How to Protect a Sofa Cover from Pets?

In this blog, we offer simple tips to protect your sofa cover from your pet, so you can enjoy your sofa cover longer. Finally, the new sofa is here, and to enjoy it for a long time, you have purchased a sofa cover. A fantastic idea—until a puppy or kitten arrives... Research has shown that pets are the number one cause of sofa damage. Think, for example, of cats digging their claws into the fabric and quickly turning your new sofa into a perfect scratching post. But dogs can cause trouble too; they tend to dig into your sofa or their skin oils make your sofa irreparably dirty, and you only notice once the damage is done. So you need to try to prevent all this, but how?

Place a Blanket, Cushion, or Basket for Your Pet

If you prefer that your dog or cat does not take a spot on the sofa, it is wise to teach them this at an early age. Teaching is easier than having to correct your four-legged friend later that they are not allowed on the sofa. If you often sit on the sofa yourself and want your pet nearby but not on the sofa, you can consider setting up a dedicated spot for your pet in the living room. You do this by giving them their own basket or rug and placing it in a fixed spot of your choice. If you do enjoy having your pet comfortably on the sofa, place dog cushions on the sofa, for example. When your pet has their own spot, you will notice the sofa gets damaged less quickly. To help your pet learn their own spot, lure them there with treats and consistently send them back if they suddenly crawl next to you. Reward them again with a treat when they lie on their own spot. With this tip, it is very important that everyone in the house is consistent and does not allow the dog or cat on the sofa or only allows it on their own cushion. This way, it quickly becomes clear to your pet where they may or may not sit. If you don’t mind your pet using the sofa, it is wise to place a blanket next to their cushion to prevent scratches and pet hair from remaining on your sofa.

Brush and Trim Your Pet’s Nails Regularly

A second way to protect your sofa from scratches or fabric pilling is to keep your dog’s or cat’s nails short. If you notice the short nails are still sharp, you can file them to smooth the nails. Regularly brushing your pet’s hair prevents your interior from being covered in hair; an added benefit is that your pet’s coat stays healthy and cleaner. In extreme cases of hair loss, you can purchase a special vacuum cleaner for pet hair that sucks up the hairs.

Choose a Pet-Friendly Sofa Cover

Generally, you don’t have to worry with a sofa cover if your pet lies next to you on the sofa, since they can be washed and replaced. Still, it is wise to choose a pet-friendly sofa cover, as not every cover is equally resistant to four-legged friends. For example, a velvet cover works very well with a dog or cat. Velvet material wears less quickly than other fabrics because velvet is made of polyester. Polyester is a user-friendly material with easy maintenance. Velvet fabric absorbs less moisture and dirt than other fabrics. Moreover, dog or cat nails do not easily get caught in the fabric due to its structure. This makes the fabric extremely suitable for pets! But other polyester fabrics from Ikea sofas are also very suitable. Your dog’s or cat’s hair can easily be removed with a lint roller, and stains wash out quickly! view IKEA sofa covers

Spray a Deterrent on Your Sofa

Besides protecting the sofa with a sofa cover, you can also encourage your dogs and cats to stay off the sofa by using a deterrent such as a spray bottle filled with water or an anti-animal spray. It’s easy to make such a deterrent at home with a citrus-like, sour scent to scare your pet away. Mix 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 20 drops of citrus-scented essential oil with one and a half cups of cold water in a clean spray bottle. Mix well and spray on the spots where you want your pet to stay away. An added benefit is that your living room will smell fresh, and your pets will look for other places to lounge!

Conclusion

If you want to protect your sofa from your four-legged friend, it’s a good idea to buy a basket and give them their own spot elsewhere in the living room. If you do enjoy having your pet on the sofa with you, you can give them their own spot on the sofa with a cushion. It’s also handy to use a throw or blanket to protect against possible scratches and pet hair. Additionally, if you don’t want your pet near the sofa, you can use a homemade deterrent that also smells nice! Polyester fabrics like Velvet or Beverly Corduroy are best suited as sofa covers if you have pets. Other polyester fabrics like Chenille and Classic are good alternatives. And it’s always wise to keep your pet’s nails short; good for your pet and good for your sofa! View our fabric collection