ouch!! my cat just chewed my new leather furniture !

I JUST PURCHASED NEW LEATHER FURNITURE IN DECEMBER. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL YESTERDAY. I NOTICED THAT MY CAT , ZOOM, HAD BITTEN INTO THE LEATHER AND VINYL IN NUMEROUS PLACES. SHE IS A RESCUED CAT , ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. SHE WAS DECLAWED WHEN I GOT HER. I'VE HAD HER ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS. WE MOVED ONTO AN ACREAGE IN SEPTEMBER, AND UNTIL NOW SHE HAD APPEARED TO ADJUST WELL. ANY THOUGHTS AS TO WHY NOW ? IF ANY ONE CAN HELP ME, ID BE VERY APPRECIATIVE. THANKS

Hi Zoom-

Just to let you know that typing in all caps will sometimes put people off so they not answer you, as it is considered yelling in netequette.

Most manufacturers of leather use animal renderings when they process leather. Your cat is more than likely drawn to the smell and is just following natural instinct. Her instinct would be to sharpen her claws, but since she doesn't have any, then her only other alternative is to bite.

I would suggest you either cover your furniture with inexpensive throws, or spray your furniture with an animal repellant. I hope you are not getting mad at your cat, she is doing what she feels is natural.

Sometimes declawed cats become very destructive and their first target seems to always be furniture. I understand you did not get her declawed, but if she really starts to destroy more than the leather furniture, you might want to consult an animal behaviorist to help you with her.

Welcome!!

What about keeping your kitty "busy" with toys/scratch pads/a tree?

There are a lot out there, my kitties love the small furry animal toys in assortment, the mice ones, and the catnip toys with or without bells.

Also, interactive toys might be a good distracting tool?

i buy scratch pads with catnip for the outside kitties, and they love it!

Cheers!

I agree with Hissy that your cat was just following her natural instincts. I have always had problems with my leather shoes and purses being scratched and chewed on whenever I've left them where a cat can get to them.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU THAT RESPONDED. BEING THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK TODAY, I WASN'T QUITE EXPECTING THIS KIND OF RESPONSE. THANKS AGAIN.

Just merged your reply in with your thread.

I have a cat that has chewed the crap out of every leather purse I've owned for the past three years. He loves leather, especially when its new.

Leather biting is a hard habit to break, once they get a taste for it.

Try Bitter Apple spray or cream on the leather, (test a small area first to make sure it does not harm the leather) It works but only if it is applied often. Also get the cat some leather chew toys, the kinds made for small dogs, or even buy scraps of leather from a craft store, or a chamois cloth used to wash your car with, available in most automotive stores. It will give her another way to get her taste for leather satisfied.

My cat likes to chew on chamois buffing pads, they are used to buff fingernails, you can get them at beauty supply stores in the manicure section. He got into my manicure bag one day and found heaven, it's fine with me as long as it keeps him off my purse.

It is hard not to be fustrated, but try to get her something to take her mind off of your couch.

Good Luck!