How to Cover Cat Scratches on Couch

No matter how fluffy, cute, and utterly adorable cats may seem, they are natural-born predators. They are wired to hunt, protect, and stay alert even when they sleep. Some of their daily routines include darting from room to room, knocking mugs off tables, and sharpening their claws on your beautiful couch.

While it’s possible to keep your cats locked out of the living room, these smart felines often find a way to open doors and reach their target when you’re not home. When you get back home, seeing claw marks on the couch can be disheartening, but it’s not the end of the world.

In this article, you will find out how to cover cat scratches and what can be done to prevent further damage from your furry pets.

How to Cover Up Cat Scratches on a Couch

Before you can cover the scratches, you first need to fix the fabric and bring your couch to its pristine condition. Follow these steps to stop worrying about your cat's claws digging into your couch upholstery.

Step 1: Fix the Scratches

To fix the scratches, you can try one of two methods: trimming the couch or pushing the tufts back under the weave of your upholstery.

Trimming the damaged furniture for not-too-damaged couches:

1. Grab your sharpest scissors and a razor.
2. Cut the longest threads off and try to get as close to the surface as you can.
3. Use a razor to trim the upholstery until the surface smoothes out.

Fixing the scratches with a felting needle for badly damaged couches but without tears or ruptures:

1. Get a felting needle of around 38-gauge thickness.
2. Do not cut any threads off because you will poke them, trying to push them inside the couch.
3. Target each knot, pushing them inside without inserting the felting needle too deep.

The first method is surely a faster and easier way of getting rid of minor scratches and knots. However, the other method ensures your couch strands remain inside, safely tucked under the upholstery.

Step 2: Apply Patches

This step is for those couches that might already be torn and ripped but can be covered with a patch to keep the fabric together. Patches can be made of different materials, and you can even get creative with how you cover the scratches left by your cat.

1. Choose the material of your patch that would fit the fabric and color of your couch.
2. Clean the area where you want to apply the patch.
3. Attach the patch, making sure it covers the whole area. Depending on the material, you can use fabric glue or even sew the patch.

Step 3: Match the Patch with Your Couch

If the patch stands out, you can apply fabric dye or paint the patch to match your couch. Alternatively, you can be creative and add decorative elements like cushions or throws.

How to Cover Cat Scratches on a Leather Couch

If you have leather furniture and your cat can’t resist scratching its claws on it, you should consider covering the couch before any tears appear. However, before doing that, there are two ways to fix existing damage and restore your couch to its pristine condition:

Using leather recoloring balm for light damage:

1. Purchase a leather coloring balm that matches the color of your leather couch.
2. Use a sponge to apply and rub the balm onto the surface of the damaged area (or the entire couch if it loses its shine).
3. Wait 24-36 hours for the balm to cure.

Using a leather repair kit for heavier damage:

1. Clean the scratched area from dust and oil.
2. Cut the backing fabric to cover the area. The size of the fabric should be slightly bigger than the tear or hole in your couch.
3. Insert the backing fabric with a spatula.
4. Carefully apply a matched adhesive solution to the affected area.
5. Wait for the solution to dry fully, and use rubbing alcohol to blend the area with the couch.

How to Keep Your Cat’s Claws Off the Couches

If your cat shows no interest in a scratching mat and prefers to sharpen its claws off the couch, then there is only one thing you can do to protect your couch–investing in a couch cover.

There are multiple benefits of couch covers, especially when you have pets and children. Here are some of them:

• Functional: Nolan Interior’s couch covers are made of durable and high-quality fabric that can withstand your pets' daily scratches.
• Stylish: Available in different colors and patterns, you can protect your couch from scratches and spills without the style of your living room decor.
• Practical: Our covers are effortless to install. They seamlessly fit each part of the couch, matching your furniture and the aesthetics of the room.

Final Words

When the damage is not substantial, claw scratches are fairly easy to remove or repair, even on a leather couch. However, if your cat just can’t resist scratching your furniture, investing in a couch cover might be the most practical option for you.

Nolan Interior’s couch cover is more than just fabric; it’s a thick, protective shield designed to fit your couch snugly. It creates a barrier between potential damage and your furniture, keeping it safe from spills, stains, scratches, and dust.

Sources

• https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/how-to-stop-cats-from-scratching-furniture
• https://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-ways-to-fix-cat-scratches-on-your-furniture-1850788704
• https://designsbystudioc.com/repairing-cat-scratched-upholstery/