Embodiments of a polymer composition that are configured for repelling animals are provided. The polymer composition includes at least one polymer, and a plurality of aversive additive particles dispersed in the at least one polymer. Each aversive additive particle is made up of an encapsulant, an aversive material contained within the encapsulant, and a protective material deposited around the encapsulant. The polymer composition can be used as a polymer jacket for a cable, such as an optical fiber cable, to keep animals from damaging the cable.
