Leather furniture and cats...need advice

[sherry7]

I need new living room furniture very badly. Our current stuff is only about 5 years old, but due the style (down filled cushions that have crushed down), it looks absolutely pitiful.

The current furniture is a microfiber that looks like suede. I've only had a couple of spills, but those were easy to clean. I have 3 cats, of which only one claws it occasionally...but I can't see any damage from that. The fabric itself it in good condition. It's the smashed cushions that look awful.

I was considering buying leather the next time I get furniture. But, how would leather hold up to cat claws?

I've also noticed that some leathers are top grain, some are bonded, etc. What is the difference?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[lsyorke]

We had leather for years and the cat never bothered it.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Our cat has ruined our leather! within a month the whole top of the back of the sofa and the arms were totally scratched from the back claws of our cat (who is 10 yrs). when cats jump they use their back claws to press off. I was heartbroken when I saw the damage. don't do leather.

 

[luvdzne]

I agree with the above post....don't do leather if you have cats or dogs that like to jump on your furniture. When we had cats they totally ruined our new leather couch.

 

[DMickey28]

My brother has leather with new kitties and have tried very very hard to keep them from clawing them. They still got to the leather.

I had a cloth living room set that we bought three years ago and they are TRASHED. We replaced the couch a year ago with a microfiber couch and the cats barely scratch it. They try but the fabric won't give. I am a microfiber convert.

 

[DVC-Don]

Our cat scratched a new leather sofa just hours after it was delivered. The cat no longer lives here.

 

[Piecey]

Our cat scratched a new leather sofa just hours after it was delivered. The cat no longer lives here.

You got rid of your cat over the couch? Really?

I know, I know.. I'm one of those freaky animal lovers (with about 100% extra horomones right now ) but that makes me sad.

Reese (kitty) has scratched our cherry bed in several places. We've had it less than 6 months. No big deal to me, it looks lived in...


Our couch is "Durablend" leather. I put a blanket down for Rink and that is the part he stays on (he hates the feel, I guess, he doesn't get on it unless it's got a blanket)... we've had no damage to speak of from either animal!

The recliner (that the doggie is passed out on in the picture in my signature) is leather and no damage to it from either animal.

(I should add Reese only has back claws)

 

[Claire L]

Our cats have attacked our leather couch and to be honest it is only money and can be replaced whereas our cats are family

Plus it took an effort, ie removing and replacing a double galzed window, to get the new couches into our lounge so there is no way they can go when we finally move, unless we cut them up as the window is now fixed so it will never come out easily again!!!

Claire

 

[Stephanie218]

We have little nicks and scratches in our leather that drive me crazy. We got the couch before the cats, so there was no choice in material. They don't purposely scratch (Thank God) but when they jump off the seats to go on top, their claws dig in. We also have a few along the back cushions from their back claws if they're having trouble getting up...

I'm not sure what to get for our next set, but we probably won't be going with leather again.

 

[Avalon_toon]

Our cats scratched up our brand new leather sofa the first night it was home. The scratches are noticeable and we were just so upset! Unless you are prepared for the damage, or unless your cats are declawed, I wouldn't recommend leather.

 

[Robinrs]

Our cat scratched a new leather sofa just hours after it was delivered. The cat no longer lives here.

Yeah, furniture is WAY more important than pets...

My sister and I have leather sofas and we have 7 cats between us. No damage at all.

Now my SON is another story~He has just about gotten it totally unbalanced!

Oh, he still lives here.

 

[whogirl'smom]

We just got a leather sofa and recliner for our den two months ago and the cat totally ignores it. Actually I feel sorry for him; he jumps up, wants to sit beside me, then looks sad and jumps down. He will sit on it if a blanket is laid down, but has never put him claws in it or scratched it. I actually put the first scratch on it with my fingernail...

 

[horseshowmom]

I have a leather chair in front of my computer, and the top of it is damaged by claws. I wouldn't get leather either.

 

[flying_babyb]

What material would you reccomend for a cat house? I have two with back claws who are couch sitters.

 

[denisekayt]

My sister has 2 cats and leather couches...the arms especially have many scratch marks on them. Like others have said, the cats aren't really doing it on purpose, but when they jump off and on them the scratches just happen.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I love the look and feel of leather, but we passed on getting the living room set of our dreams because of our 3 cats (all with claws). We had a leather set when they were babies and they destroyed it. I think it was just because they were little, but I don't want to take any chances.
I would be really upset if I spent $3000+ on a nice set only to have it ruined within hours. Then you are stuck looking at scratches all the time.....

 

[RNMOM]

We bought a leather couch in 2000 and have 3 cats. One with no claws, one with back only and one will all her claws. We have only a couple scratches over the years. Actually, none of them lie on it but they sometimes jump over it. The leather "heals" itself over time in that the heat and body oils from our skin helps fade the scratch away. Really does. We have a smooth leather in a kinda western style with rolled arms. The leather is saddle in color and analine (sp) treated. No stains on it either.