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11 Best Couch & Furniture Protectors for Cats in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

actual use of Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post

We all love our cats, but nothing tears up furniture faster than a pair of sharpened cat claws. That isn’t even counting wear due to kneading and the potential build-up of fur. When everything is taken into account, our cats can do quite a bit of damage to our furniture! Luckily, there is an array of couch and furniture protectors that are designed to fend off the damage caused by our furry friends. Of course, not all protectors are made equally. Some of them hardly protect couches and furniture at all. We reviewed the best furniture guards & cat-proof couch covers here so you can choose an option that actually works.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Furniture Protector Hepper Furniture Protector
  • Extra-large size
  • Transparent
  • Easy to clean
  • Best Value
    Second place
    HappyCare Textiles Cat & Dog Sofa Protector HappyCare Textiles Cat & Dog Sofa Protector
  • Machine washable
  • Bolster included
  • Protects the top of your couch
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Squared Cat Scratching Post Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Squared Cat Scratching Post
  • Easy installation
  • Very thin base
  • Covered in sisal for scratching
  • FurHaven Waterproof Cat & Dog Blanket Protector FurHaven Waterproof Cat & Dog Blanket Protector
  • Waterproof
  • Machine washable
  • Soft polyester
  • Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post
  • Fits easily over the couch leg
  • Protects the often-targeted areas of the couch
  • Covered in sisal fabric
  • The 11 Best Couch & Furniture Protectors for Cats

    1. Hepper Furniture Protector – Best Overall

    Hepper Furniture Protector

    Type: Ultra thin, transparent and non-toxic vinyl material
    Material: Vinyl

    The Hepper Furniture Protector is the best overall couch and furniture protector for cats. Constructed of strong vinyl, the furniture protector can hold up to your little jungle cat’s most aggressive scratching and clawing. The vinyl is completely transparent, so you can enjoy the look of your beautiful couch, chair, or lounge while keeping it safe from vicious claws. The extra-large mat measures 12 inches by 17 inches, ensuring it fits on most couches, chairs, and ottomans.

    The vinyl is non-toxic and easy to wipe off if your cat gets it dirty while also protecting the delicate fabric beneath. Keep in mind that this is designed to fit on the front or sides of your couch or chair, so you may need multiple to protect all your furniture.

    Pros
    • Extra-large size
    • Transparent, non-toxic vinyl
    • Easy to clean

    Cons

    • May need multiple protectors

    You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!


    2. HappyCare Textiles Cat & Dog Sofa Protector – Best Value

    HappyCare Textiles Cat & Dog Sofa Protector

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Polyester
    [/su_table] The HappyCare Textiles Cat & Dog Sofa Protector is a protector that acts as a blanket that you fit over the top of your couch. It protects the top while your cat lies on it, preventing damage due to excess shedding, kneading, and similar behaviors. However, it does not protect the sides and front of your couch — just the top. It includes a bolster that many cats love to snuggle up into. It basically turns your couch into a giant cat bed. The large size does fit on most couches, but we do recommend measuring before purchasing it. This protector fits a variety of different home designs. It is quite simple in design and should match most décor. The blanket is machine washable. Therefore, you can throw the whole thing into the washing machine when you need to. This protector is also quite inexpensive despite doing a great job. For this reason, it is easily the best couch and furniture protector for cats for the money.

    Pros
    • Machine washable
    • Inexpensive
    • Bolster included
    • Protects the top of your couch

    Cons

    • Doesn’t protect the sides or front


    3. Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Squared Cat Scratching Post – Premium Choice

    Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Squared Cat Scratching Post

    Type: Free Standing
    Material: Engineered Wood and Sisal
    [/su_table] The Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Squared Cat Scratching Post is an awesome option for those who need to protect the legs of their couch. However, it is more expensive than some other options on the market. What you choose depends largely on your couch. This square protector seems to stay in place quite well, and many cats seem to prefer it over curved options. With the edge, they can get their paws around it for easier scratching. The base of this post is extremely thin. You simply place it underneath the sofa legs to keep it anchored and in place. Installation is extremely straightforward and easy. Those who don’t have much room for a scratching post may particularly like this cover. It enables your cat to scratch to their heart’s content while also protecting your furniture. If you don’t have room for a scratching post, this may be exactly what you’re looking for.

    Pros
    • Easy installation
    • Very thin base
    • Covered in sisal for scratching
    • Replaces a scratching post

    Cons

    • Expensive


    4. FurHaven Waterproof Cat & Dog Blanket Protector

    FurHaven Waterproof Cat & Dog Blanket Protector

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Polyester
    [/su_table] The FurHaven Waterproof Cat & Dog Blanket Protector is specifically designed for larger beds. This quilt sits on top of your bed and protects your blankets underneath from your cat. It fits most large beds. You could use it for a smaller bed too, though it may be a bit too big. It is waterproof in the middle. The polyester covering of the quilt will allow liquids through, but the waterproof core will prevent the liquids from soaking into your blankets underneath. If your cat is older and tends to have accidents, this can be an essential feature. The polyester is quite soft and looks like a real blanket. It has a non-skid backing on the bottom to keep it in place on your bed, even if your cat jumps up and down. The whole thing is completely machine washable. Just throw it in the washer, and you’re done! That said, this oversized blanket can be a bit of overkill for a cat. It is obviously designed for dogs, which can do much more damage to a bed.

    Pros
    • Waterproof
    • Machine washable
    • Soft polyester
    • Non-skid backing

    Cons

    • Often not necessary for cats


    1. Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post – Best Overall

    Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post

    Type: Free Standing
    Material: Engineered Wood and Sisal
    [/su_table] We highly recommend the Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post. Most of the damage that your cat does is likely going to be to the arm of your couch. Cats love to run up to the sides of couches and sharpen their nails. To be fair, most couch arms are a perfect size and shape for claw-sharpening. This protector was specifically designed to fit over this sensitive area. It is made out of very thin wood so it slides easily over your couch. You simply slide it up underneath your couch’s leg to keep it stable and anchored. The outside is covered in sisal fabric, which many cats love to sharpen their claws on. With this protector, you protect your furniture and provide for your cat’s basic scratching needs at the same time. It doesn’t get much better than that, especially if you don’t have much room for a full-sized scratching post. These features easily make this the best overall couch and furniture protector for cats.

    Pros
    • Fits easily over the couch leg
    • Protects the often-targeted areas of the couch
    • Covered in sisal fabric
    • Provides for your cat’s scratching need

    Cons

    • Doesn’t protect the whole couch


    6. Sure Fit Deluxe Sofa Cover

    Sure Fit Deluxe Sofa Cover

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Microfiber
    [/su_table] The Sure Fit Deluxe Sofa Cover is designed to be used on your couch. It protects your whole couch, including the arms and the back. It easily protects your couch from cat hair, stains, and other wear and tear. It has a quilt stitch pattern that should fit with most home designs. Multiple colors are available, so you can choose an option that best fits your décor. The polyester is quite comfortable. Many cats love to snuggle in it, and you probably won’t mind sitting on it either. The microfiber backing prevents slippage, even when people get up and sit down. However, this backing doesn’t work well on leather. Between washings, the protective finish protects from bacteria and the odors that come with them.

    Pros
    • Fits with most home décor
    • Covers the whole couch
    • Protective finish
    • Covers the whole couch

    Cons

    • Large — won’t fit small sofas
    • Doesn’t stay put on leather


    7. FurHaven Sofa Buddy Dog & Cat Bed Furniture Cover

    FurHaven Sofa Buddy Dog & Cat Bed Furniture Cover

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Fabric
    [/su_table] The FurHaven Sofa Buddy Dog & Cat Bed Furniture Cover is quite a bit smaller than some other options. It is designed to protect a particular part of a couch or bed, not the whole thing. However, it may work well on smaller couches. We recommend measuring your furniture to figure out if this cover is an option for you. This bed is designed to protect your couch and be a cozy place for your feline. It has a soft, quilted outside with a water-resistant coating. It isn’t waterproof, but it will withstand a bit of water. The bolster provides your felines with a place to cuddle up and lie down. It also comes with cushion anchors to keep the cover in place. However, these don’t work that well. Two different colors are available that you can choose the best option to match your home décor.

    Pros
    • Water-resistant
    • Bolster
    • Two colors

    Cons

    • Not waterproof
    • Quite small


    8. Sure Fit Deluxe Chair Cover

    Sure Fit Deluxe Chair Cover

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Fabric
    [/su_table] While there are many covers for couches and beds, there are few available for chairs. The Sure Fit Deluxe Chair Cover is one of the few on the market. It is made out of quilted velvet and is soft to lie on. It also protects the whole couch, including the arms and the back. The quilted pattern is specifically designed to prevent leakage in the case of a spill or accident. It pushes the liquid into the cracks instead of it simply falling off the sides. The polyester batting in the middle makes it extremely comfortable. Both people and cats will enjoy sitting on it. A microfiber backing and an extra-long backdrop prevent slippage and provide extra coverage. A protective finish resists odors for extra freshness between washings. It prevents bacteria from forming on the blanket, which is often the cause of bad odors. That said, this cover is quite expensive.

    Pros
    • Polyester batting
    • Microfiber backing
    • Protective finish

    Cons

    • Expensive
    • Slippery


    9. FurHaven Suede Furniture Protector

    FurHaven Suede Furniture Protector

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Polyester
    Like many furniture protectors, the FurHaven Suede Furniture Protector is made to be laid over a couch. It protects sofas and loveseats from scratches and similar issues. It is quilted and quite soft. Most cats will love to cuddle on it. The outside is covered in soft faux suede, so it feels soft to sit on. Many cats prefer this cover over a bare couch. There are three different colors available. You can choose the best option for your home décor style. This blanket is also machine washable. You can simply throw it into the washing machine. We like that this blanket covers the whole couch, including the armrests. Cats tend to lie on these areas the most, so it is essential to protect them. However, this cover is not waterproof at all. It is also quite small, so you’ll need to carefully measure your couch to ensure that it’ll fit. It doesn’t stay in place that well and doesn’t have non-slip backing.

    Pros
    • Machine washable
    • Three colors available
    • Soft and quilted

    Cons

    • Not waterproof
    • Small
    • Slippery


    10. PetSafe CozyUp Chair & Sofa Protector for Pets

    PetSafe CozyUp Chair & Sofa Protector for Pets

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Polyester and suede
    [/su_table] The PetSafe CozyUp Chair & Sofa Protector for Pets is a smaller quilted cover that works well for chairs. However, it doesn’t protect the whole chair. Instead, it mostly just protects the actual seat part. This may not work for some cats simply because they tend to lie on other parts of the chair too. This cover features microsuede, which is extremely soft. It is waterproof, which helps protect it from moisture and other spills. It also includes a bolster, which many cats like. However, other cats don’t care for it. It just depends on what your feline is interested in. This cover is completely machine washable. You can simply throw it into the washer. That said, this protector does not stay put that well. It tends to move and slide as you and your cat sit on it. It is also quite small, but this is to be expected — after all, it is designed for a cat.

    Pros
    • Machine washable
    • Includes a bolster
    • Covered in microsuede

    Cons

    • Small
    • Doesn’t stay put
    • Description isn’t that accurate


    11. Sure Fit Deluxe Loveseat Cover

    Sure Fit Deluxe Loveseat Cover

    Type: Blanket
    Material: Microfiber
    [/su_table]

    The Sure Fit Deluxe Loveseat Cover is designed for specifically sized couches. Before purchasing one, measure your couch carefully to ensure an accurate fit. This quilted loveseat is extremely plush and comfortable. Many cats love to lie on it, even more than the plain couch surface. It is specifically designed to fit over much of the couch, including the arms and backing. For cats, this is incredibly important because they tend to lie on areas that aren’t the usual seating area. That said, users reported that this cover slides around. It has a non-slip backing, which is supposed to prevent that slipping and sliding. However, it doesn’t seem to work that well. This cover is not water-repellent in the least. It does not come with a waterproof interior, and the exterior does not push water away at all. The colors also do not match the pictures. They appear to be rather different shades.

    Pros
    • Plush and comfortable
    • Covers the whole seating area

    Cons

    • Water repellent
    • Colors are inaccurate
    • Slides around


    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Furniture Guards & Cat-Proof Couch Covers

    Choosing a cover for your couch can be difficult when you’re trying to protect your furniture from a cat. After all, cats have serious claws and tend to get fur all over everything, especially if they’re long-haired. Therefore, we highly recommend taking the time to pick out a cover for your furniture. You want one that is high-quality but not too expensive. After all, it is just a cover for the couch, not the couch itself. Here, we cover all the factors that you need to consider when picking out a couch cover.

    Waterproof

    Not all cats have accidents. If your cat doesn’t typically have accidents, you may not need to worry about a waterproof cover. However, as cats get older, incontinence issues are common. We highly recommend choosing a waterproof cover in these cases. There are different types of waterproof blankets. Some have a waterproof interior liner. This doesn’t prevent the upper fabric from getting wet, but it does protect the couch underneath. Sometimes, this is all that you need. There are other covers that are water-repellent on the outside. These aren’t completely waterproof, but they can prevent the water from soaking into the fabric, making for easier cleanup.

    Machine Washable

    Cats are bound to get the cover dirty. After all, you’re putting the cover on the couch to prevent the couch from getting dirty. Being able to easily wash the protector is essential. You can typically handwash it. However, most people don’t want to do that on regular basis. Instead, you should plan on purchasing a machine-washable cover. We highly recommend choosing one that can quickly be thrown into the washer and dryer. This will make your life much easier, even if you have to pay more up front for this feature.

    Comfortable

    You don’t want to throw an uncomfortable cover over a comfortable couch. For this reason, we highly recommend choosing a plushy, quilted blanket. If you’re choosing a protector for the back of the couch, you don’t have to worry about this quite as much — after all, you aren’t going to sit there. However, you also need to consider what your cat likes. You don’t want to provide your cat with a cover that they end up not liking, which may lead to more scratching. If your cat likes bolsters, you may want to purchase a cover with a bolster. Suede and similar covers are also quite soft and comfortable for most cats. It does depend on their preferences, though.

    Size

    Be sure to purchase a cover that is the appropriate size for your couch. We highly recommend measuring your couch before starting your search for a cover. After all, you don’t want to end up with an oversized option or one that is too small for your couch. If you’re trying to protect the front of your couch, we highly recommend measuring the front of your couch too. Many different couches have extremely different fronts. Therefore, we highly recommend making sure that it fits on your couch before purchasing it.

    Conclusion

    If you want to protect your furniture from your cat, we recommend choosing a cover or furniture protector. You may want to purchase multiple different kinds if your cat is particularly hard on furniture. For most homes with cats, we recommend the Hepper Furniture Protector. It goes over the front of the couch and protects it from your cat’s claws. It also replaces a scratching post, which is great for those with limited space.

    If you need something cheaper, we recommend the HappyCare Textiles Cat & Dog Sofa Protector. It goes over the front of the couch and protects most of it. It won’t protect the back from your cat’s claws, but it will protect the seating area. Hopefully, our reviews have helped you find the best protector for your couch. Be sure to measure before making any purchase!