Imagine settling into your favourite armchair, only to find your cat’s calling card etched across the armrest.
If you’ve lost more than one sofa to those irresistible claws, you’re not alone. The trick isn’t locking your pet away or strategically placing scratching posts everywhere; it’s choosing upholstery that stands up to their playful pounces.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best upholstery fabric for cat owners so you can keep both your furniture and your feline happy.
Why Are Cat-Resistant Fabrics a Must-Have for Owners?
It’s a natural instinct for cats to scratch and claw, and upholstered furniture is an attractive prospect for cats, even with scratching posts available. Furniture is an investment, and you’ll want to make sure it retains its aesthetic appeal.
When you choose cat-resistant fabrics, you can protect the furniture and avoid expensive repairs. The benefits of these fabrics include:
- Scratch Resistant: You know those visible scratch marks that cats leave on furniture? Resistant fabrics can reduce visible snagging and fraying, ensuring nobody notices the damage.
- Durable: These materials often use tighter weaves and thicker materials, which means they last longer than less durable fabric types.
- Affordability: Yes, scratch-resistant fabrics can be more expensive initially, but you’ll save money in the long run by avoiding repairs and replacements.
- Low Maintenance: In most cases, you can simply vacuum or wipe the furniture, rather than worrying about washing it.
- Variety: Cat-resistant fabrics come in a range of colours and styles, so there’s something for everyone.
The Best Fabric Material for Cat Owners
The best fabric materials for cat owners are those that aren’t likely to scratch or fray. They have a range of characteristics, including durability, aesthetic appeal, and won’t attract or accumulate fur.
We recommend looking for fabrics with tight weaves, easy-to-clean properties, and high thread counts. Leather, synthetic, and microfiber fabrics are all excellent choices.
Tight Weave Fabrics
Tight-weave fabrics, such as those made from human-made materials, canvas, and denim, can protect your furniture from the cat’s claws and ensure it lasts for years to come. At the Yorkshire Fabric Shop, we offer a range of weaves, including Mary, Beaumont, and Dijon.
When choosing a tight-weave fabric, finding colours that match your cat’s fur can be beneficial, as it camouflages the cat's fur.
Leather
Both natural and faux leather are fantastic choices for households with cats, thanks to their durability and ability to suit both modern and classic interiors. Plus, leather fabrics are incredibly easy to clean, with most requiring a simple wipe-down.
While genuine leather is more durable, some people may prefer faux leather as it doesn’t contain animal-derived materials.
Microfiber or Micro Suede
Another excellent fabric option for cat owners is microfiber, such as the Grenada and Lisbon ranges. Not only are these fabrics cheaper than leather, but they also have tightly woven threads that can withstand even the most enthusiastic cats.
The main drawback of microfiber and micro suede fabrics is that they can be fur magnets, so it’s vital to choose designs and colours that can camouflage the cat’s fur.
Synthetic
Today’s synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and acrylic, can replicate the aesthetic appeal of natural fabrics while also being highly durable. Like microfiber textile, these fabrics are also budget-friendly.
They’re also easy to clean, and you won’t need professional services.
Worst Furniture Fabrics for Cat Owners
So, we’ve covered the best fabrics, and now it’s time to reveal the worst ones for your furniture. Delicate fabrics such as silk, cotton, and chenille are prone to cat scratch damage, as are open weaves.
Avoiding these fabrics means you won’t need to worry about expensive repairs or reupholstering furniture:
- Open Weave Fabric: Textile types like tweed and corduroy, with their open weaves, can easily snag and loosen over time. They also trap fur and dust, increasing maintenance requirements.
- Velvet and Silk: Delicate materials like silk and velvet are also no-gos for pet owners. Like open-weave fabrics, they also trap hair and fur from your cat.
- Chenille: While chenille is stain resistant, its fuzzy texture is a dream for cats. Unfortunately, this means that they’ll make it their preferred scratching space.
- Silk: Most people avoid using silk for furniture as it’s a delicate fabric that can easily experience damage.
How to Cat-Proof Your Home:
- Provide Alternatives: Even if scratching posts don’t work, you can attract your cat to them by using catnip spray. Just spray it on the posts and place them in convenient locations.
- Covers & Throws: If you have sensitive fabrics but don’t want to reupholster your furniture, throws and covers can be great stopgaps.
- Training: OK, training cats isn’t as simple as training dogs, because their independent nature means they’re not as eager to please. However, with time and patience, you can teach your cat that the furniture is a no-go zone. Use positive reinforcement instead of shouting or spraying the cat.
Find Cat-Resistant Fabrics at Yorkshire Fabric Shop
When choosing cat-resistant fabric, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and align them with your current decor.
For example, if you have a modern home, opting for leather in darker tones will maintain the streamlined design, while classic homes can experiment with traditional patterns.
At Yorkshire Fabric Shop, we have a variety of high-quality cat-resistant fabrics available in different colours, patterns, and price points. Our customers can enjoy a convenient online or in-store shopping experience, with fabric samples available at low prices.
Our experts can also offer advice if you’re unsure of which fabrics suit your needs. Please get in touch with us today for more information, or view our upholstery fabric today.