Bring Chewing Problems to a Bitter End
Dec 23, 2007 in Pet Safety
Let’s face it. At one time or another, even the most docile, well-trained pets can suddenly begin chewing on our household items and possessions with no apparent provocation. Unfortunately, when our dogs and cats chew on off-limits items, it’s not only bad for our stuff, it can also be dangerous or fatal for the pet! For example, houseplants, Christmas trees, and electrical cords are items commonly targeted by problem chewers. Many houseplants are poisonous, and ingestion can result in everything from vomiting to death! Christmas trees, both real and fake, come with their own set of problems. Fake trees are often made of plastic or metal which can lead to severe digestive problems and cuts in the mouth, as can ingestion of dead or green needles from real trees. Add that to the fact that your tree is covered in glass ornaments, tinsel, and electric lights, and you most likely will realize a Christmas tree is not an ideal snack for your pet. Even if an item doesn’t pose a direct health threat to your pet, you probably wouldn’t be very happy to come home and find your Italian leather shoes in pieces, your favorite book reduced to a heap of scraps, or the stuffing from your couch all over the living room!
So what’s a pet owner to do? There’s no quick-fix for real problem chewing—chewing that is highly destructive and more of a daily occurrence rather than an occasional mishap (this is most common in dogs). For major chewing problems such as this, crate training is an excellent option. For occasional chewing, however, and chewing that is usually centered around one or two objects, there is an excellent, safe, and effective fix! It’s called “Grannicks Bitter Apple,” and it comes in a handy spray bottle for ease of application. It was developed by a pharmacist in 1960 for the purpose of discouraging dogs from chewing or licking at stitches, wounds, and other abrasions. Bitter Apple spray is still a favorite veterinary product, but it’s also recently become very popular as a deterrent for pets who like to chew on furniture, plants, electrical cords, etc. A bottle of Grannicks Bitter Apple is exponentially less expensive than replacing your couch, it has a pleasant fragrance, and is completely safe for your pets, your children, and your home. There are many imitations out there, but only one Grannicks, and out of all the “bitter apple sprays” available on the market, only Grannicks is consistently recommended again and again.
Using Grannicks requires tenacity, as it must be re-applied two or three times a day. It’s been proven safe for use on real wood, leather, fabrics, plastics, and upholstery, but if you’re nervous, test it out on a small area first. Very, very occasionally, a dog or cat will actually seem to enjoy the taste of Bitter Apple, but these cases are certainly in the minority. Once your pet has come to associate the unpleasantness of Grannicks with their favorite, off-limits chew toys, you can reduce the number of applications. Take heart in knowing that most pets eventually outgrow their chewing habits, and take comfort in knowing that Grannicks Bitter Apple is readily available and on your side whenever you need it.
