A rumor that sports apparel manufacturer Nike uses dog skin in its products circulated (archived) on social media (archived) in January 2025.
"Could this really be true? I saw a video/article and it said that Nike have been using dog skin in their trainers. Would they? That's just so gross," one Reddit user wrote on Jan. 8.
In short, as of January 2025, internet searches returned no credible evidence to support the claim that Nike uses or ever has used dog skin in its shoes. Nike's official policy on animal-derived materials explicitly states that it does not use skins from any domesticated or feral dogs or cats.
The rumor spread on numerous social media platforms, including Reddit, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. It likely originated from videos that appear to have been AI-generated. Below is a full transcription of one such video:
Never buy Nike shoes again and here's why. They are not just shoes, they are dog skin. Yes, you heard right. Dogs brutally sacrificed in illegal breeding farms. A recent investigation has uncovered that Nike uses dog skin in its products. Especially in the models distributed in New York. And they don't do it by accident. Behind words like "eco leather" and "synthetic material" lies a cruel and repulsive system. Did you know that thousands of dogs are raised in unsanitary conditions, fed with scraps, and then sacrifice just to make your shoes? That strange texture and odd smell are not coincidences. You are walking with the suffering of an animal that should never have ended up this way. And Nike is not the only one, but it is at the epicenter of this practice across the United States, especially in New York. How much longer will you continue supporting this cruelty? If you're as outraged as I am, comment "Nike" and follow me right now. It's time to expose this truth and stop letting big brands deceive us.
The English-language version of the video transcribed above seemingly originated from @mysterycarson TikTok account, which posted the video in December 2024. In the past, the user has shared numerous other videos with a similar style, often displaying telltale signs of being AI-generated, such as out-of-sync lip movements and exaggerated imagery. The video also appeared to be linked to Billy Carson, the founder and CEO of media company 4BiddenKnowledge Inc. However, a search of Carson's official social media accounts and website for entries about Nike did not yield relevant results.
The rumor has also spread via Spanish-language videos with identical text and seemingly AI-generated imagery. The earliest instance of the video being shared we found appeared on TikTok and was posted by user @ocultotartaria in late December 2024.
The profile's description read: "The secrets that the elite wants to hide from you." The account featured numerous similar videos that appear to be AI-generated.
We have reached out to both users mentioned above to determine whether they were the original creators of the Nike videos and will update this article if we receive a response.
Nike's Written Policy on Animal Skins
Nike has a publicly available Animal Skins Policy, part of its broader "Sustainability Policies," which applies to all Nike brand and affiliate brand products containing "animal skin materials." The policy, dated 2024, explicitly prohibits the use of dog skin. It states (emphasis ours):
RESTRICTIONS
Animal Skins
- Animal Skins (specifically cow) must not be sourced in the Amazon biome.
- Animal Skins must not be considered exotic or protected. Examples include, but are not limited to, alligator, cheetah, crocodile, elephant, fish, horse, kangaroo, leopard, lion, lizard, marine mammals, ostrich, shark, snake, tiger, rays, rhinoceros, etc.
- Animal Skins must not be derived from any species of domesticated or feral dog or cat.
- Animal Skins must not be "fur," except that cow "hair-on" hides or sheep shearling are permitted as provided above.
You can access Nike's full Animal Skins Policy document here.
Dog Skin Use in China Not Tied to Nike
Under one TikTok post featuring the claim, users referenced a Guardian article titled "Is your leather from China? It might be made of dog or cat skin," which discussed the possibility of dog or cat skin being used in leather products. However, the article did not mention Nike or any other specific brands.
According to the article, despite the U.S. Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000, which prohibits such imports with penalties up to $10,000, the difficulty in distinguishing these leathers from those of cows or pigs poses enforcement challenges. A 2014 Congressional Research Service report indicated that the U.S. imported $8.5 billion in leather goods from China, with an unknown portion potentially derived from dogs or cats. Moreover, it reported that an undercover investigation by PETA Asia in 2014 revealed that facilities in China were killing 100 to 200 dogs daily for leather production.
Nike Once Used Kangaroo Skin
Finally, while there is no evidence Nike has ever used dog skin in its products, the company has used kangaroo leather in the past. In March 2023, Nike announced it would stop using kangaroo leather, replacing it with a proprietary synthetic material. "Nike is the latest global brand to stop using kangaroo leather in shoe production," The Guardian reported.
Other claims regarding Nike we have investigated include a rumor that the company ended a $20 million partnership with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for being "a tad too woke." We have also looked at claims that the Union County Sheriff's Department in Arkansas dressed arrestees in Nike shirts for their mug shots as a jab at the company.