Why Cats Scratch Leather Furniture: What You Need to Know

Maybe your cat has ripped your old sofa to shreds and your thinking about buying a new leather one. Leather couches are great. Yes, they’re expensive but they can add class and comfort to any living room. It’s also very easy to clean and durable. The only thing to worry about now, is your feline friend who destroyed the last couch. But do cats scratch leather couches? Sadly the answer is YES! Cats like scratching leather furniture. But why?

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Why do cats like to scratch leather?

Cats lack the ability to voice their opinions and emotions (for the most part). However, they may scratch furniture to express frustration, excitement or even happiness. Scratching leather is a great way from them to sharpen their nails, get a satisfying stretch and it doesn’t give way easily like other fabrics tend to do. Leather is very sturdy, for the most part, so it presents cats with a bit of a challenge which is good from their perspective. It also leaves scratch marks with their very own scent as a warning to rival cats to stay out of their territory.

Do cats destroy leather furniture?

If you are wondering, do cats ruin leather furniture like normal furniture, the answer is yes. But it may take them a little longer. But it all depends on your cat and its personality. Some cats will ignore leather sofas and chairs. Some cats will use them for the same reasons we do, to lounge around on. Others will not go near them. And then there are some who seem to have a grudge against leather and will absolutely destroy whatever leather comes their way. So, yes, cats can and do destroy leather, but it really depends on the cat and its personality.

Are cats attracted to leather furniture?

I don’t think cats seek leather out to claw on. They don’t have a great sense of sight, so they may not recognize the material by looking at it from afar. However, leather can have a very strong smell, which may attract some cats to it and repel others from it.

After a few digs into leather, cats may be attracted to it because of its texture. That very same texture can be a turn off for other cats. Once again, it all depends on your cat and its personality.

Do cats like the smell of leather?

Once again, it all depends. Cats have a very strong sense of smell. It is what guides them to eat certain foods and prevents them from eating others. They can tell so much about something just by sniffing it. They can smell many things we can’t, and may be turned off by strong smells which we like. Due to this, there are some cats who really dislike the smell of leather and others who like it.

How to protect leather furniture from cats

One really never knows if their cat will like or dislikes leather, nor if it will ignore it or scratch it like its out for revenge. If the latter is the case, there are things you can do though to protect a leather couch from cats. But stopping your cat from clawing furniture should start as early as possible to make sure it doesn’t become an unbreakable habit.

• Gently stop the negative behavior – Without yelling or any threatening, aggressive behavior, stop your cat from scratching the furniture.
• Do not scold harshly – Cats don’t react well to being yelled at, sprayed with water or struck. A gentle, or very light scolding is enough.
• Gently refocus its clawing – Place your cat at an acceptable place to claw, like a scratching post.
• Pet and praise – Pet your cat and tell them how good they are whenever they choose the correct place to scratch.
• Be consistent – Do not allow it to occur sometimes but not others. That will only confuse your feline friend.

By the way, don’t show your cat how to scratch the post by running its paw up and down the length of the scratching post. Cats know how to scratch and hate to have their paws yanked on, covered up or squashed. They may not like the scratching post much after that.