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A cinnamon Abyssinian cat sits upright next to a scratched leather armchair, with a tiny guilty smile. 26 / 30

The Abyssinian and the Leather Chair With a New Look

AI imageabyssinianleather chairscratching

The old leather armchair has a story to tell, and it is written in claw marks. Long pale scratches run down the arm and the side, the leather peeling in places, while the cinnamon Abyssinian sits tall beside it with big ears alert and a tiny, uneasy smile. Her golden-green eyes look sideways, as if she is hoping to change the subject.

Scratching is a normal, necessary cat behavior. It helps cats stretch, keep their claws in good shape and mark territory with scent glands in their paws. Leather is especially tempting because it gives a satisfying resistance, and a chair in a central room is a perfect spot to announce a cat's presence.

The best fix is to give her somewhere better to scratch. A tall, sturdy post covered in sisal rope, placed right next to the chair, works well, and many cats like both upright and flat scratchers. Rubbing a little catnip on the new post can help. Never punish a cat for scratching, since it is a natural need, and ask your vet if you are worried about her claws.

Abyssinians are lithe, high-energy cats with a ticked, warm-colored coat, and they like to be involved in everything. This one seems to be hoping the chair has simply aged with dignity. The scratches add character, she would say, and make it look well loved.

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