We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 5 Best Dog Scratch Pads for Your Dog’s Nails By Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo is a writer and dog mom to Brodie, a border-collie mix who loves to learn. She is also bringing in new foster dogs in need of a home and has cared for over 75 dogs and puppies. In her 25+ years as a journalist, she has contributed to WebMD, CNN, and Treehugger, covering pets and animals, health and wellness, nature and sustainability, and all things environmental. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 12/13/24 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Know FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley For dogs that hate having their nails trimmed, a scratchboard can be a gentler solution. These devices are covered with sandpaper or other rough surfaces, and you train your pup to DIY a pedicure by scratching on the board and filing their own nails. The sound or sensation of the clipper or grinding tool can be frightening for many dogs, especially if they had a bad experience when they were young, says certified professional dog trainer Susie Aga, owner of Atlanta Dog Trainer. “For dogs that are scared of nail grinders and clippers, or don’t like their feet being touched, a scratch pad is a great option,” says Aga. Just take your time with training and most dogs can learn fairly quickly. Top Picks Best Overall: Digger Dog Nail File at Amazon $149 Jump to Review Best Budget: PetJoyt Double-Sided Scratch Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best Toy: De' Vora Scratch Square Dog Nail Trimmer & File at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best Puzzle: Zenly Paws Don Nail File Toy at Amazon Jump to Review Best Paw Balm: Natural Dog Company Paw Soother Stick at Amazon $19 Jump to Review Best Overall Digger Dog Nail File Credit: Amazon $149 at Amazon View on Diggerdognailfile.com What We Like Treat box Long-lasting stainless steel plates Easy video instructions What We Don’t Like Not worth the investment unless dog is food-motivated There are copycat versions of the popular Digger Dog nail file, but this is the original product, developed and made in Australia, and includes a small treat drawer to help with training. The surface is made of stainless steel abrasive plates which should last significantly longer than sandpaper. When they eventually wear out, you can replace them with new ones that can be ordered through the company. Show your dog a treat, then place it in the compartment. A food- or game-motivated pup will typically start pawing at the board to get the prize. There are simple training videos to demonstrate how to train your dog. While the file is more expensive than other options, many pet owners gush about how quickly dogs picked it up and how well it worked. Dimensions: 13.39 x 9.25 x 1.57 inches | Refillable: Yes Best Budget PetJoyt Double-Sided Scratch Board Credit: Amazon View on Amazon What We Like Durable wood board Manufacturer is FSC-certified Includes replacement sandpaper What We Don't Like No treat drawer Sustainably made of thick, durable wood in an FSC-certified factory, the PetJoyt Double-Sided Scratch Board can be placed flat on the ground or upright leaning against another surface such as a wall or the side of a sofa, with ample room for small and large breed dogs to work both front and back nails. This affordable, no-frills board doesn't come with a treat drawer—though you can place treats on one side of the board and tuck it under a sofa to get your dog to start pawing for it. It does, however, include replacement sandpaper pads. Dimensions: 15.74 x 8.06 x 0.59 inches | Refillable: Yes Best Toy De' Vora Scratch Square Dog Nail Trimmer & File Credit: Amazon $90 at Amazon $55 at Chewy What We Like Four sizes Easily portable Doubles as a treat-dispensing toy What We Don’t Like Small sizes don’t work as well Treats can fall out easily The De’ Vora Scratch Square is part nail file and part toy. As your pet plays with it to get the hidden snacks, they scratch the sandpaper surface and start filing their nails. You can choose from four sizes based on your dog's weight—though many users recommend sizing up since the smaller versions have too little surface area for scratching—and purchase replacement pads with different-sized grit. It’s not as controlled as larger, more dedicated scratch pads, but it can work. Keep in mind that while some dogs will enjoy playing with the file, others might get frustrated if the treat doesn’t fall out and begin gnawing at the handles. Dimensions: 6 x 3.75 x 1.75 inches (small/medium), 6 x 3.75 x 1.75 inches (medium/large), 13 x 8 x 3.75 inches (large/extra large) | Refillable: Yes Best Puzzle Zenly Paws Don Nail File Toy Credit: Amazon View on Amazon What We Like Easy to set up and use Provides mental stimulus Self-healing file paper What We Don't Like Suction cups aren't very strong Time-consuming to clean The Zenly Paws Dog Nail Toy combines grooming and play with a clever top-trigger scratch pad that teaches a dog to scratch for treats. It also helps to slow down their eating, which aids in digestion. Plus, the scratch pad is made with a file paper that heals itself of scratch marks within 24 hours. While it's simple to set up and use, cleaning it can be time-consuming. It is equipped with suction cups, but depending on how strong your dog claws at the toy, they might not be a significantly solid anchor. Still, the puzzle element is challenging enough to mentally stimulate and entertain most dogs. Dimensions: 10.24 x 10.24 x 4.25 inches | Refillable: Yes The 8 Best Dog Nail Clippers of 2026 Best Paw Balm Natural Dog Company Paw Soother Stick Credit: Amazon $19 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Petco What We Like All-natural ingredients Available as stick or in a tin Several sizes Soothes and moisturizes paw pads Safe if your dog licks it What We Don’t Like Can take some time to dry and be absorbed If your dog gets a little too excited about scratching, they can irritate their paw pads. Natural Dog Company Paw Soother might be able to help. The balm, which is available as a stick or in a tin, keeps paws moisturized and helps soothe irritation. It’s made with natural ingredients including coconut and jojoba oils and cocoa and mango butters. Because the ingredients are natural, the balm is safe if your dog licks it. However, it does take a little time for it to soak in, so you might want to distract your pet with a treat, a toy, or some snuggles to give it time to dry and absorb. The stick dispenser makes it easy to apply and is convenient to slip into your backpack or pocket. Sizes: 0.15 ounce, 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces | Refillable: N/A Final Verdict Our favorite is the Digger Dog Nail File, which has long-lasting steel plates, a treat box, and an easy instructional video to help train your dog to use it. For a more affordable option, we like the PetJoyt Double-Sided Scratch Board, which is sustainably made of thick, durable wood and comes with replacement sandpaper pads. What to Look For in Dog Scratch Pads Size Size matters with scratch pads and most of the ones we found and liked were at least a foot long, which gives most dogs enough room to reach out with their front leg for a strong scratching action. And, if you lay it flat on the ground, you can work on teaching your dog to also kick out and scratch their back toenails. The De' Vora Scratch Square Dog Nail Trimmer & File is only about 6 inches long, so it’s not as thorough as the others, but it’s an easy way to try to get a toy-motivated dog to play. Treat Box The best way to train your dog to use a scratch pad is with motivation, which typically comes in the form of treats. Make sure you show the dog the treat and let them watch you put the snacks in the box, as most dogs will naturally start scratching and digging to open the door and release the treat. FAQ How do I get my dog to use a scratch pad? Scratch pad training can be easy when you use a clicker to reward your pup, suggests Aga. “A dog is conditioned that the click means something really good,” says Aga. Call your dog to come quickly over the pad and click and reward when they touch the pad. Do that over and over and your dog will figure out that touching the pad is a desirable behavior.You can also hold a treat on the board and your dog’s natural inclination will be to scratch to get it. When your dog scratches, give them the treat. Some of the boards have built-in treat boxes to encourage your dog to dig to find them. How do you get a dog to trim his back nails? If your dog naturally kicks in the yard after going to the bathroom, click and reward that behavior. When they’ve done it a few times, you can add a quick verbal cue like “wipe your feet” and then practice that on the board.Scratch pads won’t help trim dew claws—they sit slightly higher on your dog’s legs—however, can you gently scratch those with sandpaper if your dog won’t let you clip them. What’s the difference between cat and dog scratchers? Cats naturally scratch to relieve stress, groom their nails, leave their scent behind, or just stretch, so cat scratchers, like posts or pads, give cats acceptable places to do these activities without ruining the furniture.Dog scratchers are pads that are designed to file your dog’s nails in a DIY fashion to avoid the stress or anxiety of clipping, grinding, or going to the groomer. Why Trust The Spruce Pets To find the best dog scratch pads, we researched some of the most popular and available products and took into consideration qualities like overall size, if the boards were refillable, and whether they had a special spot for treats. We considered price and reviews and asked dog professionals what they’d look for when choosing a dog scratch pad. This story was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than 70 puppies and dogs and is always looking for the most interesting pet products. She always starts handling her foster puppies’ paws and clipping their nails early on, in hopes they won’t be afraid as they get older. Mary Jo has written about a range of topics including best dog toys and best slow feeder bowls. We consulted certified professional dog trainer Susie Aga, owner of Atlanta Dog Trainer, about when to use a scratch pad for a dog. Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Accessories