Furniture fabric against cat claws: who will win

Cat claws can easily damage a sofa, coffee table, or comfortable chair. But if the owners are willing to choose the best option from a wide range of upholstery, there are several chances to keep the furniture in excellent condition.

What upholstery is suitable for furniture if there is a cat in the house? Before making expensive purchases, you need to understand all the nuances.

Sofa for a house where there is a cat

Sharpening a cat’s claws is the most natural thing to do. This ancient instinct appeared in them even before taming by people. That being said, they love comfort and will spend a lot of time on a new couch. But that doesn’t mean you have to wrap your furniture in aluminum foil, pretty much the only material that cats don’t like to scratch. Instead, you can choose a claw-resistant upholstery for your sofa:

• microfiber;
• artificial suede;
• denim;
• synthetic polyester, viscose, nylon or acrylic.

The best of these options would be microfiber. This is a comfortable, stylish yet durable fabric. If the cat still scratches it, the microfiber will last for a while.

Artificial materials such as suede and synthetics are no longer considered “unfashionable”. In fact, today they are more popular than ever before, thanks to changes in design trends and the updated texture of the fabric itself. Architectural Digest advises cat owners to stick to tightly woven materials and avoid upholstery with loose weaves or loops, such as linen or wool, which pets perceive as toys.

It is worth remembering this when choosing fabrics for upholstery of armchairs, chairs and floor coverings. In matters of sharpening their claws, cats do not show any legibility. If the opportunity presents itself, they will sharpen them with everything that catches their eye.

How to choose cabinet furniture for a house with a cat

Dining table, chairs or coffee table are best chosen from synthetic materials or treated wood with a smooth surface into which the cat simply cannot stick its claws. The problem is that some pets consider the legs of wooden furniture to be tiny trees perfect for sharpening their claws. Owners will have to make an effort to teach the cat to redirect its instincts to the scratching post, emphasizes the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Queensland, Australia. You can also make a scratching post that your cat will like with your own hands.

Furniture fabrics that are not resistant to cat claws

When buying furniture and other household goods, avoid chenille, cotton, tweed and silk, which are easy for a cat to catch on with its claws. These are wonderful and versatile fabrics, but they’re best saved for things your furry pet doesn’t have access to.

In addition, if cats live in the house, furniture materials that are claw-resistant should be abandoned:

1. Sisal

Sisal is a natural fiber made from agave leaves that is used to make everything from carpets and clothes to baskets. Due to the strength of this fabric, it is often used in the manufacture of cat posts and toys. But keep in mind that, seeing your wonderful sisal rug, the pet will definitely think: “What an amazing scratching post my man bought me!”

And, most likely, the new rug will be torn to shreds. However, cats are not to blame for being so attracted to this natural fiber. Therefore, owners should only buy sisal accessories that are meant specifically for their furry friends.

2. Skin

Leather furniture is smooth, soft and durable. It really does not absorb the smells of pets and their hair does not stick to it, which makes such furniture extremely attractive. But this beautiful material, rest assured, will be the main target of cat claws.

Leather scratches easily, and once the cat’s claws dig into the surface of the leather, it will never be the same again. You can try to repair leather furniture, but according to the leather repair experts at Furniture Clinic, it usually takes at least eight steps and even after that, the leather won’t look like new.

How to save furniture from cat claws? Simple enough. Just like having a fluffy pet and beautiful things in the house at the same time. To do this, it is worth giving preference to fabrics that the cat will scratch less, or offer her an alternative set of things that she can – and wants – to stick her claws into. Then the whole family will find complete harmony in a beautiful interior.

See also: 

• How to play with a cat: games for physical activity
• How to properly raise cats – training and education
• How to train a cat at home
• How smart are cats and cats according to scientists?