Owning a cat means being careful about keeping leather items in your house. Compared to other materials, cats love to dig into leather as the thick upholstery helps sharpen claws. Other felines enjoy the smell and warmth of leather, which may prompt them to urinate or chew on the material. Fortunately, avoiding this kind of damage doesn’t mean you have to steer clear of leather altogether. Instead, you can keep these veterinarian-approved tips in mind to make your furniture less appealing to your cat.

How Cat Owners Can Protect Their Leather Furniture

1. Provide Scratching Posts

Scratching is a natural urge for cats, as it helps them mark their territory and keep their claws sharp. To prevent your pet from scratching up leather furniture—or any other pieces—keep cat towers in your home. These vertical posts are made out of tough materials that are pleasing to cats and assist with claw-sharpening.

2. Cover the Couch

If your cat has already been scratching up leather furniture, they may not take to the scratching post right away. As your pet trains, consider covering the couch with a thick blanket tucked into the cushions so they won’t feel the urge to damage the upholstery.

3. Reconfigure Litter Boxes

Frequent urination on leather is often a sign that your cat is marking their territory. However, if the problem keeps occurring, it might be due to a urinary health issue—such as an infection. Check with a veterinarian to verify that an underlying condition isn’t to blame.

If health isn’t a problem, your cat may also be urinating on the couch because they don’t have a comfortable place to use the bathroom. Talk to a veterinarian about what your pet’s litter box needs are and take steps to ensure they have accessible, open, and private areas to take care of their business.

4. Use a Specialized Cleaner

In the event your cat urinates on the couch, remove the stain with a cleaner that is formulated for pet problems. These products are designed to break down enzymes in animal urine and fully remove the odor. With the scent removed, this also makes it more difficult for cats to return to the spot to mark their territory.

5. Play When Problems Start

If you’re home and you notice that your cat is starting to play with leather, it may be because they need stimulation. To help your pet expend energy in a less-destructive fashion, use cat toys—such as stuffed mice or feathers—to keep them active away from the furniture.

When your pet’s behavior is complicating life at home, Crescent Springs Animal Hospital is equipped to address the problem. Through gentle examination, this Crescent Springs, KY, veterinarian will identify and treat any underlying health issues that may be causing your cat to misbehave. Backed by years of experience, this pet hospital can also introduce you to simple solutions to help make your home more feline-friendly. Visit this animal clinic online to learn more about their services; or, call (859) 331-6608 to schedule a convenient appointment.