We are looking to purchase a new sofa but have two puddy cats, what is the best sofa fabric to go for? I know that whatever we choose it will get plucked to a certain extent, but if we could choose one that has the possibility of lessening the damage is would be great! If anyone can advise it would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
p.s. they have a scratching post but they still seem to love the sofa :) x
2007-06-28 10:29:53 · 13 answers · asked by Lady Garden 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
NO NASTY CAT COMMENTS OR ANIMAL CRUELTY COMMENTS PLEASE!
2007-06-28 10:30:04 · update #1
We have 6 cats, and I know what you mean about the sofa getting plucked. I've recovered my sofa with a canvas fabric, it almost looks like a tan denim. It's a heavy fabric, cotton, with a tight weave. The kitties lay all over it, and it's held up really well. Whatever you decide to get, a tight weave is what to look for.
My cats like to use the couch for a scratching post, too, lol!
2007-06-28 10:37:52 · answer #1 · answered by leslie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't go for leather! My cats don't generally scratch the sofa but just from them running around and playing, the leather has been scratched, and there is no way to disguise a leather scratch. They get dirt in them and then are dark and look pretty bad. If you got a dark brown it might be ok, but still, the scratches will be there regardless. We have a lazy boy chair that has a textured fabric. I am not sure how else to describe it, but they sometimes scratch on that and I can't really tell because of the texture. I would reccomend getting a fabric sofa with tightly bound threads or whatever others have been saying. The upside to this is reupolstering the sofa is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new one! And it is relatively quick if you take it to a professional!
2007-06-28 19:51:04 · answer #2 · answered by Fstop11 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a few solutions.
The first is to get onto the internet and look for a cat themed shop in York, I forget the name but they sell transparent strips that stick to the sofa and the cats hate the feel.
The second is to use a citrus scented spray, cats hate citrus.
You can also buy a water pistol and spray it at the cats the second it attempts to scratch, this is obviously only going to be possible when you're in the room at the same time but cats have memories and will remember getting a jet when the strop.
Spray the scratching post with catnip spray.
Of course these are only suggestions and cats being cats may not work.
2007-06-29 07:20:39 · answer #3 · answered by Jonny Guitar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know! But if you find out could you tell me!!
But DON'T go for leather - I made that very expensive mistake! My cats love it - I'm sure they think they've caught a cow one of them lays on his side and pulls his way around it with teeth and claws and the other one just uses it as a scratching post and purrs manically the whole time! It looks really awful all scratched and ripped!
My mums got suede which stood up a little better but now looks like its made of fur because of all the pulls in it!
Sorry to only give you negatives but my sofas were about £900 a year ago and they are completely ruined!
2007-06-28 18:10:46 · answer #4 · answered by libbyft 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A common dilemma I've had myself...they only thing that is nearly foolproof is leather. At the very least avoid nubby fabrics which are an open invitation (you should see my cat's very expensive "scratching post")
Buying furniture that's mostly wood helps too...it's those "oh so tempting" vertical fabrics stretches that get the worst beating. Mission styles are know to survive fairly well...maybe not the answer you were had hope for, but hope it helps. Good luck.
2007-06-28 17:39:47 · answer #5 · answered by sassy sue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do your cats scratch a lot? if not, leather would definitly be the best. you also have the option of putting a throw over the softa, particularly where the cats sit. however this can take the focus away from the sofa itself, so it really depends how you want to play it.
the colour you pick will also make a different to whether the fur can be seen much. for example, if you have black cats, naturally the fur would be seen less on dark coloured sofas.
2007-06-28 17:42:23 · answer #6 · answered by Jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat was always scratching my sofas, until I got a leather one. Whether she's just getting older and can't be arsed, or she doesn't like the leather I don't know. Also much easier to clean than fabric sofas!
2007-06-28 17:38:31 · answer #7 · answered by twinkle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my friend has 2 cats and has strong cottonduck furniture in a graphite color. he's trained them well because they don't really scratch the furniture (they seem to go for the carpets) and even if they did, it can withstand cuz it's so tough. i have 2 cats too and i just let them do whatever they want lol (i'd make a pushover dad) ... p.s. my friend's furniture is old but it still looks good. like i said, it's strong fabric
2007-06-28 17:38:33 · answer #8 · answered by Allergic To Eggs 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I knot what you mean. We have 4 cats but none of them scratches the couch. At first when we bought the couch, one of them tried to scratch but we told her not to and every time she tries, we yell. (not abusive) You can also try the spray can that the petstores sell. i thing it is called "shoo". It does not hurt the furniture and it does not harm the cat. The smell is not bad either. Good Luck!
2007-06-28 17:45:40 · answer #9 · answered by Sassybaby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got a new set of microfibre couches that seem to be holding up well. I don't think the cats like the touch/feel of them because they don't really even sit on them anymore. I did put two blankets on each of the backs of the couches and they love to lay on those.
Good luck!!
2007-06-28 17:44:07 · answer #10 · answered by Arte Salon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋