Argghhhh!   This year for some reason my dogs are picking up loads of sticky sap on their paws.   I have not been able to figure out what tree or plant it's coming from - never mind why even though I have not changed my regular walking route this is the first year that it has been a problem. 

The last few days after a walk I have had to remove sap and what looks like the shells from large seed pods from their paws. This stuff is really sticky so I end up having to pull it or cut if out from the hair in their paws and peel it off their pads.   Worse, bits of the seed shell are getting stuck between their pads and I have to excavate and then pull them out.  It's a nightmare.

Does anyone have any suggestions for anything I can use to either dissolve the sap or remove it more easily?

Do you walk under horse chestnut (conker) trees? The sticky husks you describe sound like 'sticky buds' - the outer covering of the new leaf buds.

Can't help with anything to remove it, though - I'm assuming you've tried surgical spirit or nail-polish remover?

Perhaps put some vaseline on their pads and also on the hair in between toes - it may not prevent sticking entirely but should make removing anything more easy, particularly from the hair.

regards, Teri

Jeangenie - I think you have sussed the source of the problem, chestnut trees.   I just cannot understand why this is the first year they are causing problems for my dogs, but hey.

No, I have not tried surgical spirit or nail-polish remover.  I will do though if I cannot remove the stuff any other way. 

Hi Teri,

Good idea, but my dogs think that vaseline is for eating, so our walks would get off to a rather slow start :-)

LOL - little blighters eat all sorts don't they :-p

Perhaps Vicks vapour rub?  similar(ish) texture but less tasty (OK, maybe not to yours :-o )  Failing that what about a dry oil grooming spray, similar to what Afghan owners use?  It may make the hair side of things less difficult to clean up.

Teri

Are nail polish remover, surgical spirit & vicks vapur rub safe to use?
I cant imagine dogs would want to nibble thier paws if they smelt of that but if some did it is worth knowing the implicaitons

The idea is to use something they wont want to nibble at.  NP remover and surgical spirit evaporate almost immediately so mainly the scent would remain however I'd rinse off feet/pads where used.

Vicks vapour rub is often helpful as a deterrent against areas dogs chew - including wood and furnishings.  The suggestion was to apply before walks to enable easier cleaning of feet on return at which time it would be removed too :)

Teri