Cats make excellent companions, but they’re famously rough on furniture. Between shedding, claw sharpening and the occasional accident, it can be challenging to find a couch that lasts. The best cat-proof couches have upholstery that is sturdy enough to withstand scratching yet comfortable enough for everyday lounging. Our top pick overall, the Burrow Block Nomad Sofa, features tightly woven olefin upholstery that is resistant to claws, stains and cat hair. We also recommend the affordable yet stylish Mercury Row Brumback Velvet Sofa, and the modular Albany Park Kova Corner Sectional.
The best cat-proof couches use durable fabrics that can withstand scratches, stains and fur.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailer
To help you choose a sofa that’ll survive your feline friend’s habits, we consulted furniture experts, veterinarians and tapped into our own experiences as pet-owners to narrow down the best options. “When searching for cat-proof couches, you should look for furniture specifically labeled as pet-friendly or scratch-resistant,” says Dr. Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel. Beyond the materials, it’s essential to consider the size, fill material, comfort and maintenance. From compact sofas that fit perfectly into apartments to roomy sectionals, here are the best cat-proof couches available now.
Customizable And Made From Durable Performance Fabric
Burrow
Burrow Nomad Fabric Sofa
Dimensions: 85 x 35 x 33 inches | Fabric: Olefin performance fabric | Fill: Feather fibers, high-density foam | Colors: 7 options | Warranty: 1 year
What you’ll love:
Olefin performance fabric resists stains, scratches and spills
Modular style makes it easy to fit any room layout
Built-in USB charger
No tools required for assembly
Keep in mind:
Optional add-ons like ottomans or sleep kits cost extra
Cushions are firm
If you live with cats, you’ve probably learned the hard way that even your favorite sofa isn’t safe from scratches or messes. That’s why the Burrow Block Nomad Sofa earned the top spot on our list—it was designed specifically with pets (and their people) in mind. Unlike typical upholstery, the Nomad’s fabric features a tight weave that is virtually snag-proof, even against determined claw sharpening. The olefin performance fabric also resists spills and accidents due to its non-porous construction. Due to the unique dyeing process, stains won’t set in as quickly, and cleanups (even bleach solutions, if necessary) won’t strip the color away. Another plus is that there's no chemical coating on the material, so it’s safe for your furry friends to snuggle up on.
Beyond pet-proofing, the Nomad has a versatile design that’s easy to pair with existing décor. With seven fabric colors, multiple arm styles and optional add-ons like a movable chaise or ottoman, you can truly tailor it to suit your space and lifestyle. It also ships quickly, and while the modular design requires assembly, it’s straightforward and doesn’t require any tools.
Best Budget Cat-Proof Couch
A Stylish And Affordable Velvet Option
Wayfair
Mercury Row Brumback Velvet Sofa
Dimensions: 69.7 x 32.5 x 34.3 inches | Fabric: Tear-resistant velvet | Fill: Foam | Colors: 3 options | Warranty: Not listed
If you’re looking for a cat-proof couch but aren’t ready to spend thousands, the Brumback Velvet Sofa is a great place to start. At under $350, it’s far more affordable than most pet-friendly sofas, yet it doesn’t compromise on durability. While velvet might seem like an unusual choice for pet owners, it's often more cat-proof than you'd think: Its tight weave naturally resists snagging, and pet hair typically brushes off velvet more easily than off many other fabrics. The velvet used here is specifically described as tear-resistant, making it a suitable choice for pet-friendly homes.
It also helps that the cushion covers are removable. If there’s a spill or pet mess, you can quickly take the covers off for easier cleaning. While velvet does temporarily show paw prints or pressure marks, these typically smooth out quickly with regular use. The sofa has a firm feel, which means the cushions maintain their shape well. However, if you’re looking for something extra soft, it may require some getting used to.
Best Sectional Cat-Proof Couch
A Modular, Pet-Friendly Sofa You Can Rearrange
Albany Park
Albany Park Kova Corner Sectional
Dimensions: 122 x 122 x 39 inches | Fabric: 33 pet-friendly performance options | Fill: Hypoallergenic microfiber, foam-topped base | Colors: 33 options | Warranty: Lifetime warranty
What you’ll love:
Wide selection of durable, pet-friendly fabrics
Easy-to-rearrange modular design
Firm box cushions maintain shape
Fabrics resist stains and are easy to clean
Keep in mind:
May feel large in especially tight spaces
Premium fabrics increase cost
Albany Park’s Kova Sectional offers plenty of seating without taking over the entire living room. The modular design allows you to customize and rearrange pieces as needed, making it easier to fit into your space than larger, fixed-size sectionals. The cushions come in two styles: pillow or box. We recommend box cushions for homes with pets because they are firmer, hold their shape better, and can handle cats jumping and playing without losing their structure.
You can choose from more than 30 pet-friendly and high-performance fabrics (such as velvet, chenille or canvas) that are tightly woven to resist claw snags and designed to repel stains and spills. Another bonus? The frame is made from sturdy, contract-grade wood, and the cushions use hypoallergenic fill that won't irritate sensitive pets or people.
Best Leather Cat-Proof Couch
The Top-Grain Leather Ages Well Over Time
Castlery
Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa
Dimensions: 123.2 x 39.4 x 27.6 inches | Fabric: Top-grain leather | Fill: Foam, fiber, pocket spring | Colors: 2 options | Warranty: 1 year (foam, leather), 3 years (frame)
What you'll love:
Top-grain leather is more resistant to scratches
Modular design allows for customizable layouts
Leather develops a rich patina over time
Keep in mind:
Low-profile design may not suit everyone
Cushion covers are not removable
Castlery’s Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa earned a spot on Forbes Vetted’s list of best couches, thanks to its stylish design and how well it handles daily life with pets. Forbes Vetted’s director of features and special projects, Kim Peiffer, tested it at home with two cats and found it remarkably resilient. She saw fewer scratches than expected, especially notable since many leather sofas quickly show damage from claws, and says the leather’s color remained vibrant, despite frequent use.
Another helpful feature is its modular design, which allows you to rearrange or add sections as needed. The cushions are deep and supportive, making them ideal for lounging, reading or watching TV. It does sit lower to the ground, which creates a sleek, modern look, but might not suit everyone’s preference. Although the covers aren't removable, the coated top-grain leather cleans up easily with quick wipe-downs or regular dusting. Just keep it out of direct sunlight, and it’ll maintain its color and finish nicely over time.
Best Cat-Proof Couch For Small Spaces
Compact And Comfortable With A Huge Fabric Selection
MOST POPULAR
Room & Board
Room & Board Metro Sofa
Dimensions: 88 x 38 x 27 inches; also available in other sizes | Fabric: Over 150 pet-friendly, high-performance fabric options | Fill: High-resilience foam wrapped in fiber, feather and down blend | Colors: 150+ options | Warranty: Unspecified “Satisfaction Guarantee” warranty
What you’ll love:
Wide variety of sizes and pet-friendly fabric options
Comfortable, blend-down cushions
Cushions made without flame retardants or harsh chemical additives
Keep in mind:
Premium fabrics and customizations add cost
Cushions soften and may need occasional fluffing
For apartment dwellers and small-home owners with pets, the Room & Board Metro Sofa fits into your space without turning into a scratching post. It comes in several petite sizes, including a compact 75-inch sofa and a cozy 65-inch loveseat. Another standout feature is the impressive selection of pet-friendly fabrics: Room & Board offers over 150 performance fabrics that are specifically marked as “pet-friendly.” Popular options include sumner, a tightly woven, linen-like polypropylene fabric; tatum, a textured micro-boucle that disguises wear; and mori, a durable, ultra-soft chenille.
According to reviewers who own cats, these fabrics handle claws impressively well. One reviewer notes that their Metro sofa still looks new, despite their cats regularly jumping and clawing onto the furniture; they also mentioned that cleaning small stains is easy. Additionally, most of the fabrics are free from harmful chemicals, and the cushions are made without flame retardants or other harsh additives.
Best Slipcovered Cat-Proof Couch
A Classic Design With Easy-To-Clean Fabric Options
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered Sofa
Dimensions: 68 x 38.5 x 37 inches (loveseat); larger sizes also available | Fabric: 87 pet-friendly performance options | Fill: Memory foam or down-blend | Colors: 87 options | Warranty: Not listed
What you'll love:
Protective slipcovers are easy to remove and wash
Large selection of durable, pet-friendly fabrics
Multiple sizes and cushion styles available
Keep in mind:
Premium fabric choices can increase cost
Slipcovers may need occasional adjusting
Even the most durable, pet-friendly fabrics eventually need refreshing, especially if your cat loves spending time lounging on the cushions. Pottery Barn’s Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered Sofa makes life easier for cat owners, primarily because the slipcovers can be removed and tossed directly into the washing machine, depending on the fabric. Plus, slipcovers let you swap out colors or fabrics down the road if your style changes or you need something that hides pet hair a bit better.
You can choose from 87 different pet-friendly options, including tightly woven performance tweed, durable basketweave, or plush velvet, all designed specifically to handle claws and spills. There are five different sizes and two fill materials—down-blend cushions for a softer feel or memory foam for firmer support—that you can also customize.
Best Cat-Proof Sleeper Sofa
Functions As Both A Couch And A Bed
Article
Article Nordby Sofa Bed
Dimensions: 87 x 35 x 33 inches | Fabric: Durable polyester | Fill: High-density foam, polyester fiber | Colors: 2 options | Warranty: 1 year (foam, fabric), 3 years (frame)
What you’ll love:
Highly durable fabric resists scratches and snags
Easy pull-out sleeper mechanism
Mattress slides out without moving sofa
Easy to spot clean
Keep in mind:
Cushion covers aren’t removable
Fabric is dry-clean only
The Article Nordby Sofa Bed is our top pick for anyone who needs a durable sofa that converts into a sleeping space for overnight guests. Its steel frame and solid wood legs provide stability, while the supportive, high-density foam cushions keep their shape, even after continued use. We appreciate that the brand’s fabrics pass a rigorous abrasion test (50,000 rubs—more than double the industry standard), meaning they resist scratches, snags and wear that might occur in homes with pets.
It's also easy to convert into a bed: The mattress simply slides out, and you don’t need to pull the sofa away from the wall. Reviewers appreciate that the pull-out mechanism is simple enough for even children to handle. Keep in mind that the seat cushions are fixed, but the back cushions are loose and can be moved as needed.
At Forbes Vetted, our team continually researches home products to help readers make informed buying decisions. For this story, we focused specifically on couches that hold up in real life with cats, as pet owners have unique considerations when shopping for furniture.
Author of this story, Kelly O’Sullivan, is a home and kitchen editor who specializes in pet-friendly product recommendations and has years of experience reviewing furniture.
This article was overseen by senior editor Amanda Arnold, a home goods expert and fellow cat owner.
Our editors, who also own cats, contributed their firsthand experiences to ensure the recommendations match the reality of living with pets.
We also gathered key insights and guidance from Kathy Kuo, founder of Kathy Kuo Home, and Dr. Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel.
How We Chose The Best Cat-Proof Couches
To find the best cat-proof couches, we researched best-selling brands and asked industry experts—as well as our team of experienced editors—for product recommendations and insights on what to look for.
We looked for upholstery that naturally resists scratches and stains, including tightly woven performance fabrics, top-grain leather and tear-resistant velvet.
We favored couches with practical features, such as washable slipcovers, removable cushion covers, and materials that can be easily vacuumed or wiped clean. Our team also included a variety of sizes and designs to suit different needs.
We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least a 4-star average rating and only a negligible number of concerning reviews, if any.
The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Cat-Proof Couches
We consulted veterinarians and interior designers to determine the top considerations when shopping for a cat-proof sofa. From durable materials to overall maintenance, here’s what to look for.
Durable Fabrics
When it comes to cat-proof couches, the fabric choice is the most important factor. Tightly woven performance fabrics, such as olefin (like our top pick, the Burrow Block Nomad Sofa), resist claw snags and hold up to daily scratching. Leather can also work, but only if it’s high-quality, top-grain and lightly coated, like the Castlery Jonathan Leather Extended Sofa. Velvet is also a good pick, provided it’s specifically labeled “tear-resistant,” as with the Brumback Velvet Sofa. Other sturdy, pet-friendly fabrics include twill, chenille and basketweave, which are all tightly woven to minimize pulls or scratches.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Cats inevitably shed and occasionally have accidents, so prioritize couches that are easy to clean and maintain. Slipcovered sofas, such as the Pottery Barn Comfort Roll Arm Sofa, allow you to remove and machine-wash covers to keep things fresh. Even without slipcovers, look for removable cushion covers and stain-resistant materials that can be vacuumed or spot-cleaned quickly.
Size And Style
Consider how your sofa fits into your daily life. If you live in a smaller space, look for more compact options that still feature pet-friendly fabrics without overwhelming the room. For larger households or multi-cat families, consider a sectional like the Albany Park Kova Sectional, which offers flexibility and enough space for everyone to lounge comfortably, including your pets.
