Let's face it; dogs like to chew on everything. They might try to chew on the corners of your sofa, the legs of your antique chairs, or even on their own bandaged paws. If your dog can't keep their chompers to themselves, it might be time for a dog chewing deterrent spray. We found the eight of easiest, safest, and most effective anti-chew sprays (both homemade recipes and products you can buy!) that'll stop destructive chewing in its tracks.
1. Best Overall Homemade Chew Deterrent Spray
Vinegar is bitter, which is why this non-toxic liquid makes for a great chew deterrent.
What you need:
- Clean spray bottle
- 1 part white vinegar
- 3 parts apple cider vinegar
Directions:
- Add both ingredients to the spray bottle and mix well.
- Spray on furniture, objects, or areas wherever your dog likes to chew.
- Allow to dry.
- Reapply as needed; this spray tends to last two to three days.
This mix has a strong vinegar smell and is effective at detering chewing, but it can be a bit much. If you need something that won't knock you over, try diluting the same vinegar mix with four parts water.
2. Spicy DIY Anti-Chew Spray for Dogs
The taste of spice turns dogs off. This DIY cayenne pepper dog chew deterrent spray can be wiped up in a few minutes and works like a charm. Just be sure your dog isn't in the room when you spray it to protect their eyes (and you may want to wear goggles to protect your eyes, too!) Bonus: This spray can help keep dogs and other pests from getting into plants in your garden, too.
What you need:
- Clean spray bottle
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 4 cups of water
Directions:
- Add both ingredients to the spray bottle and mix well.
- Spray on furniture, objects, or areas wherever your dog likes to chew.
- Allow to dry.
- Reapply as needed; the pepper may last on the surface up to a week.
This spray is meant to be simple, and cleans up quickly with a damp cloth. Some mixtures that include oils or other ingredients may stain fabrics or carpet, so spot-check any spray before using it.
Diluted Citronella Spray to Stop Chewing
Citronella is known for keeping mosquitoes away, but dogs also hate the smell, too. Spraying a bit of it onto your furniture can be helpful in keeping those naughty doggy teeth away.
Use caution with this spray because citronella is toxic for dogs in large amounts. You don't want your dog to ingest too much of it, so if you notice them licking the area you sprayed, wash it off and choose a different spray.
What you need:
- Clean spray bottle
- 1 teaspoon citronella oil
- 4 cups of water
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to the spray bottle and mix well.
- Spot check on a hidden area of fabric or material.
- Spray on furniture, objects, or areas wherever your dog likes to chew.
- Allow to dry.
- Reapply as needed; the oil tends to stick around for a few days, up to a week.
These sprays are meant to be gentle, but effective. Never use chemicals - such as bleach, ammonia, or isopropyl alcohol - as alternatives in your mixture, because these can harm your dog.
Top 5 Dog Chewing Deterrent Products
If you're not into DIY solutions or don't have time to put these sprays together, we've got you. There are plenty of dog chew deterrent sprays on the market that really work (and won't cost you a fortune).1.
- Grannick's Bitter Apple Taste Dog Chew Deterrent: A classic chew deterrent, Grannick's works well and lasts a long time. It's also formulated not to stain, so bonus!
- Rocco & Roxie No Chew Extreme Bitter Spray: This spray's formula is meant to be exta bitter, and it does a good job of deterring curious dogs from chewing. It also contains no alcohol.
- Mighty Petz No Chew Spray for Dogs: Mighty Petz' spray combines cintronella and cayanne pepper along with three other ingredients to deter chewing more naturally.
- Bodhi Dog Extra Strength No Chew Bitter Spray: Bodhi's does double duty as a chew deterrent and a hot-spot spray, and it's bitter flavor is formulated to prevent chewing.
- Out! PetCare Bitter Cherry Dog Chew Deterrent Spray: Another bitter formula that is designed to smell pleasant, but taste awful (for dogs, of course).
All of these products do their job well. It ultimately comes down to which one you like the smell of, and what works best for your dog. Just be sure to spot-check all of these sprays on a hidden part of any surface you plan to treat, just to be sure it doesn't leave a stain or cause discoloring.
Use Caution with Dog Chew Deterrent Sprays
Dog chew deterrents are a great tool to use when your dog won't stop gnawing on stuff, but they aren't a substitute for proper training. Also, you should use caution with these sprays. Make sure your dog is not in the room when you spray the solution, and ensure there's good ventilation.
This is important because these bitter sprays can get in your dog's eyes or lungs and might even make you cough. Don't use the spray directly on your dog's skin (unless the product directly indicates this is safe and is the intended application) to prevent them from licking too much. With the right precautions, this just might solve your chewing dilemma.
