There’s nothing like sharing the great outdoors with your dog. Think sunshine, refreshing hikes, plenty of swimming and…slug slime? Unfortunately, dog-slug encounters are common, and it’s harder than you might think to clean slug slime off your dog.
If your dog uncovers a slug or two during your travels, they’re bound to end up with a touch of the slime in their coat. If your dog manages to roll all over the slug (releasing a whole arsenal of the gooey stuff) then you’ve got a lot of slime on your hands. Never fear, though, because we’ve researched the best ways to remove slug slime from your dog’s fur.
Step One
Skip the bath
Wait before you bathe. Slugs use their mucus to prevent dehydration, so adding water to the situation will only make things worse by expanding the slime and making it even stickier. Slug slime is made of highly organized polymeric material and can actually absorb water super quickly – up to 100 times its initial volume! Which means, much like with gremlins, you shouldn’t add water.
Step Two
Wipe slime off with a clean, dry cloth
This is the best way to remove the majority of that slimy residue. Get as much of the yucky stuff off as you can, and the next steps will be easier.
We like microfiber pet towels, in particular, for this job.
Step Three
Try olive oil, vinegar, salt, or even detergent
Some dog owners have reported that rubbing the fur with olive oil, and then washing it out with Dawn detergent, has helped them clean up their canine.
You can also try gently rubbing distilled white vinegar into your dog’s coat, which helps break up the slime. Salt, mixed with water or on its own, can also help.
Step Four
Your best bet is brushing it out
Most people (and dogs) who have encountered the slug slime issue report that brushing out the dried-up slime is the way to go.
Step Five
You may have to trim it out
Still not seeing great results? Your last option is always to give your pup a quick trim. Hopefully you won’t have to cut too much off, but at least it’s summer, so they’ll be refreshed by their new, shorter style.