Claws and leather??

[prechrswife]

We have the same problem with the cats jumping off of the leather furniture. Keeping their claws trimmed seems to be the best thing. We have to go to the vet's to get them trimmed because it is such an ordeal. They only charge us $5 per cat, though. (In fact, we just made that trip this afternoon. You would have thought they were murdering Saphirah instead of just clipping her nails.)

[PepperRSM]

We've had our leather couch/loveseat/armchair set for a few years now, so when we got Persephone two months ago, that was one of our main concerns (if she'd scratch them up), but so far she hasn't done any damage, or any that's noticable anyway.
She *loves* taking naps on the poofy tops of the couches.

[sirrahbed]

OK, MY new recliner is now duly distressed and christened. Three longs scratch marks and two punctures I DID say leather looks best when distressed, right?

SOOOOO...got out my clippers and clipped back nails on Emily and Eliot (they are front declawed)- not too bad. Emily was an absolute sweetheart. Good ole Dylan came with no claws at all. Did two paws on Robbie since I already did two while he slept last night. He drew blood on me but again - not too bad. He bit me but was pretty good. The came Lizzie. Good Gosh O'Molly!! I don't think the neighbors down on the end of the cul-de-sac could hear her screeching so I got hubby to help me Between the two of us and a huge bathtowel. I managed to bloody myself as well as cut one of her claws too short when she jumped so bloodied HER up too. My wrists are throbbing. My head aches. My knee and thigh is bleeding. Must I repeat this each week or so??? Don't those baby claws...er....needles... slow down their growth pretty soon??

Isn't it wonderful having cats

[christa]

Sounds painful!!! LOL I know that Brodie needs his trimmed about every three days! I've never trimmed Josie's and she has some CLAWS!!! They're deadly weapons! I'd hate to see the damage she'd do to a leather chair!

[catcrazylady]

Oh dear! First off let me say that I LOVE those chairs!! They are gorgeous and look very very comfortable. Merry early Christmas!

Now, I'm sorry, but your last post cracked me up!! I'm sorry there is damage to your new recliner already but the nail clipping of Lizzie sounds awful! I could laugh because it wasn't me. I wish I had some wonderful advice to offer but I can't think of a thing except Good Luck! That was helpful wasn't it?

I have been wanting leather for the easy clean up but I wasn't sure what the claws would do either. You will have to keep me posted on how it's holding up but something tells me that with twelve clawed cats I might as well forget it.

[lbaker]

I'm confuzzled about the spray bottles though. What would spraying water onto a cat that's by or on the leather do to the leather itself? Would the water from the spray not mark up the leather as much as an errant puncture or scratch mark? Or worse??

[sirrahbed]

Actually, the cleaning instructions for the leather say to use only mild soap and water, and no leather food or saddle soap. I have already spilled some coffee on mine and it wiped up without any marks at all - just beaded up nicely. The directions also said that the leather would outlast the best fabric 4:1. I guess we will see. I took a damp cloth and wiped the scatches and they really are not very noticeable - the leather is already distressed anyway and it looks fine. The punctures are very small and I do not think they will get bigger the way they would with vinyl or naugahyde. I hope this is so!!

We have had no new furniture in over 20 years so decided to do with what we hoped would be most durable - although it is expensive as well. I am really hoping it was a good decision. The chairs sure are comfy and surprisingly warm to sit in, even when the air is very cold

We are covering them with throws at night - hoping to give them a bit more protection when we are not using them. And, I am going to be a clipper fanatic after those claws!!

[mina'smomma]

Run Lizzie run. Meowmie is going to get you with the clippers again!..... sorry Deb I just couldn't resist that one after your other story.

[kimlovescats]

Debbie, I was told by a furniture salesman once that unlike vinyl, leather will "breath" and expand ... so like you said, the puncture will sort of reclose itself ... instead of ripping and tearing further like vinyl would!