Pet-Proofing Your Home: How to Choose Furniture That Withstands Scratches

Living with pets brings immense joy, but you might find yourself worrying about scratches on your furniture. It’s a common dilemma, but with the right approach, you can have both a beautiful home and happy pets. At Design for Pets, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between style and durability.

Scratching and chewing are natural behaviors for pets. Instead of trying to stop them, the key is to choose pet-proof furniture that works for everyone. Today, we're sharing expert insights on how to choose scratch-resistant furniture that can stand up to your pet’s love for scratching, helping you create a beautiful and happy home for all.

Why Pets Scratch and What to Look For

Scratching isn't just about destroying furniture; it's an essential behavior for pets to maintain healthy claws, relieve stress, and mark their territory. For cats, scratching leaves a scent from their paw pads, signaling that the space is theirs. Understanding this natural instinct is the first step toward finding a smart solution. Here are four essential materials to look for when choosing pet-friendly home decor.

High-Performance Fabrics (Aquaclean® & FiberGuard™)

Aquaclean® and FiberGuard™ are specially treated fabrics that prevent pet claws from snagging or pulling the threads. They’re incredibly durable and easy to clean, so you don't have to worry about pet hair or stains on your dog furniture or cat furniture. You can experience this technology firsthand in Design for Pets products like our Aquaclean® Pet Step. The FiberGuard™ Plump Step is another excellent example of our durable pet products, designed to make cleanup easy.

Vegan Leather

This material offers the luxurious feel of real leather but with superior durability. High-quality vegan leather, like that used in our Extended Step Vegan Leather, has a smooth and strong surface that makes it difficult for claws to penetrate. It’s also very easy to wipe clean, which is a huge plus for stylish pet furniture.

Tightly Woven Fabrics

Fabrics like microfiber, canvas, and denim are woven so tightly that they leave no room for pet claws to dig in. While they are soft to the touch, their strong structure makes them excellent choices for pet beds and cushions. For instance, our Baguette House is a cat bed made from a durable Tyvek® material that looks like paper but is highly tear-resistant, so it can handle your cat's scratching without being damaged.

Natural Pulp

Natural pulp is most commonly used in cat scratchers. It's made by compressing layers of paper into a dense, strong material. Because it's designed to be scratched, it's incredibly durable and helps satisfy your cat’s natural urge to scratch. Providing a dedicated item like a pulp hideaway can redirect your cat's attention from your furniture. Our Sleep Bag is a great option—it gives cats a cozy cat hideaway while also serving as a satisfying scratch surface.

Elevate Your Home with Pet-Friendly Design

Pet-proofing your home doesn't mean sacrificing style. By choosing pet essentials made from high-quality, durable pet furniture materials, you can create a beautiful, lasting space that you and your pet will love for years to come.

Discover our full collection of pet-friendly furniture and stylish pet products at designforpets.co.