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buddawigg... buddawigg...
 
M$1.05 September 23, 2009 12:40 PM

What are some safe and natural ways to remove pine tree sap from my Shih Tzu?

I have recently moved to a community that is in a pine tree forest and the falling sap has become an immediate and unexpected issue.

I keep his hair short and would like to find a way to safely remove the sap from home without cutting his hair shorter or bringing him to the groomers.

Have you had this problem? How did you solve it?
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Interesting: michelleldevon M$0.05

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fleurdelis fleurdelis
 
 September 25, 2009 12:38 AM
Any kind of product containing a natural oil should work.. ie mayo, pnutbutter, canola oil, olive oil, coconut oil. I have 4 dogs and 4 cats who are always getting into something. We have pine trees in our yard and yes, my dogs have come in w/pine tar. I rub extra virgin coconut oil into the tar and heat it up some w/the hairdryer on the low setting because it liquifies the tar. Not only does the coconut oil lubricate and break it up enough so that you can grasp the fur with a paper towel or washcloth and slide the tar out....you then work it (the coconut oil ) into the fur and skin because it's a fantastic natural skin and coat conditioner. Spot shampoo and voila !
Source(s):
My source is personal experience. I use only green/eco-friendly natural remedies and products for everything...house, yard & garden, health, cleaning, food, medicine and have done a lot of research and study of natural and homeopathic products and their uses.

Asker's Rating:
• A few good answers but yours was from personal experience. Thank you.


Tags: coconut-oil, homeopathic, natural-remedies, green, pets

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Helpful: buddawiggi

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buddawiggi buddawiggi
 
September 25, 2009 12:55 AM
Thank you for the knowledge from experience @fleurdelis glad to know I'm not the only one with these concerns and issues.

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ritzy ritzy
 
September 23, 2009 12:49 PM
I believe that using ice cubes will solidify the sap, then you can crack it up and gently comb in out, dont pull to hard on it, you may hurt your dog.
The other method would be to use baby oil and cotton wool to break the sap down, then use tissues to wipe away any residue.

After either method, finally sponge lightly with a baby shampoo or mild dog shampoo and rinse with a cloth.

Hope this helps

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Helpful: buddawiggi, windowshopping

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caitw caitw
 
September 23, 2009 01:55 PM
Peanut butter, mayonnaise, baby oil -- anything with oil in it that will make it easier to soften the sap if it has hardened or is beginning to.

With peanut butter, they say the more oil in it, the better. Apply as much as possible to the hair and soften it with a hair dryer using the low setting. Leave in hair for a few minutes and comb out with a large tooth brush. You could then rinse the hair with hot water and shampoo.

With mayonnaise and baby oil, also apply enough to cover the sap covered hair. Allow to sit in hair for several to ten minutes and then rinse with water.

Some also say that baking soda applied to a warm cloth and rubbed into the hair will work.

Dish soaps for grease as well as Crisco can also help.
Source(s):
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22474082.tip.html
http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/hairhelpremove_svej.htm


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Helpful: buddawiggi

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ematlosz ematlosz
 
September 23, 2009 02:09 PM
quote--
WD-40 works fine. It is based on fish oil and won't hurt
the dog at all. So does OFF mosquito spray. Because sap
spots on calloused hands cause nasty blisters if you use
an axe or chainsaw all day, (not from the sap itself, but
because of the extra traction of those spots) I used to
carry either WD-40 or OFF when I worked as a logger.

It also gets sap clumps off dog's fur and keeps it from
matting. Just squirt some on, let it soak for a few minutes,
then wipe it off with a rag or paper towel.
---/quote---

After it rains it's way easier to get tree sap off of my car with an ice scraper. However, that method would not be optimum in this situation.
Source(s):
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf552290.tip.html


Tags: sap, tree, dog

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Helpful: kty2777

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buddawiggi buddawiggi
 
September 23, 2009 02:19 PM
Hi @ematlosz I'd like to welcome you to Mahalo and thank you for taking the time to answer my question. That is an interesting answer and I took a looka t your source. It seems you have copy and pasted your answer word for word from that source.

We would really love to hear your own answer in your own words. We absolutely love original content here at Mahalo answers and i would ask you to read and apply the guidelines in the Copy and Pasting on Mahalo guide.

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ematlosz ematlosz
 
September 23, 2009 02:27 PM
Yeah, that is why I provided a source and direct quotes.

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buddawiggi buddawiggi
 
September 23, 2009 02:36 PM - New Source
I see that and you are very close to doing it the right way here on Mahalo. I would ask you in the most respectful way possible to provide some original content in your answer as per *required* in the Copy and Pasting on Mahalo guide.

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fleurdelis fleurdelis
 
September 25, 2009 05:11 PM
Whoever told you WD-40 was based on fish oil ? You're completely misinformed. It's a PETROLEUM product. See below.

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=248

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morgan2 morgan2
 
September 24, 2009 02:30 AM
I have tried WD-40 &OFF mosquito spray. Because they are both oil based. I just sprayed it on the dogs fur then let it soak in a few min. then wipe with a towel. But if you are afraid of damaging the dog's skin. Then try Goo-Gone, I have used this also and I think it works much better. I have a miniature schnauzer and dont want to cut her hair everytime she gets sap in it. So try these things.

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fleurdelis fleurdelis
 
September 25, 2009 05:06 PM - Fact Refuted
You should NEVER use any product on an animal that hasn't been specifically tested for use on animals and been proven SAFE , 100% NON-TOXIC and chemical free. WD-40 is contains petroleum products ( which in themselves are considered toxic) which can induce skin irritation and respiratory irritation if inhaled and gastro-intestinal problems if ingested. It is also extremely high in VOC's. The skin, being the largest organ in the body readily absorbs ingredients which are directed into the blood stream where they travel to other organs and body systems even with minimal contact and exposure.

Goo Gone is also not safe for the same reasons Citra-Solve is not safe.

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=13009002

SPOT SHOT (tm) is the only WD-40 product which is NON-TOXIC to be use AROUND pets.. not ON pets.

http://www.wd40company.com/news/products/

http://www.thedogpress.com/Columns/Liquorman/0708-WD40-Usage-Danger-V1.asp

http://www.wd40.co.uk/media/adobe/WD40%20aerosol%20datasheet.pdf

All in all... BAD advice... ALL of it.

http://www.tigerflag.com/perfumeblog/?p=38

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dammitchri... dammitchri...
 
September 24, 2009 04:04 AM
A green solution would be Citri-Solv.

It is a powerful de-greaser and will take off anything sticky.
Body shops use it to remove decals and tree sap. It does not damage the paint. It is an all natural product, and should be safe to use on your dog (unless it is allergic to citrus).
Bonus! you get a nice orange smelling dog.
Source(s):
http://www.greenhome.com/products/housekeeping/all_purpose_cleaners/105012/


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fleurdelis fleurdelis
 
September 25, 2009 04:38 PM - Fact Refuted
You need to consider some pertinent information on the toxicity of Citra-Solv and other Terpene D-Limonene products on pets. They are NOT safe to use ON pets because of neurotoxicity and skin irritation. NEVER use cleaning products on pets that have not been specifically tested for use ON animals.

http://www.momsjournal.org/20040715/terpene-d-limonene-safe-on-pets/

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floridarid... floridarid...
 
September 26, 2009 12:36 AM
I have a Shih Tzu also and have found that keeping his hair short has solved a lot of those pesky problems. The oils in such products as peanut butter are what really addresses the problem and the oilier the peanut butter, seemingly the better. After you apply the peanut butter, cover it lightly and use a hair dryer at a low setting which softens the peanut even more. Then take a comb and gently comb out his coat. I also read that mayonnaise works too and might not even be as messy as peanut butter but the oils in the mayonnaise also do the trick.

There is also mention of success using rubbing alcohol which reportedly breaks down the basic components of the sap, but it is very drying to the coat so you will have to repeatedly use a good moisturizing shampoo to bring his coat back to a good shine and good health.

Good luck with your Shih Tzu. Mine is always getting himself into trouble although he is the smartest little dog I have ever had the pleasure of living with.
Source(s):
http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/hairhelpremove_svej.htm


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