8 Best Couch Covers for Dogs
Waterproof or water-resistant, non-slip or throw-blanket style — these covers can help protect your sofa stylishly.
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I stopped trying to protect my furniture from my cats, and it shows. But many members of my family who have pets use a blanket to cover a couch or sofa when they want to protect it from dog or cat hair.
The issue? Blankets can shift around when dogs "nest" their bed before lying down. And if you have a dog who needs a waterproof cover (sometimes necessary for a young puppy or a senior), you'll want something better than a standard blanket. A couch cover for dogs can offer optimal protection for your sofa, and even give it a stylish new look too. The good news is, most couch protectors cost the same or less than a regular blanket, and many are machine-washable and designed to stay in place. These favorites were chosen with expertise from our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, sourced from dog owners in our Lab and among our trusted testers and vetted through a check of online reviews.
Pros
- Covers seat, backrest and arms
- Straps help hold it in place
- Many sizes, including pieces for a sectional or recliner
Cons
- Some reviewers said the straps can slip
Waterproof: No | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: Yes, via straps | Sizes: 11, including covers for small chairs, sectional corners and different sofa sizes | Colors: 21
We like that the Sofa Shield covers the seat, backrest and the arms of your couch. Straps help hold it in place, though some online reviewers said the straps can slip when they try to tighten them, or if their dog gets too rambunctious. It's sold in many sizes, including pieces that can fit on a sectional couch, a reclining chair or a loveseat.
For users who have dogs that sit or sleep on the couch, this quilted microfiber cover protects it from wear, tear and dog hair. Amazon reviewers have said it is easy to machine-wash. We like that it it's reversible and comes in so many colors (and patterns, like an animal paw print).
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Pros
- Low price
- Easy to wash
- Waterproof: liquid pools on top
Cons
- Only protects the seat of the couch
Waterproof: Yes | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: Yes, via slip-resistant bottom | Sizes: 3 different lengths for sofas | Colors: 6
Bedsure's affordable, waterproof couch cover only protects the sofa seat, but if that's all you need, it's a great budget choice from a trusted brand. (One of my cats loves the Bedsure pet couch.) My cousin tested this on her couch and her dog seemed to actually prefer it to the regular couch fabric.
Online reviewers reported that liquid pools on the top and does not soak through, helping to preserve couch fabric when dogs have incontinence issues. Because this protector is a made of lightweight polyester and smaller than a full-size cover, it's easier than most other covers to run through the washing machine.
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Funny Fuzzy Flannel Non-slip Couch Cover
Pros
- Plush, velvety-feeling flannel
- Non-slip bottom
- Can be a floor mat or go in the car's backseat, too
Cons
- Not waterproof
Waterproof: No | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: Yes, via non-slip bottom | Sizes: 9, including a square and different sofa lengths | Colors: 7
This pet-friendly protector is a soft, plush mat for your couch made with a velvety-feeling flannel on the top and plastic cloth on the bottom so that it is non-slip. Though it's sized to be a couch cover, you could lay this anywhere in your home as a floor mat, or put it in the backseat to protect your car seats.
This cover gets a lot of positive reviews on the Funny Fuzzy website. "We love this because it looks good, is super comfy and stays put!" one reviewer wrote. "We have used the complicated ones with the straps and all the tucking and they are terrible. This gets taken off and washed so easily!"
Funny Fuzzy Stretch Full-Cover Magic Couch Cover
Pros
- Stretches to fit over each cushion, so it stays in place
- Buy as many or as few as you need
- Brand says fabric is stain- and water-resistant
Cons
- Can get pricey if you have many cushions to cover
Waterproof: Water-resistant | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: Yes, stretches to fit over an entire cushion | Sizes: 10, including for small, medium and large couch cushions plus pillows and more | Colors: 5
These couch covers stay in place! Each is designed with stretch elastic to fully fit over individual cushions on a sectional sofa or a regular couch. You have the option to just buy covers for the seat cushions, including the chaise part of a sectional couch (shown), or spring for the backrest cushions and throw pillows too.
"From stained disaster to showroom-ready!" wrote one happy user on the brand's website. "This cover saved my 10-year-old sofa and there's no constant adjusting."
Funny Fuzzy says the fabric is stain- and water-resistant. Note: Price shown is for one small couch cushion. The cost to cover, say, three medium couch cushions would be more like $90, making this potentially more pricey than other non-fitted couch cover choices.
Pros
- Waterproof and slip-resistant
- Inexpensive
- Can also be used in your car or outdoors
Cons
- Not a custom fit, so may require ongoing adjustments
Waterproof: Yes | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: Yes, via non-slip bottom | Sizes: 4, including sizes for sofas and beds | Colors: 5
If protecting your couch from accidents is your number-one concern, this is an inexpensive polyester choice that you simply lay on the seat of your sofa. It's highly rated by shoppers on Chewy, where one buyer wrote, "I’m just happy to have found something that looks great, feels great, and protects my new furniture from dirt and the rare dog vomit. I don’t mind having to adjust [it] a few times a day since [it is] otherwise perfect!"
The PetAmi furniture cover is also sold in a blanket size that you could lay on your bed or drape over your couch to protect both the seat and the back. The brand also suggests that you can use it as a car seat protector or even a blanket at the beach or park, since, like the others on this list, it can be machine-washed.
Pros
- Non-slip bottom and straps hold it in place, even on leather
- Arm covers have handy pockets
- Brand makes covers for recliners and beds, too
Cons
- Reviewers said it's not as waterproof as the brand claims
- Only two sizes available
Waterproof: Water-resistant | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: Yes, via non-slip bottom plus straps | Sizes: 2 | Colors: 9
Both an anti-slip backing and straps help hold this cover securely — even on a leather sofa. "Absolutely stays in place on my leather couch even with a 50-pound golden retriever jumping on it," wrote one Amazon reviewer. That's a main selling point, but we also love the arm covers with pockets to hold a book, tablet, reading glasses and more.
Ameritex claims this is a waterproof cover, but online reviewers gave mixed feedback, with some saying it is water-resistant but not foolproof. If you must protect your sofa from accidents, choose a more watertight choice. Also, this one only comes in two lengths, 68 inches or 78 inches long.
The brand makes a similar cover for a recliner and a blanket for a bed or couch.
Pros
- Soft chenille
- 10 shades to match neutral sofa colors
- Reviewers said it holds up to frequent washing
Cons
- Not waterproof or non-slip
Waterproof: No | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: No | Sizes: 4 | Colors: 10
For a couch cover that doesn't scream, "I'm protecting my sofa from my pets!" this brand sells its soft, chenille microfiber cover in 10 typical upholstery shades. There are several off-whites, grays, and browns for a subtle couch cover that doesn't call attention to itself.
This Amazon brand comes recommended by Reddit users, one of whom said it's held up through cats, grandchildren and cleaning. "It's stood up to multiple washings," agreed an Amazon reviewer. Though this chenille version is not waterproof or non-slip, the brand does make a waterproof couch cover as well, although it has fewer ratings and reviews.
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Pros
- Throw-blanket style can look decorative
- Warm and cozy choice
- Sized for large dogs
- Reviewers said it is durable and heavy-duty
Cons
- Might not be best during hot weather
Waterproof: Yes | Machine washable: Yes | Slip resistant: No | Sizes: 5 | Colors: 7
Going back to my own family: Even knowing about dedicated couch covers, I suspect some of them will still prefer what is basically a throw blanket but made for pets. Bedsure makes this waterproof dog blanket that can be used as a warm throw that also protects a couch, sectional or other piece of furniture from accidents. This, too, doesn't make it look like you're trying too hard to protect your sofa, since it can look like any other cozy, decorative blanket.
The 60" x 80" rectangle is a big size, able to accommodate a large dog who tends to always sit in the same spot. Several Amazon reviewers said it is heavy-duty. "These are the only blankets my Dobermans won't chew up," wrote one, but they added that because it is so plush, it's best for cool and cold weather. "Once the weather warmed up, I had to change them out for a lighter option."
RELATED: The Best Cozy Throw Blankets
How we test couch covers for dogs
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has tested and reviewed couch covers, including ones for dogs, and that data formed the basis of this story. We also sourced recommendations from dog-owning Lab pros and trusted testers, and scoured online reviews for top brands on trusted retailer sites.
When rating the best sofa covers for homes with pets, we considered whether they were waterproof or non-slip, and what sizes and colors were available. All of the choices on our list are machine-washable, since dog owners told us that was a must.
What to look for when shopping for the best couch covers for dogs
Rank your priorities when considering what pet-friendly couch protector to buy:
✔️ Waterproof: Not everyone needs a sofa cover that's waterproof, but if you have a puppy or a dog who is incontinent or prone to vomiting, this should be a top concern. A waterproof cover is also good if you have a kid who might tip over milk or juice. Some sofa covers are merely water-resistant, and that might be enough for occasional accidents that you can act on quickly.
✔️ Non-slip: A couch cover that stays in place is important if your dog plays or digs around on the couch. It can also be key if you have a leather sofa, because other covers can slide around on the leather.
✔️ Machine-washable: All of the choices on our list can go in the washing machine, but always read the tag. Many should be washed in cold water and some should be dried on low heat or air-dried.
✔️ Size: Measure your couch and be sure the couch cover will cover whichever parts you want to keep protected. Some couch covers only lay on the seat, others are larger and go over the backrest or even the arms.
✔️ Colors: Whether you want the couch cover to blend in and match your couch, or if you want to try a new pop of color on top of the upholstery, there are a lot of colors to chose from among the brands on our list.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For more than a century the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested and reviewed products for homes and families, including products for people with pets. See the list of the most pet-friendly couches and our favorite rugs you can toss in the washing machine.
Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn lives in a house with two cats and a dog, and covers pets and parenting for the Institute. For dogs she has reviewed, among other things, automatic dog feeders and dog life jackets.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
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