What Is a Good Dog-Proof Couch Fabric?

Teeth, toenails and fur -- everything that makes our dogs dogs -- can be hard on the furniture in your home. A good dog-proof fabric will protect your furniture against the effects of your canine assault weapons. But is there a fabric that will keep your furniture looking good until you replace it, without your dog having a paw in determining how quickly that will be? You might be surprised to learn that there are several good choices for pet-proofing your couch.

  1. Protection Against Teeth

    • Dogs have teeth that were designed to tear animal hide. There is little that is safe from them. However, loose fabrics and those that have threads that can snag and pull will attract dog teeth more quickly than smoother fabric. Leather, "pleather," microfiber, canvas and Crypton-brand pet-friendly fabrics can be effective deterrents to dogs̵7; teeth, because the smooth or small-stitch materials make it harder for dogs to find a vulnerable place to grip and pull. Keep in mind that any fabric that has tight seams and that is tightly secured to a furniture frame has better protection against dog teeth than one that separates easily at the seams or from the frame.

    Protection Against Toenails

    • Leather, pleather, canvas and Crypton fabrics all provide excellent protection against fabric tears from dog toenails. These fabrics have a smooth finish that prevents toenails from becoming snagged in the fabric and tearing it when the dog jumps on the couch or ̶0;digs̶1; for a comfortable sleeping area. Distressed leather is not as good a choice as smooth leather. The surface of smooth leather will show scratches but is at less risk of tearing than distressed or ̶0;Old World̶1; leather finishes. Microfiber is also a good choice; however, microfiber fabric can also be a bit too thin to be durable.

    Protection Against Fur

    • Once again, the smoother the finish, the better the couch fabric is for use by pet owners. Leather, pleather and some canvases will wipe clean with a damp cloth. Woven fabrics should possess a tight weave. According to author Jilda Peterson at Real Estate Pro Articles, not only will a fabric with a tight weave or a high thread count wear better and be more durable, both will prevent animal hairs from forcing their way into the fabric itself. Ultrasuede is also a good choice in terms of fur resistance, since it is nonwoven and can be cleaned with a lint brush or bristle brush. Be prepared to vacuum other fabrics frequently, especially if your dog has long hair or sheds a great deal.

    Covers and Other Protection

    • Linen, cotton and canvas slip covers can hide damage already done to your fabric or can help prevent damage to new furniture. While they are not always chew-, stain-, tear- or fur-resistant on their own, fabric slip covers are designed for easy removal, washing and replacement when they need cleaning. You can protect some couch upholstery to a degree with spray-on treatments that prevent staining. In addition, when purchasing a new couch, selecting upholstery with your dog̵7;s coat in mind is often helpful -- if you have a Great Pyrenees or a Dalmatian, you probably don̵7;t want to purchase a couch with dark blue crushed velvet seat cushions. But dogs and clean, well-kept furniture can coexist. All it takes is a little planning for the two to come together.