If your cats never go outdoors and never will, consider de-clawing them. I know it is hard to do, but the chances are you won't regret it. I have a ruined antique buffet because of cat claws. They have scratched the wood to pieces just jumping on top to sit and nap.

I had a declawed cat. My sister a vet tech had it done when she had the cat who was a wonderful cat. The front claws are removed because cats protect themselves mainly with their back claws. Short of that, the wood can be polished with dark oil to cover the scratches. I think it's like kids, you just realize they are messy and live with it and enjoy them for who they are. Get cheap used furniture you like and replace it when you can't stand it any more.

Do not DECLAW your cats!!!! That procedure actually involves cutting bone ..like cutting off your fingertips! It mames the animal. It is cruel and not recommended by vets, the aspca or anyone who understands the procedure. Please please... dont tell people to declaw a cat.

I have found that furniture that has a tighter weave is less enticing to claw so avoid linens, nubby fabrics, plain cottons etc... Also, keep their claws clipped and have plenty of kitty friendly scratching posts, pads available. You will find that some cats prefer vertical surfaces while others like a horizontal surface..some like rope, carpet, cardboard. Find what they like and meet their needs and furniture clawing will diminish. In the interim i have found tacky paper available at pet stores applied to furniture will deter them. When you see your cat start to claw pick him up and bring him over to the scratch post ..scratch the post with your own nails so he gets the idea. Keep trying he will get it.

HI -- The cats would be better off in another home if you are even thinking of declawing . If the cat has it's own kitty condo that has carpet on it , they will prefer that ' -You just have to rub a little catnip on it once a week and they will love to stay on that . I have never had a cat go after my furniture . If you don't want a cat on the counters or wood furniture ,just set some tin foil pie plates or meat pie plates and lay them about and after they have been scared a few times they will learn not to jump up there. Please be careful of having reclining furniture . We had a kitten killed after getting caught in the metal reclining bracket . I hope you find the sofa you want AFTER you have done some cat training .

No way would I declaw my cats. I'll just end up with a Mission sofa or have one made. I've got all the toys, condo etc., but one of my rescue cats just does not go for them. I've had a recliner for years and never had any trouble with it.

HI -- With all that being said , then I think a sofa that has the seperate cushions is a great idea , with or without pets or kids or husbands . And while I am commenting I would like to encourage people to foster or adopt rescued cats and dogs or others . They make wonderful friends . Thanks

There is a procedure for lazer surgery for cats. It does cost more, but there is no cutting,, no bleeding, etc. Only the front claws need to be done. I was very reluctant to do it, but my kiity actually LOVES anything sticky and will chew stamps to pieces, or anything else with sticky on it.
I brought him home and of course, the Dr. said, don't let him jump on anything. Hah! He loves jumping and did so the minute he got home - never had another problem and he was never sick or unhappy for a minute.
And yes, he owns a condo home, a scratching post, another scratching thing on the floor, and he religiously uses them every single day, in addition to giving one of my favorite chairs a good once over as well.
Additionally, when you are selecting fabric for your cat's home (they are not here for us, we are here for them) you should employ the "key test". Take a corner of fabric and rub back and forth with a key. If the key can't scratch the fabric, your kitty should not be able to either.

JustYourStyle... for cats that don't deem a sticky surface as a deterrent there are things you can spray on furniture and other tricks to try. I don't think I would want my fingernails lasered off--- sounds uncomfortable. Nails are there to protect fingers, or paws, as the case may be.

Please do not declaw cats.
There are alternatives.
http://www.softpaws.com

I am sorry to beat a dead horse... but I just feel it is really important to treat animals humanely. Cats need to use their claws. Here is an excerpt from an article about cats and their claws:

"Not being able to engage in a hearty scratch each day takes its toll. A declawed cat’ s shoulders and upper back gradually weaken, since scratching is the main way they stay strong. The whole scratching experience—the exertion, the visual impact, the noise of scraping claws—is a potent de- stressor for a cat. One cannot predict how an individual cat will react to being denied this great stress-relief source. One cat may develop lifelong aggression problems; another may apparently be fine—until faced with a stressful situation. A scratching cat is a happy cat. Declawing profoundly interferes with this core cat behavior."

See link for whole article... http://www.theanimalcenter.org/content/WhyCatsNeedClaws.pdf

Okay that's it. I will get off my soap box.

Wow, I never realized that about cats! Interesting and sad for the cats that have been declawed.

Eleanorc...do your cat's claw leather? What about a leather sofa? My kittys don't claw leather or suede or smooth poly blends. Also, you could put arm protector's on the arm or drape a blanket over the back of the couch to discourage clawing.


I don't know what your style is but I am throwing some ideas out there... Not necessarily meant to go in the same room together!









http://www.frontgate.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/x/378178?

They cut off down to the joint to declaw/imagine that on your finger!! I love cats and mine literally chooses to "drag" himself by his claws up our sofa..Fabric has held up well but I would be too afraid to get leather, which I would like!! Tough decision...I regretted it after I had it done to a cat..i did it to keep my baby from being scratched at the time..Last few cats claws r intact and it saved one of their lives when a dog attacked it...in our yard...Good luck to u:)

More...

Another area to explore might be couches for outdoor use. Depending on where you live you might be able to pull off a sunroom kind of look. If you live in a warm climate...

I would like to point out that this Houzzer inquiry (eleanorc) didn't mention considering de-clawing her cats as an option, but cat friendly sofa options. So, forgive us if it appeared were were chastising you about it! So many of us are animal lovers! Did you see the YouTube video today? A young man released a mouse from a garbage pail into the "wild" and a bird promptly swooped to eat it! He felt sooo bad! "No good deed goes unpunished".

When we rescued our now seven year old Bosco, we lived in Tucson. You can have two kinds of cats in Tucson. Live, inside, semi frustrated cats, or dead, cats. We chose the former.
My husband was not only an animal lover, he was Chair of Medicine and that meant that he was in very close proximity to the Vet School. We looked into every alternative to keeping our pet alive and well.
All of our animals have always been rescued animals. We have never lost an animal at an early age, They have always been healthy and active through many years, and certainly seem (ed) to be happy..
We have rescued animals since the early 60's. It certainly was not necessary to have any surgery of any kind done on most of the animals. They do have their own identity. You can no more raise and train all your animals in the same manner as your can your children.
If you do not care if your animals shred the only piece of furniture you have been able to afford in ten or fifteen years of marriage, so be it.
We could tolerate allergies, broken items, waking up the eventual babies, etc., but eventually, if you want it to be your home, and not the animals' nest, you have to face the facts that even a snake will wreck your home if you let it loose.
I work on and in people's homes and have for decades. Those who let the pet destroy and rule eventually, for one reason or another, don't seem to keep that animal
So my last word would be; are you getting so frustrated with your pet that you may not want to live with him or her or not.

Hello, just a quick point to say that Eleanorc did not express frustration with her cat or indicate that a solution was to give up her pet. In fact, she already has a solution in mind and is putting it out there to the Houzz community for any other ideas. This is certainly a common issue many of us have as pet parents and what a great thread it could be to discuss different options and share experiences.

We have three rescue dogs and will always have dogs in our family so have learned that leather couches are the easiest option to deal with dog fur second being slip covers.

I like the idea someone mentioned above about outdoor furniture. Pottery Barn had a beautiful carved wood sectional called Bali. I haven't seen it in awhile but they do have other options. I googled wood sofa and besides the Mission style, did see a few mid century modern wood sofas with leather cushions, if that is your style. My sisters have cats; one has leather furniture and one has slip covers.

Please let us know what you decide Eleanorc as many of us can benefit from your post. We know that despite training and all kinds of scratch posts and kitty condos, cats can still use a couch side as a scratching post!

Apologize if any offense taken by my declaw comment, did not intend to insult!! Sounds like a solution is needed. We have always had kids and pets and need durable things...My cats seemed more attracted to my wicker/rattan type things...fabric upholstery has worked best for us. Some of my cats were terrible scratchers no matter what I did...I hope u find a good solution!!

Yes, to clarify Eleanorc... I understand you were not considering the declaw remedy and my comments were not aimed at you. Further, for anyone who talked about declawing... my comments were not meant to chastise anyone but just to share information. It is evident that anyone who has a pet is already an animal lover and has the best of intentions.

Jayme...OMG...yes the cats love wicker. I have to keep the door closed to my sunroom for that reason. The cat's know there is a giant scratching post in there. LOL!

Thanks Bernie.