How to Get Pitch Out of Fur

Pitch is also known as tree sap. This sap runs through veins in tree branches and leaves. Pitch often gets stuck to an animal's fur when it drips from a broken branch or runs down the bark of the tree trunk and the animal brushes against it. The sap is thick and sticky, making it difficult to remove from fur. The key to removing pitch is to reduce the sap's stickiness.

Wash the fur with warm water and dish soap. Let the soapy mixture soak for 10 minutes. With the soapy mixture still on the fur, comb the pitch out of the fur with a steel comb. Rinse the fur once the pitch has been removed.

Coat the pitch with vegetable shortening to dissolve the gummy substance in the sap. Wipe the fur with a clean cloth and wash it with soapy water to remove the vegetable shortening.

Dab the pitch with peanut butter. The natural oils in the peanut butter break down the sap and makes it easier to remove. With the peanut butter still on the fur, comb the pitch out of the fur with a steel comb. Wash the fur with soapy water to remove the peanut butter.

Apply a warm, wet facecloth to the pitch for at least five minutes to soften it. Apply a few drops of vegetable oil to your fingers and rub the oil into the pitch. Continue to work the oil into the pitch until the pitch dissolves.

Apply mayonnaise to the pitch. Mayonnaise also contains natural oils that break down the gummy substance in the fur and make it easier to remove. Wipe the fur with a clean cloth to remove the mayonnaise and any remaining pitch.

Rub olive oil on the pitch. With the olive oil still on the fur, comb the pitch out of the fur with a steel comb. Wash the fur with soapy water to remove the oil.

Apply an ice cub to the pitch for at least five minutes. Pitch hardens and becomes brittle when it is cold. After the pitch has hardened, crumble or break it with your fingers and gently remove it from the fur.

Rub petroleum jelly on the pitch. The oil in the petroleum jelly also dissolves the pitch and makes it easier to remove from fur. Wipe the fur with a clean cloth to remove all of the petroleum jelly and remaining pitch.

Shave your pet. If you cannot remove the pitch with a cleaning agent, shave the fur using electric clippers or a disposable razor. This may create a bald spot where the fur has been shaved but will remove the sap and sticky fur.