Comments on: How do you get pine tree sap out of a dog's hair?

Question: How do you get pine tree sap out of a dog's hair?

invisible ink — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:38:59 -0800

My Old English sheepdog Max likes to sit under a pine tree in my backyard, and thus he often gets sticky pine needle sap stuck in his fur. Is there any way to easily get this stuff out, preferably involving natural ingredients? (mi+)

I've tried soap and water, but that only does the trick after lots of washing, which needless to say, Max is not too fond of. I've also tried cutting the chunks of fur out that get matted together from the sap, but if it's on a spot that's sensitive and hard-to-reach (i.e. around his ears, eyes, etc.) I prefer not having to resort to scissors.

Thanks in advance to everyone:-)

By: furtive

furtive — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:46:49 -0800

Use to get the same problem with my hair as a kid. My father's solution? Gasline antifreeze. Just a bit will break it up.

Now, that's definitely not the mild solution you're looking for, but you'll find rubbing alcohol or similar does the job just as well.

By: one

one — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 15:28:57 -0800

I've heard peanut butter, but I think oil is the active ingredient. Some info here.

By: trharlan

trharlan — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 15:40:31 -0800

Doesn't Goo Gone eat pine sap pretty well? I'm sure it's not a vital ingredient for a healthy coat, but it's not terribly caustic.

By: deborah

deborah — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 18:32:08 -0800

Note on antifreeze: it's extremely toxic.

By: lia

lia — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 21:46:28 -0800

Note on antifreeze: it's extremely toxic.

And dogs like to lick it because it tastes sweet to them, so PLEASE DON'T USE IT.

By: oldmanyoung

oldmanyoung — Thu, 06 Jan 2005 23:20:00 -0800

A long time ago my grandmother suggested butter to get some pine sap off my hands. I laughed knowingly, because she was quite the kidder and I was certain she just wanted to watch the fun of butter mixed with sap. She kept saying she was serious, so eventually I tried it. Turns out she was right, it works quickly and cleanly.

By: widdershins

widdershins — Fri, 07 Jan 2005 08:54:48 -0800

Yup, oldmanyoung is right - butter will do the trick, completely naturally. We always used butter to get sap off our hands when we were kids.

Just rub the affected area w/a pat of butter until the sap has dissolved, then wash w/whatever soap you normally use on him. I haven't had to do this to our dog yet, but I imagine it would have the added bonus of making his coat nice and shiny!

By: invisible ink

invisible ink — Fri, 07 Jan 2005 14:00:28 -0800

Thanks for the fantastic suggestions everyone! Butter is exactly what I was looking for.