La-Z-Boy Pet-Friendly Fabric Review: Is It Worth It for Homes With Pets?

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Pets are family, but they can be tough on furniture. Shedding, muddy paws, accidents, and claws can make it difficult to keep sofas and recliners looking their best.

That’s why many shoppers look for pet-friendly furniture fabrics when buying new furniture. According to Magaly del Castillo, Interior Designer at La-Z-Boy Cyrville, these fabrics can make everyday maintenance much easier.

"Many pet owners want furniture they don't have to constantly worry about. Pet-friendly fabrics help make cleaning easier while standing up better to everyday wear from dogs and cats."

At La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston, Pet-Friendly Fabrics are designed to resist pet hair, improve cleanability, and offer greater durability than many standard options. While not completely pet-proof, they can help reduce common frustrations for pet owners.

In this review, you'll learn how they work, how they're tested, what they cost, and whether they're worth it for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Pet-Friendly Fabrics are designed to resist pet hair, stains, and everyday wear.
• Many Pet-Friendly Fabric options are available at no additional cost.
• Pet-Friendly Fabrics can be combined with iClean® technology for enhanced stain resistance.
• These fabrics undergo extensive durability and cleanability testing before being approved.
• Pet-Friendly Fabrics are ideal for homes with dogs, cats, and multiple pets.
• No fabric is completely pet-proof, but some fabrics are significantly easier to maintain.

In This Article…

1. What Is Pet-Friendly Fabric?
2. Which Pets Benefit Most From Pet-Friendly Fabric?
3. Why Is Pet-Friendly Fabric Different From Standard Upholstery?
4. What Pet-Friendly Fabric Does and Doesn't Do
5. How Much Does Pet-Friendly Fabric Cost?
6. Warranty Coverage for Pet-Friendly Fabric
7. How to Clean Pet-Friendly Fabric
8. Should You Buy Pet-Friendly Fabric?

What is a Pet-Friendly Fabric?

La-Z-Boy's Pet-Friendly Fabrics are specially selected upholstery options that provide enhanced durability, stain resistance, and easier maintenance for homes with pets.

According to Magaly, she says "This fabric is considered pet-friendly because it is easier to clean and tougher to scratch. However, no fabric is completely indestructible, so choosing the right one for your lifestyle is important."

These fabrics are designed to help reduce common frustrations, such as pet hair buildup, dirt, accidental spills, and everyday wear from dogs and cats.

Many Pet-Friendly Fabric options can also be paired with iClean® technology, which helps prevent liquids and stains from penetrating the fabric immediately, giving homeowners more time to clean accidents before they become permanent stains.

Which Pets Benefit Most From Pet-Friendly Fabric?

Different pets create different challenges for furniture owners, which is why pet-friendly fabric can be especially helpful depending on your situation.

Whether you're dealing with shedding, scratching, or occasional accidents, these fabrics are designed to address a range of common issues that come with owning pets.

Magaly says many homeowners aren't dealing with just one issue. "Most customers looking at pet-friendly fabrics aren't necessarily worried about one thing. They're usually looking for a fabric that handles fur, dirt, accidents, and everyday wear all at once."

Why Is Pet-Friendly Fabric Different From Standard Upholstery?

Before a fabric earns Pet-Friendly status at La-Z-Boy, it must pass several durability and performance tests.

Pet Hair Resistance

The weave structure helps prevent pet hair from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric, making routine cleaning easier.

Scratch Resistance

Pet-Friendly Fabrics are designed to withstand everyday claw contact better than many standard upholstery fabrics.

Stain Resistance

Many Pet-Friendly Fabrics repel moisture and resist staining, especially when combined with iClean® technology.

Durability Testing

These fabrics undergo extensive testing to ensure they maintain their appearance even with regular use. This includes meeting high standards for water repellency, cleanability, scratch resistance, overall durability, and resistance to pilling, ensuring the fabric performs well under everyday conditions.

Magaly says, "The goal is to ensure the fabric can handle real-life situations that pet owners face every day."

La-Z-Boy also undergoes rigorous testing with its furniture in general, which you can learn more about in this article.

What Pet-Friendly Fabric Does and Doesn't Do

One of the biggest misconceptions about pet-friendly upholstery is that it's completely pet-proof.

While these fabrics provide additional protection, they still require proper care and realistic expectations.

Magaly explains it simply, "No fabric is completely pet-proof, but some fabrics are definitely easier to live with when you have pets."

How Much Does Pet-Friendly Fabric Cost?

One of the biggest surprises for many shoppers is that pet-friendly upholstery doesn't always cost more.

Many of La-Z-Boy's Pet-Friendly Fabric options are included within standard fabric selections, making them a practical choice for pet owners without requiring a significant investment.

Pricing depends primarily on the selected furniture frame and fabric grade.

All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. This article was last updated on June 23rd, 2026. Contact your local Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston showroom for current pricing.

Warranty Coverage for Pet-Friendly Fabric

La-Z-Boy provides a three-year limited warranty on qualifying iClean® Pet-Friendly Fabrics.

Covered stains include coffee, tea, wine, juice, soda, milk, chocolate, ketchup, salsa, jelly, dirt, washable markers, ice cream, beer, and urine.

However, certain stains such as oil-based products, wax, ink, mustard, and blood are not covered under warranty.

Does Pet Damage Void the Warranty?

Pet-Friendly Fabric improves durability, but damage from chewing, excessive scratching, clawing, or other destructive pet behaviour is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

All La-Z-Boy fabrics also include a one-year warranty covering manufacturing defects such as seam failure, fabric separation, and nap loss.

La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston also has an exclusive 5 Year Extended Protection Plan, which you can learn more about with this article.

How to Clean Pet-Friendly Fabric

One of the biggest advantages of Pet-Friendly Fabric is its ease of maintenance.

For liquid spills, it’s best to blot the area immediately with a dry cloth to prevent moisture from soaking into the fabric. When dealing with non-liquid stains, first remove any excess material, then gently clean the area with a mixture of mild soap and water.

For deeper or more stubborn stains, a mild upholstery cleaner can help lift residue without damaging the fabric.

Pet hair can be managed by vacuuming regularly using an upholstery attachment, which helps prevent buildup and keeps the fabric looking fresh. If odours develop, sprinkling baking soda over the surface, letting it sit for about 15 minutes, and then vacuuming it up can help neutralize unwanted smells.

To keep your furniture in the best condition, it’s recommended to vacuum weekly, keep your pet’s nails trimmed, and clean any accidents as quickly as possible. For more thorough maintenance, professional upholstery cleaning may be beneficial from time to time.

To learn more about Fabric Cleaning Tips, take a look at this article.

Should You Buy Pet-Friendly Fabric?

Pet-Friendly Fabric can be one of the most practical furniture upgrades available for pet owners.

If your dog regularly naps on the sofa, your cat spends time on upholstered furniture, or your household experiences frequent pet-related messes, Pet-Friendly Fabric can help simplify cleaning and reduce wear over time.

These fabrics are particularly valuable for households with multiple pets, active families, or anyone who wants furniture that requires less day-to-day maintenance.

However, homeowners without pets may not necessarily benefit from the additional performance features. Likewise, pet owners expecting complete scratch-proof protection may be disappointed, since no upholstery fabric can eliminate damage entirely.

According to Magaly, "If pets spend a lot of time on your furniture, pet-friendly fabric is usually one of the easiest upgrades to justify."

For many homeowners, the added peace of mind alone makes the upgrade worthwhile.

What’s Next?

After reading this article, you now know what pet-friendly fabrics are all about. If you’re still wondering about other Ways to Pet-Proof Your Living Room, take a look at this article.

Ready to find your next furniture piece? We are happy to help you navigate all the options and tailor your furniture so it’s right for you at any of our Ottawa, Gatineau, or Kingston La-Z-Boy locations. You can also book an appointment with one of our consultants online.

We know that functionality is essential in building a comfortable life, not just a stylish one. That is why we offer complimentary in-home design service should you need help designing the room of your dreams!

To learn more about La-Z-Boy Fabrics, take a look at our comprehensive Fabric Upholstery Buyer’s Guide.

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• What’s the Best Fabric for Your Sofa? (Leather vs. Fabric)
• Furniture Care Tips: Leather, Fabric, Wood & Rugs