Cowhide rugs - yes or no?

[Anonymous]

We recently stayed at a beach rental with our dogs that had cowhide rugs. I was really impressed at how easily the sand and dirt brushed off and I thought this might be a good solution for our living room (we've tried many different rugs and ruggables). I've been looking at cowhide rugs online and was about to pull the trigger when I read some reviews where people commented on "dead animals" on the floor, and how hide rugs are gross/unethical. I'm not sure if this is a mainstream opinion or a small fringe PETA type view.

Now that I think about it, I do see how cowhide can gross people out, but it honestly never occurred to me before. I can't figure out if cowhide is akin to wearing fur or is it similar to wearing leather shoes or a belt? Obviously, if I bought a rug, I would make sure it was ethically sourced, unlike fur.

My question is, if you were visiting a friend/neighbor's house, would you think differently about them if there was a cowhide rug on the floor?

[Anonymous]

I would never buy one for my own house. I couldn’t care less about what others choose to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently stayed at a beach rental with our dogs that had cowhide rugs. I was really impressed at how easily the sand and dirt brushed off and I thought this might be a good solution for our living room (we've tried many different rugs and ruggables). I've been looking at cowhide rugs online and was about to pull the trigger when I read some reviews where people commented on "dead animals" on the floor, and how hide rugs are gross/unethical. I'm not sure if this is a mainstream opinion or a small fringe PETA type view.

Now that I think about it, I do see how cowhide can gross people out, but it honestly never occurred to me before. I can't figure out if cowhide is akin to wearing fur or is it similar to wearing leather shoes or a belt? Obviously, if I bought a rug, I would make sure it was ethically sourced, unlike fur.

My question is, if you were visiting a friend/neighbor's house, would you think differently about them if there was a cowhide rug on the floor?

Yes, cowhide grosses me out more than leather. I know that means I'm a hypocrite, because it just takes extra processing for me to forget ignore it's animal hide. But since you asked. Also carpet beetles love it and can create bald spots much faster than they destroy a tufted wool rug.

[Anonymous]

In the right space they look great. I would do it and not give a darn about what someone else thought of it. .

[Anonymous]

I like them in the right space. They read really masculine to me, so I always picture like a barcelona chair or a MCM chair with the rug.

This didnt seem to be an issue with your dogs, but I've also noticed they seem to be a magnet for dogs to pee on. So just note in case you ever have other peoples dogs over LOL.

[Anonymous]

I have dogs and I wouldn’t get one because 1) chewing and 2) how do you wash them?

What matters most with dogs imo is washability and that means hand knotted wool rugs or synthetic rugs without any backing (so you can wash them)

[Anonymous]

I like them. And they are always conversations pieces.

[Anonymous]

I had one for a few years with 2 dogs that didn’t care about them. New dog chewed so I put it away.

[Anonymous]

It's your house. Do whatever the hell you want, who cares.

[emiliay]

Anyway, I can't accept it

[Anonymous]

You do you.

[Anonymous]

The cow is already dead, right? I eat steak and burgers. I'm not going to be self righteous about the life of this precious animal (and I'm being serious here.) My rug will last for decades and be enjoyed much longer than the milk and meat others enjoyed.

[Anonymous]

Be careful if you go with one. I ordered one and later had a carpet beetles infestation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be careful if you go with one. I ordered one and later had a carpet beetles infestation.

Carpet beetles already live outside all around your home. They eat hair, so any rug including wool, can easily be infested, doesn't mean they came with the rug. The issue with cowhide is each beetle will leave obvious bare spots, while it takes longer to notice in with a wool rug. Maybe that means catching the situation earlier, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cow is already dead, right? I eat steak and burgers. I'm not going to be self righteous about the life of this precious animal (and I'm being serious here.) My rug will last for decades and be enjoyed much longer than the milk and meat others enjoyed.

It’s not the same cow. Cows that are skinned are bred just for that. Usually in other countries and are treated abysmally.
I think they’re ugly because of what they once were. I feel the same way about animal heads on walls.