Pooch-Friendly Furniture: Where to Find It and How to Protect It
As a devoted dog owner, you undoubtedly love spending as much time with your four-legged friend as possible. You especially enjoy coming home after a long day, getting comfortable on the couch and having Fido hop up next to you for an evening of some serious binge watching on Netflix.
At the same time, while you love your dog and would do anything for him, you must admit you aren’t crazy about stains on the furniture, as well as the wear and tear Fido dishes out on your sofa and chairs.
Fortunately, you don’t have to banish your fur baby to the floor, as following these simple tips and tricks will allow you to have dog-friendly furniture that will last for years:
Use Slipcovers
One of the easiest and most efficient ways to pooch-protect your furniture is with some type of cover. Simply use washable blankets, throws or slipcovers designed for specific pieces of furniture.
Just be sure whatever you select is washable. From there, you can toss it in the washer every few days to keep it looking and smelling clean. Likewise, if your pup favors one end of the couch for his afternoon naps, you can make that spot extra comfortable and easy to clean by adding a second blanket or throw in that spot.
Choose Furniture with Durable Materials
If you prefer to keep your furniture uncovered — or know Fido will roll around on the couch and cause the blankets and throws to end up on the carpet — be sure to choose pet-proof materials for your pieces. When shopping for new furniture, find swatches of the different fabrics and materials and then run your pet’s paws and claws over it at home to see if it makes a mark.
If you want to know how these swatches can be cleaned, put them outside in the mud and then see how easy or tough it is to clean them. In general, the two best options for pet-friendly furniture materials are leather and any cloth that has a super tight weave.
For instance, if you’re in the market for a new, pooch-friendly sofa, the Nash Fog Sofa from Jerome’s would be a comfortable and easy-to-care-for option. As a bonus, it’s 92 inches wide, meaning there’s plenty of room for you to cuddle and hang out with your fur baby.
Keep Your Furry Friend Well-Groomed
While most dogs shed, if you bathe and brush them on a regular basis, you can cut down on all the excessive fur that ends up on your couch and other furniture. You’ll also want to be sure to keep your dog’s nails trimmed, which will prevent them from scratching your furniture.
Since freshly cut pooch nails are super sharp, go over them with a steel nail file or sturdy emery board to make them nice and smooth. If you’re concerned about grooming costs, you can certainly brush out and bathe your dog at home or bring him to a DIY bathing business where you leave the mess behind and typically pay much less.
See, You Can Have Nice Things!
Being the parent to a dog is one of the most rewarding things in life. Luckily, you don’t have to banish your pooch to the floor when you’re relaxing at home.
By choosing durable coverings for your furniture and keeping your fur baby well-groomed, you can enjoy plenty of wonderful cuddle sessions with your pup on even the nicest pieces of furniture.
