At some point, I think we have all had a dog that liked to chew something that they shouldn’t: shoes, rugs, clothes, plants, etc. For our dog, it was the kitchen table. Dog anti chew spray is designed to help deter your dog from chewing on objects they shouldn’t be chewing on.
What Is The Best Way To Stop My Dog From Chewing Things They Shouldn’t?
The best way to stop your dog from chewing items they shouldn’t be chewing is to train them. Most dogs chew things because they are bored or have energy they need to get out of their system.
Keeping a vigilant eye on your dog and correcting them in the act of chewing will yield the best results. Have a toy or other object close by to distract them or reward them with when they stop chewing on the forbidden object.
While you can’t always be there to distract them (maybe you’re going away for a few hours and you know your dog is going to try and chew your favorite chair), that is where dog anti chew sprays come in handy.
How Does Dog Anti Chew Spray Work?
Dog anti chew spray works when you spray the product onto the object or area you don’t want your dog to chew. They usually have a scent and taste to deter dogs from going to the area you spray. It is usually something bitter that is used to deter the chewing.
Why Is Bitter Used To Deter Dogs From Chewing?
Dogs have the ability to taste the same things we do: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. They have less taste buds than humans do and rely on a combination of taste and smell to choose which foods to eat.
In the wild, a bitter taste will signal something that is poisonous or rotten. For this reason, most anti chew sprays are made to taste bitter, so your dog will avoid it.
What Scent Will Deter Dogs From Chewing?
Dogs do not like the scent of citrus. Chew deterrent sprays may contain a citrus ingredient, like lemon, as an additional ingredient to deter your dog from chewing.
What Can Dog Anti Chew Spray Be Used For/On?
Dog anti chew spray can be sprayed on various objects around your home that your dog likes to spend time chewing on. This can include:
- Furniture. *
- Beds (the dog’s or yours).
- Rugs.
- Carpets.
- Blankets.
- Shoes.
- Drapes.
- Electrical Cords.
*If you are spraying the chew deterrent on furniture or wood, spray it on a small, inconspicuous area first. Many anti chew sprays say they are non staining, but it is best to double check before you spray it on a large area.
Dog anti chew sprays can also be used on outdoor objects like plants and shrubs.
It can even be sprayed on your dog’s harness or leash to get them to stop chewing on them while out for a walk.
Some dog anti chew sprays are also designed to be used on your dog. This can be beneficial if your dog constantly licks or bites a sore, recent surgical area, or any hot spot they may have on their skin.
What Ingredients Are In Dog Anti Chew Sprays?
The main ingredient in dog anti chew spray is ”bitters”. They all contain some kind of bittering agent to deter your dog from chewing.
Another ingredient you may want to look out for is alcohol. You may see this listed as isopropanol. Be careful if you plan on spraying a product with alcohol as an ingredient on your dog if they have a wound you are trying to get them to stop licking. If it is an open wound, this may sting if you spray it on your dog.
Products that contain alcohol are also very drying. It may dry the skin if too much is sprayed.
There are also some dog anti chew sprays that contain tea tree oil. This is an ingredient you may want to watch out for. Tea tree oil is toxic to dogs. If you do choose a product that contains tea tree oil, it should be a very small amount and diluted to avoid affecting your dog.
How Often Do I Need To Use Dog Anti Chew Spray?
Use dog anti chew spray according to your needs. You may have to spray an area several times a day, once a day, or every few days, depending on the product and your dog’s determination to chew.
Does Bitter Spray Work For Dogs?
In theory, bitter sprays should work to deter your dog from chewing, but that is not always the case.
Some dogs may not respond to the bitterness of the anti chew sprays the way you would want them to. There are dogs that might actually like or not mind the taste, and these sprays will not deter them from chewing. It is really a matter of trial and error to see what, if any, anti chew sprays will work for your dog. That is why a lot of anti chew sprays get mostly mixed reviews. There isn’t one spray that works for all dogs.
What Is The Best Dog Deterrent Spray For Chewing?
There are many dog anti chew sprays out there, so how do you know which one is right for your dog? As we mentioned above, you may have to try a few before you find the one that will work to deter your dog from chewing.
The most popular choice is Grannick’s Bitter Apple. This product has been around for decades and is worth giving a try. It is non-toxic and made in the USA. It is important to note that Grannick’s Bitter Apple does contain isopropanol as an ingredient. Do a spot check if you are going to use this product, as it may stain surfaces.
Other options to try:
NaturVet Bitter YUCK! No Chew Dog Spray
- Bittering agent is rosemary.
- Water Based.
- Alcohol free.
- Non-staining.
- For outdoor and indoor use.
- Made in the USA.
Vet’s Best Bitter Cherry Spray
- Mix of fruit extracts with cherry.
- Sting Free.
- Alcohol Free.
- Non-staining.
- Contains lemon and grape seed extract.
- Made in the USA.
Rocco & Roxie No Chew Extreme Bitter Spray
- Double strength bitter formula.
- Contains copaiba oil, which is an essential oil to soothe inflamed skin and hotspots.
- Alcohol Free.
- Sting Free.
- Made in the USA.
Alternative Options To Try:
Alternatively, if you are home to watch your dog and you are there to correct their behavior while they are doing it, a product like The Company Of Animals Pet Corrector Spray may help to deter your dog from chewing. This is a spray that lets out a hiss of air to mimic warning signs from other animals in the wild to stop your dog from performing a specific behavior. It is used to interrupt actions you don’t want your dog to be doing. It is best if it is used in short bursts and don’t spray it too close to your dog when you are using it.
Another option you can try is to make your own anti chew spray. As mentioned above, dogs don’t like the scent of citrus. A homemade blend of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar may do the trick to deter them from chewing.
Dog anti chew sprays are used to help deter dogs from chewing on objects they shouldn’t chew, like furniture, rugs, shoes, or even hotspots from allergies or injuries. They are worth giving a try if your dog likes to chew things they shouldn’t, particularly if they like to chew things when they are home alone for any length of time.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.