The Best Dog Repellent Sprays

As much as we love our dogs, there might be some places that are off-limits to your furry friend. And it's no secret that puppies, in particular, need a little extra help learning the difference between a chew toy and your new furniture. Dog repellent spray is an excellent tool in training your dog to stay away from a certain area. These sprays are made with pet-safe ingredients that are unpleasing to their sensitive noses, which will help keep them out of any no-dog zones.

What to Look For

To find the best dog repellant spray, we considered the following factors: efficacy, bottle size, and scent. If you’re looking for a spray specifically for furniture, we suggest the Bodhi Dog 2-in-1 Dog Repellent Spray. This spray will need to be reapplied often, but it works like a charm, has no smell, and comes in a decent-sized bottle. If you’re on a tighter budget, though, we’d suggest checking out Grannick’s bitter apple spray, which is offered at a fantastic price point. Keep reading to learn about the rest of our picks and how they can help you keep your pup under control.

Bodhi Dog 2-in-1 Dog Repellent Spray

Say goodbye to chomping

This utilizes an incredibly effective all-natural formula that combines essential oils from peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass.
Best All-Natural

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Dog owners want to protect their belongings and furniture from chew-happy pups, but we also understand that the dog’s safety comes before all of that. Bodhi Dog’s repellent spray serves as a highly effective all-natural alternative to alcohol-based sprays that may irritate your dog. With a winning formula that utilizes the essential oils from plants like peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and menthol, this bitter-tasting spray is sure to be something your dog will never want to taste again. Since the formula is 100% natural, you can even use Bodhi Dog on your pooch’s skin to prevent them from licking wounds.

Pros:

  • The all-natural and non-toxic formulation also means that not only can you spray this on your pet to prevent licking of paws and injuries, but you can even use this on your plants, lawn, or mulch without harm.
  • A little goes a long way with this repellant. Just a couple of sprays can keep your dog away from the area for days.

Cons:

  • A small subset of dogs actually do not mind the taste of Bodhi Dog, so you will have to test if your dog falls under this group. If so, it may not work as well for them.

NaturVet Bitter Yuck Dog Repellent Spray

Sour is supreme

This pick uses citric acid and acerbic agents that will make your dog think twice about gnawing on your belongings and furniture.
Most Versatile

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We have to admit, it is quite strange to be advocating for a product based on how bad it tastes and smells, but NaturVet’s Bitter Yuck dog repellent spray truly lives up to the name. Bitter Yuck uses a citric acid-based formula that can be applied to furniture, plants, drapes, and more. Anywhere you want to keep your dog away from is an excellent place to use some Bitter Yuck. The convenient spray trigger makes it easier than ever to spray down your furniture and belongings in mere seconds. Bitter Yuck is 100% safe and non-toxic, making it a viable option to use directly on your dog’s skin.

Pros:

  • There is absolutely no scent to this spray as the taste is what really keeps your dog away.
  • Unlike other repellents, this choice is known to be effective with the vast majority of dogs making it a safe bet.

Cons:

  • The smell of this repellent is quite pungent at first to humans but soon dissipates while it remains effective for your dog.

Grannick’s Bitter Apple Dog Repellent Spray

Strange fruit

Spray this highly affordable product anywhere you want your dog to avoid.
Best Value

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Grannick’s Bitter Apple Spray is one of the most widely used and respected brands on the market because of its exceptionally effective and safe formula. In fact, there’s a reason “Bitter Apple” and “dog repellent spray” are nearly interchangeable terms among dog owners in the know: this stuff works. The spray harnesses the bitterness of green apples to create a powerful scent and taste that your dog will steer clear of. Bitter Apples is non-toxic and safe to use on everything from your drapes and your floors to your potted plants. We highly recommend this dog repellent spray to anyone looking for an effective training aid to help their dog understand which things in the house are off-limits.

Pros:

  • This widely used repellent has been around for decades and is from a respected and trusted brand name.
  • We appreciate that the nozzle dispenses the spray in a mist that covers a larger area, so you can use less while still reaping the benefits.

Cons:

  • This dog repellent spray does contain small amounts of rubbing alcohol which, although not harmful, can be irritating to very sensitive dogs.

Pets Are Kids Too Premium Anti-Chew Dog Repellent Spray

Doggie deterrent

This product coats your furniture with a dog-safe bittering agent that your pooch will never want to taste again.
Best For Furniture

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If you’re having a hard time keeping your dog away from your furniture or personal belongings, this dog repellent spray from Pets Are Kids Too might be the perfect training aid for you. This dog repellent spray uses an exceptionally bitter formula to protect your furniture and belongings from being scuffed up with chew marks. Unlike more heavy-duty products, this spray contains no alcohol and no propylene glycol, so you can feel reassured in knowing that it is 100% dog-safe.

Pros:

  • We love that this company donates a portion of sales to pets with cancer.
  • This spray dries super fast which makes it ideal for use on furniture and surfaces.

Cons:

  • We wish this bottle featured a trigger rather than a top-press pump to make it a bit easier to use repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dog repellent spray safe to use with puppies?

Yes, the vast majority of dog repellent sprays don’t use any ingredients that would be harmful to a puppy. However, it might be kinder to look into purchasing one of the less pungent ones for use with a puppy. Some of these sprays are even strong-smelling to humans, which means the smell would be even more intense to a puppy.

Where should I apply dog repellent spray?

Dog repellent spray can be used on furniture, floors, carpets, drapes, cables, and even your dog’s skin in some cases. Anywhere you want your dog to stay away from is an excellent place to use some dog repellent spray.

About the Author

Among family and friends, Noah and his partner are the go-to pet-sitters. Noah's experience mostly revolves around smaller dogs, like Shih Tzu's, but he's cared for canines of all sizes. Through the years, he's done his research to find eco-friendly, dog-friendly products, and now he wants to share his insights with new and veteran dog owners alike.

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