How to Remove Tree Sap From Dog Hair

Removing tree sap from dog hair is difficult but not impossible. According to environmental writer Ellen Brown, even though ̶0;hair is one of the hardest things to remove tree sap from̷0;the task can be made somewhat easier if the sap is still soft.̶1; Products to loosen and remove sap are available at stores selling pet supplies, hardware or camping equipment, but your kitchen is where you̵7;ll find the safest, most effective sap removers.

Things You'll Need

  • Peanut butter
  • Mayonnaise
  • Handheld hair dryer
  • Large-toothed comb
  • Shampoo
  • Olive oil
  • Small bowl
  • Cotton balls
  • Washcloth
  • Grooming scissors
  • Butter
  • Coconut oil
  • Baby oil
  • Organic adhesive remover
  • Degreasing hand soap
  • Petroleum jelly
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Instructions

  1. Peanut Butter

    • 1

      Begin cleaning the sticky mess immediately so the sap won̵7;t harden and become more entangled in your dog̵7;s fur. Check your dog̵7;s paws for sap that may be stuck on his pads or between his toes. Be prepared to clip affected fur with grooming scissors to remove stubborn bits of sap.

    • 2

      Apply a liberal amount of creamy, oily peanut butter into the sap stuck in your dog̵7;s hair. You can use mayonnaise instead, but peanut butter is preferable if your dog is going to lick her fur.

    • 3

      Soften the sap by intermittently blowing warm air onto it with a hair dryer set on low.

    • 4

      Massage peanut butter into the affected fur and leave it there for a few minutes while the sap dissolves.

    • 5

      Comb slowly through the dog̵7;s hair, using a large-toothed comb. Use your fingers and nails to loosen and scrape any stubborn sap off of the fur.

    • 6

      Let your dog lick the excess peanut butter. The best reason to use recommended everyday food products to remove sap from your dog̵7;s hair is that whatever she licks from the area being treated will be edible and non-toxic.

    • 7

      Shampoo and rinse with warm water.

    Olive Oil or Other Salad Oils

    • 8

      Pour olive oil into a bowl and soak some cotton balls in the olive oil.

    • 9

      Rub olive oil into the fur where the sap is stuck. Massage thoroughly so it penetrates and dissolves the sap.

    • 10

      Use your fingers and fingernails to break up the sap, and then, follow the Urban Hound website's suggestion to ̶0;gently pull and work the sap out of the hair as it softens.̶1;

    • 11

      Use a washcloth to blot the excess oil. Repeat the entire procedure until the sap is removed completely.

    • 12

      Bathe your dog. Shampoo the oily fur so the oil won̵7;t get on your furniture and clothing when your dog is free to run around.

    Butter

    • 13

      Rub the dog̵7;s sticky fur with one or two teaspoons of butter. Keep rubbing until the sap has dissolved. The Woof Report dog care website explains that the ̶0;butter works like a solvent on wet or dry fur,̶1; and it won̵7;t cause your dog any harm if he licks the butter off his coat.

    • 14

      Scrub the area with dog shampoo and rinse with warm water.

    • 15

      Comb slowly through the treated dog hair. Repeat the entire procedure until the sap is removed completely.

    Coconut Oil

    • 16

      Rub extra virgin coconut oil into the sap and fur.

    • 17

      Soften the sap by warming it with a hairdryer set on low.

    • 18

      Massage into the fur so the coconut oil lubricates and breaks up the sap. Continue working the coconut oil into the fur and skin.

    • 19

      Grasp the fur with a washcloth and ease the sap out of the dog hair.

    • 20

      Spot shampoo to remove the coconut oil residue if you are worried about it getting on your belongings. Otherwise, there is no need to remove coconut oil because it is non-toxic and an excellent conditioner for your dog̵7;s skin and fur.

    Baby Oil

    • 21

      Saturate the affected hair with baby oil, which works well for thick pine tree sap.

    • 22

      Leave the oil on the fur for 15 to 20 minutes, loosening the sap by rubbing the affected dog hair between your fingers

    • 23

      Use a large-toothed comb to gently work the sap out of the hair a little at a time.

    • 24

      Scrub the fur with a warm wet washcloth and soap, followed by a warm water rinse.