Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
From choosing the perfect hide to caring for it for years to come — we've answered every question our 100,000+ customers have asked.
About Cowhide Rugs
Absolutely — what you see is what you get. Every rug on our website with a SKU number has been individually photographed and measured in our studio. When you place your order, you'll receive the exact hide shown in the listing.
This is our Exact Photo Guarantee — no stock photos, no random shipments.
Because each of our cowhide products is naturally unique and only one exists in nature, it's only possible to order one of each from our site. However, many patterns and colorways are beautifully similar, so you can browse to find a complementary match — or reach out to our support team and we'll help you find the perfect pairing.
We photograph every cowhide in a professional studio with controlled lighting to give you the most accurate representation possible. Slight variations may occur depending on the lighting in your home.
Pro tip: Compare the listing on a few different screens (phone, tablet, computer) to get the truest sense of color before you buy.
Our cowhides are priced based on their size, color, and country of origin. The most noticeable price differences are between Brazilian and European hides. Beyond that, color can play a factor — some hides are much rarer than others. But keep in mind, color in no way affects quality.
Our cowhides are measured from the widest and tallest points on the rug. We provide square feet, square meters, and numeric dimensions for every listing — so there's no guessing about the size of the rug you're getting.
Cowhides are remarkably easy to care for. Regular vacuuming on a low setting and the occasional shake are usually all you need. For spills, simply blot (don't rub) with a damp cloth and mild soap — most stains wipe right up.
For a deeper dive, check out our complete guide:
Cowhide rugs are known for their exceptional durability. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect yours to last many years — typically ranging between 7 to 12 years or even longer, depending on usage and placement.
Great news for pet owners — dogs and cats typically have no desire to chew on cowhides. The chrome tanning process doesn't make for an appealing snack. What we do see? Dogs and cats absolutely love to use them as a cozy bed.
As long as you catch the accident within a reasonable time, most stains will come right up with a damp rag and mild soap. For tougher situations, we sell a specialty cowhide cleaner that's formulated specifically for our rugs. Over 70,000 pet owners trust our cowhide rugs in their homes every day.
Our cowhides are tanned using the chrome tanning process — the gold standard for creating soft, supple leather. This meticulous process takes over 8 hours. The result is a hide with a slight blue-grey color on the back, the hallmark of premium tanning. Our tanneries use environmentally responsible waste treatment methods.
100% real and authentic — always. Every product on our site is genuine. If we carry any faux items (like faux fur throws), they're clearly labeled. You can shop knowing you're getting the real thing, backed by a certificate of authenticity with every hide.
Absolutely. Branded cowhides carry a unique mark of authenticity — we refer to these as our Natural Collection. You'll find them in our clearance section at exceptional values. All markings are clearly visible in the photos.
Because each cowhide rug is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece, cutting a sample would destroy the rug itself. That's why we invest heavily in professional studio photography and precise color matching. We also do not offer half hides or scraps.
Cowhide rugs naturally grip most surfaces thanks to their suede backing, especially when the floor is clean. We recommend rug tape or grip pads for high-traffic areas or slippery floors for extra security and comfort underfoot.
On average, our rugs weigh between 8 to 13 pounds depending on size and density. This substantial weight is a quality indicator — it means you're getting a premium-thickness hide that will lay flat and stay in place.
Our Natural Collection rugs — primarily in our clearance section — boast the same high quality as all our Brazilian hides. They feature more natural markings, which don't compromise durability or longevity.
Think of it this way: same exceptional quality, more natural character, better price. It's where smart shoppers find incredible value.
We currently only sell hides with the hair on — that's what gives cowhide rugs their distinctive beauty, texture, and natural warmth.
Ethically sourced means our cowhides and sheepskins are byproducts of the meat industry — no animal is ever specifically harvested for its hide. The tanneries we work with are stringently regulated and use environmentally sustainable practices.
Almost all of our cowhide rugs come in a standard hair length — not longhair and not shaved. On rare occasions, there may be a rug with a slightly longer winter coat, but most customers prefer the classic, standard-length look.
Our rugs typically range between 1/8" and 1/4" in thickness. We specifically avoid thin hides because they can curl at the edges. A high-quality cowhide should feel soft, supple, and have consistent thickness throughout.
Our clearance section is the place to start — beautiful hides starting at just $99. Sort by price low-to-high for the best deals.
Our cowhide rugs are sourced from Brazil and Europe — regions renowned for producing the softest, most supple hides. While the hides originate internationally, they're warehoused in the U.S., shipping within 24–48 hours.
True white in cowhides is a natural rarity and typically leans closer to off-white. Shades like champagne or cream are slightly deeper. Our whitest cowhides are marked as white and priced a bit higher due to their rarity.
Cowhides vary from 2' × 3' accent hides all the way up to grand 9' × 9' statement pieces. In each collection, you can filter by size to find exactly what fits your space.
If your rug has wrinkles, it will naturally level out over time. If you would like to accelerate the process, you can take an iron on the steam setting and iron the area with the wrinkles as you would clothing and they will straighten out immediately. To visualize this, we have made a short video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/Zofsf4_wL40
Under furniture: Absolutely. Cowhide rugs are durable enough for under coffee tables, beds, sofas, and more.
Layering: Cowhide rugs are perfect for layering. Jute and sisal make popular base layers, while patterned rugs create bold statements.
Place a slightly damp cloth over the curled area and gently iron on low heat. This should help the rug lay perfectly flat. Most new rugs will naturally flatten within 1–2 weeks.
We do offer trade pricing for qualified professionals. Apply through our wholesale application page. We typically approve qualified applicants within 24–48 hours.
Shipping & Delivery
Orders are processed and shipped within 24–48 hours. Once shipped, you'll receive a tracking number. Orders placed before 1pm EST on weekdays can often ship same-day.
We primarily ship via UPS, though USPS may be used in some cases. All orders ship from our warehouse in Florida. We're unable to ship to PO boxes.
Yes, we ship to all countries worldwide. International shipping charges are calculated at checkout. Cowhides Direct is not responsible for any duties or customs fees assessed by your country.
Each furniture piece is handcrafted, so delivery timeframes vary. Typically, you can expect delivery within 4–12 weeks depending on the piece and customization options.
Yes! We offer expedited shipping options for all non-furniture items — select your preferred speed at checkout. Orders placed before 1pm EST go out the same day.
Returns & Exchanges
You have up to 30 days from delivery to return or exchange your order (furniture items excluded). We can provide a shipping label for your convenience. See our Store Policies page for complete details.
File a return or exchange through our automated system — it only takes a minute:
Absolutely. All non-furniture orders are eligible for exchange for up to 30 days after delivery. Use our automated Returns & Exchanges page to get started.
For orders within the USA: any order under $199 ships for just $14.99. Orders over $199 ship for free. For international orders, the shipping price is calculated at checkout.
Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days from the time our warehouse receives your return. You'll receive a confirmation email once your refund has been issued.
If you received a free promotional item with a qualifying code, both the purchased item and the free gift need to be returned together. If only the purchased item is returned, the retail value of the promotional item would be deducted from your refund.
Payments
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) along with PayPal, Afterpay, Synchrony Finance, Sezzle, and e-checks.
For orders $1,000 and under: We offer buy-now-pay-later options through Afterpay and Sezzle — spread your payments with no interest.
For larger orders: We've partnered with Synchrony Bank for specialized financing over $1,000. Select the financing option at checkout.
Yes! Gift cards are available in various amounts starting from $50 — perfect for the home décor lover in your life.
Cowhides Direct is required to charge sales tax in several states. For the full list, please visit our Payment Methods page.
Card issues are usually caused by an address mismatch or a security hold from your bank. We recommend calling the number on the back of your card. If the issue persists, our support team is here to help at 800-651-2747 or via live chat.
Only one promotional code can be applied per order. But don't worry, our offers are designed to give you maximum value with a single code.
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Our team is available 7 days a week to assist you.