The Best Dog Anti Chew Spray (Review) in 2020

What to Consider When Buying a Dog Anti-Chew Spray

Before you rush out to buy an anti-chew spray for your dog, you should think carefully about what you are looking for and which features are most important. Here are a few that we think you should add to your list.

• Safety

Before you buy any product for your dog, you need to make sure that it is entirely safe for them. Check the bottle to see what ingredients are used. Non-toxic and natural sprays are what you should be looking for. Since your dog is likely to ingest at least a small amount of the spray when they lick or chew themselves or the objects that you have put it on, you need to make sure that they are not going to be negatively affected in any way.

• Know Your Dog

Having a better understanding of your dog is useful when you are looking at anti-chew sprays. For example, if you know that they are not bothered by the taste of lemons, you know that your pooch is unlikely to be deterred by a citrus-based spray. Also, you should check the ingredient list based on any allergies which your dog has. Otherwise, they could end up suffering from a flare-up or othe negative reaction of some kind.

• Effectiveness

When you have bought a no chew spray for dogs, you want it to work each and every time you use it. Otherwise, your dog could receive mixed messages – unsure of what they can and cannot chew. You also need to ensure that you are consistent with its usage. It may take some time before your dog is entirely deterred from chewing on an object.

• Use on Objects or Your Dog

Some dog anti chew sprays are only designed to be applied onto objects and furniture, and not on your dog directly. However, some are useful for stopping your dog chewing, biting and licking themselves, as well as preventing them from gnawing off their bandages. Some even have alleviating properties to help alleviate hot spots and irritated skin. If you need a spray to apply to your dog directly, double check that it is safe and suitable for them.

Why You Should Use an Anti-Chew Dog Spray

Anti-chew sprays benefit all dogs ranging from small pups in training to large hounds who simply need a bit more direction. Check out this list of benefits which an anti-chew dog spray brings.

• Train Your Puppy

Younger dogs and puppies tend to chew anything and everything in this early developmental phase. An anti-chew spray can form part of a training regime which involves teaching your furry friend to turn their chewing attention towards the right areas.

• Stops Your Dog Consuming Things They Shouldn’t

Dogs regularly attempt to eat things that they are not supposed to, whether this is some of your own food or chemical substances which could be harmful to their health. Of course, you don’t want to spray the food itself, but you can spray around the storage area or the outside of the packaging to put off your four-legged friend.

• Protect Your Possessions

Some dogs just seem to chew everything that they can get their paws on, and an anti-chew spray can form an effective part of their training which stops them from tearing up your favorite things. The main idea is that once you have sprayed it on something that you don’t want your dog to chew on, they will get put off by the taste and smell of the spray and won’t want to go near that item again. Most products focus on bitter flavors to achieve this aim.

• Prevent Poisoning

Some household items are poisonous to dogs and you want to keep them away as much as possible. It could be a houseplant in your living room or something that you have thrown away in the trash. A no chew spray can act as the deterrent that you are looking for.

What You Should Avoid

There is no point in getting an anti-chew spray for your dog unless you are going to use it effectively to reinforce good behavior. Continuity and consistency are important. Otherwise, your dog is going to get confused about what they can and cannot chew. Here are some bad habits which you should avoid.

• Spraying Everything

You should only spray the specific items which you are trying to stop your dog chewing. If everything tastes and smells bad to your dog, they may conclude that it is the entire action of chewing which is negative. And this can lead to other bad behaviors further down the line. So, only use the spray in specific areas.

• Not Spraying Regularly Enough

Another issue is only spraying items once and thinking that your job is done. It often takes time before your dog gets used to the fact that certain objects are off-limits, so you need to keep respraying them until they get the message. It is also worth bearing in mind that some sprays last longer than others. The non-alcohol-based ones tend linger for a longer period of time as they don’t evaporate in the same way as their alcoholic counterparts.

• Failing to Give Appropriate Items for Your Dog to Chew

It is all well and good training your dogs that certain items are off-limits, but you need to provide them with alternatives such as toys and chewy foods. Your dog’s natural instinct to chew is going to stay with them and it is important that you make an effort to satisfy it.

• Not Offering Enough Praise

You can’t just spray an object and think that your job is done. You also need to praise your dog when they stop inappropriate behavior and chew the right items which you have specifically bought for them. Dogs are always on the lookout for your approval and love to know when they have got it.

• Letting Your Dog See You Using the Spray

If you are using a stop dog chewing spray on a particular object, you should do it in secret and not let your dog see you doing this. The central idea is that your pooch thinks that the item has become suddenly inedible rather than knowing that you have directly interfered with it.

• Using the Spray on Yourself

From time to time, you may become frustrated with your dog or they may nip you with a painful ‘play bite’. But you should avoid the temptation of using the spray on yourself. Otherwise, this could end up negatively impacting the bond that has been built up between you and your fur baby. Instead, you should offer praise for gentle play and firm commands when they are getting too rough with you.

How to Stop Destructive Chewing

Destructive chewing is at best an irritating habit. At worst, it is a potentially dangerous one. Obviously, anti-chew sprays are one way that you can stop your dog chewing things to pieces. But here are some of the other ways that you can train your dog to stop this behavior.

• Keep Things Out of Reach

A simple solution which you can put into practice is keeping the things that you don’t want to get chewed out of your dog’s reach. Perhaps you could get a closable shoe rack to stop your dog chewing up your sneakers or keep your blankets and quilts in a cupboard to prevent them getting torn to shreds. Decent storage devices will play a big role in keeping your favorite possessions out of your dog’s reach. Another option is to restrict your dog’s access to certain areas of the house with a playpen. Otherwise, simply keeping the door closed on certain rooms is a simple and effective way of protecting everything in there.

• Provide Chew Toys

Giving your dog some toys to chew on is the perfect way to direct their chewing in a positive way. It is a good idea to maintain their interest by offering a variety of different toys and replacing the ones which get chewed up and worn out. You should also play with your dog in games like fetch or tug of war. The more you help to direct their chewing energy in the right areas, the less likely it is that you are going to find your worldly possessions torn to shreds!

• Offer Chewable Food

Another potential solution to your dog’s chewing issues is to offer them some food which will keep them busy. Rawhide and other similar dog treats can keep dogs busy for hours, but make sure that you buy a product which is suitable for them. You should also supervise your dog at all times to ensure that they don’t swallow bits which are too big and could get stuck in their throat. Remember that feeding a dog a cooked bone could be dangerous as it could splinter and lead to stomach and intestinal issues.

• Exercise Your Dog Thoroughly

Making sure that your dog is thoroughly tired out is another great way of stopping them from directing their energy in the wrong areas. If your dog is both physically and mentally tired from a day of stimulation, it is less likely that they are going to feel the need to chew. As well as your regular walks in the park, you could also try giving them challenging puzzle toys to keep them mentally occupied. Some dogs chew out of boredom alone, so try to vary up your regular routines to hold their interest.

• Use Anti-Chew Spray Regularly

When you are using anti-chew spray, you need to ensure that you keep spraying it on a regular basis. You should reapply it on a weekly basis at minimum. Otherwise, the taste is inevitably going to fade, and your dog is likely to return to their favorite chewing spot. Stay consistent and your furry friend is much more likely to get the message.

• Drive the Message Home

While all the methods can be effective on their own, you can really drive the anti-chewing message home with some firm commands. If you see your dog trying to sink their teeth into a forbidden area, you should stand up tall, hold out your finger and issue a firm ‘no’ command. However, stay calm and don’t show too much emotion as this is only likely to confuse your furry friend, and they might even see it as an invitation to play. Remember that anti-chew spray should not act as a substitute for behavioral training; it should act as a supplement and support.

Homemade Dog Anti Chew Spray

Some dog owners prefer to take the DIY approach rather than buying ready-made producta. There are a few ingredients which are useful if you are planning on making a spray of your own. For example, dogs are well-known to hate the smell of anything citrus-based, so you could try including some lemon or orange juice in your spray. Vinegar is another seasoning which dogs can’t stand. In particular, apple cider vinegar. So, turning this into a spray could produce the kind of results that you are looking for. Bear in mind that dogs are all different. Not all of them are going to be deterred from chewing by a particular flavor, and there is also a chance that they could become tolerant to the taste.

Before you use your homemade anti-chew spray, there are a few safety considerations which are worth thinking about in more detail. When you are spraying it, you should avoid sensitive areas such as your dog’s eyes and its skin. There is always a chance that the skin could have become raw and broken, meaning that topical antibiotics may be required.

Best Dog Anti Chew Spray FAQ:

Q: Why do dogs chew?

A: Chewing is natural and instinctive behavior for dogs. Not only does it exercise their jaw muscles and improve their dental hygiene, but it can also reduce feelings of boredom, stress, and anxiety. However, sometimes this chewing can get out of control and is damaging to your possession and your dog’s health. You need to help direct this instinct into the right areas. Destructive chewing can lead to the high cost and potential emotional distress of losing treasured items. Chewing on electrical cables could result in electric shocks while gnawing on wood could leave splinters in their mouth and potential perforations in their intestines. Putting the wrong objects in their mouths could simply end up being a choking risk. If destructive chewing not dealt with, your dog could end up thinking that it is normal behavior and will continue to chew on anything that they can sink their teeth into.

Q: What is an anti-chew dog spray?

A: An anti-chew dog spray is a training tool which is designed to stop your pet from chewing inappropriate objects including shoes, furniture, blankets, and themselves. Generally, these use bitter tastes and smells to deter your dog from continuing to chew on whatever you choose to use them on. These products are designed to be continually reapplied as required.

Q: How does anti chew spray work?

A: An anti-chew spray works by making the taste and/or smell of the object that you spray it on unpleasant enough to deter your dog. The effects are only temporary, and you will need to keep using it to have the impact that you are looking for. It can form an integral part of an anti-chewing strategy which involves praise, exercise, firm commands, and offering chewing alternatives.

Q: Is no chew spray safe for dogs?

A: The majority of bitter sprays are suitable for dogs of all ages. However, when you first start using them, you should supervise your hound to monitor their response. You should also check the manufacturer’s recommendations and ingredient list. If you are in doubt, it is always worth consulting with your dog’s vet to help put your mind at ease.

Our Top Pick

Grannick's Bitter Apple

After looking in more detail at the different options currently on the marketplace, we have decided that Grannick's Bitter Apple is our top pick.

A spray to keep dogs from chewing which is trusted by hundreds of dog owners, it is an effective way of discouraging fur biting by eliminating hot spots, as well as stopping pets licking and gnawing at their wounds and bandages. You can rest assured that this is a safe and non-toxic solution to use on your four-legged friend, and one which has delivered results for many pet owners.

As well as using it on your dog, you can also use the solution on other areas which you want to stop your dog from chewing as well such as your furniture, shoes etc. Once your dog tries the bitter apple for dogs flavor a few times, they are unlikely to want to keep biting the same spot time and time again.

Sources:

1. Tips for How to Stop Dogs and Puppies from Chewing - PetMD
2. How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Things it Shouldn't - wikiHow