Tree sap is called the life blood of trees because it transports nutrients between roots and branches. Pine trees and some other conifers release pitch that collects on their bark year-round while other sap-extruding trees are sticky in spring and summer. Dogs encounter tree sap when brushing against trees or when stepping on pitch that has fallen from broken branches.
As a do-it-yourself project, pitch removal requires time and patience, so take an objective look at the situation. Is there a small amount of pitch in your dog’s hair? Or is there a lot? Is your pup able to sit or lie still for half an hour or more? Do you enjoy grooming your dog? If the time isn’t right, if there are large, tangled, glued-together patches of fur, or if there’s pitch on your dog’s face—especially near the eyes or ears—consider calling a groomer or your veterinarian for help.
What Not to Use
Although pitch-dissolving products work well on automobiles, concrete, asphalt, and other surfaces, industrial cleaners can be toxic to dogs. For pet use, avoid astringent solvents, chemical detergents, petroleum products, nail polish remover, paint thinner, turpentine, and alcohol.
Some tree saps are toxic if ingested, such as sap from certain pines. The symptoms of sap poisoning include drooling, loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. Ingested sap can cause gastrointestinal problems even if the tree isn’t toxic, and when attached to a dog’s fur, any sap can lead to itching and inflammation.
Because sap can irritate the skin, dogs often scratch and lick affected areas. Sticky sap adhering to a dog’s paws can cause discomfort and potential injury. In some cases, sap causes respiratory problems in dogs. Sap from pines and other conifers contain volatile organic compounds that can irritate the respiratory tract. The main problem for most dogs is that if left untreated, tree sap can lead to skin irritation, hot spots, allergic reactions, and rashes.
The most obvious problem with tree sap in a dog’s coat is that it causes matting and tangling. If not removed promptly, sap can harden, create pain or discomfort, trap environmental debris in the coat, and trigger skin infections.
What to Use
If your pitch-removal project seems do-able, assemble these basic ingredients:
- a hair dryer
- vegetable oil
- a rubber-tipped bath brush, slicker brush, or wide-toothed comb
- small, sharp scissors
- towels
- shampoo
- treats
- Start by setting your hair dryer to low heat to soften hardening pitch. Hard sap is difficult to remove, so this step helps preserve your dog’s coat. Test the dryer setting on your arm to be sure it isn’t too hot, keep the dryer a safe distance from your dog’s skin, and use a gentle speed. Your goal is to soften the pitch and make it flexible without harming your dog.
- Apply oil to the softened tree sap, which will help you separate it from your dog’s hair. This step can be messy, so have your dog sit or lie in a crate or on an old towel. Recommended oils for sap removal include jojoba oil, olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and other vegetable oils. Peanut butter (xylitol-free and smooth rather than crunchy) is often recommended, but most dogs want to lick it off, so that can be a complication. The oil needs time to interact with the sap, so keep your dog still while you wait. Reward your dog with treats, praise, or a favorite toy during this important step.
- Gently massage, brush, or comb the oiled sap. Use your fingers to work the oil into softened sap by massaging the affected area, rubbing the oiled hair with a scrubbing motion to help separate hair strands. This can take a while. Gently brush the coat with a bath brush, slicker brush, or wide-toothed comb to help the strands separate, but don’t pull or tug glued-together hairs. It may take more than one heat-oil-massage treatment to break the sap down so you can remove it.
- If necessary, use scissors. Kitchen or poultry shears are not appropriate for sticky mat removal. Instead, use small, sharp scissors to remove tiny sections at a time. Thinning shears, used by professional groomers, make partial cuts that remove hair without creating obvious gaps in the coat. You can achieve a similar effect by focusing on small areas and teasing them apart with your comb and occasional scissoring. Skip this step if the pitch is close to your dog’s skin in order to prevent accidental cuts that might become infected.
- Is there pitch on your dog’s paws? Tree sap that sticks to your dog’s paw pads can irritate the skin and cause obsessive licking and chewing. Remove sap that’s caught on or between paw pads as soon as you notice it. If massaging the paws with oil doesn’t remove the sap, call your veterinarian or groomer because sticky paws will continue to collect dust, gravel, plant debris, and other potential irritants that can lead to painful limping or skin infections.
- Time for a bath. After successfully removing tree sap, prepare a bath to remove excess oil and tree sap residue. Use a mild shampoo and work it into your dog’s coat, checking to be sure all traces of the sticky sap have disappeared. Rinse well to remove all traces of soap or shampoo. Dry the coat well with towels, your blow dryer, or a warm outdoor breeze. When dry or almost dry, brush the coat well. For more, see Tips for Giving a Dog a Bath at Home and How to Bathe Your Dog.
- Follow up with daily brushings or at least daily inspections, checking for new sap accumulations. Avoid sap-producing trees, and if your dog has recently stepped on tree sap, use dog booties or paw wax to prevent future exposures. Regular grooming and frequent body checks will help you catch and repair pitch problems before they become serious.
