How to Remove Tree Sap from Cat Fur,Hair and Paws

Finding tree sap on your feline’s fur is a serious matter. This may be a hard task to tackle and is not amusing for you or your feline.

Tree sap is thick, sticky, and incredibly adherent. The sap is hard to get rid of from clothing and human hair; for pets, the experience can definitely be painful. Because pet parents usually want their furballs clean and happy, you’ll need to know precisely a way to get sap out of feline fur in the event this sticky material gets there.

When a cat somehow gets sap in his/her fur, not only will your feline’s fur stick together and mat up, but the sap can also cause debris which includes rocks, pine needles, and leaves to stick to the fur as well. This can bring a lot of pain to your feline. Also, the sticky sap will need to be eliminated to protect your furball.

The sap is so adhesive that you often have notable trouble getting rid of the sticky material. It may also appear that you cast off sap from one place only to have it affect a different place of your cat’s fur. It may even get in your cat’s paws. 

As a new or old cat owner, you can not have had to face this sort of challenge. I am right here to tell you that the whole thing is going to be okay, and in case you comply with this guide you will have the tree sap off of your cat’s fur very quickly with this pretty easy process.

List of items you will need

Here is the list of things that you’ll need to remove tree sap at home. You will not need to take your feline to the vet. 

Also, you do not need all the items. I just made sure to add different items that most of the houses have. 

  • Wide-toothed comb – This will help you to remove the tree sap from the fur.
  • Blow dryer – If the sap is not fresh and becomes hard, you can use a blow dryer to heat the sap.
  • Mineral oil – Mineral oil is a very common item in many households.
  • Olive oil – It is used in cooking. Olive oil is highly recommended to remove tree sap from your feline’s fur.
  • Bourbon or vodka – Alcohol is a great item to dissolve the tree sap. But, rubbing alcohol is not a good idea as it can be dangerous if your feline licks it.

How to remove tree sap from cats?

Inspect your cat entirely

  • The first and foremost step is to assess the problem.
  • Take your feline into a smaller room so that you can inspect where the sap is. 
  • Assess how many saps are there and if they are soft or hard.
  • Do not forget to check the paws, hind legs, and belly.

Removing sap from fur and hair

  • First, take a look at the sap if it has hardened. If it has, then you may need to use a blow dryer in the minimum warmth setting. Test the blow dryer on yourself first to make certain it is not too warm for your feline. You can do that by adjusting the gap between the blow dryer and your skin. Find the satisfactory distance that gives sufficient warmth. However, it must not burn the skin. Replicate this on your feline’s fur in all of the locations that have dried tree sap.
  • You can then begin to loosen the tree sap through the use of mineral oil, olive oil, Vodka, or peanut butter. Massage your selected product into the affected regions of your feline’s fur and permit it to sit for some minutes. Remember, we selected those products because they’re more secure than rubbing alcohol in case your feline was to lick the handled regions.
  • The next step is to softly get rid of the tree sap from your feline’s fur. To do that, use your fingers and a wide-toothed comb to cautiously work the tree sap out of the fur. Use a paper towel to wipe off the oil and residue leftover. If you’re having trouble with a certain area, then you may need to trim it off. Just be cautious not to cut too near your feline’s skin.
  • The very last step is to clean your feline with a pet-pleasant shampoo and warm water. You might need to wash your feline a couple of times to get rid of all the oily products. Another tremendous alternative is to take your kitty to a groomer to professionally ease your feline.

Removing tree sap from paws

Your feline’s paws are very delicate and you must handle them with care. Not simply for your cat, but for you as well. You might also additionally get scratched in the accident in case you aren’t careful. Use the same approach as above. Rub your selected product into your feline’s paws and get rid of it with your fingers and a comb.

With stubborn areas, you can lightly attempt to trim off fur with surgical scissors. If you’re involved in hurting your feline, then you could make an appointment with a pet groomer.

What not to use

When confronted with the sticky tree sap in your cat’s hair, do not reach for detergents and house cleaners. They are probably effective. However, they might additionally be harsh on sensitive skin.

Additionally, despite the fact that petroleum products that work as solvents and degreasers might make brief work of matted tree sap in a cat’s hair, they are dangerous.

According to the Merck Manual, kerosene, petroleum, diesel fuel, crude oil, and different hydrocarbon mixes are toxic to felines whether they may be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

Final words

In conclusion, I would say that removing tree sap from cat fur, hair, and paws can be a tricky job. Hence, be careful while doing so. Also, follow the above-given steps to do the job properly. 

I hope you liked the article. Stay connected for more interesting and informative pieces of writing. Thank you.

Frequently asked question

Is tree sap toxic to cats?

When felines eat tree sap by chewing on needles and branches, it may cause gastrointestinal issues like cramping, drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting. If the consumption is a huge amount at once, it can damage the liver and kidneys. 

What dissolves dried sap?

Cooking oils like coconut or olive oil can easily dissolve the dried tree sap and take it out of the skin. Other than this, rubbing alcohol and products like nail polish remover and hand sanitizer also works well.

How do you get pine sap off paws?

To remove tree sap from your cat’s paws, apply some olive oil, coconut oil, peanut butter, or mineral oil to the paws and gently massage them. The tree sap will start to loosen up. You can use a paper towel to pull the tree sap from the paw. 

How do you get sticky residue off cat fur?

When your feline has a sticky thing in the fur, you can use cooking oil, baking soda, soap, or water to dissolve the substance from the fur. You should then brush it out, lift it, or wash it off. Also, apply these ingredients by hand, with a rag, or by bathing the feline.

How do you remove hardened sap?

  1. Spray WD-40 on the sap and allow it to soak for at least 5 minutes
  2. Apply a wet fiber, soaked in hot water, on the top.
  3. Use this cloth to rub away the tree sap.
  4. Wash the area with warm water and soap