06/11/2025
Digging vs. Scratch Boards: Why I Don’t Recommend Scratch Boards
Scratch boards might seem like an easy fix for long nails—but they have a major limitation. Because the board is a flat, hard surface, it can only file nails down to the level of the paw pad. Unfortunately, that’s still too long. Ideally, nails should sit just above the ground, not touch it at all.
And scratch boards for the rear paws? I’ve been there, done that. Training a dog to use their back feet takes a lot of patience—and even then, you’re still dealing with the same limitation: nails can’t be filed shorter than the pad.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a beach or have access to a private sandpit, encouraging your dog to dig is one of the most natural (and effective!) ways to maintain healthy nails. Digging targets the underside of the nail, including the nail bed area, which helps create a straighter, more functional nail shape.
Take Abbey, the high-energy Bernedoodle, for example—she spends her entire beach visit joyfully digging in the sand. Her nails? Perfectly filed and straight.
But if your dog isn’t a regular digger, chances are their nails are curling or constantly touching the ground—even right after a quick trim. That’s where a specialized pawdicure from PawPup can make all the difference.
Let’s get those paws back in shape—no shortcuts needed.
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