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protecting leather couches

post #1 of 9
10/18/09 at 10:37am
Thread Starter 
We're about to inherit a pair of beautiful white couches from my SO's grandmother. What can we do to protect them from my kitties? I have four cats, all have claws that I try to trim every two weeks or so. Should I try to train them to stay off the couches all together? Should we put slip covers on them? Is trimming their claws enough to prevent punctures in the leather? Just looking for some preemptive advice. We've been informed that if anything happens to them we'll be in huge trouble since there are other family members vying for the couches as well. Plus Grandma is still alive and well and we want to make sure if she comes to visit, she's happy to see them. Thanks!
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post #2 of 9
10/18/09 at 10:39am
We have leather couches, and they don't seem tempting to cats at all. I do keep throws over the back of them, because Jamie has a tendency to jump down on one from his cat tree, and to run across the back of the other.
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post #3 of 9
10/18/09 at 11:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
We have leather couches, and they don't seem tempting to cats at all. I do keep throws over the back of them, because Jamie has a tendency to jump down on one from his cat tree, and to run across the back of the other.

I agree, nice, big throws are the answer!
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post #4 of 9
10/18/09 at 1:45pm
I keep a thick blanket over my leather couch just because my cats do jump on it to get to the window ledge. I've never seen them use it to scratch though so it hasn't been a problem.
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post #5 of 9
10/18/09 at 2:45pm
I'd trim claws weekly (we do around here) and maybe look into putting on the SoftPaws nail caps for more protection.
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post #6 of 9
10/18/09 at 5:46pm
Hi,

quite frankly I'd let one of the other family members have the couches. Even if you kitties don't scratch them there's a fair chance the couches will get markings on them from the cats simply jumping onto them.

Otherwise you'd either have to keep the cats of the couches which wouldn't be an option for me because I like to cuddle up WITH them or set up these couches in a room where the cats aren't allowed in. Or cover up the couches at all times- but then what would be the point of having these beautifull pieces of furniture?

If your other relatives will be that upset if the couches do have scratch marks on them it wouldn't be worth it for me personally.

regards,

Christine
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post #7 of 9
10/24/09 at 4:55pm
I say trim their claws and put a throw on the couch and let everyone enjoy the furniture. I have a leather sofa and my three cats never have scratched on it like the old cloth sofa
Another benefit to the leather is that it wipes clean so cat hair isn't such a problem.
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post #8 of 9
10/24/09 at 6:19pm
I discovered it's not scratching/front claws that are a problem with leather - but rather the back claws as they vault off the leather. I keep a cover on the leather or else a blanket.
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post #9 of 9
10/24/09 at 9:17pm
Jake doesn't trim his claws on the leather couches, but he does occasionally scratch them while going wild and running around...he is very crazy though, I am sure if you have a laid back kitty you might have no problems at all.
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