Browse ›
Fluffy calico cat sitting on a wooden floor next to a brown leather armchair with a heavily scratched, cracked arm. 29 / 37

The Old Leather Armchair Has Been in the Family for Years. Then Came the Calico.

AI imagecalicocaught in the actarmchair

Sunlight pours across the floor and onto a big brown leather armchair, the kind that has been in the family for years. The rounded arm, once smooth and glossy, is now covered in a web of scratches and cracks. Sitting right next to it, fluffy and bright, is a long-haired calico with a white bib, patches of orange and black on her face, and amber eyes looking straight up at the viewer. Her head is tilted slightly. Guilty, yes, but with a hint of pride in her craftsmanship.

Leather furniture is especially tempting for cats because claws sink into it easily and leave a satisfying mark. Scratching is not bad behavior in itself. It is how cats keep their claws healthy, stretch their bodies, and leave scent from glands in their paws. The key is offering something better. A tall, heavy scratching post covered in sisal rope placed right next to the favorite chair often works well, because the cat can scratch in the same spot it has already claimed. Rewarding the cat when it uses the post, trimming nails regularly, and covering the chair arm temporarily with a throw or protective guard can help shift the habit over time.

Some might say the chair has simply gained character. Each mark is a little signature from the household artist. With a new scratching post nearby, this calico might just be ready to move on to a different canvas.

More from this collection

All 37 →
Fluffy black Maine Coon cat sitting inside the empty lower rack of an open dishwasher, looking off to the side.Someone Opened the Dishwasher to Load It. It Was Already Full of Cat.Grey Devon Rex cat with large ears sitting in a kitchen sink full of dirty plates, pasta, a fork, and a glass of water.Last Night's Pasta Dishes Are Still in the Sink. So Is the Devon Rex.
Seal point Ragdoll cat sitting on a floor covered in torn pink and red tulip petals and stems, with a petal stuck to its fur.The Tulip Bouquet Was Beautiful This Morning. Now It's a Carpet.Black cat sitting on a kitchen counter beside a crusty loaf of bread with a large bite missing and crumbs scattered around.The Fresh Loaf Has a Cat-Sized Hole in One End. Midnight Looks Thrilled.Brown tabby Maine Coon cat with ear tufts sitting on a floor covered in torn envelopes and shredded paper, looking up.The Mail Arrived This Morning. It Did Not Survive the Afternoon.Black curly-coated Devon Rex cat sitting on a torn white pillow while white feathers float through the air around it.The Feathers Are Still Falling. The Devon Rex Is Trying to Be Invisible.