All natural leather hides have pores. Mother Nature designed all animal hides so that they can breath. This is one of the primary functions of pores to allow the hide to breath and to perspire. The functionality of leather pores does not end with the slaughter of the animal for meat.

Leather waterproofing functions by obstructing the pores thereby preventing any liquids from permeating the leather. On the surface leather waterproofing sounds like a great idea. Lets examine this concept carefully to see what may go wrong.

Leather waterproofing products typically contain heavy oils, waxes such as beeswax and or other sealants that are intended to obstruct the numerous natural pores.

So where does all that cat urine go? More often then not the cat or dog urine will find its way thru the stitching and seams penetrating the waterproofed leather upholstery from these very difficult to clean access points.

If you own cats or dogs and there is any chance that they may decide to urinate, pee or wee on your leather furniture you should avoid waterproofing altogether.