Leather couches and pets

nfp147 · February 2011

Chris and I found a leather sectional that we really like, but I'm wondering about how it will be with pets. We have a cat with back claws and a 14 month old chocolate lab who unfortunately gets up on the couch!

I think the leather would make hair removal easier, but I'm wondering about scratches and nail holes. Do any of you have any experience with this?

maheard · February 2011

I would be interested in hearing what others think as well. Mike and I are in the same boat only we have the super special 3 year old boxer that refuses to stay off the furniture.. Indifferent

schuette2 · February 2011

No experiences with animals and leather, but my dad had a leather recliner for a long time, and in the summer time, he'd stick to it. Leather traps heat, and makes you hotter in warmer months, just fyi.

christieep · February 2011

We have leather couches and 2 dogs (you can see our new dog sitting on one in my New Dog post). We keep Miley's (our chow mix) nails pretty well trimmed and she is on the couches all the time with no marks at all. Our new dog has long nails which are fairly sharp and she runs all over them and I haven't noticed any damage. Our leather sofas were actually my sister's first and she has two dogs (small havanese) and they've done more damage to her new couch than they ever did to the leather.

I guess it would depend maybe on the leather. A good furniture salesman would probably be able to tell you . It is nice for cleaning.

ETA: Aside from pets, I don't think leather is very cozy. When we bought a new couch a few months ago for our tv room we didn't get leather because we wanted something that would be warm and cozy for the occasional nap or watching a movie.

hz80408 · February 2011

My brother has a weimeriner (sp) and rat terrier. Both dogs are allowed on the leather sectional and the weim has long nails, but there's no damage. They've had both the couch and the dogs a while too (at least 2 yrs for the couch).

Sidenote- our dog gets on the couch too. Originally we didn't allow him on there, never held him when we were sitting on there, etc. Then one morning I was getting ready and came out of the bathroom and he was sitting on there. He had realized that he could jump up there and that was the end of the dog-free couch Huh?

EmDizzle · February 2011

DH's parents have a nice leather sectional and it seems to hold up to their dog (and our dog when we visit). They just don't allow the dogs to be up there while chewing on a bone since the sharp edges may scratch.

We have micro-fiber furniture (feels like suede) and it holds up to the cats with claws (though they aren't big scratchers anyway) and the dog very well.

raineskyy · February 2011

We have an older leather couch and the dog doens't really hurt it. He is on it all the time. I just gets dirty really fast- but clean up is much easier.

The cat claws are the problem we have. We have always had problems with cats tearing up the sides of the furniture- but the whole things gets messed up with the cat. Esp when the cat and dog are playing with eachother and her claws get out since we have an older couch we don't care too much but it is just something to think about. esp if it is a lighter color leather. Also if it is smooth leather vs textured will make a difference on how it looks with pet claws

hz80408 · February 2011

I would recommend against micro-suede with a shedding pet.

We got a new couch a few weeks after we got O, bc we didn't have one at all prior to moving in together, and it's attracts hair like crazy. We have purchased flat sheets that are the same color as the cushions to help avoid the hair. We shake out and wash the sheets about every 1 or 2 weeks

alecat9 · February 2011

We have a micro suede couch like Hannah, not a leather couch, but the family I used to work for had leather couches and pets. I have to agree that leather couches are not very comfy. They are cold in the winter and hot and sticky during the summer. I didn't notice much pet damage at all.

Our micro-suede does attract hair but we've kind of given up of that, having 3 dogs means everything pretty much has hair on it. We keep a blanket on the cushion of our couch like Hannah, both to keep it less hairy but also to protect it from claws. Its held up pretty well for the last year (particularly considering it was a very inexpensive couch and love seat set from Big Lots...scotch guard is a must.)

MC22 · February 2011

My parents have a leather couch, which has held up very well to our dog's nails (which are extremely long, even when they're freshly cut, and she scratches her bed, the couch, the carpet, etc., before she'll lay down). She used to spend every weekend at their house, but I've become selfish lately, so she doesn't spend as much time there.

I can't speak for cats on leather, though.

FWIW - I will agree with everyone else about microfiber - we have it and it does attract hair like crazy...it also gets very scratched up when Dottie scratches it to get comfortable, so she's not allowed up there (although she gets up there any time we aren't home...even leaves proof, such as her toys, sometimes!).

Good luck!

hutchsl · February 2011

I agree with pp's. Leather couches are great for dogs. We have 2 shelties and they are always on the leather recliners and couch. A co-worker has 2 labs and a mutt and they are really hard on furniture but the leather couch is holding up well. If the dog is in the chewing stage then nothing helps.

Leather couches and pets

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