Struggling to find a good solution to stop your dog from chewing? Have you considered an anti-chew spray? They’re non-toxic, effective, and can help to save your home from destruction!
To help you out, we have painstakingly researched what feels like hundreds of anti-chew spray options and narrowed it down to this list of our top eight choices – making notes on which are best for which purpose.
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Best Bitter Spray
| Grannicks Bitter Apple Deterrent
| |
Best For Puppies
| Emmy's Best PRO Anti Chew Spray For Puppies
| |
Best Aroma
| OUT! Bitter Cherry Chew Deterrent
| |
Best For Sensitive Skin
| Particular Paws Anti-Chew Bitter Spray
|
Products Reviews
- Bitter Apple Taste Deterrent By Grannicks
- PRO Anti Chew Spray For Puppies By Emmy’s Best
- Fooey! Ultra-Bitter Spray By SynergyLabs
- No Chew Deterrent Spray By Nature’s Miracle
- Bitter Yuck! No Chew Spray By NaturVet
- OMG Nasty! Repellent Spray By Vet Recommended
- Bitter Cherry Chew Deterrent By OUT!
- Anti-Chew Bitter Spray By Particular Paws
WHAT IS ANTI-CHEW DOG SPRAY?
Oh puppies, they’re adorable little creatures, but boy oh boy do they have razor sharp teeth – and as their mouths happen to be their go-to way of exploring the world, it can get pretty painful pretty quickly, and that’s just our hands and tootsies that we’re talking about!
But, can we also take a second to talk about the financial pain those cute little puppy dogs can cause us?! I mean sure, I get that Fido wants to learn what the table leg is – but does he have to do that by wrapping his mouth around it? I really liked that table, and now there are tiny bite marks all over it.
One of the greatest solutions to overly inquisitive puppies is the use of a non-toxic, entirely safe, anti-chew dog spray. Designed in a very similar way as that nail polish you put on your kid’s fingernails when they bite them, an anti-chew spray stops your pup from continuing his toothy adventure – because it just tastes so incredibly bad.
But don’t worry about the spray giving off a funky odor in your home, most are designed to be unscented, or to smell good to the human noses in the house.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BITTER SPRAY FOR DOGS?
Long Lasting: Finding a spray that will last for a long time is key. If you’re planning on leaving your dog home alone all day while you’re at work – you want something that won’t wear off after a few minutes. Puppies are notoriously cheeky things, and even if they’ve gotten a taste of their own medicine when trying to chew up your favorite rug – chances are, they’ll try again a few times before learning that it’s not such a good idea!
Strong and Effective: There’s no point in getting a spray that gives off a taste that your dog can ignore – you want something that knocks his socks off and leaves him never wanting to put whatever it was – back in his mouth ever again.
Non-toxic: Most dog specific sprays are made from pet-safe ingredients, but it’s important to check the list of ingredients before making your purchase – especially if your dog has allergies or sensitivities.
Or if your puppy has an injury in his mouth from – you guessed it… chewing things that he shouldn’t have; you might want to steer clear from sprays that contain alcohol, as this would really sting.
Can be Used on Clothes: Another reason to check the ingredients is to see whether any oils — such as tea tree oil — is used in the anti-chew spray you select. This can weaken and even bleach certain items of clothing such as wool, and leather.
Suitable for Medical Use: Many owners are recommended an anti-chew spray by their veterinarian after their dog has undergone a medical procedure – this helps to deter the pooch from licking at their wound or biting at their bandages.
This is very commonly used when dealing with a dog suffering from mange, as gnawing or chewing at skin infections can make their condition far worse.
Calming Ingredients: Dogs often turn to chewing when they’re feeling anxious; it’s a coping mechanism that they use to distract themselves from the anxiety. Buy an anti-chew spray that not only tastes bad – thus discouraging the behavior, but one that contains calming and soothing ingredients helps to nip the route cause in the bud.
PRODUCT REVIEWS
1. Bitter Apple Taste Deterrent For Dogs By Grannicks:
An easy spray bottle filled with a bitter compound designed to stop your dog from chewing. Safe to use directly on wounds although it does contain alcohol so best to spray on bandages rather than the cut itself.
Upon spraying the bitter apple scented deterrent, there is a strong aroma of alcohol, but this dissipates within a minute – so can be used even if you’re expecting company, without making your house smell like old crab apples!
It also works well on cats – although Grannicks don’t advertise it as such, and actually have a separate product for cats, but upon comparing the ingredients – they are exactly the same, with the only difference being the packaging.
Features
- Best For: Heavy Chewers
- Bottle Size: 8oz or 32oz
PROS:
- Multiple sizes are available.
- Comes in a sour apple flavor that deters most dogs.
- Works for cats too.
- Non-toxic.
- Precise spray area.
CONS:
- Does have a bit of an unpleasant aroma at first.
- Some dogs can cope with the taste.
2. PRO Anti Chew Spray For Dogs & Puppies By Emmy’s Best:
The anti-chew spray from Emmy’s Best is easy to use, works for puppies or mature dogs and is also alcohol-free.
Follow the online 14-day training program (at your own pace) that they provide with the spray, and learn the tried and tested methods for teaching your dog to stop chewing once and for all!
Safe to use on practically anything, if your adorable pooch has a penchant for furniture or is a shoe munching connoisseur – spray with the patent-pending formula, and voila an invisible chew barrier should now hopefully be in effect.
Owners of houseplants will be relieved to hear that this is one of the anti-chew sprays that is also safe to use on their indoor vegetation!
Features
- Best For: Puppies
- Bottle Size: 8oz
PROS:
- No mess application.
- Training tips included.
- Alcohol-free formula.
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
- Suitable for puppies and mature dogs.
CONS:
- Some dogs actually like the taste of it.
- Can wear off quickly.
3. Fooey! Ultra-Bitter Training Aid Spray By SynergyLabs:
A pump action spray, the ultra bitter training spray is just that – incredibly bitter. Made out of all-natural ingredients — including an extract from the skin of grapefruit — it’s designed to be terribly bitter, yet entirely safe for your pet – and it sure will help to put them off of chewing their dog bed from now on!
Designed to work for pretty much any pet you can think of, as well as your dog, you can use this for birds, ferrets, horses, cats, rabbits, and even deer.
Many owners are tempted to cover their hands in anti-chew spray in an attempt to stop their rambunctious little pooch from play biting – but while this could work, it will also leave your hands tasting horrific for days.
Picture this, you’ve just whipped up a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies, they’re still warm from the oven – and you pick one up to have that first taste of heaven… but then you lick the chocolate off of your finger, and you’re reduced to looking like a baby who has just tried eating a lemon for the first time. So, it’s better to avoid getting it on yourself!
Features
- Best For: Multi-dog Households
- Bottle Size: 4oz, 8oz, 16oz
PROS:
- Can be used for most pets, not just dogs.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Alcohol-free.
- All natural super bitter ingredients, including grapefruit skin extract!
- Won’t stain.
CONS:
- If you accidentally get on your hands – you’ll be washing them for days to get rid of the taste.
- Its full strength wears off within a couple of hours.
4. No Chew Deterrent Spray By Nature’s Miracle:
If you have a dog that tends to bite at himself and cause hotspots, Nature’s Miracle No-Chew spray could be a good solution. Spray directly onto the area that your dog bites at the most, and watch as their hotspots start to disappear.
The long-lasting, concentrated formula is made from entirely natural ingredients and utilizes calming scents as part of the formula, this aids in soothing an anxious dog. As this is one of the key causes for dogs biting or chewing — at either themselves or your belongings — this should not only provide your dog with some physical relief but emotional relief too.
An entirely alcohol-free product, it’s safe to use on injuries, bandages, skin infections, and other ailments – with prior approval from your veterinarian.
So if your dog is in recovery – don’t worry, it should go by in a flash without the common problem that veterinarians fight against – a dog biting at his own wounds and causing infection. So, with any luck, his cone of shame will soon be removed, and his street cred will go back to normal with the other dogs in the neighborhood!
Features
- Best For: Anxious Dogs
- Bottle Size: 8oz, 16oz
PROS:
- Alcohol-free.
- Completely natural ingredients.
- Long-lasting concentrated formula.
- Safe to use on all surfaces.
- Calming scents help to lessen anxiety.
CONS:
- Many dogs actually like the taste.
- Too mild for keen chewers.
5. Bitter Yuck! No Chew Spray For Dogs By NaturVet:
This super handy anti-chew spray comes in three sizes, one of which is small enough to bring with you on the go. Just throw in your purse and take to your doggie playdate – after all, it’s quite the faux pas when one dog chews his friend’s bed to pieces!
Made with all natural ingredients, including citric acid (which is used in human food to add tartness of bitterness), and bittering agent. The latter of which is added to many household cleaning supplies to ensure that accidental poisonings don’t occur – and if the governing bodies that be – deem this an effective enough deterrent, then we do too.
It doesn’t just work for our canine companions, but for our cats and horses too! I actually had a dog a long while ago that would always bite at my horse’s tails when they were in the crosstie – one generous application of an anti-chew spray and that was cured – that and the fact that Domino the horse sure did look scary when she was mad!
Features
- Best For: On the go
- Bottle Size: 8oz, 16oz, 32oz
PROS:
- Can be used for dogs, cats, and horses.
- Alcohol-free.
- High in citric acid to make for an especially sour flavor.
- Only natural ingredients.
- Non-staining.
CONS:
- Not effective with all dogs.
- Dogs can get used to the flavor over time, and become destructive again.
6. OMG Nasty! Repellent Spray By Vet Recommended:
Recommended by many veterinarians, the OMG Nasty Anti-Chew doesn’t just have a great name, but a great bitter formula that uses only natural ingredients, and has no alcohol in sight!
It’s so gentle and safe that it can be applied topically without any stinging or discomfort, this makes it a great option for dogs with skin conditions like mange – although, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian before application.
Not just for dogs, if you have other pets in the household, you can use the same spray for them! Do you have a cheeky rabbit who likes to chew through your charging cables? Well, not anymore Mr. Bunny Face, not once you spray your electrical wires with this truly nasty tasting anti-chew spray!
Features
- Best For: Owners of Additional Pets
- Bottle Size: 8oz
PROS:
- Safe to use on all surfaces, clothing, and plants.
- Alcohol-free.
- Suitable to use with all pets.
- Vet recommended.
- Packaging made from 100% recycled materials.
CONS:
- Some dogs enjoy the bitter lemon flavor.
- Works better when combined with no-chew training techniques.
7. Bitter Cherry Chew Deterrent By OUT!:
A no stain dog chew-repellent that works especially well on fabric and upholstery. Just spray on your carpets, curtains, or couch to put your dog off of licking or chewing them while you’re out at work. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t suitable for use on woolen or leather goods.
Containing grapeseed extract, lemon extract, and natural bitter cherry flavor – all of these exceedingly bitter elements come together to create a super sour concoction. Seriously, do not try this – your face will invert!
One of the great benefits of the cherry within this spray is the fact that it gives off a fruity and pleasant aroma, so visitors will think that you have a nice air freshener or scented candle – not a bad dog that chews everything in sight!
Features
- Best For: Pleasant Aroma
- Bottle Size: 32oz
PROS:
- The cherry flavor can work well for those pesky pups that enjoy the lemon versions.
- Smells great but tastes horrible.
- Alcohol-free formula.
- Non-staining.
- Only needs to be applied once per day.
CONS:
- Can encourage some dogs to chew even more if they like the taste.
- Not suitable for use on wool or leather.
8. Anti-Chew Bitter Spray By Particular Paws:
This anti-chew spray from Particular Paws not only contains the bitter ingredients that we know work as a deterrent for our cheeky scamps, but it also contains soothing tea tree oil!
Tea tree oil has long been used to treats cuts and scrapes on humans, and now more products for our dogs allow them too to enjoy the same soothing and healing benefits.
Do be cautious when choosing a product with tea tree oil for your dogs, as pets should only be exposed to it when well diluted – which is the case in this anti-chew spray!
Spray directly onto hot spots and this will not only stop your dog from gnawing at their poor skin but help to relieve the discomfort that’s causing them to bite themselves in the first place.
Safe to use on most household items, including electrical wires, clothing, furniture, and houseplants.
Features
- Best For: Dogs With Skin Irritation
- Bottle Size: 8oz
PROS:
- Contains apple bitter extract.
- 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
- Contains soothing tea tree oil.
- Manufactured in a GMP certified facility.
- Can be used on houseplants.
CONS:
- Effects can be short-lived.
- Doesn’t work for all dogs.
WHY YOU NEED A DOG CHEWING REPELLENT
Deter Chewing: Chewing can be a dangerous habit for your dog to get into. Many owners learn to cope with this behavior by only allowing their dog to be in certain rooms or keeps everything out of reach of their dog, but this is essentially masking the problem.
The real problem with this is when one day your dog is in a new situation — such as the grooming parlor, or doggie daycare — if they’ll gobble up anything in sight, they could cause serious harm to themselves.
By using an anti-chew spray, in conjunction with obedience training – you won’t have to worry about where your dog goes, or what will be within his reach!
Aid in Recovery: One of the biggest reasons that dogs develop complications or infection after veterinary treatment – is from the dog licking or chewing at the afflicted area. And when using that not so fashionable cone of shame isn’t enough – spraying an anti-chew spray on your dog’s wounds and/or bandages can save him from pain, and you from even more veterinary bills!
*Always consult your veterinarian before using anti-chew spray on wounds or bandages.
Stop Using Negative Reinforcement: When a puppy chews on something that he shouldn’t – the automatic response for many is to shout at them and tell them no, but – negative reinforcement is nowhere near as effective as positive reinforcement so it should never be used.
I know what you’re thinking, how do I positively reinforce my dogs chewing problem? It’s pretty simple, you allow the spray to do the work – your puppy won’t associate this feeling with you, and you won’t risk weakening your bond. When he attempts to chew something he shouldn’t and subsequently leaves it alone – that is when you reward his behavior!
Help Keep Teeth and Gums Healthy: For dogs that love to chew or for puppies that are teething – they often want to latch on to any old thing and start munching away. But there are so many risks associated with this, from bleeding gums to damaging a tooth and even developing an infection.
If your dog just really loves chewing, it can be easy to switch his routine of chewing on anything in sight to just his chew toys when you utilize an anti-chew spray in your training.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Unfortunately not, the ingredients used in human products can be toxic to your dog.
There are different varieties available for mature dogs and puppies – but it comes down to whatever works best for your dog.
Most are safe to use on any surface, fabric, or item but as some aren’t, it’s best to check the label before spraying on everything in sight!
You can indeed – most are made with vinegar, so they tend to smell quite pungent.
Just like us humans, each dog has different taste preferences – so you may find that you need to experiment a little bit.
You could do, but be careful not to then put your hands in your own mouth as you’ll get quite the nasty surprise! *Be sure to read the bottle before applying to your skin.
This really depends on how serious of a chewer your dog is, most owners say that once or twice per day is enough.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Finding a solution to your dogs chewing problem is a real cause for celebration! Not only will your furniture and clothing be safe – but your dog won’t be at such a high risk of poisoning or injuring himself anymore.
For those owners who have been tirelessly trying to teach their dogs to just leave stuff alone, this could be the training aid that makes it all finally come together.
We wish you the very best of luck with your anti-chew training, and hope that this means you can finally buy that new dining table you wanted – without risk of it being chewed to pieces!