Pet Covers for Furniture: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t)

Pet covers for furniture has gotten complicated with all the products and marketing claims flying around. As someone who owns two dogs and a cat — and has replaced more furniture than I’d like to admit because of them — I learned everything there is to know about protecting your stuff from furry destruction. Today, I will share it all with you.

Let me tell you what prompted my deep dive into pet covers: my golden retriever, Biscuit, destroyed the armrest of a $1,200 sofa in about three months. Not scratching — just regular laying on it, drooling, jumping on and off. The fabric literally disintegrated from the oils and dirt in his fur. That was the last time I let a pet near unprotected furniture.

What Are Pet Covers, Really?

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Pet covers are basically protective layers you throw over your furniture to take the beating instead of the upholstery underneath. Simple concept, but the execution varies wildly between products.

Some are basically glorified blankets. Others are engineered with waterproof backing, non-slip grips, and custom fits that actually look like they belong on your furniture. The gap between the cheapest and best options is massive, and I’ve tried both ends.

Materials — What I’ve Actually Tested

Polyester and Microfiber: This is what most covers are made from, and for good reason. They’re durable, wash easily, and don’t trap pet hair as badly as some fabrics. My favorite cover is a microfiber one from Sofa Shield that’s survived two years of daily abuse from all three of my animals.

Cotton: Softer and more breathable but needs washing way more often. My cat seemed to prefer sleeping on the cotton covers, which means they got dirty faster. Nice feel though.

Quilted fabrics: These look nicer and provide some padding, but they’re bulkier and take forever to dry in the wash. I use these for the guest room where the pets aren’t allowed daily but occasionally sneak in.

Non-Slip Features — This Is Critical

That’s what makes non-slip backing endearing to us pet owners — without it, the cover ends up bunched in a ball on the floor by noon. I’m not exaggerating. My dog’s launching himself onto the couch generates enough force to move a throw blanket three feet.

Look for covers with rubber backing or elastic straps that tuck under the cushions. Some have both, which is ideal. I tried one that relied only on friction (no straps, no rubber) and it was useless within a day. My cats treated it like a game — push the cover off, claim the bare sofa.

Water Resistance — Non-Negotiable

If you have pets, something is getting spilled on your furniture. Drool, water from their bowl, muddy paw prints, or — let’s be real — the occasional accident. Water-resistant covers with a laminate or waterproof backing are essential.

I learned this the hard way when Biscuit came in from the rain, jumped on the couch, and soaked right through a non-waterproof cover into the cushion beneath. That cushion never fully dried and eventually smelled. Had to replace it. A $30 waterproof cover would have saved me $200 in cushion replacement.

Getting the Right Fit

Measure before you buy. I know that sounds obvious but I ordered the wrong size twice before I started measuring properly:

• Measure arm to arm across the widest point
• Measure the depth of the seat front to back
• Check the height if you want the cover to drape over the back

Most manufacturers have size charts. Follow them. A too-small cover leaves exposed furniture that pets will find immediately. A too-large cover bunches up and looks sloppy. Neither is what you want.

Securing the Cover

Elastic straps that tuck under the furniture are my preferred method. Some covers use ties or even zippers. I’ve tried velcro and honestly it works okay until pet hair clogs it — which happens in about a week.

The best approach I’ve found is a cover with elastic straps PLUS tucking excess fabric between the seat cushions and the back. Belt and suspenders. My current setup stays in place even when the dog does his tornado-spin settling routine.

Cleaning Reality

Any pet cover that isn’t machine washable is a waste of money. Period. You’ll be washing these frequently — I do mine weekly during muddy season and every other week otherwise.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for temperature settings. I ruined a cover by washing it too hot and the waterproof backing separated from the fabric. Lukewarm water, gentle cycle, tumble dry low. That’s the formula that’s worked for everything I’ve owned.

Design and Aesthetics — Yes, They Can Look Good

Early pet covers were ugly. No getting around it. But the market has improved a lot. You can now find covers in dozens of colors and patterns that actually complement your decor rather than screaming “we have messy pets.”

My living room cover is a dark gray quilted microfiber that visitors don’t even realize is a pet cover. Reversible covers give you two color options in one product, which is a nice bonus.

Brands I’ve Actually Used

• Sofa Shield: My current go-to. Durable, water-resistant, good non-slip straps. The elastic has held up well after dozens of washes. Reasonably priced too.
• SureFit: Wide range of styles and better aesthetics than most. Slightly pricier but they look more like real upholstery.
• H.VERSAILTEX: The waterproofing on these is excellent. Slightly stiff feeling at first but they soften with washing.

DIY Pet Cover Options

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make decent pet covers from old quilts, heavy canvas, or outdoor fabric remnants. I made one from a painter’s drop cloth and it actually worked pretty well — durable, washable, and cost about $15 in materials.

Just make sure whatever fabric you choose can handle machine washing. That’s the non-negotiable feature. A cover you can’t clean easily will get nasty fast with pets in the house.

The Bottom Line

After three years of testing different pet covers and one very expensive lesson from Biscuit, here’s my advice: buy a waterproof, non-slip, machine-washable cover from a reputable brand. Spend $30-60 instead of $15 and you’ll actually get something that lasts and works. It’s the cheapest insurance policy for your furniture, and your future self will thank you when your couch still looks good three years from now.