By Tim Waters · Updated
By Tim Waters · Updated
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Taste deterrents or bitter sprays can help stop your bunnies unwanted chewing. Most people find they help but do not stop the problem completely and some people's bunnies do not seem to mind the taste.
If you do think it will help then follow this guide where we show you how best to apply the bitter spray and where to use it to get the most from it.
We also have suggestions on what to use, and which home remedies we don't recommend.
Taste deterrents can be a helpful tool if you are trying to teach your bunny to stop chewing your furniture. To get the most from it the first thing to do is identify all the areas where you think your bunny is going to chew and cover them all in spray so that you do not simply move the problem along to another spot.
Taste deterrents can help stop your bunny chewing
Doing this proactively will also help prevent habit forming from the start.
If you want greater control over what is covered then it can be helpful to spray the liquid on to a cloth first, then wipe it on the areas you want.
Do not use the spray around electrical cables or TV screens and try and avoid saturating surfaces with the spray.
Remember it is important to reapply the spray regularly, so it remains effective and keep a close eye for damage as some bunnies are more than happy to put up with the taste.
We would only suggest using a bitter spray designed specifically for bunnies or small animals and we would not recommend using home-made alternatives you may have heard about such as chili, clove oil or perfume.
Bitter sprays can be purchased from most pet stores or on-line and typically come in the form of a pump spray or aerosol containing a liquid that is designed to have an unpleasant taste.
Although bitter sprays can help prevent some chewing, the natural urge for a bunny to explore its environment by nibbling a bit here and a bit there can be very hard to stop.
It's always best to do some bunny proofing as well and provide lots of alternative chewing toys alongside areas that may be chewed to keep your bunny out of trouble.
Not reliably. Many rabbits will put up with an unpleasant taste, and vinegar isn't made for rabbits, so we'd use a bitter spray made for small pets instead, alongside bunny proofing and plenty of chew toys.
They can help, but they rarely stop chewing completely, and some rabbits don't seem to mind the taste. Use them alongside bunny proofing and plenty of chew toys, and reapply them regularly.
Use a bitter spray made for small pets, from a pet store or online. Avoid homemade remedies such as chili oil, clove oil, perfume, vinegar or soap.
Tim founded Bunnyproof and has kept house rabbits for over 20 years. He runs the Bunny proofing Facebook group, where around 50,000 members share what works in their homes.
Our guides share practical experience from rabbit owners. They are not a substitute for veterinary advice.
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