Purrfect picks: How to choose the best couch for cats

If you’re a feline lover, you know cats can be just as mischievous as they are cute and cuddly. Indeed, most cats seem to make a hobby out of scratching up furniture. While we don’t blame our furry friends for stretching their toes and sharpening their claws, no one wants a couch that looks like it’s been through a blender.

Even if your kitty isn’t a scratcher (count yourself lucky), you probably still deal with shedding. Pet hair is a part of life for pet owners — it gets on our clothes, furniture, and everywhere else. But with the right upholstery, cat owners can have nice things too! 

So what’s the best couch for cat owners? We’ve done the legwork to help you find the best couch for cats so you can pick a sofa that makes everyone happy. We’ve also highlighted helpful tips for managing pet hair and encouraging Fluffy to sharpen their claws elsewhere.

How to find the best couch for cats

Did you know that pet owners live longer thanks to their furry friends? Yes, it’s true. But you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and style to get all the cuddly, comforting health benefits of being a cat parent. This quick and easy guide will help you find a new couch that will stay nice for years to come. Fur real. 

Pro tip: Bookmark this page and refer to it before you purchase your new sofa. 

Best couch materials for cats

The best couches for cats are durable and easy to clean, which means choosing cat-proof upholstery. Whether you’re worried about claw marks, hair, or icky messes, it’s all about finding pet-friendly fabrics. If you fall in love with a piece of furniture, the first thing to do is check the material. Here are some of the best fabric options:

• Microfiber and microsuede: The best sofas for cat owners are usually made from microfiber and microsuede. These materials are difficult and unsatisfying for cats to scratch, and they’re often stain-resistant and machine-washable. (Note: Microsuede is much more durable than suede.)
• Tight-weave fabrics: Tight-weave fabrics are snag– and scratch-resistant and less likely to be destroyed by cat scratching. They’re also less satisfying for kitties to scratch. Look for options like canvas, denim, and durable synthetic materials.
• Top-grain leather: If a leather sofa sounds like a bad idea for your kitty, think again. Real leather furniture doesn’t have a weave for cat claws to sink into and doesn’t attract fur. Plus, you can repair leather if it rips, which isn’t always easy with fabric. High-quality faux leather is less durable but can also work well for cats.
• Indoor/outdoor materials: Homes with lots of pets often do best with indoor/outdoor furniture made from acrylic fabric options like Sunbrella. These materials are durable enough to stand up to almost anything, easy to clean, and soft enough for your living room.

Worst couch materials for cats

Some materials are more likely to be destroyed by a curious kitty than others. Here are some of the worst fabric options for cat owners:

• Tweed: While tweed is easy to clean, it can make removing lint and pet hair a nightmare. The uneven surface attracts hairs and makes them difficult to remove. The loops also create a perfect texture for your kitty to hook their claws into.
• Chenille: It might look pretty, but chenille has a nubby pile that cats love sinking their claws into, making it easy for them to destroy. And once the loops get snagged, you can’t repair them.
• Velvet: Cats and velvet sofas don’t mix well. Velvet is delicate and doesn’t hold up well to stain removal or cat scratches. The good news is that you can have a similar feel with microfiber, microsuede, and performance velvet upholstery.

More pet-friendly couch features and options

It’s not just about finding a couch made from the right material. Here are some of the best features and options to look for when buying a new sofa:

• Slipcovers: A sofa that comes with a slipcover is instantly more pet-friendly. Slipcovers are removable fitted cloth covers for sectional sofas, standard couches, loveseats, and chairs. They’re often machine washable; if they’re ever ruined, you can replace the slipcover for a fraction of the cost of a new sofa. As a bonus, slipcovers allow you to swap colors and styles easily.
• Removable cushion covers: If you don’t want a slipcover, look for removable cushion covers for easier cleaning. Even if they require dry cleaning, getting a pet stain out of a removable cover is almost always easier. And you can have a professional upholsterer make new covers for less than it costs to buy a new sofa.
• Swatches: Ordering swatches of the fabrics you’re interested in can help you find the perfect fit. This lets you feel the fabric and see how much hair it attracts. You can also use swatches to find a material color that doesn’t make your cat’s fur stand out.
• Sofa protectors: As a last resort, you can look for sofa protectors on Amazon to prevent cat scratches. They’re usually transparent plastic sheets that adhere to your sofa, and while it’s not the most attractive option, it’s better than a destroyed sofa.

3 pawsome couches for cat lovers

Ready to find your new sofa now? Here are our picks for the top three best couches for cat owners to get you started.

1. Clifford Pillow Top Arm Motion Sofa

Justifying a leather couch is easily one of the best parts about buying a cat-friendly sofa, and this Clifford Pillow Top Motion Sofa is an excellent choice. It boasts plush back cushions with cool gel memory foam for comfort, and it’s upholstered with high-quality top-grain leather that’ll add warmth to any space.

Did we mention that this modern sofa is a power recliner? You can’t beat kicking up your legs and lounging with your furry friend in style after a long day.

2. Meagan Pillow Top Arms Upholstered Sofa

The Meagan Pillow Top Sofa boasts charcoal microfiber with ultra-plush seats and a small space-friendly design. It goes a step further with padded pillow-top arms and back cushions for supreme comfort. 

With eye-catching stitching details and thick black wood legs, the transitional style of this sofa can elevate any room. If you love the look, you can also buy the Meagan collection in a 3-piece set. 

3. Thatcher 3-Piece Upholstered Button Tufted Living Room Set

Need extra seating for a spacious living room? The Thatcher 3-Piece Living Room Set is an excellent option with microfiber leather upholstery. This contemporary living room set has a loveseat, sofa, and chair, all of which can stand up to life with cats.

In addition, it boasts flared tapered dark brown wood legs to create a mid-century modern vibe that can fit with retro, vintage, and minimalist spaces.

Tips for making your kitty more sofa-friendly

You can go beyond finding a cat-friendly sofa and make your furry friend more furniture-friendly. Here are some tips to keep your cat from ruining your furniture:

• Regular brushing: Medium and long-haired cats need daily brushing to control shedding. Short-haired cats need to be brushed at least weekly, but they also benefit from daily brushing (especially if you’re finding fur everywhere).
• Nail grinding: Whether you do it at home or pay a groomer, safely using a nail grinder to smooth down your cat’s claws will result in less damage to your furniture. It’s best to do this every one or two weeks or when you notice their nails are getting long and sharp again.
• Cat scratching posts: Cats often scratch furniture because they want a place to stretch their toes and sharpen their claws. Keeping sturdy cat scratching posts in every room gives them a desirable outlet for this behavior. Try to encourage them to use the post with positive reinforcement by petting them or giving them a treat when they do.
• Nail caps: Capping your cat’s claws can also solve scratching issues. Nail caps are soft rubber covers that glue onto kitty claws. And when they’re applied correctly by a groomer, they’re harmless, comfortable, and often colorful.

Note: Most veterinarians and humane societies recommend against declawing, which is a practice that involves amputating the last bone of each toe. It can cause lasting physical problems for your cat. The same is true for tendonectomies. Fortunately, there are many other options to ensure a furniture-friendly feline.

Ready to get paws-itively comfy?

With these fabric options, features, and tips, you’re ready to start shopping and find a practical sofa to make your home more pet-friendly. Remember to look for durability and easy maintenance to keep your sofa looking nice.

Want more options to find the best couch for cats? Check out Coaster Furniture’s selection of living room furniture and remember to use our store locator to find a local retailer for convenient delivery or pickup options.

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