How to Get Gum Out of Dog Hair: 3 Vet-Approved Methods

Vet approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Amanda Charles

Veterinarian, BVSc GPCert (Derm) MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Before You Begin
The Removal Methods
Removing Gum From Your Pup’s Paws
Things to Avoid

We’ve all had it happen at least once—getting chewing gum stuck in our hair. And we all know what a pain it is to try and remove gum from hair; to say it’s a challenge is an understatement! But what happens if your dog somehow manages to get gum stuck in their hair? How much more difficult must getting gum out of dog hair be? And how do you get gum out of dog hair anyway?

If your dog has gotten gum stuck in his or her hair, you can get it out with one of these three simple methods. Take a look below at our step-by-step guide so you can get your dog back to being gum-free!

Note: Be careful not to let your dog ingest any gum when removing it. Many forms of chewing gum contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener which is highly toxic to dogs.

Before You Begin: Gather Supplies

Before you begin the process of removing the gum from your pet’s hair, you need to choose the method you want to use and then gather everything you need for that method. Depending on which way you decide to get the gum out of your dog’s hair, you’ll need:

Ice cubes
Peanut butter (xylitol free)
Olive oil
Butter
Mayonnaise
Comb
Pet clippers
Dishwashing soap
Dog shampoo
Towels

Dishwashing soap — Image Credit: Onderwijsgek, Wikimedia Commons

The 3 Methods for Removing Gum From Your Dog’s Hair

Here are three methods for getting gum out of your dog’s hair and all the steps to follow for each method! If you try one and it fails, move on to the next one. Contact your veterinarian for assistance if you are unable to remove the gum.

1. The Ice Cube Method

First, we have the ice cube method.

Grab an ice cube.
Hold the ice cube on the gum for 3–5 minutes; this step is to get the gum to harden. Hardened gum is much easier to get out of your dog’s hair than soft gum!
Once the gum has hardened, try to pull it out of your dog’s hair—gently!—by breaking off pieces of it.
If breaking off pieces and removing them by hand isn’t working, or it is causing your dog discomfort, you can move on to using clippers as described below.
Once the gum is removed, give your dog a bath with a pet-safe shampoo to ensure no tiny bits of gum remain.

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2. The Oil-Based Method

You’re probably familiar with this method, as it’s the most common method of removing gum from kids’ hair.

Grab an oil-based product—either peanut butter (xylitol free), olive oil, butter, or mayo.
Work whichever product you choose into the hair with your fingers near the gum.
Let the oil-based substance sit for three or more minutes. Stay with your dog while waiting to avoid your pet eating the substance (or gum) out of their fur.
Once the 3 minutes have passed, it’s time to break out the comb. Comb the gum out, starting from above the gum and combing down. In some cases an old toothbrush can also be useful to remove the gum.
If the gum doesn’t come out the first time, apply the oil-based product and comb 2–3 more times.
If the gum refuses to budge after that, you’ll need to move on to the next method.
If this method does get the gum out, you’ll need to give your pup a bath to eliminate the oiliness and any leftover bits of gum.

olive-oil-piaxbay — Image Credit: HomeMaker, Pixabay

3. The Fur Cutting Method

This is probably the simplest method of getting gum out of dog hair.

Make sure your dog’s fur is dry, as it’s less difficult to cut dry hair than wet.
Hold your dog in place (or grab a friend that can gently hold onto them while you cut).
Place your pet clippers above where the gum is located.
Move the pet clippers in a downward motion to trim the hair surrounding the gum.
If the gum isn’t cut out on the first pass, repeat as necessary until the gum is gone.
If you aren’t comfortable trimming your dog’s fur, then take them to the groomer or the vet instead so they can trim the fur and get the gum out.
Then bathe your pet once the gum is removed!

Removing Gum From Your Pup’s Paws

The skin on your dog’s paws is sensitive and it can be more difficult to get to the gum. Removing gum from the paws may need a slightly different approach, although all the above methods can also be used.

First, mix mild dishwashing soap with warm water.
Next, soak a towel or cloth in the soapy water.
Dab your pet’s paw with the wet towel around the affected area to loosen the gum from the hair and skin.
Once your pup’s paw is wet enough, see if the gum can be removed.
If the gum isn’t coming out, wipe some olive oil on the area.
Use the rag in a sideways motion to try and loosen the gum, so it’ll come out.
If the soapy water and olive oil don’t take care of the gum, take your pet to the vet so they can get it out.
If this process works, wash your dog’s paw to remove the soap and olive oil.

Things to Avoid

There are a couple of things to avoid when trying to get gum out of your dog’s hair:

Don’t try to wash chewing gum out! Leaving the gum as is, without trying one of the methods above, and bathing your pet could make the gum soften and spread, getting it into even more of your dog’s fur.
Don’t attempt to comb or brush the gum out without applying something oily first. Doing this is another way to spread gum around.

Conclusion

Getting gum out of your dog’s hair can be challenging, but by using one of these methods, you’ll hopefully have it out sooner rather than later. Just follow the steps for whichever method you choose to get the best results. And though it isn’t always possible, try to keep your dog away from chewed gum to avoid them getting it stuck in their fur again!

See Also: 7 Benefits of Regular Dog Grooming

Featured Image Credit: Hannah Tu, Unsplash