Leather sofa - cat scratch damage!!!!

[Deleted User]

Looking after someone elses cat for a year whilst they're in NZ. We've got a leather sofa and the damn thing has been scagging it! There are visible scags on the sofa.

Couple of things:-

1. Can this sort of damage be repaired.
2. How to stop the cat doing it.

We bought sofa from Harveys and it comes with insurance cover. Got an idea that some sort of pet damage was covered but surely not for something like this? I'll have to check although what other sort of pet damage is there.

Ebe_Scrooge

You can sometimes mask the damage somewhat by finding some shoe polish of the right colour, and very carefully rub it into the scratch with a cotton bud, then buff it up. It won't be a perfect fix, but it can help.


A second option is to give Harveys a call - they may be able to provide a repair kit specifically designed for the job.


Obviously, check the insurance policy - if you're covered on that, then that will be far and away the best option.


How to stop the cat doing it. 3 options spring to mind.


1. Get a pair of pliers and rip its claws out ( this IS a joke !!!!! )
2. Keep the cat out of the room ( probably not practical ? )
3. Cover the sofa with a throw / rug / duvet cover, make sure it's secured so the cat can't pull it off. Not the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it'll protect the sofa. Alternatively, you can buy specifically designed sofa covers ( look online, or in places like Dunelm Mill ). If you get one that's the right size for your sofa this should protect it, and won't look too tatty.

[Deleted User]

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

You can sometimes mask the damage somewhat by finding some shoe polish of the right colour, and very carefully rub it into the scratch with a cotton bud, then buff it up. It won't be a perfect fix, but it can help.


A second option is to give Harveys a call - they may be able to provide a repair kit specifically designed for the job.


Obviously, check the insurance policy - if you're covered on that, then that will be far and away the best option.


How to stop the cat doing it. 3 options spring to mind.


1. Get a pair of pliers and rip its claws out ( this IS a joke !!!!! )
2. Keep the cat out of the room ( probably not practical ? )
3. Cover the sofa with a throw / rug / duvet cover, make sure it's secured so the cat can't pull it off. Not the most aesthetically pleasing option, but it'll protect the sofa. Alternatively, you can buy specifically designed sofa covers ( look online, or in places like Dunelm Mill ). If you get one that's the right size for your sofa this should protect it, and won't look too tatty.

Yes going to check insurance. If it is covered better wait until cat is gone lol!

1. Ha ha. I'm tempted to put cat in envelope and post it to NZ!
2. Not practical :-(
3. Yes. We've been doing this but you've got to cover the seat, back,arms etc. Not easy.

Ebe_Scrooge

[quote=[Deleted User];70246473]
3. Yes. We've been doing this but you've got to cover the seat, back,arms etc. Not easy.[/QUOTE]


It may be worth looking at something like this :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SEATER-Stretch-Elastic-Huggers-VICEROY/dp/B00EJKBKLK/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1457001153&sr=1-5&keywords=sofa+covers


We got something similar years ago to cover our worn-out sofa. That one tied down, rather than being elasticated, it looked a bit like this : https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sofa+cover+argos&biw=1019&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiE65S3p6TLAhVCdw8KHe43DfUQ_AUIBygC&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=sofa+cover&imgrc=cZ48h6ITEl_8VM%3A


I think we got it from Ikea, but I'm sure you'll find similar in lots of places. It does the job pretty well, and is fitted around the arms, back etc. And it just goes in the washing machine when it gets grubby. Might be worth a look ?

phoenix_w

Baby oil can mask surface cat scratches. Only ways to prevent damage are to provide an alternative scratching post nearby, cover the sofa and cut their claws regularly (sadly we can't do this as we own evil stupidly strong cats that need knocking out if you were to attempt this).

We've given up trying to prevent the scratches - try to see them as part of the sofa's character.

Wingco44

Swap the cat for a breed that does not scratch furniture (Persians and Siamese apparently don't scratch leather sofas - I was told this by John Lewis in Nottingham). When your friend returns from NZ and doesn't recognise their cat, tell them it is DEFINITELY their cat, but add you don't recognise your sofa either.
I would also contact the friend and tell them which could have 2 results:
1. The offer to pay for a new sofa on their return. It may be covered on their insurances.
2. They may have a solution to stop it happening.
They should have warned you in advance.
I had an expensive leather suite ruined by my cats - I tried special sprays, scratching posts placed nearby and rolled up newspapers - but cats push boundaries despite the occasional thwack with the newspaper.
Once they start this endearing habit, it's near impossible to stop them.
Our last of many cats died in 2015 and we now own a fabric sofa and no longer live in fear of our feline masters.

phil24_7

Friends of mine had their real leather sofa repaired using insurance and you couldn't notice where the scratched had been...the little s**t soon replicated the damage though so make sure you do it once the cat has returned home!

ariba10

Close crop the Cats tail (just behind it's ears) would stop it.

DaftyDuck

Have a look online for Feliway. Various versions available.
Give the cat a log or plank, or buy a cat scratching post.

[Deleted User]

phil24_7 wrote: »

Friends of mine had their real leather sofa repaired using insurance and you couldn't notice where the scratched had been...the little s**t soon replicated the damage though so make sure you do it once the cat has returned home!

Yes we appear to have insurance. I just didnt think they's pay out for something like thsis - after all surely its going to affect a lot of people who have cats....

phil24_7

That's what insurance is for!