We have many pets. Investing in new sectional sofa; leather or fabric?

Question

My husband and I live with three cats (all different colours), a yellow labrador, a pet rat, and a small child. We are planning to spend up to $2,000 on a new sectional sofa unit for our living room where we spend most of our time. The animals cannot be kept out of this space.

I am thinking leather (or imitation leather) would be easiest to keep free of hair and dirt, and to wipe up spills from. My husband says cloth is just as good if you get it Scotch guarded. I also want to know if anyone has had cats claw on their sofas and how they stopped it - only one of my cats has had his nails yanked and it wasn't me. I would hate to invest all this money (we are not rich) and have the couch destroyed or filthy in no time.

Thanks all!

Answer 1

We've done both. Leather is definitely the way to go. But get a distressed leather that already has a "weathered" look to it. That way minor scratches and punctures won't be as visible.

And - our cats don't like the leather. Their claws won't catch so they move on to the drapes.

Answer 2

I have 3 cats. My one sofa is leather.

Yes, you can clean it easier but there are fine scratches on the sofa. Not from them clawing it, but just from when they jump, walking across, or if they are chasing each other and the sofa just happens to be in the way.

My other sofa is fabric. We have had no problems with it. I vacuum it every few days.

As far a cats urinating on the sofa, if there are enough litter boxes in the house, there should be no excuse for them to pee on it unless your cat is old does not realize he/she is doing it. Otherwise, you can easily scotchguard it.

I have been lucky with cats not using the sofas as scratching post. Next to the sofa, I do have a scratching post. Occassionally I rub catnip into it. Next to that on the floor, is a real soft fleece blanket. My cats go nuts for it. They love sleeping on that better than the sofa. (Plus it's near the heater where they can keep warm).

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

if it is either leather or fabric the cats and dog will eventaully scratch and tear the whole thing ... the advantage of a leather sofa is that u can clean is more easily ... if one of your cats peed on the fabric sofa u will probably have to wash the whole sofa but leather sofa you only need to wipe it

Answer 4

I would say leather. It is first-rate but it surely has it down falls. Like cats with claws. Very sizzling a sticky within the sizzling climate. Very bloodless within the bloodless seasons. But it is effortless to scrub you probably have kids. I've a leather couch. However i acquired it very low-priced. Plus i have cats and children. I might have gone for material. Due to the fact residing with my wife. I am almost always find myself snoozing on it. Material warmer.