Pets and upholstery can coexist perfectly well, but they create four distinct problems and each needs a different response.
Handling them routinely is far cheaper than restoring furniture that has been left to deteriorate.
Hair and dander
Pet hair weaves itself into fabric and is not fully removed by vacuuming alone. A rubber brush or pet-hair tool lifts embedded hair before vacuuming, and doing this weekly stops build-up.
Dander is a common allergen and settles into cushions and crevices, so cushion covers and underneath areas matter as much as the visible surfaces.
Odour and body oils
Pets transfer natural oils onto fabric wherever they lie. Those oils attract soil and hold odour, which is why a favourite corner of the sofa darkens and smells first.
Washable throws on preferred spots take most of this load and are far easier to launder than a sofa.
Fabric choices and claws
Tight weaves resist claw snagging better than loose weaves and bouclé. Leather wipes clean easily but shows scratching, while microfibre is durable and releases hair relatively well.
Where claw damage has already snagged loops, cutting the loop level with the surface prevents it pulling further, though it will not restore the weave.