Remove sap from your pet

Spotting tree sap on your cat or dog is no fun for anyone. For your animals, the sap can cause debris like rocks or pine needles to stick to their fur or nails, which can be painful. As their caretaker, it can be nerve-wracking trying to figure out how to remove the very sticky sap from your furry friend.

Fortunately, removing the sap from your animals is a fairly easy process and can be done using common household items. If your dog or cat does get sticky, here are a few ways to safely remove the sap from your animal’s paws and fur:

Remove tree sap from feathers

1. If the sap has hardened, you need to soften the sap using a hair dryer set to the lowest setting. Test a hand dryer first to find a safe distance where the air is warm but not hot.
2. You can loosen the sap by using olive oil, mineral oil, or smooth (xylitol-free) peanut butter. Massage the product onto the affected hair area and let it sit for a few minutes. It’s important to only use products that are safe if ingested, as your furry friend may try to lick the slime off their fur.
3. Use your fingers and a wide toothed comb to carefully and slowly remove the sap from the animal’s fur. As you continue, you can wipe off some of the greasy product and residue with a washcloth or paper towel.
4. If there are stubborn patches near the ends of your hair, you can trim them carefully with scissors, avoiding cutting close to the skin.
5. Final clean with pet-friendly shampoo and warm water. You may need to wash your hair more than once to remove all the greasy product.

Remove the sap on the feet

1. 1. You can loosen the latex in your feet by massaging the area with olive oil, mineral oil, or peanut butter (xylitol free). Remove tree sap and oily products using water and pet-friendly shampoos.
2. 2. If there are stubborn areas of hair around the foot pads, you can use a surgical blade to carefully trim the hair or schedule an appointment with a groomer if you are not comfortable with the step. this.

If you are removing sap from your animal, it is important to work quickly. The longer the sap stays on their fur, the harder it is to remove. Some tree resins can be toxic if ingested or cause irritation if it comes in contact with your animal’s skin. Try to identify resinous plants and consult a veterinarian if your furry friend experiences symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weakness or skin irritation.

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