Is most leather made from cows whos meat is also being used? (to eat of course)?

Question

the leather that people wear use etc., is it taken from the cows that are used for meat or are they special cows bread for nice leather?

Answer 1

It comes from cattle being used for beef as well as from ones that die of natural causes, although this is usually lower quality.

Answer 2

Leather is a by-product of the meat industry. Cows aren't bred for it; it would be rather difficult not to mention expensive, to select for quality of leather. Most of the other farmers I know would think it ridiculous to do so!  All cows average the same thickness of skin; it is the hair and back fat that differ across breeds. Leather comes from all breeds, sexes and ages of cows. At a good slaughterhouse, almost nothing is wasted from an animal. Like others have mentioned, leather also comes from many different species. Lamb leather is thinner and much softer and more supple than cowhide. Alligator has a very distinct and, apparently, fashionable look.

Barbed Wire is used in Europe. If European leather is better, it probably has more to do with the tanning process and the chemicals used than the cows. They are, genetically speaking, the same cows that we have. A cow rubbing on barbed wire will not effect the quality of the leather, unless they cut themselves and scar which is rare.

Answer 3

Of course it's a by product of both meat and milk cows.

In the early XIX century, in Argentina, leather was in such a high demand, mostly from England, that a lot of cows were sacrificed just for that.

But not anymore.

Answer 4

yes not only cow but many animals are killed for this purpose.

i think it is not good  oh! god

Answer 5

Yep, most is made from cows. Also popular is sheep skin,  pig skin, and deer skin.  

Yes, any leather used from clothing is coming from animals that are already being used for food, ect.  So making clothing out of leather is nor harming animals nor is wearing it. It's not like fur where some animals are killed just for that reason, it's actually a by-product of the food supply chain. If anything it's the opposite, it's simply using everything so that the animals used are not being wasted in any way. If the whole world stops eating meat, then I'd stop wearing leather. But since that isn't the case, I wear leather proudly knowing that it didn't go to waste.

btw - yes that's me, the guy in the leather skirt outfit. ;-)

Answer 6

Leather is a  by product of the meat industry.

The best leather comes from Europe since

they do not use Barb Wire fences which the

cows rub against thus causing scars in the

hide.

Whew where do these people get their information

Naugahyde is man made not real leather.

Answer 7

Leather comes from the steers we eat for meat. It will come from different animals depending on the texture and softness needed, or lack of it (shoes). It also comes from other things. Salmon (fish) have a nice high quality leather as do other aquatic species, and you would be surprised at where some products come from (or appalled as the case may be). The link below is interesting and as usual, wikipedia can be a great basic info source and link listing.

Answer 8

Yes, most leather is a byproduct of the meat industry.  Leather from other animals as well like pigs and sheep are from the meat industry.  There are some exceptions to this of course.  When you get into some more exotic leathers like alligator, lizard, snake, and several others, they are killed mostly for their skins.

Answer 9

The leather that comes off cattle that are not eaten is called Naugahyde.

Answer 10

No, they just skin a bunch of cows and throw the carcass in the dump........Duhhhhhhhhh....Nuf Said

Answer 11

yes and pigs and goats

Answer 12

it is taken from the cows that are used for meat

Answer 13

Dr. ANSWERS'  answer is a bad one. Ignore his answer.