Has Anyone Tried Covers For Couches To Prevent Damage?

Iwasnormal3catsago · Jun 9, 2019

I had a super basic futon before that I wasn't very protective of, and my cats ruined it. It is partially my fault because now that I have done some research I know I should have given them a bigger scratching post that they could completely stretch out on. So now I am getting new couches that are actually nice, I really want to protect them. I'm going to get the cats a really good scratching post, but along with that, I'm thinking of putting protective slipcovers on the couch. Does anyone have any experience on if this works? I'm even debating getting the plastic cover for underneath a fabric one...thoughts? Thanks in advance!

LTS3 · Jun 9, 2019

Try the suggestions here:

New Couch Concerns?

It seems like microfiber fabric is the best way to go if you want to minimize scratching / damage done by scratching:

What type of couch

Leather may hold up well, too, but the scratches may show for awhile until it naturally fades.

How to protect leather sofa from kittens???

Keeping the claws trimmed will minimize damage to a sofa, too.

Willowy · Jun 9, 2019

Covers work fine, if you like them. When I had a real couch (now I have a futon), I used slipcovers because it was easier to wash them to get the fur off, instead of vacuuming the couch (not really to protect the couch; it was a lost cause, lol). Personally, I wouldn't put plastic underneath as it has an unpleasant feel to it, but that's personal taste. It would certainly protect the couch from barf stains and all that.

maggiedemi · Jun 10, 2019

I would get something that you can wash in the washing machine. I just use huge sheets.

KarenKat · Jun 10, 2019

We used a tough heavy thick cover, almost like a jeans material because Gohan likes to walk and run on couches. It worked well until we got Olive, she loves to scratch fabric. We put a scratching post next to the couch arm she was shredding and it reduced her scratches by only 20%.

We have a microfiber futon and armchair, and while she goes after the armchair as well it doesn’t seem to show any damage. Microfiber is for sure a good option. I’m afraid to try leather since it’s pricey as an experiment.

fionasmom · Jun 10, 2019

I am the slipcover queen. I even have gone out of my way to find them for specialty furniture like Queen Anne style chairs. Microfiber and heavier fabrics both work, with the heavier being more successful. Throws are also good if they sufficiently cover the furniture.

Purr-fect · Jun 10, 2019

Dont buy leather.

Greg and Arnold never use our leather couches as scratching posts. But they do chase each other around the house and over top of the couches. As a result they have literally sliced right thru the leather in places. We have now put a blanket over top of the couches, but we were too late.

LifeWithOliver · Jun 10, 2019

My daughter's friend had a new leather sofa which was destroyed by her cat by using it as scratching post. I have been trying for 9 years to stop my cat from using my sofa and armchairs as scratching posts. I wish I had made covers for them.
I have 2 scratching posts for him which he refuses to use. They are stems from an olive tree. Whenever he thinks I am not looking or busy he still uses my sofa and armchairs as scratching posts. When I tell him stop, he hides. He knows that he is not supposed to do this.

kittyluv387 · Jun 10, 2019

I flat out told my bf we can never have leather because I'll always have cats. Not that they actively scratch the couch but they are cats and get the crazies ripping around the place and such.

1 bruce 1 · Jun 10, 2019

If you can pinpoint where they like to scratch, you could try strategically placing some posts in front of those areas, or some hanging scratching boards on the areas below the arm rests and lacing the boards/posts with cat nip to attract them to the posts and not the couch.

Willowy · Jun 10, 2019

Supposedly good leather doesn't get damaged by cats (cats can't scratch through a cow, after all!). But that's probably too expensive for most people. One of my mom's cats likes to scratch leather, so all my mom's handbags and tablet covers look a little ratty, lol.

basscat · Jun 12, 2019

Iwasnormal3catsago said:
I had a super basic futon before that I wasn't very protective of, and my cats ruined it. It is partially my fault because now that I have done some research I know I should have given them a bigger scratching post that they could completely stretch out on. So now I am getting new couches that are actually nice, I really want to protect them. I'm going to get the cats a really good scratching post, but along with that, I'm thinking of putting protective slipcovers on the couch. Does anyone have any experience on if this works? I'm even debating getting the plastic cover for underneath a fabric one...thoughts? Thanks in advance!

We just use a cheap top sheet. Have a few, different colors.
But, our problem wasn't claws. It was chewing.

basscat · Jun 12, 2019

Willowy said:
Supposedly good leather doesn't get damaged by cats (cats can't scratch through a cow, after all!). But that's probably too expensive for most people. One of my mom's cats likes to scratch leather, so all my mom's handbags and tablet covers look a little ratty, lol.

That's not all correct. I have a table top covered with deer hide (tanned leather).
This is a small table designed for the nothing but the cats food and water. Used leather so that it could be wiped off, cleaned easily. And claws wouldn't hurt it.
It's shredded. :lol:

Kflowers · Jun 12, 2019

Maybe if you leave the cow hair on the leather? Would the hair keep the cats from scratching it? Would you want to sit on that?

I've seen them shred leather and it doesn't take long.

Suggestion - use denim heavy weight or sail cloth/canvas to make your slip covers. Denim is a little easier to work with but the sail cloth/canvas will last longer. The scratching doesn't really show up on the canvas, or didn't on ours. They did shred the denim, but I think I needed a heavier weight, say about what they make men's jeans out of. The cats never destroyed them.

Don't use a knobby fabric like that used for Americana furniture, ours took out a sofa in three months. Some people swear by silk others say it went fast, same with velvet.

basscat · Jun 14, 2019

Kflowers said:
Maybe if you leave the cow hair on the leather? Would the hair keep the cats from scratching it? Would you want to sit on that?

I've seen them shred leather and it doesn't take long.

Suggestion - use denim heavy weight or sail cloth/canvas to make your slip covers. Denim is a little easier to work with but the sail cloth/canvas will last longer. The scratching doesn't really show up on the canvas, or didn't on ours. They did shred the denim, but I think I needed a heavier weight, say about what they make men's jeans out of. The cats never destroyed them.

Don't use a knobby fabric like that used for Americana furniture, ours took out a sofa in three months. Some people swear by silk others say it went fast, same with velvet.

They actually make furniture with hair on hide leather! Sure doesn't appeal to me though. :lol:

Duck fabric (duck canvas) is awesome at resisting clawing. But, for eating, I'm not sure anything would work. :lol:

Kflowers · Jun 14, 2019

I figured they invented saddles because sitting directly on the hair isn't all that comfortable. It was ages later some brilliant, and I believe seriously short person came up with stirrups so those of us of like height could mount away from the fence. Don't even get me started on ponies.

Has Anyone Tried Covers For Couches To Prevent Damage?

Iwasnormal3catsago

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LTS3

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Willowy

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maggiedemi

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KarenKat

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fionasmom

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Purr-fect

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LifeWithOliver

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kittyluv387

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1 bruce 1

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Willowy

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basscat

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