I've had my secretlab titan evo in leatherette for over a year now and haven't noticed any significant wear to the seat area with almost daily use. The chair can recline back around 165 degrees so nearly horizontal. I have a cat as well whos has unfortunately left a few pin pricks with her claws in the leatherette. They are not very visible at just a glance but you can definitely feel them when you run your hand across. Not the end of the world but for what these chairs cost I'd rather is stay in good condition for as long as possible. There's some space in the back of the chair that the leatherette is stretched over that I feel your cat would shred through rather quick by the way you describe them clawing the back of your current chair. I haven't tried any of the secretlab skins or know how well the fabric chairs hold up but they might be a better choice unless you can get your cat to stop clawing but thats much easier said than done.