What Is the Best Furniture Material for Cats?

If you're looking for non-fabric furniture, such as a dining table and chairs or a coffee table, consider investing in synthetic pieces or treated wood with smooth surfaces that your cat can't dig their nails into. Some cats view wooden furniture legs as tiny trees — perfect for claw-trimming — but with time and patience, you can teach your cat to redirect their instincts and choose a cat scratching post instead, emphasises the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (or RSPCA) in Queensland, Australia. You can even make your own cat scratching post to entice them.

What Materials Should I Avoid?

When shopping for furniture and other household goods, avoid materials like chenille, cotton, tweed and silk that can be easily snagged by cat claws. These are versatile, terrific fabrics, but reserve them for items that stay out of your kitty's reach.

Additionally, these are the two types of material you'll definitely want to stay away from if you have cat roommates:

1. Sisal

Sisal, an agave plant whose leaves are used to make everything from carpets to clothes to baskets, is the preferred material for cat posts and toys because of its sturdy fibres. But think twice before buying that amazing sisal rug you've had your eye on; from your cat's point of view, they're thinking, "Look at that awesome scratching pad my human bought for me!"

Before you know it, your new floor covering will be shredded. It's not the cat's fault, of course, because they're drawn to these natural fibres. Save the sisal for cat accessories only.

2. Leather

Leather furniture is sleek, soft and durable, and doesn't really retain pet odours and hair, all of which make it a desirable furniture textile. But it's not the best couch material for cats: It's actually a prime target for cat claws.

It's easily scratched and, once pet claws hit leather, the material is never the same again. You can repair leather furniture, but it's typically an eight-step process, according to the leather repair experts at the Furniture Clinic. And, even after all that work, it's never going to look as good as when you bought it.

You can have nice things and share your living space with furry friends. It's about being smart with what you bring into your home. By gravitating toward fabrics they'll be less likely to scratch and giving them a nice mix of things they can — and will want to — dig their claws into, you and your cat roommates can live in perfect harmony in a beautifully furnished home.