Where does leather come from?

Question

I want honest, informed answers, please. I would not dream of wearing fur under any circumstances and find the fur industry disgusting. However, I am considering buying a leather sofa because I have two German Shepherd dogs who have the run of the house and my current sofa is a mess because of them lying and playing on it so much. But I would not want to buy leather ANYTHING if the leather came from animals who where raised and killed only for the leather. However, if the leather is a by product from the food/meat industry....well, then until people stop eating meat then I may as well use the leather because waisting any part of the animal means it died in vain.

I'm interested mainly in the opinions of Vegitarians and people who are opposed to animal cuelty. But I'll listen to whatever anyone has to say.

Answer 1

I happen to like meat and eat it regularly, but I am opposed to animal cruelty. I grew up on a farm, so I'm not sure if my definition of animal cruelty is the same as yours.

But anyways, leather is typically cow hide. When a cow is butchered and processed, there is very little waste. Almost every part has a use (hence the whole mad cow problem... but that's another story).

Other animals can be used as well, just about any animal really. Lamb or sheep is pretty popular too, and is a bit softer.

But anyways, to answer your question, no, we're not going to be killing thousands of 1500 pound animals just for their skin. Regardless of the morality, it's not profitable. The more that gets used, the more profitable the business.

Answer 2

I won't patronize you by saying it comes from cows because I'm sure you know this already. Most cows aren't solely killed for their leather but some higher quality leathers probably have cows bred and slaughtered for this purpose.

Personally I don't see the difference in eating meat and buying leather. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm assuming you're a vegetarian... well a lot of people could say that if you leave the meat on a supermarket shelf, it could go to waste so why don't you eat that? I just don't think animals should be seen as something to 'waste', as if they're just objects for humans to use up as they please. We don't look at a dead person and try and think up how we can make uses out of it's body do we?

What's the difference between an animal killed for leather or killed for it's meat? The end result is an animal has had to die just to please humans. The meat and leather industry work hand in hand... they both benefit from the pain of living beings just like the fur industry does. Granted the fur industry is more barbaric in that they skin animals when they're still alive but the leather and meat industry also contribute to horrific acts performed on animals.

The decision is yours but there are many cheaper cruelty-free alternatives. I would never be able to buy a leather sofa because it would constantly remind me of how humans just see animals as objects or property and not living feeling beings. Every effect has a cause... a leather sofa is just a result of pain.

Answer 3

Leather is basically animal skin. Mostly cows, but it can also be from other animals.

I don't believe that they use all of the animal when they kill it.

Have you thought about getting a fake leather couch?

EDIT: I was thinking, I'm not sure the same animals are used for meat as for leather. The price of an object made from leather can vary greatly. That is due to the fact that since leather is an animals skin, it can shows signs of what that animals life was like.

Animals that are bred for the purpose of being used as food, are often in crowded an unsanitary conditions. I'm not saying they are never used for leather, but it is less likely since the leather will show any scars the animal had.

Answer 4

Part of being veg*an is refusing to buy into ANYTHING associated with the whole animal cruelty businesses. This includes leather. Whether or not the rest of the cow was used, leather is still a product of cruelty. If people didn't buy leather, fewer animals would be killed.

And no matter what type sofa you buy, your dogs will probably destroy it. Have you considered buying them dog beds and trying to get them to use those instead?

Answer 5

Leather comes from tanneries. I think the farms that kill bulls for meat give the skins to the tanneries.

I personally condone fur or skins (unlike the fashion industry at the moment) but like you, I don't mind if it's a byproduct. I think of it like the Indians did - waste not want not. Plus to the girl that answered above me a few spaces, the leather industry thrives because of the beef industry. Take away the skins and people (like me) will still eat cow. Still, I hate how much it costs and that horrible leather smell. So I just buy imitation leather sofas.

Answer 6

Yes cow hyde!! may as well use the leather because waisting any part of the animal means it died in vain!!! not bring rude but that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. If you would not dream of wearing fur why would you buy a leather couch??? I am sorry but a cow feels the same thing being slaughtered to death as a rabbit for a fur coat!!

Answer 7

Leather is usually made from cow hide. But can be made from other animals. If it is cow, then it is a by product from the meat and dairy industry. If its elk or something along those lines, it is usually gained throu hunting ect. I had 2 dogs and leather sofa...they ruined it. Their nails (even trimmed!) left marks all over it.... Good Luck!!

Answer 8

Leather is the skin of animals.
All sorts of animals are used cow hide is the sturdiest leather for furniture. This leather is a bi product of the meat industry.
The meat industry dose not wast anything of the animals they slaughter.

Answer 9

Leather comes from tanned cow hide from dairy and beef cattle. Most of the time dairy cows the meat is not eaten bc the cows are old by the time they are killed unless by a small farm because the meat is very tough by the time the cows stop producing milk.

Answer 10

Very amusing and hypocritical justification you made to use the skin of an animal, after already stating that you would not wear fur under any circumstances.

It comes from animal skin just like fur does. Most leather comes from cows, but there are other types of leather where the animal is killed for the leather alone.

Don't be a hypocrite, make a stance if you're going to make a stance, and don't change the rules so you can justify something when its incovenient for you.

You're either against wearing animal pelts, or you are not, there is no middle area.