Bitter Apple? (spray bottle)

[MimzMum]

Can anyone tell me if this product, advertised for dogs to keep them from chewing things they shouldn’t, would work okay for bunnies? My vet sells it, and I need something to keep Pip from chewing her pen ramps to shreds. She doesn’t swallow any of the plastic, just mangles it. 0_o Thankies!

[bitterepiphany]

Some people use bitter apple with their bunnies, i’ve read here. But, in my experience with my parents dogs and my hamsters, they LIKE the bitter apple. Plain old vinegar works best for my money. I used to dip a Q-tip in vinegar and run it along the bars every few days. Worked like a charm and it was never enough to smell.

[Beka27]

i am not sure how well that would work on a solid plastic surface. i’ve heard of that being used on carpet or fabric areas, but not sure if that would just roll right off, or get all over Pip? also, some of them end up either liking the taste, or not hating it enough for it to actually deter them…

[Scarlet_Rose]

Most rabbits actually really love the taste of Bitter Apple. What worked best was the cream, which they do not make or sell anymore. What I use is some pure lemon oil and my two stay away. There are other things you can try like spraying perfume on the area. Have you thought about making ramps out of wood? I know she would still chew on them, but it would be peace of mind for me rather than her chewing on the plastic. Have you given her other chewing distractions in the cage so she goes after them instead?

[jerseygirl]

Lemon Oil also keeps spiders away!

Did the ramps come with the cage? BT mentioned using those little ladders you get for bird cages and lining it with something solid. If she’s going to chew, may as well be something that’ll be good for her teeth.

[Sarita]

Yes, this never worked for me either.

I think it would be best to divert her chewing – it sounds to me like she is bored and that’s her thing to do – do you have any of those grass mats you can put in for her to chew?

[dmh426]

sophie would LICK it. she loved that stuff.

[bunnytowne]

I used somethign called Phooey  dont’ know if it is bitter apple or not.  One rabbit hated it the other still chewed.  I do know that taste lingers. I handle the wires I put phoey on 1 1/2 year ago and still get that horrible taste in my mouth eeewww..

You can try it see if it works for you.  Laith totally detested it.  He wasn’t much of a chewer either.

[RabbitPam]

Bitter Apple was totally wasted on Spockie. Of course he liked it.

I’d give the vinegar or lemon a try. At least you can use it yourself if it doesn’t work.

[MimzMum]

Thanks everyone!
Well, vinegar I wash the pen with every day. I don’t think it is much of a bane to Pip. Mimzy doesn’t like it, I notice, he begins washing his paws the minute I uncork the bottle. lolz….

Lemon oil sounds good. I can get a jug of it and make my daughter happy too…she is a completely over the top arachnophobe.

My hubby has elected to build a ramp for Pip. What kind of wood should he use?

Also, she has plenty of things to chew. She chews the ramp pointedly to annoy me. She knows it makes me crazy so when she wants to yank my chain, the teeth go into the ramp. Kind of funny actually, but then again…not…. 0_o

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Just wanted to chime in and say they make a bitter apple for small animals too; It the exact same stuff but more expensive though I found mine was pretty useless as well though

I think pine wood is safe for him to use, I know cherry wood or other hardwoods are a no-no though;

[MimzMum]

K&K, doesn’t pine exude some kind of sap or other that is poisonous to bunnies? That’s why I asked awhile ago if Feline Pine was okay to use in their litter boxes, I heard it was treated to the toxicity doesn’t affect them.

[bitterepiphany]

Pine has all of the awful phenols in it, though – doesn’t it?

[Scarlet_Rose]

Pine boards are aged (sometimes even kiln-dried) and are therefore, safe for a bunny to chew. So, not to worry! If the wood was fresh cut, then yes, it would definately not be good for them. Stay away from all hard woods lilke redwood, walnut, chestnut, etc. and stick with the soft and ones that come from trees whose fruit does not bear a pit like pine, apple & balsa.

[Cassi&Charlie]

I think maple is ok as well. I have some untreated maple lying around and the bunnies love it.

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