Diy Bitter Apple Spray

by

Bitter apple spray has been around for quite some time. You may be wondering what the purpose of it is. It helps prevent dogs from chewing on things! Sure, you can buy it at any pet store or online, but we are going to show you a very simple and affordable way to make it yourself. Be sure to share the recipe with your family and friends!

Now it’s time for the fun part! You will need to decide on the quantity that you want. Your goal is to have a 2:1 ratio of white vinegar to apple cider vinegar. Use the one-cup measuring cup and pour in 2/3 cup of the white vinegar over the apple cider vinegar. Give the bottle a good shake and you are good to go! Note: if you want to apply the bitter apple spray directly to your dog or to anything wooden, you will need to dilute it with water. We recommend that you add the same amount of water as white vinegar.

There you have it! The next time you catch your dog trying to chew on something, apply it directly to your dog (via mouth) or spray it on the area that they are trying to chew. You will find out that this works wonders, and it will help stop the chewing in no time!

Why use DIY bitter apple spray?

Whenever someone asks me how to get their puppy to stop chewing something, this is the recipe I pass along. It’s a phenomenal spray deterrent. But please pay attention to the instructions if you’re going to use it on any wood. I mean, pay attention to the instructions regardless but ESPECIALLY for wood.

Secondly, if your dog has a chewing/licking problem, something skin-related or a small wound that he just won’t leave alone (EMMETT) then this is the thing for you. I’ll get into the whys of it all below, but just know that chew deterrent also means for self-chewing, not just furniture/drywall (COOPER).

Why homemade? Can’t you just buy it?

Yep, you sure can. There are actually several brands on the market. But here’s the thing: You’ll spend way more money on a store-bought bitter apple spray than on a DIY version. Plus, even though most say that the ingredients are harmless, I don’t feel awesome spraying rubbing alcohol (a common commercial spray ingredient) since I know that they’ll lick it at least a few times. Also, it takes less than two minutes to make–seriously–so, why not?

Here’s what you need:

  • white vinegar
  • apple cider vinegar (don’t bother with the fancy kind that all the health food sites tout… seriously, that is $15+ for 16 ounces when you can get this huge one for way less)
  • water
  • a measuring cup
  • something to put the spray in (I used this bottle that I use to spritz plants, but in my quest to swap plastic items, I’ve been dreaming of these glass bottles or these ones that have the cutest vintage labels!)

    • Optional:

  • funnel
  • lemons (effectiveness depends on whether or not your dog likes the taste of lemon EMMETT) or a dried hot pepper like cayenne for added deterring power

    • Make sure you doggie-proof their living space

    This is straightforward, they cant get into trouble if you remove the temptations all together. Anything you care about that is of some value keep them where your dog cannot get to them.

    Granted you may get the occasional baseboard chewer, but this should work for the most part.

    FAQ

    Can I make my own bitter apple spray?

    Mixture – Pour 2 cups of lemon juice into a jug with one cup of white vinegar, or 2 cups of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of white vinegar. Whether you use lemon juice or apple cider vinegar is up to you, lemon juice smells nicer around the home but apple cider vinegar can sometimes be more effective.

    How do you make homemade bitter apple spray for dogs?

    The bitterness of this spray will discourage your dog from chewing, but won’t harm him at all. To make it, simply mix 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. You could also use lemon juice instead of the apple cider vinegar.