Do you allow your dog on your sofa? Do you find that you’re constantly cleaning up the fur and trying to keep the sofa clean and tidy? For some owners, it must seem like a never-ending job. Those with bigger dogs might find that their beloved pets have caused damage to their sofas which means they need repairing. This could include replacing the material, the legs, arms and buttons. And, if you are going to repair the sofa yourself, then you are going to need a range of upholstery tools. But, there are many things you can do to prevent this from being the case. Keep on reading to find out!

How to Protect Sofa from Dogs (Pets)

Use a Sofa Cover

The first thing and one of the most effective things you can do to protect your sofa is by keeping it covered. If covering your sofa with an ugly plastic cover puts you off the idea then don’t worry as a washable blanket is just as effective. No dog is the same. But, one thing you can be sure of is that yours has a favourite spot on your sofa. This means that you can keep that spot covered to avoid any unwanted fur or scratches from occurring.

Choose a Sofa Where You Can Remove The Seats

Another really effective thing to go for is a sofa that has removable cushions. This means that you can individually clean each cushion thoroughly to eliminate any germs that you dog transfers to the sofa.

Avoid Sofas That Have A lot of Exposed Wood

Not all dogs chew on sofas, but for some wood can be irresistible. And, teaching a dog not chew especially if they are a puppy is a lot easier said than done. That’s why it is always a good idea to avoid sofas that have a lot of wood exposed. However, if you do have a sofa with wooden parts there are many different products on the market that can repel your dog from chewing. However, if your dog does have a minor nibble, there are different upholstery tools you can use to repair it, such as a file.

Choose a Dog Friendly Sofa Material

The two most popular materials for dog proof sofas are microfiber and leather. Microfiber is popular due to its, and leather is because it is straightforward to clean.

Microfiber

This type of material is great for dog-friendly homes because of its durability. Microfiber is also easy to clean with a damp cloth and is relativity resistant against odours.

Leather

Leather is a great choice for most furniture and not just sofas because it is easy to clean with a basic wipe down and doesn’t attract fur like other fabrics do. And, unlike other materials, it is resistant against odours. However, the big downside to leather is that it is easy to scratch. If you let your dog on a leather sofa then it’s essential to regularly trim and file their nails to minimize the risk.

Groom Your Dog on A Regular Basis

A simple way to reduce the amount of fur that your dog sheds is by simply grooming on a regular basis. Nothing works quite better than a bath and brush. If you have a leather sofa, then it is also a good idea to get your dog’s nails trimmed regularly to decrease the chances of your sofa getting scratched. If you are not comfortable with cutting your dog’s nails yourself, then a vet can do this for you. And, in between their visits, you can use a steel nail file to keep the nails smooth in the meantime.

Buy Your Dog Its Own Bed

If you manage to find a dog bed that your pet loves then this can be a great way of replacing their favourite spot on your sofa. When it comes to dog beds, there are a lot of different options to choose from on the market and can usually depend on the breed you have. Making sure that you select the right sized bed is important. It should be big enough for your dog to lie in comfortably.