Sap is sticky and can be difficult to remove from fur. If your cat got into a pine tree or other sap-bearing plant, the sap will stick to his fur and be very difficult to remove.
Although there are many products on the market designed specifically for removing sap, you can use an old-fashioned remedy that works just as well.
You can use the same techniques to get sap out of your hair if it gets caught in a tree branch and also the same techniques work on getting sap out of dog fur.
What Is Sap?
Sap is the fluid that circulates through the veins of plants and trees. It flows through stomata on the leaves and roots and carries nutrients throughout the plant.
In most cases, sap exudes from wounds when you cut into a tree or plant with a knife.
Is Sap Toxic to Cats?
Sap is a sticky substance found in plants, usually from the stems or leaves. It’s high in sugar and water content. Saps are used for food and as a preservative for wood.
While sap is not inherently toxic, it can cause problems for cats if ingested. The sugar in sap can cause a cat to become sick if enough is consumed.
The syrup-like consistency of sap makes it appealing to felines, but the sticky nature can cause them to become stuck or tangled in their fur. If this happens, your cat may need help getting out of the situation safely.
Why is Sap on Cat Fur Dangerous?
The first thing to understand is that sap isn’t just an annoyance, it can also be dangerous for your pet. If sap dries on their skin or fur, it can cause irritation and chafing.
And if the sap gets into their eyes or nose, it could lead to an infection or even blindness in severe cases.
Can Sap Be Removed from Cat Fur?
Yes, if you act quickly after your cat has been exposed to a plant with sticky sap. Use a dry towel or paper towel to wipe off as much of the sap as possible.
Then wash the affected area with warm water and mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry thoroughly before allowing your cat back into the house.
If you do not act quickly enough, then you may need to take your cat to the vet for treatment.
How to Get Sap Out of Cat Fur
While it can be hard to remove sap from fur, it’s not impossible. Here are some ideas to help you get rid of the sticky stuff so your cat doesn’t end up smelling like a pine tree.
Vegetable Oil
A little vegetable oil will help loosen the sap on your cat’s fur. Soak your cat’s fur in vegetable oil for about 20 minutes. The vegetable oil will act as an emulsifier to help break up the sap on your pet’s coat. After 20 minutes, rinse off the vegetable oil with warm water and repeat if necessary.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another good option for removing sap from your pet’s fur because it helps break up the bonds between the resin molecules in the sap and makes them easier to wash away with water or shampoo.
Pour some rubbing alcohol into a small bowl and dip a cotton ball into it so that it’s saturated with alcohol but not dripping wet with liquid. Gently blot at any areas where sap is still visible until it disappears from view.
Mineral Oil
You can also use mineral oil to remove sap from your cat’s fur. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum, but it’s not as toxic as other petroleum-based products like paraffin wax or Vaseline.
It also doesn’t contain any dyes or fragrances that might irritate your cat’s skin. This makes it a good choice for removing sap from cats with sensitive skin.
Olive Oil
If your cat gets into a fight with a tree, olive oil can help soothe the skin and stop any itching. It also helps prevent infection by killing bacteria and fungus that could cause an infection on the skin. To use this method:
Brush off as much of the sap as possible.
Wet a cotton ball with olive oil and rub it on your cat’s fur where he was exposed to the sap. Be sure to cover all areas where he was exposed or where there is visible irritation on his skin.
If necessary, repeat this process several times until all traces of sap are removed from his fur or until you see no more signs of irritation or redness in his fur after about 20 minutes of treatment time between each application.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter makes an excellent homemade solution for removing sticky tree sap from your cat’s fur.
The peanut butter absorbs the liquid and leaves behind only a light stain on top of your cat’s coat.
You can also use other nut butter such as almond butter or cashew butter if you don’t have any peanuts handy at home.
Are Pine Cones Bad for Cats?
Although pine cones aren’t toxic or dangerous for cats, they don’t provide their bodies with any nutritional value either so it’s best not to give them regularly as treats or rewards.
Is Pine Smell Bad for Cats?
Cats like the smell of pine trees. Pine is also a scent that cats find comfort in the wild.
This is why many commercial brands of cat litter contain pine oil or pine shavings. The pine oil gives off an aroma similar to those found in nature and makes the litter box more appealing to cats.
