When choosing a sofa for a home with pets, consider the fabric, leg height, removable covers and whether the seat and backrest cushions are detachable.
Choose a scratch-resistant and water-resistant fabric that can better handle claws, spills, drool and everyday messes.
For homes with cats, lower sofa legs can also be helpful as they may discourage cats from going underneath the sofa and scratching the base fabric. In more severe cases, repeated scratching underneath may eventually damage the base fabric and expose the seat cushion foam or suspension system.
Removable covers are useful if the sofa develops odours over time from pet accidents or frequent use, as they can be removed for washing or dry cleaning depending on the fabric care instructions.
It is also helpful to choose a sofa with non-fixed seat and backrest cushions. Detachable cushions are easier to lift, rotate and clean individually, and make it easier to access or maintain areas that become dirty, worn or damaged from repeated pet use.