You know your pets better than anyone. Use this knowledge to help prevent long-term damage to your furniture from having your pets inside the house. As you begin shopping keep the following pet habits in mind.
Scratching
Cats and dogs who scratch their claws on your furniture can cause lasting damage and unsightly marks. Choose a tightly woven fabric or a patterned fabric to resist damage and hide claw marks.
Licking / Chewing
Pets clean themselves by licking their fur. This can cause unsightly wet spots on your upholstery similar to water marks. If your pet is more of a chewer, this can be detrimental to any furniture with exposed wood. Be wary of microfiber materials as they are prone to water marks.
Training
Young animals can take some time to house train. Messy accidents are going to happen. Choose a fabric that is easily wiped clean and doesn’t retain odors.