Chewing is rarely naughtiness. Teething puppies chew because their gums hurt, bored dogs chew because nothing better is on offer, and a cat working at the sofa arm is doing exactly what claws are for. A bitter taste on the surface interrupts the habit at the moment it happens, which is far more use than telling a pet off ten minutes later when they have long since forgotten what they did.

The formula dries clear, so it can go on furniture legs, skirting boards, cables, shoes and bandages without leaving a mark, and it is gentle enough to apply to paws and fur when a pet is worrying at a wound or a dressing. It works purely on taste, which means the effect fades as the spray wears off. Reapplying on a schedule, rather than waiting for the next chewed cable, is what makes it work.

• 100ml bottle
• Bitter taste discourages chewing, gnawing and licking
• Suitable for dogs and cats
• Dries clear for use on furniture, cables, shoes and dressings
• Can be applied to paws and fur
• Reapply as the taste wears off

Worth being realistic about. Some pets genuinely do not mind the taste, and a determined chewer will work straight through it. A deterrent spray is a training aid, not a lock on the cupboard door. Pair it with something the dog is allowed to chew, and patch-test on fabric or polished wood in a hidden corner before you spray a whole sofa.

Who it's for: Households with a teething puppy, a bored chewer or a pet licking at a healing wound, who want to break the habit without a confrontation every time.