How to's
How to choose fabrics for your pet
If you're a pet owner, you’ll know that not all fabrics are suitable for them. Use this guide to help you choose a fabric that fits your furniture and your pets.
What makes a fabric pet-friendly?
Look for fabrics that are durable, textured and easy to care for. As a general rule, pet-friendly fabrics are:
• Tightly woven: Less likely to snag on claws
• Durable: Designed to withstand wear and scratches
• Machine washable: Easy to clean
• Textured or mixed tone: Helps hide fur and marks
Pro tip!
Choose fabrics in mid-range tones or with a subtle pattern to help conceal pet fur and minor marks between washes. Bemz covers are removable and machine washable, but we always recommend choosing the most sustainable cleaning method where possible. For best practice, see our Care Guide.
The Bemz Pet-Friendly Score
Every Bemz fabric is given a Pet-Friendly Score so you can understand how our fabrics perform with pets, and decide what works best for you. It’s a simple 1–5 scale based on texture, weave, washability, and resistance to wear. You’ll find this score listed under ‘Fabric Information’ on each product page.
5/5: Highly pet-friendly
Best for frequent shedders, active pets, or homes with multiple animals. These are strong, tightly woven, and easy to clean.
4/5: Pet-friendly
Great for most pets. Durable and washable, with some protection from scratching and shedding.
3/5: Moderately pet-friendly
Best for low-shedding, less active pets. Still washable, but may show wear sooner.
2/5: Lightly pet-friendly
Best for decorative spaces or occasional use. Not ideal for lively pets or claws.
1/5: Not pet-friendly
Light, loose or heavily textured fabrics that may snag or not be as easy to clean. Not recommended for pets.
Pro tip!
Throws and blankets are your best friend. Drape them over well-used areas for extra protection that doesn’t compromise on style.
Beautiful and practical choices
It’s not just about the score, it’s about knowing your pet. If they shed a lot, consider our linen fabrics, which are great for managing fur. If they’re more likely to scratch or play rough, look at velvets, corduroys, or chenilles that are more resistance to wear. These are some of the fabrics we recommend for pets.
Belgian Linen Blend:
Textured, durable and timeless. See the fabric →
Conscious Tweed:
Richly textured and resistant to wear. See the fabric →
Recycled Velvet:
Soft, practical, and easy to clean. See the fabric →
Organic Panama Cotton:
A dependable classic that holds up to daily life. See the fabric →
Corduroy:
Durable and designed to disguise wear over time. See the fabric →
Pro tip!
Order up to five free fabric samples to see how they look, feel, and hold up to your pets before you decide.
