How to Spot Fake Cowhide: A Buyer’s Guide

Buying a cowhide rug or piece of furniture can add a stylish, natural touch to your home. But with cowhide becoming more popular, there are many fake cowhide products on the market. Here’s a simple guide to help you spot a genuine cowhide and avoid getting tricked into buying a fake.

1. Check the Texture

One of the easiest ways to tell if cowhide is real or fake is by feeling it. Real cowhide has a soft, natural texture with a bit of weight to it. When you touch it, it should feel smooth and soft on the hair side and slightly rough on the leather side. Fake cowhide, on the other hand, often feels too smooth or plasticky and lacks the natural weight of real cowhide. Synthetic cowhide can sometimes feel like carpet material instead of animal hide.

2. Look at the Pattern

Each cowhide has a unique, natural pattern – no two cowhides are exactly the same. Real cowhides often have irregular patterns, markings, or slight imperfections, which add to their charm. Fake cowhides, however, tend to have repetitive patterns because they are printed. If the colors and patterns seem too perfect or identical in different sections, it might be fake.

3. Examine the Edges

The edges of real cowhide are usually uneven and naturally shaped. Since cowhide comes from a real animal, it has a natural outline that isn’t perfectly straight. Fake cowhides, however, may have very smooth or straight edges, since they’re machine-cut from synthetic material. If the edges look too uniform, this may be a sign that the cowhide is not real.

4. Check the Price

Real cowhide can be expensive due to its quality and durability. If you find a cowhide product that is unusually cheap, there’s a chance it’s fake. Compare prices from different sellers to get an idea of the typical cost. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Ask for Authenticity Information

When in doubt, ask the seller about the product’s authenticity. Reliable sellers will have information about the source of the cowhide and may even offer a certificate of authenticity. If the seller hesitates or doesn’t have clear answers, it could be a warning sign.

By paying attention to these details, you can confidently choose a real cowhide and enjoy a stylish, authentic addition to your space.