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12 Best Couches For Cat Owners (Scratch Proof Yet Chic!)

  • Kara
  • February 28, 2023
  • Contains Affiliate Links
Our cat Twyla!

As I’m writing this, my cat Twyla is using my beloved Emerald velvet couch as a scratching post. 

I’ve given up trying to keep her from digging her claws into this loveseat. She owns this couch now, and even a hefty layer of that double sided tape hasn’t deterred her. 

But, I’m shopping around for a new couch for our new cabin and I want to make sure I get a cat proof sofa this time… or at least, make sure I pick a new sofa that is designed for pets AND then actually try harder to keep her from using it as a claw sharpener this time around. 

After a ton of online research, these are the best couches for cat owners. 

The Best And Worst Couch Material For Cats

The best sofa fabric for cat owners are materials that are sturdy and can withstand little needles being dragged across the fabric, or are textured in a way that you can really notice claw marks as easily.

As much as I love my velvet couch (and would totally buy it again) velvet is just not the best upholstery for cat owners. You can see the marks to easily! 

When shopping for cat proof couch fabric, keep your eye out for the following fabrics and materials:

  • Pet Friendly Materials (many companies offer this now!) 
  • Leather materials (Not fun for cats to claw on)
  • Sunbrella Fabric (sturdy AF)
  • Bouclé/teddy material couches (very forgiving material that hides marks)

12 Best Couches For Cat Owners (Scratch Proof Yet Chic!)

You don't have to live with a destroyed sofa or something super cheap. There ARE cute, affordable and durable couches for cat people!

1

Burrow Nomad Sofa Sectional

Photo Credit: Burrow

I’m a big fan of modular sofa designs like this one from Burrow—the chaise is reversible so it’s easy to move and customize to different spaces. You can also choose from different armrest, leg finish, and color options to create your dream sofa.

There’s even a built-in USB charger so you never have to worry about tripping over charger cables! Most importantly, the tightly woven fabric is made of olefin fiber, a synthetic fiber known for its durable and moisture repellent qualities.

This means the Nomad is both scratch and stain-resistant (AKA no funky food or wine stains.) Talk about a pet friendly and pet parent friendly sofa.

2

West Elm Andes 2-Piece Sectional

Photo Credit: West Elm

I love how sleek and modern this couch is—I feel like it would mesh perfectly with any living room interior design. This 2-piece sectional is a great find for anyone looking for small space friendly couches, and the thin legs make cleaning around and under the couch super easy.

West Elm offers 7 shades with the boucle fabric, a great option for couches your cat can’t immediately destroy and more unique than the standard leather or canvas.

Don’t forget the custom configuration options: you can choose between different sofa depths and right or left bumpers or even create a custom layout online!

3

Wayfair Dwayne Leather Sofa

Photo Credit: Wayfair

This leather sofa from Wayfair is textbook mid-century modern with its rich caramel-colored top grain leather and slim metal legs. This is a smaller option than others on this list and I think it would be a great choice for a smaller apartment or office.

You can even snag a matching ottoman for some extra leg support without committing to a sectional style. Smooth leather makes pet hair cleanup easy and while not completely scratch proof, most cats will resist clawing leather materials since it’s not as fun.

Of course, as with all genuine leather, it’ll only get better with age, so both you (and your furry friend) will love it for years!

4

Wayfair Sonny Upholstered Sofa

Photo Credit: Wayfair

All sofas aren’t created equally, and this classic design from Wayfair is proof. The Sonny microfiber sofa offers all the color options, but I’d recommend that cat owners prioritize the Sunbrella performance fabric colorways.

Sunbrella fabric is composed of high-performance acrylic and is more durable and resilient than basic synthetic fabrics. The color is extremely wash and fade proof, so you won’t have to worry about direct sunlight fading your couch.

It’s also known for its versatility and can be used for both indoor and outdoor furniture, which means this three seat sofa could be perfect for the living room and the back patio. The cherry on top?

The Sonny sofa is one of the most affordable on this list with the Sunbrella fabric options on sale at just under $1,500, which means you’ll get both durability and versatility without the biggest price tag. (Spoiler: it comes with 5 matching throw pillows too!)

5

Pottery Barn Big Sur Chaise Sectional

Photo Credit: Pottery Barn

You don’t have to sacrifice luxury to find a cat friendly sofa. This gorgeous square arm sectional is so timeless and modern. It reminds me of the viral cloud couch from Restoration Hardware!

This Pottery Barn option can be customized to fit any home—you can choose from different configurations, widths, fabrics, and even seat cushions. Make sure to check out the Sunbrella upholstery options for extra protection against cat scratches.

The seamless bench cushion style is so unique and it means less remotes getting stuck in between cushions! I also love the emphasis on eco-friendly construction with its no-sag 70% recycled steel springs and soy-based foam core seat cushions. The down-blend wrapped cushions just add to the luxe comfort.

6

CB2 Brace Boucle Sofa

Photo Credit: CB2

Here’s one for all the lovers of 70’s inspired furniture! This Italian style sofa was designed for CB2 by Jannis Ellenberger and fulfills all vintage lounge dreams with its curvy, cloud-like look. (Especially in the boucle fabric.)

Metal braces on each side add some nice contrast and structural detail while you sink into the sinuous wire supported seat. Boucle isn’t as stain resistant as Sunbrella or olefin fiber fabrics, but has a fun and modern texture that disguises claw marks better than my poor velvet couch!

7

Ikea Jättebo Modular Sofa

Photo Credit: ikea

This Ikea find might be the best sofa for cat owners who want a unique living room addition. I love how the corduroy fabric on the Jättebo gives the couch such a cozy and organic look.

Corduroy is a more cat friendly alternative to velvet since it has the same softer feel but with a ridged texture that’s hardier and much better at disguising scratches. True to so many Ikea products, this sofa is comfy and practical!

There’s roomy storage under the seat in the chaise lounge chair section and it’s easy to arrange the modules without tools. The seat and cushion covers are also machine washable which makes regular cleaning a breeze. If the mod sofa with chaise isn’t your vibe, there’s loveseat and sectional options in the same style and fabric.

8

Ikea Finnala Sectional

Photo Credit: Ikea

Another Ikea cat proof sofa? Sign me up. This Finnala 4-seat sectional is another great piece of pet scratch-resistant furniture with the same space-saving storage system as the Jättebo. (Perfect for all those extra blankets and pillows!)

It’s built to last with high resilience foam-filled seat cushions that hold their shape as well as they provide comfort and support. The smooth top-grain leather comes in classy black and brown finishes with seat covers that can be removed for easier clean up.

You can also switch the chaise section to either side of the sofa to fit your space or switch up the look!

9

Anthropologie Saguaro Sectional

Photo Credit: Anthropologie

How gorgeous is this boucle sectional?! I love the unique wood platform/leg combo and the slouchy down filled cushions keep it casual without sacrificing the modern vibes. It comes with 2 matching throw pillows for extra comfort too!

There’s 9 boucle colorways to choose from that range from versatile neutrals to jewel tones (aka perfect statement couch dreams). Since it starts at a 108” width, this would be a better fit for open floor concepts and larger living rooms.

Don’t worry—you can check out the rest of the Saguaro line to find a matching chair or sofa that’ll save you space. Leather lovers can also choose from 7 stunning finishes here.

10

Linsy Venus Sectional

Photo Credit: Linsy

Cat friendly, easy to clean, abrasion and water resistant—what more can you ask for? This 3-piece + ottoman is made of cruelty free vegan faux leather with adjustable back cushions and a unique arm style that’s perfect for napping.

There’s an emphasis on the “everyday” aspect of the Venus couch—the plated steel legs and high grade solid pine frame make it durable enough for kids to jump and play on. The reviews also vouch for the comfort of the couch and how simple assembly is!

11

Crate and Barrel Bowen Sleeper

Photo Credit: Crate & Barrel

If you live in a studio or like making the most of your square footage, a sleeper sofa is perfect for maximizing living space (and potential house guests). They’re also a great option for WFH folk who want to keep their office an office and not a more obvious office/guest bedroom combination.

The Bowen features a premium 80” queen mattress with a gel topper. (No back problems here!) In its couch form, you get a sweet 2-seater with classy tufting on the back cushions and modern stainless steel legs.

Make sure to filter through the fabrics to find options with the best couch material for cat owners—you’ll have 184 to choose from, ranging from boucle to other durable textures that will help camouflage your cat’s clawing shenanigans.

12

Interior Define Tatum Modular Sofa

Photo Credit: Interior Define

Interior Define has to make an appearance here for the best couches for cats and cat owners. My emerald green couch is from Interior Define and while I’m sad it hasn’t held up as a scratching post, I love that they offer specific pet friendly fabric options now.

You can filter through the fabric options to be dog friendly, cat friendly, kid friendly, performance, and even Oeko-Tex (tested for up to 350 harmful chemicals) certified! Even after filtering for cat friendly fabrics, you’re left with 50 gorgeous colors that aren’t your basic beiges and neutrals.

The performance antimicrobial chenille is similar to teddy fabric and would be better at disguising cat scratches. Along with fabric, you can customize the length and depth of the sofa and even the type of cushion fill to best fit your desired seat firmness.

I hope this helps you pick out some cat friendly furniture for your space!!

If you get wind of any great cat proof couches that aren’t included, please drop a comment below so everyone can see.

And, when in doubt, the best course of action to take if a cat is REALLY keen on using your couch as a place to trim their nails, get a cat scratch post and keep it near the couch. Posts historically have been really ugly but Chewy has been dropping some very cute ones lately. 

Cacti, mushrooms, flowers, pastel colors – check them out here! 

How about counters? These are great tips for how to stop cats from jumping on counters (which is a whole other battle for cat people). 

Kara

I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!

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