A Pet Owner's Best Friend Prevents Inappropriate Chewing

There are many tools pet parents use to avoid unwanted behaviors in their dogs or cats.  One of my favorite and most effective tools is Bitter Spray.  It has so many uses!  There are several brands and kinds of bitter spray available.

I go through a good amount of bitter spray and I always have some on hand.  It's not that my dogs are so badly behaved that I need a truck-load of the stuff, but I like to spray new items in and around the house that I want them to stay away from.  I also frequently have foster dogs in my home so I use bitter spray to pro-actively deter them from chewing or getting into things they shouldn't.

I like that many bitter sprays are made with all or nearly all, natural bitter principles and extracts so I'm not using harsh chemicals around my home and yard.  Here are some ways bitter spray can keep your belongings and your pets safer!


Bitter spray can save your furniture, shoes and other items in the house from being chewed like a tasty raw hide!

A light spritz on furniture legs every now and then helps prevent chewing

For some reason many dogs and cats love to chew the fringe on rugs and curtains.  Bitter spray will make it taste awful to them!

Bitter spray helps keep your pets away from plants that smell tasty, but can make them sick if ingested.

PFFT!  PFFT!!  Yuk, what did you do to this tasty looking plant Mom!?

Bitter spray can deter your pets from getting too close to trees or shrubs that have bees, scorpions, or other insects that can be hazardous to them.

It can deter feral cats from getting too comfy in your yard, preventing them from eating vegetation and sleeping on your patio furniture - unless of course you don't mind that. 

If you prefer that feral kitties like Jake here don't sleep on your patio furniture, a little bitter spray on the cushions can help.

You can even spray it directly on to your pet's fur to prevent excessive licking or biting themselves.  I've used it on Isis a couple of times after a paw injury.  When I clean and bandage the area I know she's going to start licking it intensely.  To prevent that, I've put a little bitter spray around the injured area - NOT directly on it, that would sting - but in the area around the injury to prevent her from licking the area.

My husband is a veteran insurance adjuster.  He's told me that a high number of insurance claims are due to pets chewing the water lines to the toilet, causing the toilet to flood!  If your pet appears to be eyeing the toilet a little too amorously, spritz some bitter spray on the water lines to keep him from chewing them!

Note: Even products that are natural should always be tested in an inconspicuous area of furniture, apparel or other items.  Never use bitter spray internally, in eyes or in ears on your pet.  When in doubt always ask your Veterinarian!

For more ways to prevent destructive chewing, check out my post on 6 Ways To Prevent Your Dogs Inappropriate Chewing. 

Do you use bitter spray?  How do you use it?  Please leave us a comment and let us know - we love to hear from you!

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