Does Furniture Fabric Matter to Your Pets?

by Dave Thomas

It’s safe to say that if you have a pet, you love him or her with your entire heart.

For the pet owner that is trying to get their new dog, cat, or other animal to feel more comfortable around their new home, there are some tricks they can try.

Did you know that certain kinds of furniture fabric will help your pet better accommodate themselves?

Some fabrics are what you would consider “pet-friendly,” so you may want to look to them when making a furniture purchase and/or getting a new covering for your chairs, sofa, and bed.

Among the options:

Leather – When you turn to leather for your furniture, you stand a good chance of seeing your furniture last for quite a long time. One of the nice things with leather is it is easy to clean, and hair will not cling to it like it would with a cloth product. On the down side, a pet’s nails can do some damage to leather, so keep that in mind before buying. Also take note that leather can be impacted by the season, meaning it can be hot and sticky in the summertime, while being cold in the wintertime.

Microfiber – With this option, cleaning is not hard with a little soap and water. Other benefits include the fact that the hair is easily removed, along with the fact that nails are not as much of a danger as they are with leather.

Patterned fabric – Patterns are better than their solid counterparts when it comes to keeping dirt and stains hidden. Then again, pattern styles come and go, so you may be changing the look more than you like.

Cotton slipcovers – These are popular with pet owners due to the fact they can be removed and cleaned at anytime. As for the material, it will depend on how aggressive your pet is as to whether the cotton fades and wears over time.

Color choices – Color choice is just as important as what fabric you select. Remember, your long-haired animals’ fur will show much quicker than thinly-haired or non-shedding cats and dogs. If you have fabrics that are white, beige, tan, etc., there will be less of a chance of unsightly cat and dog hair (light-colored, at least) showing up on your chairs and sofa.

Stain-free – As noted earlier, pets are undoubtedly going to mess up your furniture at some point (or many times). Whether it is something they bring in on their paws from outside, leaving clumps of hair all over, or getting sick on your furniture, you will have to wipe down your furniture from time to time. Be cognizant of this fact when choosing which furniture styles you want in your home. It is best to have something that is stain-free and handles wiping rather easily.

At the end of the day, your pets quickly become a part of the family. Making them feel comfortable in their homes is just as important to them as it is to you.

With 23 years of experience as a writer, Dave Thomas covers a wide array of topics from home improvements and shopping for used office furniture to how to shop for a pet.

Photo credit: Guardsman