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Pet Friendly Furniture Buying Guide

blonde cat and dog

You love your pets; that goes without saying. However, that fact doesn't eliminate the inevitable byproducts of living with your furry companions. Shedding, scratching, and "accidents" can cause lasting damage to your furniture and test the bonds between you and your pet. This guide helps you shop for pet friendly furniture with your trusted sidekick in mind, ensuring you live a happy and stress-free life together.

Step 1: Know Your Pets

Only you know your pets and their habits, and this knowledge will go a long way in preventing your furniture from long-term, irreversible damage. As you begin, here are a few things to keep in mind.

pets

Scratching


Cats or dogs who scratch can cause significant damage and leave lasting marks. Choose a tightly woven fabric to resist damage or a patterned one to hide marks.

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Licking / Chewing


An obsessive licking habit can leave unattractive wet spots on your upholstery that can resemble water marks, while a chronic chewer can wreak havoc on exposed wood. Be wary of microfiber type fabrics, as they are more prone to water marks.

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Shedding


Like it or not, your pet's hair will find your furniture. If your companion sheds, consider either a patterned fabric or one that matches your pet's coat.

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Training


Puppies and kittens can be difficult to house train and messy accidents are bound to happen. Fabrics that are easily wiped will help in this case, as well as ones that don't retain odors.

Step 2: Choose the Right Fabric

Your upholstered pieces are the most vulnerable to pet behavior and damage. Leather, distressed leathers, and synthetic fabrics are, in most cases, the best choices for pets. Regardless, you'll save money, time, and stress just by choosing a fabric that both you and your pet will love.

leather swatch

Leather

Distressed Leathers boast all the benefits of normal leather, PLUS the distressed pattern will be able to better hide blemishes.

Pros:

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Easily Remove Hair

Easily Wiped Clean

Odor Resistant

Cons:

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Vulnerable to Scratching

Doesn't Hide Blemishes

fabric swatch

Fabric

(will differ between types)

Pros:

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Easily Remove Hair

Easily Wiped Clean

Can Withstand Scratching

Tightly Woven to Resist Damage

Cons:

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Vulnerable to Odors

No Pattern to Hide Blemishes and Licking may Leave Water Marks

Fabrics to Avoid

tweed swatch

Tweed

Extremely difficult to remove hair

Velvet swatch

Velvet

Permanent stains

Chenille swatch

Chenille

Claws will easily destroy

Silk swatch

Silk

Much too delicate

Other Things to Consider

This should go without saying, but taking care of your pet will go a long way in preventing furniture damage. Regular bathing, clipping nails, and taking them out when they need to all contribute to a healthy lifestyle for you and your pet.

If accidents do happen, make sure to wipe them up as soon as possible to prevent permanent stains and odors.

If you really don't want to share your chair or sofa, consider furniture designed specifically for them. Dog beds and cat trees will give your pal a comfortable place to relax that they can have as their own.

brown puppy getting washed in bin
cat sitting on cat tree

If your cat loves to scratch or dog loves to chew, make sure they have scratching posts or toys nearby to steer them away from your furniture.

Slipcovers are a great way to not only protect your upholstery from your pets, but to also introduce a new look or color for your piece.


Peoria, IL

1215 W. Glen Ave.
Peoria, IL 61614

+1 (309) 691-4100

Serving: Dunlap, Morton, Washington, Pekin, IL and surrounding areas.

Normal, IL

300 Landmark Dr.
Normal, IL 61761

+1 (309) 454-7700

Serving: Bloomington, & Champaign, IL and surrounding areas.

Peru, IL

3333 Frontage Rd.
Peru, IL 61354

+1 (815) 223-6425

Serving: LaSalle, Ottawa, Oglesby, & Streator, IL and surrounding areas.

Peoria Heights, IL

1203 E. Marietta Avenue
Peoria Heights, IL 61616

+1 (309) 643-6011

Serving: Dunlap, Morton, Washington, & Pekin, IL and surrounding areas.

Sherman's features a great selection of appliances, mattress and furniture in the Peoria, Normal, and Peru, IL area. At Sherman's you will find a large selection of sofas, sectionals, recliners, chairs, leather furniture, beds, mattresses, dressers, nightstands, dining sets, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ranges, cooktops, ovens, washers, and dryers. Sherman's is proud to serve communities throughout the Central Illinois region. Stop by one of our area showrooms today or shop online.
Information Accuracy - We have taken great care to provide you with information that is accurate and useful. Please notify us if you find an error and we will do our best to correct it. We ask that you contact us directly to confirm information about pricing, color, features, dimensions, availability and lead times.