The Best Furniture Protector For Cats
If you’re a cat owner, you probably already know that felines are notorious for scratching up couches, chairs, and any plush furniture you may have around the house. Even if you have scratching posts for them, they may still prefer the soft texture of your brand-new sofa. So how do you protect your expensive furniture without getting rid of your pet? We’re here to help. We’ve rounded up the best furniture protectors on the market so you can snuggle up with your furry friend without worrying about your furniture getting damaged.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best furniture protectors for cats, we considered material, thickness, coverage, and price. For example, if you want a thick plastic material that can cover your whole couch, the FixZilla 16-pack cat furniture protector provides a layer of protection with room to spare. If you want protection that will reinforce positive behavior in your pet, the Panther Armor cat scratch deterrent tape sheets have a sticky texture to help prevent cats from even scratching in the first place. Read on to see all our top picks and find the furniture protectors that are right for you and your pet.
Primens Heavy Duty Cat Scratch Furniture Protectors
Get covered
Completely covering your couch to prevent scratches is a tall order, but Primens has you covered with their extra-large scratch protection sheets. These plastic sheets are 12×17 inches each, making for a larger surface area than most competitors. This makes it easier to cover bigger areas like the back of your sofa without using up all your small sheets. With ten sheets in each pack, these cover a lot of ground. On top of all that, they’re just as durable as they are flexible, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with claws poking through. For well-rounded scratch protection, this set is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Sheets are packed flat, so they won’t have a rolled shape when opened
- Comes with extra-large sheets
- Not sticky on the outside
Cons:
- Pins may actually attract cats to play with them or pull them out of the couch
FixZilla 16-Pack Cat Furniture Protector
The more the merrier
Protecting your sofas doesn’t have to be hard work, and this bulk set from FixZilla proves it. With both an adhesive backing and optional twist pins, you have twice the security that most other options come with. The sheets are thick enough to protect your couch but thin enough to wrap around its edges with ease. Just pick an area, cut your desired shape and size, stick it to your couch, and reinforce it with the pins if you want a little extra support. With 16 sheets and almost 3000 square inches of total coverage, these protectors are ready to take on any task.
Pros:
- Comes with 80 twist pins
- Double security with adhesive and optional pins
- Easily wraps around corners
Cons:
- Pins may harm leather and faux leather sofas
Panther Armor Cat Scratch Deterrent Tape Sheets
Tough love
Sometimes just protecting your couches isn’t enough. If you want to stop your cat in its tracks and get them to give up scratching your sofas altogether, this may be the purchase for you. These scratch-deterrent sheets from Panther Armor have a strong adhesive on both sides for maximum protection. Cats hate the feeling of the sticky texture, so it works as negative reinforcement to stop their bad habit. Best of all, it sticks easily to couches and won’t leave any residue when removed. If you want to train your kitty fast, this scratching solution may just help you out.
Pros:
- Comes in a 24-pack to cover all your furniture
- Completely transparent
- Helps train your cat to stop scratching
- Acts as a variety pack with different sizes
Cons:
- Doesn’t work on microfiber, velvet, real leather, or faux leather
Navaris Cat Scratch Mat Sofa Protector
Worlds collide
If your cat is ignoring its scratching posts and going for the couch instead, this sofa protector brings the best of both worlds together for one handy product. This thick sofa guard is made of sisal, the same material that most scratching posts are made of. If you want your cat to scratch the scratching posts instead, this durable layer of sisal essentially turns your sofa into a giant scratching post. Your cat still has something to scratch, and you can rest easy knowing your couch is covered. That’s what we like to call a win-win.
Pros:
- Comes in three different colors
- Offers the choice between left and right armrests
- Won’t coat your couch in sticky residue or poke holes in it with pins
- Provides a healthy alternative to scratching furniture
Cons:
- Doesn’t cover the entire couch
HappyFreeSX Cat Scratch Deterrent Tape
Don't break the bank
If you’re looking to scratch-proof your furniture on a budget, look no further. This frugal choice from HappyFreeSX provides everything you need to keep your cats from tearing up your sofa without emptying your wallet. These double-sided sheets are sticky to discourage scratching, and each pack includes two large sizes (five sheets in each size). On top of being more affordable than other options, it’s also thinner than competitors for a fit that won’t feel bulky or unnatural. At this price point, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better bargain than this.
Pros:
- Ultra-thin sheets feel less noticeable
- Each pack includes two sizes
- Great value for the price
- Easy to cut to specific shapes and sizes
Cons:
- Isn’t completely transparent
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cats need to scratch?
Cats have a natural inclination to dig their claws into things and scratch. This can be to express emotions like excitement or stress, mark their territory with their scent glands, or trim their nails. Cats do this naturally in the wild, so they still have that tendency even when raised indoors.
Why do cats prefer to scratch couches rather than scratching posts?
The simple answer is that it feels better on their claws. Cats tend to scratch objects with a texture that lets them dig their claws in and shred the material. Couches are naturally soft with a more durable exterior, making them a smorgasbord for scratching. Scratching posts provide a great outlet, but many of them aren’t as plush as furniture. Cats may choose furniture just because it feels more satisfying to shred.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.