learn
Our leather tanning process
At Ohana Pups, we believe your dog deserves the very best — not just in comfort and style, but in health and sustainability too. That’s why every one of our handcrafted dog collars is made using vegetable-tanned leather, a traditional, intentional and non toxic method that puts your pup (and the planet) first.
What is vegetable tanning?
Vegetable tanning is an age-old process that uses natural tannins found in tree bark, leaves, and other plant matter to turn raw hides into beautiful, durable leather. It takes time — often weeks — to achieve the rich tones and character that vegetable tanning is known for. But we know that the patience pays off in quality, longevity, and peace of mind.
Vegetable Vs Chrome Tanning
Most leather goods on the market today are made using chrome tanning, a faster, cheaper method that uses harsh chemicals and heavy metals (like chromium salts). In fact 80-90% of all leather manufacturers now use chrome tanning. While efficient, chrome tanning comes with significant drawbacks — including posing health risks for both the artisans and those that wear it, issues for the environment and also drawbacks in its overall durability and longevity.
Vegetable tanning | Longevity
While chromium or chrome-tanned leather is cheaper to produce, and the colors stay constant for longer, vegetable-tanned leather has the longevity and beauty only an artisanally-crafted product can sustain.
Chrome-tanned leather often has its edges treated with acrylic varnish, causing it to crack, peel, and split after just a few years. In addition, the mineral chromium is a heavy metal and as such is quite toxic to the environment as well as to the people processing it - and pups wearing it.
The long, slow traditional techniques used to for vegetable-tanned leather results in leather goods that continue to soften and develop a beautiful patina as they age.
Our Ohana Pups Collars made from vegetable tanned leather will become even more comfortable with use. The edges of vegetable-tanned leathers are burnished or turned, meaning this leather is created with durability in mind. This premium leather is stiff in the beginning but gets more supple with time and use. So dont be alarmed if your collar feels stiff at first!
Also, vegetable-tanned leather has that distinctive “leather” aroma, rather than the typical chemical odor of chromium-tanned goods. The fragrance is sweet, woody, and rich - important for Dogs which have incredibly sensitive smell.
Our leather process
Vegetable tanning, Always
If you want to invest in a leather collar that you know will provide years of beauty and use, you should consider purchasing a product that’s been lovingly created from fine, high-quality vegetable-tanned leather, such as Ohana Pups collars.
This leather is kind to the environment, doesn’t expose its creators to toxic substances, and requires a level of craftsmanship that is rarely seen in today’s world of fast-paced manufacturing by machine.
Vegetable-tanned leather represents the epitome of quality and beauty and is created to provide summers of use. Discerning buyers understand the artistry and creativity that goes into creating leather of this quality.
Best of all, products such as our Cowrie Collars, crafted with vegetable-tanned leather, are often classics in and of themselves and are items to be treasured, like our pups!
WORLD SHIPPING
Shipping to most countries
BUY ONCE, BUY WELL
Conscious Consumerism
NON-TOXIC
Premium Vegetable Tanning
WE CARE
Ethically Handmade