevity, but keep in mind it is not impervious to scratches. Look for distressed leather that will camouflage new scratches and look even better with age.

For cat parents, you’ve likely read article after article touting leather and its smooth feel that deters cats from clawing. While that may be the case for some cats, it certainly isn’t the case for mine who adores puncturing holes in my (read: now his) once beloved leather chair. If you have your heart set on leather but aren’t sure how your cat will react, I recommend first buying a smaller, inexpensive item in faux leather. If your cat has no interest in sinking his claws into it, you can feel confident in investing in a real leather sofa.

Tightly Woven Fabrics

One great thing about a woven fabric is that it offers dimensionality, making it easier to camouflage stains and hide pet hair. Plus, a tightly woven fabric won’t trap hair like loosely woven fabrics (think tweed, wool and chenille). And while certain woven fabrics make it easy for pets to snag them with their claws, an ultra-tight weave prevents rips from the occasional scratch. Some companies, like Burrow, even test their fabrics against pet scratches to ensure they can stand up to claws as well as stains.

Microfiber

If the thought of microfiber makes you cringe, it’s time to reconsider. This synthetic material has come a long way in recent years and can look incredibly luxe while still offering a lightweight fabric that is easy to clean and resistant to stains and liquid. Plus, the tightly woven threads make it harder for cats to dig their claws into. Microsuede, a type of microfiber designed to mimic real suede, looks and feels like the real thing without the high-maintenance care plan. Velvet microfiber is a great choice for homes with cats due to its durability and the fact that it is composed of loose threads instead of a weave making it difficult to snag.

Velvet

When I think velvet, I think opulence, and that usually doesn’t go hand in hand with durability. But hear me out. Because velvet doesn’t have the loops of a woven fabric, you won’t have to worry about it getting snagged by sharp claws. For cat owners especially, this is a game-changer. The downside of velvet is that hair does tend to stick, but if you are diligent with a vacuum that's good for pet hair or a lint roller (and let’s face it, pet owners have to be), hair comes off with no problem, leaving a sofa that looks as good as the day you got it. Keep in mind that there are several different types of velvet, and synthetic velvet is going to be the more durable choice for pet owners as it's much easier to care for.

Outdoor Fabrics

While outdoor fabrics don’t have a reputation for being the comfiest of materials, there are options that are just as comfortable as they are durable, and Sunbrella is one of them. Designed to protect furniture from anything Mother Nature can muster, it’s no wonder this fabric is also able to stand up against your pets. Thankfully, many retailers now directly offer their sofas in Sunbrella fabrics, making it easier than ever to keep your investment protected.

Slipcovers

If you find yourself wishing you could simply throw your sofa in the washing machine any time your pet makes a mess of things, you're in luck. While machine washing your entire sofa is a bit of a stretch, you could opt for a couch with removable slipcovers that can simply be removed and washed whenever needed. Or, if you aren't quite ready to replace your couch but are looking for a way to keep it protected in the meantime, there are a multitude of washable covers to fit every style of sofa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best materials for pet-friendly couches?

There's a wide range of materials that might suit your needs as a dog or cat owner, from scratch-resistant to hair-repelling fabrics. Leather, tightly woven fabrics, microfiber, velvet, outdoor fabrics and slipcovers are all options pet owners should consider.

How should you clean pet hair off a couch?

Keeping pet hair off of furniture starts with prevention. With your vet's guidance on the best care routine for your pet, brushing, washing and grooming pets regularly can help minimize how much hair ends up on your couch. If grooming at home, products like grooming gloves help reduce shedding, and a clean grooming glove can be used directly on furniture to pick up loose hairs, too.

Before you tackle cleaning your sofa, it's best to understand your specific sofa's manufacturer-recommended cleaning guide. Most sofas have a tag on the underside of the sofa or seat cushion with a cleaning code represented by letters and, sometimes, additional care instructions. Here's what the letters mean:

• W= wet/water cleaning only
• S = dry solvent cleaning only
• SW = dry solvent and/or wet cleaning
• X = professional cleaning or vacuuming only

For the hair that does land on the sofa, vacuum regularly using an upholstery brush attachment. Need a vacuum recommendation? Shop our favorite editor-tested vacuums for pet hair. If you have a larger vacuum but need to use it multiple times a week to keep pet hair at bay, consider adding a handheld vacuum in the rooms where your pets tend to spend the most time since they're easier and faster to use for spot cleaning.

In between vacuuming sessions, using smaller handheld tools sticky roller brushes or reusable lint rollers like the ChomChom roller pet hair remover is a great way to prevent major buildup.

If your sofa has removable and machine-washable cushion covers, slipcovers, pillow covers or blankets, you can also wash them in the machine using in-laundry tools like reusable silicone hair catchers to grab anything missed by vacuuming.

Are pet-friendly couches expensive?

No, not necessarily. There are pet-friendly couches at all price points. With consistent vacuuming and care, budget-friendly sofas can withstand claws and pet hair just as well as higher-end options.