Persistent licking is a hard habit to interrupt, because the more a dog licks at a spot the more it itches, and the more it itches the more they lick. A bitter deterrent breaks that loop from the outside. The taste is unpleasant enough to make a dog think twice, which buys the skin underneath a chance to settle, either alongside a cone or in place of one for a milder case.

Sprays like this work on taste rather than on anything medicinal, so what they really buy you is time. They stop the mechanical damage while whatever is causing the itch gets dealt with properly. Apply it to the area your dog is worrying at, reapply as the taste wears off through the day, and keep it well clear of eyes, nose and any broken skin. Some dogs are simply not put off by bitter tastes, which is worth knowing before you order.

• Bitter-tasting deterrent spray for dogs
• 236ml bottle
• Made in the UK
• Applied to the coat or skin at the affected area
• Reapplied as the taste wears off

We need to correct the label on this one. It is not. It is a topical bitter spray, applied to the outside, and it is not for feeding. Beyond that, whatever your dog is licking at is usually a symptom of something else, whether allergies, a wound, pain in the joint underneath or plain boredom. A spray manages the licking, but only a vet finds the reason for it.

Who it's for: Dogs licking a paw, a leg or a healing patch raw, where the habit needs interrupting while the underlying cause is investigated.