One of our customers Molly was having trouble figuring out why her lovely Frenchie Mabel kept scratching at her neck. Her food was fine, the shampoo she used was hypoallergenic and the vet didn’t spot any fleas or rashes. The problem remained though, something was definitely wrong.
Then all of sudden, the truth became clear, Mabel’s collar was leather, but it was made from leather that used a number of hidden chemicals!
Lots of pet parents make the mistake of assuming that all leather is automatically safe because they see it as a ‘natural’ material, but the reality is that lots of leather on store shelves is processed in a way that is far from natural.
The cheaper collars you will find are usually made from chrome-tanned leather, which is a process that uses harsh chemicals including chromium salts. If your pup wears such a collar all day in warm or wet conditions, these chemicals run the risk of leaching out and causing horrible dog collar skin irritation.
Don’t worry though, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way! We are here to let you know that there is a much safer and cleaner alternative, and that is vegetable-tanned leather dog collars. They are free from glues, heavy metals and synthetic coatings.
We’ve put together a guide on why certain leather collars cause skin reactions, how to identify the real safe dog collar materials, and why our products at The Lille Björn are designed to be a truly hypoallergenic dog collar for furry friends that have particularly sensitive skin.
Why Your Dog Might Be Reacting to Their Collar
Not All Leather Is Safe for Dogs
When you hear the word leather, you will probably picture something that is breathable and natural. However, it’s a little bit more complicated than that. The majority of leather used in fashion and pet products is usually chrome-tanned. It’s quick to make, cheap to produce and unfortunately contains chromium VI which is a known carcinogen and allergen.
Your pup’s neck is one of the most sensitive areas on their body, and unlike a human belt or shoes that have a fabric buffer layer, a dog collar always sits directly on the skin. That means that any potentially harmful residue will be pressed against damp fur and skin for hours. You don’t need us to tell you that that spells disaster for dog collar skin irritation!
The Hidden Chemicals in Mass-Market Collars
The tanning process isn’t the only issue here. Budget collars usually cut corners by being created from low-grade scraps of leather that are glued together with synthetic glues. These glues can release irritants like formaldehyde. And on top of that, cheap collars are sealed with synthetic dyes or coatings to make them look perfect and glossy. The problem with this is that the sealants can trap heat, stop the leather being able to breathe naturally and cause friction burns.
Heat + Sweat = Trouble
Leather is a material that naturally absorbs a bit of moisture, but chrome-tanned leather is usually so coated that it just traps sweat against the skin. On a really hot day or after an active play session, your pup’s neck can quickly get very warm and damp under their collar. As you can imagine, this is the ideal environment for bacterial growth and irritation!
When their skin barrier gets compromised, your precious pooch can experience things like:
- Itchiness and constant scratching.
- Inflammation and redness.
- Smalls bumps and sores.
- A musty, sour odor from the buildup of bacteria.
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Real Signs to Watch For
Here are some of the key signs that your dog’s collar might be the reason they seem to be having a bad time.
- Hot spots and general redness around where the collar rests.
- Constant rubbing against furniture and scratching.
- Fur thinning or bald patches along the collar line.
- Pulling away or flinching when you attempt to put the collar on.
- Reduced enthusiasm for walks because they are linking them to discomfort.
Sometimes, these signs can be mistaken for things like shampoo or food allergies, or even sensitivities to seasonal pollen. However, if the symptoms start to improve after making a switch to a safer collar material, you will know for sure that your old leather was the problem!
What Makes A Dog Collar Truly Skin-Safe?
What Is Vegetable-Tanned Leather?
Vegetable-tanned leather dog collars are created using an old traditional process that favors plant-based tannins like leaves and bark. It’s a method that takes weeks rather than days, but the result is so worth it. The finished leather is super durable and breathable, and crucially, free from any toxic chemical and heavy metals.
Because it is tanned with plants instead of chemicals and dyes, vegetable-tanned leather also develops a beautiful patina over time rather than peeling or cracking. Aside from the aesthetic benefits, this also means that your pup won’t be irritated by a shoddy flaking finish!
No Glue, No Fillers - Just Leather
A proper hypoallergenic dog collar should always be made from a single strip of full-grain leather that has been cut to size without having to rely on glued layers and padding. The padding will usually contain synthetic fabrics, foams and adhesives that all have the potential to irritate a pup’s sensitive skin.
The great thing about our collars at The Lille Bjorn is that they are made from one continuous strip of beautiful vegetable-tanned leather. You won’t find any inner fillers, glue or laminations on our products!
Our Open-Pore Design Supports Breathability
Leather is naturally very breathable, but that all relies on the pores remaining open. When leather is chrome-tanned, it gets sealed with plastic style coating which results in the moisture getting locked in, and air getting locked out.
On the other hand, our vegetable-tanned leather retains its open pores, allowing moisture to evaporate and keeping your furry friend’s neck dry and cool. This means less risk of issues like bacterial growth, sweat rash and nasty odor buildup.
Chrome-Tanned vs. Vegetable-Tanned - A Quick Comparison
What the Industry Doesn’t Tell You
An annoying truth is that pet accessory marketing doesn’t usually disclose the tanning methods that are used for certain products. Sure, a label might say something like ‘genuine leather’, but that is still a vague phrase that covers a very wide range of processes and grades, most of them being chrome-based!
Let’s take a look at some of the clear and most important differences to give you the best information when picking your next collar:
Tanning Method
Chrome-tanned collars are, as the name suggests, chromium based, and use lots of chemicals to achieve their tanning. On the other hand, vegetable-tanned collars make use of natural plant-based tannins for a gentler, higher quality finish.
Skin Safety
Chrome-tanned leather can risk dog collar skin irritation, but their vegetable-tanned alternatives offer a chemical-free, hypoallergenic dog collar experience.
Breathability
Chrome-tanned collars have sealed, coated surfaces, but vegetable-tanned collars have open pores that result in better air circulation.
Smell
Chrome-tanned collars can emit a sharp, chemical smell that is quite offputting, but vegetable-tanned collars have a much more pleasant earthy, natural scent.
Environmental Impact
The creation of chrome-tanned leather produces polluting wastewater, alongside the unfortunate fact that throwing it away will result in a decades long rest in a landfill site. Vegetable-tanned leather, however, is biodegradable and has a very low impact on the wider environment.
The contrasts here could not be clearer. Not only is a vegetable tanned leather dog collar the safer choice for your canine companion, it is also the safer choice for the planet.
How to Identify a Safe Dog Collar
What to Ask Before You Buy
If you are shopping in a physical store, or at an online store with good customer service, you might want to offer these questions to staff to make sure you are getting exactly what you are looking for:
- Is your leather definitely vegetable-tanned?
- When you say your products are ‘genuine leather’, can you confirm that means ‘full-grain’?
- Are your collars made from a single piece of leather?
Red Flags to Avoid
- Any labels that only say ‘genuine leather’. This is almost always a way to hide the fact that the product is low-grade chrome-tanned leather made from multiple scraps.
- Any collars that feel overly plasticky, overly shiny, or have a very distinct chemical smell.
- Any designs that are particularly thick. This is usually down to padded layers that surround and cover the leather underneath.
The best tip we can give you? Just trust your own senses. Good quality vegetable-tanned leather feels supple but sturdy to the tough, and has a wonderful, rich, earthy smell. If you come across anything that smells artificial, it’s always a sign that some chemical treatment has taken place.
Our Commitment to Skin-Safe Materials
Handcrafted Without Shortcuts
Every single collar from The Lille Bjorn starts with full-grain vegetable-tanned leather that has been sourced from an ethical tannery. We then cut each collar by hand from a single piece, guaranteeing no synthetic fillers, no glued layers and no sprayed-on coatings that can compromise the breathability.
Designed for Dogs With Sensitive Skin
We are more than aware that some precious pups can react badly to even the smallest trace amount of chemicals. Alongside our commitment to hypoallergenic leather, we also make sure that all of our hardware is crafted from solid brass. This is another material that is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to corrosion over time. All of our nameplates and ID tags are deep-engraved rather than painted or printed, so there is never going to be any risk of ink rubbing off onto your pooch’s skin.
The result of all of this special care and attention in the manufacturing process results in a hypoallergenic dog collar that is comfortable enough to wear 24/7 without any reservations, sturdy enough to last for years of active fun, and elegant enough to age gracefully alongside your beautiful pet.
Conclusion
So, what’s the main takeaway from all of this? The bottom line is that if your dog has ever shown signs of scratching, neck redness or bald patches, then it is really worth considering whether their old collar is the thing to blame. As we’ve said, lots of ‘leather’ collars are absolutely loaded with hidden chemicals that can cause horrible dog collar skin irritation.
At The Lille Bjorn we are so proud of the fact that our vegetable tanned leather dog collars are made from nothing but safe, plant-tanned leather and complemented with solid, hypoallergenic hardware. It’s giving your dog comfort without having to compromise any of the much needed quality and safety.
At the end of the day, making a switch to safe dog collar materials is something that could well lead to immediate positive changes for your precious pup. From physical discomfort to bad behavior caused by collar anxiety, you can ease their troubles almost in an instant by making better decisions on their accessories.
Head over to our website to check out the range of wonderful handcrafted items that we have to offer, we are confident that you will find something that fits both the physical needs and style requirements of your wonderful pet! When shopping with us, you have the assurance that it's not just leather, it's clean, breathable and entirely dog friendly.
They deserve the very best, so don’t hesitate to give it to them!
