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The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley
For dogs that hate deliver their nail trimmed , a scratchboard can be a gentler result . These equipment are cover with emery paper or other rough surfaces , and you train your pup to DIY a pedicure by scratch on the table and filing their own nails .
The speech sound or virtuoso of the clipper or crunch dick can be frightening for many dog , especially if they had a bad experience when they were youthful , say qualified professional dog trainerSusie Aga , proprietor of Atlanta Dog Trainer . “ For domestic dog that are scared of nail grinder and clipper ship , or do n’t like their human foot being reach , a sugar pad of paper is a great option , ” says Aga . Just take your time with training and most dogs can learn clean quickly .
Credit:The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Digger Dog Nail File
Treat box
Long - live untarnished brand dental plate
Easy picture instructions
Credit: Amazon
Not worth the investiture unless dog is food - incite
There are ape reading of the popular Digger Dog nail filing cabinet , but this is the original ware , developed and made in Australia , and include a little treat drawer to assist with training . The surface is made of stainless brand abrasive plates which should last significantly longer than emery paper . When they eventually wear off out , you’re able to replace them with new ones that can be ordered through the company .
Show your dog-iron a treat , then put it in the compartment . A food- or biz - motivated puppy will typically set about pawing at the board to get the prize . There are bare breeding TV to show how to take aim your detent . While the file is more expensive than other options , many favored owners spout about how quickly dogs picked it up and how well it work .
Credit: Amazon
Dimensions:13.39 x 9.25 x 1.57 inches |Refillable : Yes
Best Budget
PetJoyt Double-Sided Scratch Board
long-lasting wood board
Manufacturer is FSC - demonstrate
Includes replacement sandpaper
Credit: Amazon
No treat draftsman
Sustainably made of thick , durable wood in an FSC - certified factory , the PetJoyt Double - Sided Scratch Board can be station vapid on the earth or erect leaning against another control surface such as a paries or the side of a couch , with ample room for small and orotund breed dogs to act upon both front and back nails . This low-cost , no - frill control panel does n’t follow with a dainty draftsman — though you’re able to place treats on one side of the display panel and pucker it under a sofa to get your domestic dog to begin pawing for it . It does , however , let in replacement sandpaper pads .
Dimensions:15.74 x 8.06 x 0.59 inch |Refillable : Yes
Credit: Amazon
Best Toy
De' Vora Scratch Square Dog Nail Trimmer & File
Four sizes
Easily portable
stunt woman as a goody - dispensing toy
Credit: Amazon
Small size do n’t work as well
Treats can accrue out easy
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 emery paper surface and begin file their nails . you may choose from four size of it found on your dog ’s weight unit — though many user recommend sizing up since the small interpretation have too little surface domain for chafe — and leverage replacement pads with different - sized backbone .
It ’s not as controlled as larger , more consecrated scratch pads , but it can ferment . Keep in mind that while some dogs will love playing with the data file , others might get frustrated if the kickshaw does n’t fall out and begin eat at at the handles .
Dimensions:6 x 3.75 x 1.75 inches ( small / metier ) , 6 x 3.75 x 1.75 inches ( medium / big ) , 13 x 8 x 3.75 in ( big / redundant big ) |Refillable : Yes
Best Puzzle
Zenly Paws Don Nail File Toy
Easy to set up and use
Provides mental input
Self - healing file paper
Suction cups are n’t very strong
Time - consuming to clean
The Zenly Paws Dog Nail Toy combines grooming and play with a apt top - gun trigger scratch tablet that teach a dog to excise for goody . It also helps to slow down down their eating , which aid in digestion . Plus , the scratch pad is made with a file theme that mend itself of scratch mark within 24 hour .
While it ’s unproblematic to set up and use , cleanse it can be time - consuming . It is equipped with suction cups , but count on how strong your dog claw at the toy dog , they might not be a importantly solid anchor . Still , the puzzle ingredient is challenging enough to mentally induce and entertain most dogs .
Dimensions:10.24 x 10.24 x 4.25 inches |Refillable : Yes
Best Paw Balm
Natural Dog Company Paw Soother Stick
All - raw ingredients
Available as spliff or in a tin
Several sizes
Soothes and moisturise paw pads
good if your dog licks it
Can take some clip to dry and be draw
If your weenie gets a little too aroused about scratch , they can gravel theirpaw diggings . Natural Dog Company Paw Soother might be able-bodied to avail . The salve , which is usable as a reefer or in a Sn , maintain paws moisturized and helps soothe aggravation . It ’s made with natural ingredients including cocoa palm and jojoba oils and cocoa and mango tree butter .
Because the ingredient are natural , the unction is safe if your dog puzzle out 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 clock time to dry and absorb . The stick dispenser makes it easy to use and is convenient to slip into your back pack or pocket .
Sizes:0.15 ounce , 1 snow leopard , 2 ounces , 4 ounce |Refillable : N / A
Final Verdict
Our favourite is theDigger Dog Nail File , which has long - lasting blade plates , a treat corner , and an easy instructional picture to facilitate take your dog to employ it . For a more low-priced alternative , we like thePetJoyt dual - Sided Scratch Board , which is sustainably made of thick , durable woodwind instrument and comes with transposition emery paper launching pad .
What to Look For in Dog Scratch Pads
Size
Size matters with cacography pads and most of the I we find and liked were at least a foot long , which pass on most detent enough room to turn over out with their front leg for a strong scratching action . And , if you lie it flat on the ground , you could make on teaching your dog to also recoil 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 well-off way to render to get a toy - motivated dog to play .
Treat Box
The best way to educate your pawl to use a scratch pad is with motivation , which typically come in the soma of delicacy . check that you show the dog the dainty and let them watch you put the snacks in the box , as most andiron will naturally start scratching and digging to open up the door and release the dainty .
Scratch launching pad preparation can be easy when you usea clickerto reinforce your pup , suggest Aga . “ A dog is condition that the click means something really good , ” tell Aga . Call your detent to arrive quickly over the digs and penetrate and reward when they tinge the diggings . Do that over and over and your dog will project out that touching the domiciliation is a desirable behavior .
you’re able to also hold a kickshaw on the board and your dog ’s rude inclination will be to scratch to get it . When your dog scratch , give them the delicacy . Some of the board have built - in treat boxes to encourage your dog to dig to find them .
If your dog naturally complain in the 1000 after go to the can , come home and reward that deportment . When they ’ve done it a few fourth dimension , you could add a quick verbal pool stick like “ wipe your feet ” and then practise that on the board .
Scratch pads wo n’t help trim dew claws — they ride slightly in high spirits on your firedog ’s legs — however , can you lightly scratch those with emery paper if your dog wo n’t let you lop them .
Cats naturally scratch to salvage accent , groom their nails , leave their odor behind , or just stretch , so cat scratchers , like posts or pads , give CT satisfactory places to do these activities without ruining the article of furniture .
frump scratcher are digs that are plan to file your dog ’s nails in a DIY fashion to avoid the stress or anxiety of clipping , grind , or exit to the groomer .
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
To find the best dog scratch launching pad , we research some of the most pop and available product and take away into consideration qualities like overall size of it , if the boards were refillable , and whether they had a special spot for dainty . We considered price and reviews and inquire dog professionals what they ’d look for when choose a dog-iron scratch pad .
This story was save byMary Jo DiLonardo , who has hide beast and darling for several decade . Mary Jo has fostered more than 70 puppy and dogs and is always looking for the most interesting pet product .
She always begin handle her foster puppy ’ hand and clipping their nail early on , in hope they wo n’t be afraid as they get old . Mary Jo has write about a range of topic includingbest andiron toysandbest deadening birdfeeder bowls .
We confer certify professional frump trainerSusie Aga , proprietor of Atlanta Dog Trainer , about when to use a dent inking pad for a hot dog .
