Cats, dogs & sofa: how to avoid accidents?

Not all sofas are created equal when it comes to sharing a flat with a pet. Your taste for chic upholstery may not outweigh the exquisite feeling your pet will have destroying them. Don't be naive; there's no such thing as zero risk. You'll therefore have to take responsibility for your choice of sofa and any mischief your little companion may get up to.

However, techniques exist to limit the damage and allow living beings and charming furniture to coexist harmoniously.

Anticipate the materials

By choosing an easy-care sofa, you'll be one step ahead of future accidents. Discover our tips on how to care for a fabric sofa here. Has your pet stained your fabric sofa ? Then read these tips

Waterproof covers have several advantages: they can be wiped clean with a sponge in case of stains, urine, or drool. And you can easily vacuum up pet hair and other allergens. Some sofa covers are more suitable for those with a four-legged friend.

Synthetic materials are ideal for this; they're easy to clean and economical. On the other hand, unprotected natural leather will give you cold sweats when your pet comes to roam around. However, if you have a leather sofa at home, check out our tips for cleaning a leather sofa .

Good to know: When it comes to sofa legs, choose them based on their strength and resistance to gnawing. Don't hesitate to replace small, light-colored wooden legs with metal ones. They'll be much more durable this way (same goes for our rodent friends).

Cover rather than rescue

Having a removable sofa cover and a second cover will allow you to better control the hygiene of your furniture. And avoid irreparable loss in the event of a Machiavellian attack. If your sofa's upholstery isn't machine washable, consider protecting it from the start.

To do this, many home accessories will help you: blankets, comforters, oilcloth, and other fabrics. The advantage of this technique is that it prevents irreversible damage to the sofa by applying a preventive layer of protection. Cover your sofa , taking care to secure the sides as best as possible to prevent them from moving at the slightest heroic plunge.

It is also possible to make your own cover product to best adapt to the dimensions of the sofa, the needs of each person and the general aesthetics of the room.

Please note: Remember to shake the materials regularly, maintain them and air the sofa.

Divert to better preserve

Don't be surprised if your beloved feline passionately shreds the side of your new sofa. Consider providing him with a cat tree designed for this purpose. Likewise, your dog will have every reason to take over the sofa if he doesn't exclusively have a basket or other soft object to rest on. Note: Never neglect your pet's sources of attraction, or he may end up torturing your sofa to fight boredom.

A question of smell

Our pets have a highly developed sense of smell, which can have a significant impact on their behavior. While some smells attract your pets, others tend to scare them away.

Spraying catnip on your dog's furniture will encourage your dog to favor these areas. Conversely, a few drops of cat repellent in the four corners of the sofa can discourage your pet from rubbing against it.

Good to know: Also be aware that it will generally be easier for a young animal to integrate into a new environment while respecting the furniture, rather than having an animal that has been there for a long time accept a new sofa with unfamiliar smells.

Educate to last longer

The best way to keep your sofa in good condition is to keep your pet off it. Make it clear that the sofa is yours, but that its bed is all its own. Just like with the dining room table, if you don't say "no," you're giving your pet carte blanche to do as it pleases.

If you want to share the couch with him, you will still have to teach him that certain behaviors are not allowed (examples: scratching or biting).

Please note: A water spray can help deter your pet from misbehaving, and a spray on the nose will let them know they're not on the right track. Finally, keep in mind that accidents happen. Our pets are full of surprises, but that's also why we love them so much.