Resin & Tree Sap Removal From Dog Hair

Pine sap and dog hair don't mix well together. That nasty sap has no trouble finding its way into the shaggy fur, but it's a nightmare to get out. Before you shave your dog (and pull out your own hair in frustration), give some of these home remedies a try. You just might find it's not as difficult as you think to get your dog's fur looking beautiful again.

  1. Peanut Butter

    • Peanut butter is perhaps the most common and safest household ingredient for removing sap from dog's hair. Take a spoonful of peanut butter and rub it into the sappy fur with your fingers. You'll discover that the resin will come out with not much trouble at all. Then wash your dog well with soap and water.

    Other Products from Your Kitchen

    • Other effective ingredients for sap removal include mayonnaise, shortening, butter, olive oil or anything else greasy. Work it into the fur with your fingers, using a fine-toothed comb if necessary. Finish up by washing your dog with water and soap. Kitchen remedies are by far the safest for your dog, and they are proven to be very effective for removing resin and sap.

    Other Household Products

    • You probably have several other sap-removing products in your home, although they won't be as healthy for your dog as the edible remedies from the kitchen. Try rubbing mineral oil, WD-40 or rubbing alcohol into the fur. Take care not to get these products onto the skin of your dog, and if necessary, use a comb to gently remove the sappy bits. Wash the fur thoroughly with soap and water when the tar is gone.

    Commercially Available Creams

    • Some skin creams, such as Avon's Skin So Soft and Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, are proven sap removers. Rub them in with your fingers or a rag and wash your dog with soap and water when the sap is gone.

    Commercially Available Cleaners

    • Before using any commercial cleaners, read the warning label to see if there will be any harmful effects on your dog. If there are, don't use the product. Try rubbing a natural, citrus-based hand cleaner into the sappy fur. Other effective remedies for sap removal include Lestoil, De-Solv-It and Orange-Sol. Finish up by washing your dog with soap and water.