Furniture Fabric for Dogs

You can bathe your dogs, clip their nails and make sure they're trained, but there's only so much you can do to protect your furniture from them. Make sure the furnishings you buy provide the most durability and the fabric can stand up to the punishment that even the most beloved and well-behaved dog can dish out over a lifetime. When looking for dog-friendly furniture, there are several aspects to consider.

  1. What to Avoid

    • Leather is a durable and waterproof fabric, so it seems like a great material for a dog lover's furniture, but it is not. It is easy to rip and expensive to replace. In fact, stay away from all of the common fabrics such as cotton, brocade, wool, and especially velvet. They all absorb moisture and rip easily.

    Best Fabrics

    • Modern micro-fabrics are excellent. They come in a variety of colors. They are easy to wash when soiled, and resist shredding and nail punctures. Crypton is another great choice. It is strong and waterproof, so drool or other liquids spill right off instead of soaking in to the cushion beneath.

    Colors

    • Picking the proper color is a very important consideration, too. Always select colors compatible with the color of your dog's hair. The right color will hide shedding hair.

    Availability

    • Look for fabrics created specifically with pets in mind at your local fabric store, or ask the stores to order them for you. Shopping online gives you even greater options because you are likely to find greater selections in more colors than a single store would carry.

    Existing Furniture

    • If you have a family heirloom divan, consider covering it up. If your new dog is a puppy that still chews on everything it can put in its mouth, never leave him unattended or you may come back to a pile of toothpicks. Protect the fabrics with plastic slipcovers. They are cheap and easy to find in any department store or furniture store. They are not as durable as pet-friendly fabrics, but they are waterproof. If you are handy with a needle and thread, you can create your own slipcovers from microfiber or Crypton.

    Bedding

    • Most dogs will find their way onto the bed if given a chance. Always have a washable spread or throw on the top of any comforters so you can toss them in the washer whenever necessary. Use a fully enclosed mattress cover to protect the mattress material from nails, dribbles and even bugs. You can keep your bed clean by removing the cover and tossing it in the wash.