Best Furniture for Pets: Leather or Fabric?

La-Z-Boy Southeast | March 7, 2018

A common question pet owners ask our Interior Designer Team is, “What is the best furniture for pets? Leather or fabric?”

When it comes to our four-legged friends, we want them to be as comfortable as we are. But we don’t want them tearing up our new furniture.

In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of the best furniture for pets.

Leather Furniture Is Better

Leather furniture is durable, easy-to-clean, and the overall best furniture for pets.

Most people are afraid their pet’s claws will puncture leather furniture. However, true leather is too thick and tough for an animal’s claws to puncture.

Faux or recycled leather is much thinner and more likely to scratch or puncture. This is why it’s important to make sure your furniture is covered with 100% authentic leather.

Another reason pet owners like leather furniture is because of how it repels odor. Dander and smells don’t soak into leather like they do with most fabrics.

Also, most leather furniture has a topcoat sealant that makes it easy to clean.

Leather Furniture: Pros & Cons

Here is a list of the pros and cons of leather furniture for pets.

Pros:

Resists Punctures
Easy to Clean
Odor Resistant
Long Lasting
Good Investment

Cons:

Costs More Than Fabric
Limited Color & Pattern Options
Susceptible to Scratches
Less Comfortable Than Fabric

Microfiber Furniture Is Second Best

Microfiber is the most durable furniture fabric available in today’s market. The ultra-fine fibers are tightly woven in order to create a powerful layer of protection.

Pet owners typically choose microfiber over leather because it’s cheaper, comes in a wide range of colors, and doesn’t leave scratches from claws.

There are no loops in microfiber fabric, so your pet’s claws will not get stuck.

Plus, it’s easy to clean stains and wipe pet hair off microfiber furniture.

If you’re going to pick fabric over leather, make sure it’s microfiber. It will last longer and hold up to the tests your pet will put it through.

Microfiber Furniture: Pros & Cons

Here is a list of the pros and cons of microfiber furniture for pets.

Pros:

Costs Less Than Leather
Wide Range of Colors & Patterns
Will Not Leave Scratches

Cons:

Absorbs Stains & Odors
Shorter Lifespan Than Leather
Vulnerable to Tears, Punctures, and Scratches

How to Prevent Furniture Stains

We know accidents happen, but they don’t have to turn into permanent stains on your furniture. This is where iClean Fabric saves the day.

The microfibers on iClean Fabric are coated with a stain-resistant formula. This allows you to clean most spills with a paper towel.

iClean Fabric repels both liquid (soda, coffee, and wine) and non-liquid (dirt, ketchup, and magic marker) spills. It’s also available on most La-Z-Boy products.

This stain-resistant fabric comes in 102 different types of colors, textures, and patterns.

Not only does iClean Fabric keep your furniture clean. It looks and feels great too.

Check Out These Additional Resources

Leather or microfiber furniture are both good choices for you and your fur child. Both have their pros and cons and give you many style options.

At La-Z-Boy Southeast, you can see their full range of leather, microfiber, and iClean furniture. As well as receive free interior design advice from a degreed interior designer.

You may like to take a look at these additional resources before you shop:

They’d be happy to help you furnish your pet-friendly home at any of their locations in NC, SC, and GA.