How to Protect a Sofa From Pet Accidents
Pets enrich our lives, but they can really damage furniture. Unless you can watch your pet every hour of the day, it can be almost impossible to keep them off the couch. Drool, urine and feces will ruin the upholstery if the sofa is not protected. Protecting the furniture is not difficult. Manufacturers of pet supplies offer solutions to the problem. With a little extra effort, you can add protection from cats and dogs to your sofa.
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Cover the sofa with a couch-sized throw made to protect furniture from pets. Many pet stores carry these. The throw should be waterproof and made of a washable and durable fabric such as microfiber.
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Spray pet repellent on the sofa. These products also are available at pet supply stores. These products repel pets from furniture using an offensive odor that only they can smell. Pet repellents are not harmful to humans or pets.
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Create physical boundaries. Use baby gates to keep dogs and cats out of the room when you can't be in there with them.
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Train your pets. Never allow them to climb up on the sofa. If you catch your pet on the sofa, discipline them immediately with a firm "no."
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Make your pet comfortable. Often, accidents occur when pets are scared, nervous, lonely or trying to adjust to a new environment. Give your pet an alternative place to lay down instead of your couch. Buy a pet bed and make it comfortable for them with a toy, and if you like, a little blanket to cuddle up, too.
References
Resources
Tips
- You can use plastic slip covers. However, they trap moisture beneath the plastic, which is not good for fabrics such as leather.
Warnings
- Wash the sheets and pet covers regularly. Pets tend to have accidents in the same spots when the area is not properly cleaned.
Writer Bio
Lucy Bowles is an avid freelance writer from Indianapolis. She has written for various websites since 2009. As a certified paralegal Bowles has worked in the areas of business, intellectual property and entertainment law. She has a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in legal studies from Indiana University.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
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