A sustained release lotion for deterring animals from licking made by combining an aqueous phase having at least one bittering agent and at least one humectant, herein the at least one bittering agent is present in the aqueous phase in the range of about 0.001 to 25.0 wt. %； wherein the humectant is present in the aqueous phase in the range of from about 1 to 99 wt. %； and an oil phase comprising at least one oil and at least one surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present in the oil phase in the range of from about 1 to 100 wt. %, and wherein the aqueous phase is added to the oil phase in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to 49:1 using low to medium shear mixing and wherein the lotion is hydrophobic and has sustained release properties.
