14 Best Pet-Friendly Couches to Cozy up With Your Furry Friends
Dogs and cats will love these sofas just as much as you do.
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Keeping pets off the furniture is easier said than done — who can resist those sweet eyes? But with the right upholstery, you don’t have to worry about your furry friends damaging your couch. The best pet-friendly fabrics can withstand sharp claws, muddy paws and pet hair, making them ideal for high-traffic homes.
Allowing pets on the furniture means more frequent cleaning, so you’ll need a durable fabric. Polyester, including velvet, is a top choice for its strength and resistance to pet claws. Look for comfortable sofas with machine-washable, removable slipcovers and brands that offer replacement parts. That way, if your pet chews a leg or damages a cushion, you won’t need to replace the whole couch.
Based on extensive research and expert insights, these are our top picks for the best pet- and kid-friendly couches, without sacrificing style. Pro tip: Choose your favorite and be sure to have pet hair removal tools and a reliable pet hair vacuum on hand.
If you love the look of Restoration Hardware's Cloud Couch, but aren't ready to spend thousands, consider Valyōu's Feathers Sectional. The comfortable Cloud Couch alternative is popular for its memory-foam cushions and stain-resistant fabric. It features fully removable and machine washable covers, making it a great choice if your pets love jumping around the living room. Depending on your aesthetic, choose from four neutral fabrics: white, beige, light gray or dark gray.
"As a cat owner with two occasionally mischievous felines, the washable covers are a godsend," one reviewer shared. "So far, we've only needed to wash one cushion, and the process was straightforward and hassle-free."
This modern sofa is made from breathable chenille, which the brand claims won't pile — so, it should hold up to frequent vacuuming. Good news: The couch and seat covers are also removable and machine-washable. One Amazon reviewer says the sofa is "my pet's favorite place," plus it was easy to assemble and re-assemble during a recent move.
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Boasting a contemporary style, Joybird's Lewis Sofa is defined by its deep cushions, shelter arms and pillowed back. The comfortable sofa comes in an impressive array of fabrics, of which about 40 are pet-friendly, according to the brand. During GH testing, users found this couch easy to clean (it can be vacuumed regularly) and shared that it holds up well in households with pets.
Albany Park is another brand that lets you search its website specifically for pet-friendly fabrics — hint: there's 35 options ranging from velvet and chenille to linen. This fluffy sofa, voted one of the most comfortable couches by our GH Institute experts, features cloud-like cushions with removable covers. Not to mention, every piece arrives in an easy-to-move box and the brand claims assembly only takes 15 minutes.
Known as "the world's most adaptable couch," the Sactional is a modular sofa with reconfigurable seats and sides. When customizing your sofa, opt for fabric that the brand has labeled as "family-friendly" or "pet-friendly." Upholstery like chenille, cross weave and corded velvet will hold up best to heavy traffic and more frequent washing.
"Lovesac Sactionals are great for families with pets and kids because of the removable and machine-washable covers," says Lexie Sachs, executive director of the GH Institute.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Lovesac Sactional
This vintage-inspired velvet sofa is available in a range of trendy colors, including mustard yellow, pink and rust. Many online reviewers find this affordable sofa pet-approved and easy to clean. "Despite dirty paws and plenty of dog hair, when I clean it, it looks brand new," writes one couch owner. Added bonus: The small futon can lay flat, doubling as a twin-size bed for overnight guests.
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Burrow's Nomad Collection, known for its classic American mid-century silhouette, is designed with pet owners in mind. The synthetic fabric — available in an array of colors — features an ultra-tight weave that should withstand sharp claws, according to the brand. Customize your dream sofa, choosing your arm style, leg finish and configuration.
If you're hunting for an affordable sofa that you won't mind sharing with your pet, consider this stylish corduroy futon. It's great for small spaces, plus the adjustable backrest allows it to double as a bed. The only downside? You might lose your cozy couch space to your pet. "My dog and I both love this futon — he uses it more often than me. Great quality for the price," writes one five-star reviewer.
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With a sleek, low profile, elegant curved arms and plush cushions, Sabai's Elevate collection is available in a durable, recycled velvet fabric in an array of colors. If there's a pet-related accident (say, your dog chews a couch leg), you can order replacement parts through the brand's Repair Don't Replace program rather than spending thousands on a brand-new couch.
Built for lounging, the Sundays Movie Night couch has deep cushions (either 30 or 36 inches, depending on the model). The brand claims the fabric is moisture-repellent and stain-resistant, making it a great option for families with pets. The slipcovers can also be removed and washed. Choose a configuration that fits your space and the brand will assemble your sofa for free.
This modern sectional, which is advertised as being easy to assemble, is a budget-friendly option for households with pets. Despite its compact size, online reviewers rave that this sofa is spacious enough to share with their family — including big dogs. They also note it's easy to vacuum pet hair. Choose from a few neutral polyester fabrics: beige, black and three shades of gray.
This modular, modern sofa comes in a range of fabrics, including a performance option that's best for high-traffic homes. Online reviewers agree it's comfortable, stylish and many note it's pet-friendly. "I have three indoor cats and one dog, who are all couch potatoes, and they also love relaxing on the Floyd sofa," writes one online reviewer. "It's so easy to spot clean the upholstery, then vacuum up their fur." The same reviewer also mentions her cats can't scratch the fabric because of the tight weave.
If you're willing to invest in a high-quality sofa — and you're willing to wait a few months for your custom style, Create & Barrel's Gather Sofa is a great choice. Not only was it voted one of the most comfortable couches by GH experts, it's available in a variety of sizes and styles, including sectionals. The plush sofa is made with highly durable materials that can stand up to kids and pets.
If you're decorating a small space (think apartment living room or a guest room), try this modern loveseat. It's super affordable, easy to assemble and available in a range of colors. The loveseat offers just enough space to snuggle up solo with your pet. "It's a cute and comfortable little loveseat," writes one reviewer. "Went together quickly and easily. Perfect for me and my furbabies."
How we choose the best pet-friendly couches
Over the years, our scientists and engineers at Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab have researched sofas from more than 50 stores and brands, plus surveyed thousands of sofa owners to receive their in-depth feedback on the couches they own. Users provided detailed information on everything from the online ordering process, delivery and assembly to comfort, appearance and durability over time.
Our product experts tried out a few of the brands, like Crate & Barrel and Burrow, many of which have earned a title as one of the best sofas, best sectionals or the most comfortable couches. In addition to consulting our expert survey responses, we chose additional sofas based on the sofa materials and positive online reviews.
What is the best material for a pet-friendly sofa?
Polyester is the most durable fabric and it can handle pet claws, as well as frequent vacuuming and cleaning. Generally, velvet couches are also polyester and tend to be good for pets. Some brands offer custom performance fabrics, which are typically created for high-traffic households, including those with pets.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As Good Housekeeping's associate lifestyle editor, Alyssa Gautieri covers all things home and interior design. She covers home and furniture brands on a daily basis and is constantly hunting for fresh, unique and highly-rated products. She's worked on several sofa guides for GH, including the best places to buy a couch, best leather couches and best sofas under $300.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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