Cats do scratch leather. This behavior is instinctual and can be caused by reasons such as boredom, excitement, claw maintenance, territorial marking, and stretching. Leather furniture is attractive to cats for scratching because its texture is somewhat similar to natural surfaces like tree bark, which cats instinctively scratch in the wild. The scratching helps cats keep their claws sharp, shed the outer layers of claws, and mark their territory with scent glands in their paws. Despite the potential damage, cats and leather furniture can coexist with precautionary measures such as providing alternative scratching posts, using furniture guards, trimming the cat's claws, or using protective covers. Leather can be damaged by cat scratches, ranging from light surface marks to deep gouges, but smaller damages are often repairable with leather repair kits. Preventing scratches early and providing distractions for the cat is recommended to avoid severe damage to leather furniture.