How to Tan Rabbit Hides the Simple Way (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Rabbit Hide Tanning Using Salt, Alum, and a Home Pickle Solution

If you raise meat rabbits, tanning the hides is one of the best ways to reduce waste and get more value out of each harvest. The good news? Tanning rabbit hides at home is simple, inexpensive, and beginner-friendly.

In this guide, I’ll show you my exact rabbit hide tanning method — the same process I use here at The Rabbitry Center. With just a bucket, salt, alum, and a little patience, you can turn raw hides into soft, usable leather for crafts, mittens, hats, and more.

Why Tan Rabbit Hides?

Rabbit hides are:

• Lightweight and incredibly soft

• Ideal for sewing and craft projects

• Easy to tan without chemicals or expensive equipment

• A great way to honor the animal and reduce waste

Whether you use your hides or sell them, tanning adds extra value to your rabbitry.

Step-by-Step: How to Tan Rabbit Hides at Home

1. Freeze the Hides After Processing

Right after processing a rabbit:

1. Turn the hide inside out.

2. Rinse off any blood.

3. Roll it tightly.

4. Seal it in a plastic bag and freeze it.

Freeze hides until you have at least 5–6 ready to tan. Freezing protects the hide and makes batching easier.

2. Mix the Pickle Solution (Salt + Alum)

In a 5-gallon bucket, combine:

• 1 gallon of water

• 1 cup salt

• 1 cup alum

Stir well.

Increase both salt and alum proportionally if you add more water.
Example: 1.5 gallons = 1.5 cups salt + 1.5 cups alum.

Place the frozen hides directly into the bucket.

Tip:
If you’re doing 12–24 hides, use a large plastic tub from Tractor Supply or any garden center.

3. Soak the Hides for 7–14 Days

Let the hides sit in the pickle for at least 7 days. I prefer 10–14 days for better penetration.

During this time:

• Stir the mixture once or twice per day

• Keep the bucket in the shade

• Cover it to prevent animals from drinking from it

This soak loosens fat and membrane, making the fleshing step easier.

4. Remove the Membrane (Fleshing Stage)

Once the hides have soaked long enough:

1. Lay the hide fur-side down on a table.

2. Remove rings/watch so they don’t snag or get dirty.

3. Gently peel away the membrane and fat by hand.

You should be able to remove 95% of the membrane by hand if the soak time was long enough.

This takes about 20–25 minutes per hide.

Tips:

• Go slow — younger hides tear easily.

• Small tears aren’t a big deal (hides for mittens or liners still work).

• Don’t scrape aggressively; let the pickle do the work.

After fleshing, put the hides back into the solution for an additional 1–2 days.

5. Wash and Hang the Hides to Dry

Next:

1. Rinse each hide thoroughly in clean water.

2. Hang them for a day to drip dry.

3. Once the leather begins to stiffen—but is not fully dry—it’s time to soften it.

6. Stretch and Soften the Leather

This step transforms stiff hides into soft, flexible leather.

As the hide dries:

• Gently pull across the leather

• Work around the edges

• Don’t over-pull — small rips can happen if you’re too forceful

• The leather will turn white and soft as it loosens

If a hide dries too quickly:

• Lightly re-wet it

• Continue working it in short sessions

Working each hide 1–2 times per day for a few minutes will produce soft, durable leather.

A rounded board, 2×4, or fleshing beam works great for this.

7. Trim and Shape the Final Hide

Once the hide is fully softened and completely dry:

• Trim ragged edges

• Shape it however you want

• The fur will naturally overlap trimmed edges

You should now have a fully tanned hide with:

• Clean, white leather

• Soft, flexible texture

• Thick, plush fur

Tips for Better Rabbit Hides

• Let rabbits reach 4–5 months for stronger, thicker leather.

• Use an inexpensive fleshing tool (usually $11–$19).

• Never rush drying or stretching — that’s when tears happen.

• Two full weeks in the pickle gives the most consistent results.

Finished Results

After this process, your hides are ready for:

• Mittens

• Liners

• Hats

• Craft projects

• Display

• Small leatherwork

It’s a simple method that anyone raising rabbits can master.

Conclusion

Tanning rabbit hides at home is easy, affordable, and incredibly rewarding. With salt, alum, water, and a bit of time, you can turn frozen hides into beautiful, soft leather perfect for crafts and homestead projects.

I hope this guide helps someone out there get more value from their rabbits and feel confident tackling hide tanning for the first time. And if you want to see the step-by-step process in action, check out my full YouTube video at The Rabbitry Center.