When it comes to rugs, there are a variety of materials and styles to choose from. Cowhide rugs have a number of advantages over other types of rugs. They make cozy and beautiful additions to any room.
But are cowhide rugs pet friendly?
It is a common question among pet owners who have decided to buy a cow skin rug.
They are, actually! Cowhide rugs are typically pet friendly. First of all, unlike synthetic materials like PVC or vinyl, cow hide is a natural product and won't harm your pet in any way. Moreover, this type of rugs are hypoallergenic. Plus they are easy to clean and maintain.
I’ll explain more about this topic. But before that, let’s find out what a cowhide rug is.
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What is a Cowhide Rug?
It is a piece of home décor accessory produced from the hide (skin) of cattle that have hair still attached. Those cattle are raised on a farm to have their skin harvested for use in furniture and fashion products.
Cowhide rugs retain the animal’s unique markings. Of course, sometimes the skins are re-dyed to create more attractive prints.
These rugs have two grades: 1) Full grain, 2) Top-grain.
Full-grain cowhide rugs are split down to their original layers. So they have the best natural looks and offer the highest durability. The natural flexibility and durability of this type of rug make them an ideal choice for high-traffic rooms like a kid’s room or living room.
On the other hand, top-grain rugs are sanded and steam-treated to give them an artificial top layer.
4 Misconceptions about Cowhide Rug
These are some questions people have about these rugs.
❌ Misconception 1: They have an unbearable smell
These rugs have a smell, but it is not the smell like your sisal rug. Your leather jacket, leather furniture, or other leather products have the same smell.
The cow skin is treated well to eliminate odor.
But the smell is not strong, and if you place the rug in your room, you absolutely won’t get any odor.
❌ Misconception 2: They don’t hold up over time.
When it comes to durability, cowhide rugs are at the top of the list. Like the leather of upholstery or your leather garments, this type of rug is very tough and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Most importantly, the hairs don’t come loose or become sparse.
❌ Misconception 3: My cat or dog will chew up the cow skin rug.
You dog may enjoy rawhide chewing toys. But it doesn’t mean that they will chew on your cow skin rug.
Observe your pet. If it doesn’t show interest in other rugs in your home, then you can rest assured that your pet won’t destroy your cow skin rug.
❌Misconception 4: They may leave behind dangerous chemicals on your skin
Some people still believe that the tanning process leaves behind dangerous chemicals.
This is not true!
The chemicals used in the tanning process never leave behind any dangerous residue on your hide.
Each hide is carefully washed throughout the tanning process to make sure that it is safe to use in your home. There is nothing dangerous about having a professionally tanned cowskin rug in your living room or bedroom.
Benefits of Having a Cowhide Rug
There are a number of reason to have a cow skin rug that make it a much more sustainable choice than other rug types.
- Great for all spaces
These rugs are available in a number of sizes, shapes, and colors. They perfectly match any décor- contemporary or vintage. The unique pattern of a cow skin rug brings a cozy vibe to the bedroom or provides focal points on a hardwood floor.
You have options to choose from black, dark brown, beige, light grey, and more to match your bathroom, living room, kid’s room, or dining room.
- Highly durable
They are notably long-lasting. They can also withstand a lot of wear and tear. As long as you take care of them properly, cowhide rugs can last for years without any problems at all.
Due to their long-lasting properties, you can even place them in areas of heavy traffic, such as hallways.
- Easy to maintain
Keeping a cowskin rug clean and dust-free is easy with just a few simple steps. They are very easy to clean, especially with loose dirt and pet fur. You can easily shake them out or vacuum up any hair or debris. Thanks to their very low pile height and durability.
Liquid substances like tea, juice, coffee, etc,seldom infiltrate deep into the hides. You can also brush the rug with a hard plastic brush to soften the hair and keep dirt at bay.
- Hypoallergenic
If you are looking for a high-quality, yet hypoallergenic rug, be sure to check out cowhide rugs. Because they aren’t made from wool or other materials that may cause allergic reactions, these rugs are a great choice for people with allergies.
Plus, these rugs don’t require frequent vacuuming, which helps preserve the air quality in the room and ensures that there is no fragrance interference.
In a rush, check out the best cowhide rugs on the hotlist below:
4 Best Cowhide Rugs
If you’re interested in bringing this amazing rug to your home, don’t miss any of the following most popular ones.
#1 Genuine Brindle Tricolor Cowhide Rug
#3 Tomtom Cowhides Brindle Light Cowhide Rug
#4 Amazing RODEO Cowhide Rug Hair on Skin cowhides
Are Cowhide Rugs Pet Friendly? –Answer in Details
Cowhide rugs are pet-friendly. The soft texture of these rugs makes them comfortable to lie on and play around.
But it’s best to test them first.
If your cat or dog doesn’t show any interest in chewing up the material, then you can safely use it in your home.
As mentioned earlier, cow skin rug is easy to keep clean. You can vacuum or shake your rug to clean the loose dust, dander, hair, and debris. This is especially useful if you have kids or pets who frequently play on it. If needed, you can brush the rug with a plastic brush once a month to remove pet fur, dirt, and dust.
The only thing is being sure to have your pet properly potty trained before placing the rug in your home. Hold your rug aside until your furry friends get their habits in line.
If your cat or dog has an accident on the rug, it’s also easy to clean. First, scoop up the loose waste. Then, wipe down with water and some mild soap. Finally, let it completely dry out.
If there is a urine smell problem or any remaining scent, use carpet freshener or put some baking soda on it and vacuum it. Your hide rug will be as good as new.
Disadvantages of Cowhide Rugs
There are a few disadvantages to cowhide rugs.
First and foremost, they can be quite expensive. This is because cowhide is a rare material, and it takes a lot of time and effort to produce a rug made from it.
Additionally, cowhide rugs are often slippery on virtually any flooring. It also has tendency to curl up in places and pose a tripping hazard. However, placing a rug pad underneath your cow hide rug can solve these issues.
How to Clean a Cowhide Rug
Cleaning a cowskin rug is simple.
Here are the experts’ suggested ways.
- Shaking
Shaking the rug off is a simple and effective way to clean it and remove any loose dirt or dust that may have accumulated over time. Just make sure to shake it off properly until you see the dirt coming out! Don’t beat the rug aggressively.
- Vacuuming
Many people are hesitant to vacuum cowhide rugs because they believe it will ruin the rug. However, this is not true.
Vacuuming this type of rug will help keep it tidy and inhibit any stain or dirt from settling on it. You don’t need to follow any hard and fast rules to vacuum this rug.
In fact, vacuuming regularly may even prevent damage due to the dust piling up.
Tips:
- Vacuuming in the direction of the hair is typically recommended, as this will reduce the risk of pulling hair or worse.
- Using a hose attachment to vacuum the rug is recommended. But if you feel the suction is too high, you can switch to a Dustbuster instead.
- Brushings
Brushing is a simpler and effective way to clean your cowhide rug.
While vacuuming, it’s likely that some areas inside your rug might still contain dirt and debris.
Brushing with a broom or brush with hard plastic bristles can help remove that stubborn dirt from your rug.
- Steam Cleaning
It is an effective way to take care of such kind of rug. No worries, it is safe to use a steam cleaner on a cow skin rug.
Tips:
- Pre-vacuuming is a must to remove excess buildup of stains.
- Warm up the steam cleaner to its operating temperature.
- Clean in the direction of the rug hairs.
- Excess water may damage your rug. So, don’t allow your rug to get wet.
How to remove minute stains from the spill on a cowhide rug
A mix of water and shampoo will be helpful to remove the stain.
Steps to follow:
- Apply the water-shampoo mix to the rug. You can use a sponge or clean fabric to apply the mixture.
- Gently rub and scrub, don’t rub against the grain.
- Repeat until all the stain is removed.
How to remove grease stains from cowhide rugs
No need to be afraid if your rugs are stained with grease. Cleaning the grease is simple.
Steps to follow:
- Lightly scrape away the grease with a brush. You can use any brush with hard bristles.
- Use a little amount of eucalyptus oil on top of the stain.
- Wait a minute and thoroughly rub the surface with a clean, dry fabric.
- Repeat the steps till all the stain comes out.
How to remove food stains
To remove food stains, you’ll need a brush or a butter knife.
Steps to follow:
- Gently scrape off the stains in the same direction as the grain.
- Repeat until all the stains are gone.
- Make a mixture of white vinegar and water.
- Apply the mixture to the stain by using a cloth.
- Rub the rug surface with a dry cloth.
Final Thoughts
After having discussed all this, allow me to remind you that a cowhide rug is pet-friendly.
It’s no secret that cowhide rugs are some of the most popular and luxurious items on the market today. Their lush, soft texture is admired by many, and their ability to last for years is nothing short of legendary.
They are safe to use inside any home, whether you have pets or not.