Cat damaging couch.

[SkyBlue1987]

So we have one good couch we just brought and one 10 year old couch. The cat is allowed unlimited time on the old couch but we monitor/restrict him on new one.

This couch is expensive and we brought it from one of the higher quality furniture shops in our area. Our cat is literally destroying the couch by walking along it, he’s not even clawing it. It’s kind of like the small pieces of cotton are not sewn in, once he dislodges them I can pull them out easily. I obviously don’t expect it to be cat proof but I’m not sure I’m being unreasonable to expect it to be slightly more harder wearing. In contrast the old couch my cat is allowed on has zero damage from him walking on it. Photo of white couch is new and grey is old couch. What’s everyone’s thoughts?

It's a cat.. it doesn't understand that it's a new sofa. Stop being so goddamn precious

We got a new couch when my DS was young. It was lovely but it was cream. I bought a really nice throw which we put over it quite a lot of the time so it could be used without worrying about it getting dirtied or stained. And we took the throw off when we had visitors or other times.

You really think the cat is going to understand this? Or care?

The fabric of the old couch is much better for cars because it doesn’t tuft and is a flat weave. I’d echo getting a throw or blanket for when the cat is on there. I feel your pain, so many carpets and items of furniture ruined by little cat claws.

I assume the op is considering taking this issue up with the sofa company, not the cat, for those saying it's not the cat's fault and it won't understand😂

I agree the sofa should not be shedding so easily and the fabric shouldn't come loose. I'd complain.

Our cat did this with a new sofa. I leaned a board covered with carpet against the corner she went for and she scratches that instead. I made it with scrap carpet and MDF.

The sofa is fine, it just isn’t designed to have cat claws scratching at it constantly. It is designed for human arses, which don’t tend to have the same effect on fabric.

Wouldn’t it be easier to teach the cat that it isn’t allowed on any sofa?

The cat can't be expected to understand the difference between an old sofa and a new sofa. As with any animal, you have to be completely consistent with training - either sofas are allowed or they're not.

It's probably rather late to change your cat's habits now, but you could try.

I'm not sure you can blame the sofa company. A cat's claws are basically mini hooked needles. A soft velour is never going to withstand them, you're better off with coarser fabric.

A few things you could do:

Put a throw on the new sofa to protect it
Keep your cat's claws clipped so they're blunt if it lets you clip them (some will, some will absolutely not)
Discourage the cat from either sofa - get a nice big soft cat or dog bed and spray it with catnip. Although, from my experience, you would probably have more luck if you tried to encourage the cat onto the sofas and ban it from its own bed because they always delight in doing exactly what they want to do 😆

Thanks yea we may have to just keep his nails trimmed super short, as I amazed at how much damage he does just by walking along a couch. We don’t want to ban him from it as enjoy him snuggling up on our laps.

Don’t buy expensive couches when you own a cat!

Yes, I've never stopped mine coming on the sofas, but I've always had second hand sofas so I've never been too bothered.

Nothing could be harder than teavhing a cat not to jump on a sofa. Literally impossible. You could keep it outt of the room if you have the energy to keep closing doors.
A nice throw is the easiest solution. Or complain to the seller that the new sofa is not robust enough, but they could reasonably say that it isn't made for sharp objects. The old sofa has a closer weave and stronger fabric by the look of it.

We got a 12 week old kitten and it became his couch.

The kitten arrived after the couch, but yes you’re right. Unfortunately most comfortable couches are not generally on the cheaper side.

Isn't this what throws are for?

The fabric on your old couch looks to be of far better quality than the new one.