What can I spray on dog bed to stop chewing?

Quick Answers

There are several options for safe, effective sprays to deter dogs from chewing their beds:

• Bitter apple sprays – Contain bitter tasting extracts that dogs dislike.
• Anti-chew sprays – Often contain bitter citrus oils that deter chewing.
• Pepper mint sprays – The strong minty scent repels many dogs.
• Petromalt – A sticky substance with an unpleasant taste.
• Vinegar – The sour taste deters chewing. Use diluted white or apple cider vinegar.
• Lemon juice – The sour citrus taste serves as an aversive.

The key is finding a taste, scent, or texture your dog dislikes and applying it to areas they chew. Test sprays on a small area first. Reapply as needed until the chewing habit is broken.

Why Dogs Chew Their Beds

Dogs chew their beds for a variety of reasons:

• Puppy chewing – Puppies chew to relieve pain and irritation from incoming adult teeth. Chewing also helps strengthen jaw muscles.
• Boredom – Dogs may chew when understimulated. Make sure they get adequate physical and mental exercise.
• Anxiety – Chewing provides stress relief for anxious dogs. Try calming supplements or pheromone diffusers.
• Attention-seeking – Some dogs learn that chewing brings owner interaction. Ignore the chewing and reward good behavior.
• Medical causes – Allergies, parasites, orthopedic or neurological pain can prompt chewing. Have your vet examine your dog if chewing is excessive.
• Learned behavior – Once a dog starts chewing a bed, it can become a habit. Stop the behavior early by removing access to chewed beds.

Determine the reason for your dog’s chewing, then address it through training, exercise, environmental enrichment, and medical care. Spray deterrents help interrupt the chewing habit.

How to Choose an Effective Anti-Chew Spray

Look for the following features when selecting a chew deterrent for your dog’s bed:

Safe ingredients – Choose non-toxic formulations. Avoid sprays containing essential oils, which can irritate a dog’s respiratory tract. Read labels carefully and consult your vet if unsure.

Unpleasant taste – Seek out bitter, sour, or sharply scented sprays. The unpleasant flavor will deter chewing. Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and citrus oils work well.

Sticky texture – Thick, sticky sprays make chewing unpleasant and difficult. Petromalt is a very sticky anti-chew coating when dry.

Weather-resistant – Select a spray that will adhere well and maintain its potency when dry. Anti-chew sprays are applied topically so they need to resist licking or rubbing off.

Easy to apply – A spray bottle or pressurized can allows for targeted, efficient application on bed surfaces and seams. Loose powder products can be messier.

Test potential sprays first before treating a whole bed, as reactions vary by dog. Never spray near a dog’s face or eyes. Reapply sprays as the smell or taste diminishes over time.

5 Best Anti-Chew Sprays for Dog Beds

1. Grannick’s Bitter Apple Spray

Bitter Apple is a trusted and popular anti-chew spray. It contains bitter tasting extracts that deter chewing when applied to surfaces. The formula dries odorless and won’t stain most home furnishings.

2. Sentry Stop That! Anti-Chew Spray

Sentry Stop That! uses natural bitter citrus scents to stop destructive chewing. It’s safe for use around pets and children when dry. The spray works well for carpets, furniture, shoes, leashes, and more.

3. Nature’s Miracle No-Chew Bitter Spray

Nature’s Miracle No-Chew Bitter Spray provides a safe and effective taste deterrent. Natural ingredients create bitterness on surfaces to discourage chewing. It’s suitable for dog beds, furniture, crates, shoes, cables, etc.

4. Rocco & Roxie Supply No Chew Spray

Rocco & Roxie Supply Professional Strength No Chew Spray stops destructive chewing with a bitter apple taste dogs hate. All natural ingredients make it safe if licked or ingested. The spray is Made in the USA.

5. Fifi & Fido No-Chew Dog Spray

Fifi & Fido No-Chew Dog Spray uses a custom bitter taste formula to curb chewing behaviors. Natural ingredients ensure safety around pets, kids, and homes. Results are guaranteed or your money back.

Homemade Anti-Chew Spray Recipes

Don’t want to buy a commercial chew deterrent? Here are recipes for homemade sprays using common household ingredients:

Vinegar Spray

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 5-10 drops essential oil of choice – citrus, mint, lavender etc (optional)

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before use. Test on a small area first, as some dogs like vinegar. Reapply daily at first.

Lemon Juice Spray

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• 5 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

Mix together in a spray bottle and shake before applying. Keep in mind the juice may stain fabrics. Spot test first.

Pepper Spray

• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper

Combine in a bottle and allow to sit overnight before straining out the solids. Test on dogs – some like spicy flavors! Reapply 2-3 times a day initially.

How to Apply an Anti-Chew Spray

Follow these steps to use a commercial or homemade chew deterrent effectively:

1. Test the spray – Try it out on a small, hidden section of bed first to ensure your dog dislikes the taste.
2. Clean the bed – Wash and dry the dog bed so the spray adheres well to clean surfaces.
3. Apply lightly – Spray a light coat over all bed surfaces. Don’t soak the material.
4. Let dry – Allow 15-30 minutes of drying time before dog use.
5. Supervise initially – Watch your dog’s first interactions with the treated bed.
6. Reapply – Refresh the spray every few days or when smell diminishes.

Avoid over-saturation of the bedding material so the filling doesn’t become soaked. Spray seams, edges, and corners meticulously as these are common chew sites.

Training to Stop Bed Chewing

While chew deterrent sprays provide immediate results, training is important for addressing the root cause of bed chewing:

• Exercise – Make sure your dog gets adequate physical and mental stimulation. A tired dog is less likely to chew destructively.
• Positive Reinforcement – Reward desired behaviors like resting calmly on the bed with praise, treats, and affection. This reinforces good habits.
• Manage Environment – Pick up clutter, secure cables/objects, and restrict access to temptation when unsupervised.
• Crate Rest – Use crates, pens, and closed doors to limit bed access until chewing resolves.
• Remove Access – Take up beds, mats, and soft toys if chewing is excessive until the behavior curbs.

Patience, supervision, and consistency are key to training a dog not to chew their bed. Sprays enhance training by serving as an aversive. Be sure to clean residue before allowing full bed access again.

Tips for Choosing a Chew-Resistant Dog Bed

The right dog bed can also deter chewing. Look for these features:

• Tear-resistant, durable outer material such as ballistic nylon, ripstop fabric, or tightly woven cotton.
• Reinforced seams with double stitching to resist pulling and fraying.
• Washable, removable covers for easy cleaning.
• Raised edges that discourage nibbling of corners and sides.
• Minimal stuffing material. Beds filled with poly-fil or recycled stuffing invite shredding.
• Orthopedic support. Pressure relief cushions minimize discomfort that prompts chewing.

Periodically examine beds for damage and remove at the first signs of wear. Rotating multiple well-made beds extends their usable lifespan.

Conclusion

Chewing is a common yet destructive dog behavior. By combining taste and smell deterrents with training, supervision, and chew-proof beds, owners can curb chewing for good. Test sprays on your pet’s individual sensitivities first. Patience and consistency are vital. With time, even chronic chewers can learn to love their beds, not chew them!