06/20/2026
Let’s Talk About A Sometimes Sticky Situation: Tree Sap 🌳
What The Heck Do We Do When Sap Gets On Fur?
First things first. Is the sap hardened or still soft and sticky?
If Hard- Soften The Sap. If it has dried into a hard lump it will be painful to pull.
🗓️ Pro-Tip: use a hair dryer on the lowest, coolest setting several inches away from the skin to warm and soften the sap.
⚠️ If the animal is terrified of the hair dryer air and or noise- skip this step- you don’t want to make this sticky situation worse ⚠️
🛢️ Massage the area with Pet-Safe Oil🛢️
Olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil or smooth peanut butter (check to ensure it is xylitol-free, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs)
Generously apply oil of your choice from the list above directly onto sticky fur or paw pads. Thoroughly massage the oil into the sap and let sit 3-5 minutes roughly to dissolve the stickiness.
🪮Gently try to comb it out🪮
Use your fingers or wide toothed comb to slowly and carefully work the loosened sap out of the fur.
⚠️DO NOT⚠️ yank or tug on the fur- animals have way more sensitive skin then we do it will hurt them. Instead pull outward from the skin and wipe away the messy residue with a wet paper towel or wash cloth
✂️ WORST CASE SCENARIO✂️ if small bits of sap remain stuck and they are at the tip of the fur you can carefully trim them off with blunt-nosed grooming scissors
⚠️NEVER⚠️ use actual scissors close to the skin or between webbed toe beans, serious injury can result.
With this being said- if the sap is in a highly sensitive area such as around the eyes, ears or imbedded in raw irritated paw pads- consult a professional groomer or veterinarian to avoid accidental injury or infection.
🫧🧼Scrub a dub dub put that Sticky puppy in the 🛀
Give the area (or the whole dog seeing as you’re committed at this point) a final wash with pet-specific shampoo. You may need to lather and rinse multiple times to completely strip the oily residue off the coat. We LOVE Skouts Honor products 😉