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It's the centrepiece of most living rooms, and often a sizeable investment, so you'll inevitably want to keep a new sofa in top condition for as long as possible. But when, despite your best intentions, it doubles as your pet's favourite bed or (worse) their scratching pad, this can be easier said than done.
In fact, in a recent survey of Which? members*, 21% of respondents told us their sofa had been damaged by pets. And while all pet owners know that keeping animals away from furniture is the best way to minimise the risk of such damage, in practice this is rarely practical, or even desirable. After all, what's better on a cold winter evening than a sofa snuggle with your fur-clad companion?
The next best tactic is to buy a sofa that's as resistant to your pet's attentions as possible, so several of our tips are about making the right choice of sofa in the first place. We've also rounded up our advice for keeping wear and damage to a minimum once your sofa's in situ.
In the market for a new sofa? Find a retailer that offers great choice, customer service and value for money by reading our verdict on thebest sofa shops.
Even if your pet doesn't deliberately use your sofa as a giant scratch pad or chew toy, snagging claws, shed fur and a bit of slobber can all leave a mark. Choosing a material that's easy to clean, durable and scratch-resistant can make a big difference. Some sofa retailers even offer fabric lines that are designed to be pet-friendly.
Check too whether the sofa's covers can be removed for cleaning, and whether they're machine washable. This could be a godsend if there's a little accident.
Get sample swatches from different retailers and test them out. See how the fabric stands being scratched by a sharp object (your pet may even oblige by scratching the swatch themselves) and how easy it is to clean. The right choice will depend on your pet and the specific damage they're most likely to inflict.
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Light-coloured sofas can brighten up a room and may look great when you first bring them home, But cream or beige may not be the best option if you have a pet (just think of those muddy paw-prints), and are likely to show up fur more easily. Unless, of course, you have a pale-furred pet, in which case a darker fabric will showcase every strand they shed.
Grey can be a good middle ground and is on-trend at the moment (in our sofa survey, it was respondents' most popular choice of sofa colour). It can also be easily brightened up with bold-coloured cushions, if you like to make an impact with your design choices.
If the idea of a grey or brown sofa bores you senseless, don't despair. Patterned fabrics can help camouflage marks and stains, letting you make a bolder choice that makes a statement in your living room without betraying the signs of excessive pet attention.
This is less likely to be an issue if you have a cat or a small dog, but if your canine companion is big and boisterous, you'll need a sofa with a sturdy foundation that can handle being leapt-about on. A strong wood frame is probably a good choice.
Whether you've just bought a sofa or yours has been resident in your living room for a while, there are tactics you can use to prevent pet damage (or at least stop things getting worse).
Even if you don't have a pet, cleaning your sofa regularly will help to keep it in tip top condition. Having a pet only makes this more important, as dirt accumulating on it can lead to the upholstery wearing and its colour dulling. Deal with any spills (or accidents) promptly - our guide to the best stain removers can help you out here - and vacuum or brush your sofa weekly if possible.
If your pet somehow seems to leave more fur on your sofa than they have on their entire body, and a weekly vacuum isn't enough to keep it at bay, a lint roller can help with interim fur removal. A slightly damp rubber glove can also be surprisingly effective at removing fur from soft furnishings.
Read our advice on the best way to clean different sofa fabrics, or take a look out our vacuum cleaner reviews to find one that does a great job of dealing with pet hair.
* In May 2021, we surveyed 2,932 Which? members who'd bought a sofa in the past 10 years and asked about their experiences with the retailer they bought it from and the sofa itself.