How To Dog Proof A Screened Porch In 2026 (5+ Tips)

Screen grills are a great way to keep your dog from being able to access the screens on your porch. They are made of stainless steel, aluminum, or metal and fit snugly over your screens.

They are see-through so your dog can still see what’s going on outside, but they can’t get to the screens. This is a great option if you want to keep your porch looking nice and avoid having to constantly replace screens.

We highly recommend the Tooltriz Screen mesh for your screen grill needs. The roll makes it easy to install, and you’ll save money in comparison to other options that don’t look as good. This particular mesh looks much better than traditional grills that make your home look like a jail.

Another option is to replace the bottom panels with pet-resistant screen. It’s a heavier, vinyl-coated polyester mesh that is much harder to tear than standard fiberglass screen, and it looks almost the same. It won’t stop a determined digger forever, but it holds up far better to claws and paws.

If you don’t want to go the grill route, you can use plastic scratch shields. These are clear plastic sheets that you attach to the inside of your screen with double-sided tape.

They are virtually invisible and will protect your screens from being scratched or clawed. This is great for the people who don’t like the grill look and want to keep their porch looking as original as possible.

You can find scratch shields at your local hardware store or online retailers like Amazon. We recommend “The Door Shield” from Cardinal Gates. Don’t let the name fool you, this product can be used on screens as well!

Get a heavy-duty door

A heavy-duty screen door will stand up much better to scratching and clawing than a standard one. Because the door is heavier and sturdier, often with a protective lower panel or grille, it’s difficult for your dog to push through.

This is a more permanent option compared to the first two, and it will definitely keep your screens safe from destruction. You can find heavy-duty doors at your local hardware store or online retailers.

Although this is a more pricey option, it is worth it in the long run as you won’t have to keep replacing your screens.

Maybe your dog just wants to go outside and doesn’t understand that the screen is there to keep them in. In this case, you can try using a dog door.

A dog door is a small door that is installed in your regular door or window. It gives your dog the ability to come and go as they please without having to go through the main door. This is a great option if you want your dog to have access to the outdoors without having to worry about them scratching or clawing at your screens. If drafts are an issue, here's how to keep a dog door flap from blowing open.

You can find dog doors at your local pet store or online retailers. We recommend “PETOUCH Aluminum Pet Door” It’s easy to install and comes with a great safety feature.

Place furniture against screening

This tip could be quite self-evident, but placing furniture against screening will make it more difficult for your dog to scratch or claw at the screens.

This is because they will have to go around the furniture to get to the screens, and it will block their access. This is a great way to keep your porch looking nice and avoid having to constantly replace screens.

You can use any type of furniture for this, lounge sets are perfect as they can cover a large area. But, if you don’t have any furniture, you can always use boxes or crates. Just make sure nothing becomes a step your dog can use to jump at the upper screens or over a railing.

Bonus tip – visual barrier

For some dogs, all they need is a visual barrier to deter them from scratching or clawing at the screens. This can be something as simple as placing a tablecloth over the screen or hanging a colorful tapestry in front of it.

This is a great option if you don’t want to permanently change anything about your porch or if you are renting and can’t make any changes.