Animal skin is a material used for clothing, shelter, and other purposes. HIDE, LEATHER, PELT, mange, and rawhide are all terms used to describe animal skin. HIDE is a general term for the skin of an animal, usually with the fur or hair still attached. LEATHER is a material made from the tanned HIDE of an animal, usually a cow. PELT is the skin of an animal with the fur or hair still attached. Mange is a skin disease caused by mites that affects animals such as dogs and cats. Rawhide is a material made from the skin of an animal, usually a cow, that has been treated with chemicals and dried.