# Removing tree sap from dog fur

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tree-sap-from-dog-fur/256361>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 22, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tree-sap-from-dog-fur/256361 "2004-07-22T16:00:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tree-sap-from-dog-fur/256361/1 "2004-07-22T16:00:31Z")

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Last night it seems the ArmadilloPup brushed up against a tree and got a smudge of tree sap in his fur, near his shoulder. His coat is very short, maybe a quarter-inch long, and he’s got no undercoat, so it’s got his fur matted to his skin. Anyone know the best way to get it out? I could just shave the spot, but if there’s something I can use to dissolve it or get it loose I’d rather do that.  
Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tree-sap-from-dog-fur/256361/2 "2004-07-22T16:28:25Z")

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Try toothpaste. I just remember that when I was a kid and liked to climb trees I’d sometimes get sap on my hands. The only thing that helped remove it was toothpaste.

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tree-sap-from-dog-fur/256361/3 "2004-07-22T17:30:20Z")

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I’m not a vet or groomer, but I’d expect to have better luck with olive or vegetable oil from the kitchen.

Try a little on a small patch of the goo and see if it dissolves or at least softens the sap. Then, you should be able to bathe the beast as usual to get the sap-flavored oil out of the fur.

At least you have a short-furred dog. Our beastie is a long-haired dog, so sap would be a calamity.

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-tree-sap-from-dog-fur/256361/4 "2004-07-22T18:03:38Z")

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Another vote for oil of some sort. I use baby oil on myself, but obviously you’re better off with something edible for the dog.