Grooming and coat
How do I get chewing gum out of my dog's fur?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Freezing the gum with an ice cube held against it for a minute or two makes it brittle enough to crumble out with your fingers or a comb, avoiding scissors near the skin. Peanut butter or vegetable oil worked into the gum also loosens it, though this needs a follow up wash to remove the residue.
The freezing method
Holding an ice cube wrapped in a thin cloth against the gum for one to two minutes hardens it enough that it often crumbles away in small pieces when picked at with your fingers or gently worked with a comb, without needing to cut any hair at all in mild cases.
Oil based softening
Working a small amount of peanut butter, coconut oil, or vegetable oil into the gum and the surrounding hair breaks down its stickiness within a few minutes, after which it usually slides out with a comb. A regular bath afterward with a dog shampoo removes the oily residue left behind.
When cutting is the only option
Gum worked deep into a curly or long coat, especially close to the skin, sometimes cannot be freed without trimming a small section out with blunt tipped scissors, held parallel to the skin rather than pointed at it, which is safer than trying to pull a stubborn patch free by hand.
Key takeaways
- Freezing gum with an ice cube for a minute or two often lets it crumble out without cutting any hair.
- Peanut butter or vegetable oil worked into the gum loosens it but needs a follow up bath to remove residue.
- Gum trapped deep in the coat sometimes needs a small, careful trim as a last resort.