Leather furniture offers a wonderful advantage over fabric based furniture in that it's easier to clean. Dust and mites don't become embedded in it as they can with fabric based furniture. But what if you have a cat?

Cats love to scratch and sink their claws into fabric and soft surfaces. It just comes naturally to them. Cats and leather furniture are fairly incompatible. Since leather is a hide from an animal and still contains odors from the animal, a cat may find it irresistible. You cat may have the urge to "knead" the furniture to cover up the scent with its own.

If you own a cat and are considering leather furniture, you may want to think again. If you own leather furniture and are considering getting a cat, here are some options you can take to prevent the cat from clawing the furniture.

Cover up the Sofa or Chair - One way to prevent damage to your leather furniture from a cat is to cover it up. The cover must be fairly thick so the cat's claws will not penetrate the leather underneath. Furthermore, it must be tight fitting so it won't be pulled off by kitty's claws. You can remove the cover for company and replace it when you're not around to keep an eye on things.

Cover the Cat's Claws - Another approach is to cover the cat's claws. You can use a product called "Soft Paws" which are dense rubberized tight fitting covers for your cat's claws. You will need to put them on all four feet to be effective. Most cats don't like these, but will get used to them after a few days. This is considered a humane approach to de-clawing. But like declawing, it will render you cat defenseless if it roams out of doors.

Use a Cat Deterrent Product - Another approach is a cat deterrent like the product "SSScat". This is a humane spray product that is activated by motion detection. Strategically place the spray around your furniture and the furniture will be "off limits". Cats simply do not like things sprayed at them! This product can be used in other ways too; like keeping kitty away from the fish tank for example.

Keep Alternatives Around - Make sure your cat has plenty of other things to scratch on such as well placed scratching posts around the house. Many cats will simply be happy with this arrangement and leave the furniture alone.

Just Observe - Some cats simply don't like the feel of leather and avoid it completely. The only way you will know if your cat is a "leather lover" or not is to watch it carefully when you first get the cat (or the furniture).

As a cat owner and a leather furniture owner, you will need to face the fact that you have a possible conflict here. If you can't use any of these tips, you may have to choose between the two.

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Ross Parker lives in Seattle, Washington. He maintains a website called Home Businesses for Seniors where people can find articles and items of interest for baby boomers and seniors looking for ways to earn extra income.