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How to Remove Chewing Gum From Dog Hair (4 Easy Methods)

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By Nicole Cosgrove

chewing gum

Chewing gum is a pain to remove out of human hair, but it can be almost impossible to get out of a dog’s coat. It can cause a big mess of tangled fur, especially with dogs that have thick, fluffy coats. With time and patience, chewing gum can come out of your dog’s hair using a few home remedies.

If your dog has a wad of gum stuck to its fur, try these methods to safely remove gum:

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First, Assess the Damage and Location

Before you start going in, look at how much fur is stuck in the gum, especially if your dog has long fur or hair. If it’s possible, separate the section of fur with the chewing gum to prevent more hair from getting stuck.

Notice the location as well—some areas on your dog’s body are more sensitive, so any pulling or tugging will cause your dog pain.

Top 4 Ways to Remove Chewing Gum From Dog Hair

1. Peanut Butter

a jar of peanut butter
Image Credit: Pixabay

The first go-to for gum removal is peanut butter, and this applies to dog coats as well! Natural creamy peanut butter is oily and will help reduce the stickiness of chewing gum. Slather peanut butter on and around the gum, using your hands or with gloves. Let the peanut butter sit for a few minutes and start to work the gum out.

For bigger chunks of gum, you may have to add more peanut butter and let it sit again.


2. Petroleum Jelly or Vegetable Oil

If you don’t have any peanut butter on hand or it’s not working, use some petroleum jelly or vegetable oil instead. The oil will work the same as peanut butter, but it might not wash out as easily. Make sure to leave on the jelly or oil for a few minutes.


3. Ice Cubes

Ice Cubes
Image Credit: Bruno /Germany, Pixabay

The next method to try is using ice cubes on the gum, which will lessen the elasticity of it and make it easier to remove. Put the ice in a bag or towel and keep it away from your dog’s skin. Hold it on the gum for a few minutes before attempting to remove it.


4. Cut It Out If All Else Fails

If every attempt to remove the gum fails, you might have to cut it out. Though it’s not an ideal solution, especially for dogs with long coats, sometimes cutting the coat is the least painful way to remove the gum. Cut as close to the gum as possible, trying to save as much hair as possible. It may look noticeable at first, but it might be your only option if the other methods don’t work.

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Lastly, Bathe your Dog’s Coat Once the Gum is Out

Bubble Bath a lovely dog chow chow
Image Credit: 135pixels, Shutterstock

Once you’ve removed at least 95% of the gum, give your dog a bath and rinse out the peanut butter, oil, and anything else you used. Rinse your dog thoroughly and dry your dog off, then check to see if you missed any gum. Brush out your dog’s coat carefully and gently, especially around the site where the gum was stuck.

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Top 3 Things to Avoid for Chewing Gum & Dogs:

1. Don’t Try to Brush it Out

You might be tempted to try and brush out the gum, but that will make it spread and stick! Don’t waste a brush or comb and try our suggested methods instead.


2. Don’t Bathe Your Dog with Stuck Chewing Gum

Dog shampoo won’t help dissolve or remove the hair, while the warm water may make it spread. You need to dissolve or unstick the gum with something oily—skip the bath for this one.

shiba inu dog taking a bath
Image Credit: yuzu, Shutterstock

3. Don’t Pull Hard on the Gum or Fur

Be careful when trying to remove the gum and do not pull too hard, causing pain and discomfort to your dog’s follicles and skin. It can be frustrating to remove and may take a decent chunk of your time but pulling or yanking will not help.

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A Warning About Gum & Your Dog

Chewing gum is not just a coat problem; it can also make your dog very sick. A lot of brands of chewing gum have xylitol, which can cause severe illness if your dog is on the small side. Large dogs will experience moderate discomfort, depending on how much your dog ate. It can also cause a blockage in the intestines if it’s a lot of gum, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. The best thing is to avoid having gum near your dog to prevent coat and digestive problems.


Featured Image Credit: Tabeajaichhalt, Pixabay

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