Coming home to a mess-free and odor-free house is a dream of many pet parents. And while dog potties provide a fashionable turf right inside your home for your 4-legged friend to pee on, sometimes these aren’t really that practical. Enter the best pee pads that serve more like your baby’s disposable diapers but in a floor mat form. Pee pads can be excellent tools for housetraining your pup while also aiding older and sick dogs that may have problems getting to the bathroom outdoors when they really need to go. And if you’re wondering which brands are considered by many pet parents as simply the best, hang on to your seats as we bring you 5 of them.
The Best Pee Pads for Dogs
Pet parents love using the AmazonBasics Pet Training and Puppy Pads for a number of reasons. It comes with natural attractants making it a cinch to entice puppies and adult dogs alike to go potty into the pee pad. This also helps simplify housetraining.
The pee pads come with a 1.5-inch plastic barrier forming the perimeter of the pad which effectively keeps urine and other liquids within its borders. On top is an anti-streaming layer which quickly dries the surface and locks odors and wetness in while also preventing tracking. The surge layer underneath channels the liquid into its middle polymer core that turns the liquid into gel. The locking layer is what keeps the liquid-turned-gel in place. The polyethylene backing protects your floor from spills and leaks.
Read in-depth our review of Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pads.
Quick-drying, leak-proof surface
1.5-inch anti-overflow plastic perimeter
5-layer pad construction with super-absorbent core
Built-in attractant
- Brand: AmazonBasics
- Model: TRP100R
- Weight: 1.12 ounces
If you’re concerned that housetraining your pup will be difficult you may find the All-Absorb Training Pads to be especially useful. It comes with built-in attractants that draw your puppy or dog to the pee pad, making it super-easy to train. At the bottom of the 5-layer pad is waterproof polyethylene, making sure you won’t have spills on your floor. Directly above the PE layer is paper tissue which also helps absorb moisture that may trickle down from the middle polymer layer. This super-absorbent core is what gives the All-Absorb its magic, turning liquid into soft gel.
Aside from the polymer, the middle core also contains fluff pulp to help in liquid conversion. From the top, the All-Absorb is covered with non-woven cloth, allowing liquid to easily pass through the paper tissue layer where the dog attractant is embedded. Also in this layer is baking soda for optimum odor neutralization. The All-Absorb can hold up to 3 cups of urine. Unless you’ve got a dog with polyuria, this should last a few days or so.
Built-in odor neutralizer and attractant
Quick-drying, non-tracking, leak-proof design
5-layer super-absorbent pad construction
Waterproof PE bottom
- Brand: All-Absorb
- Model: A01
- Weight: 1.28 ounces
The Four Paws Wee-Wee Pet Training and Puppy Pads also come with 5 layers of pad construction that starts with a quilted top for quick-drying action. The same top design helps prevent tracking while keeping the layers together. Sandwiching the middle polymer core are two reinforcing layers which lock-in liquid and neutralize odor. The polymer core turns liquid into gel and is what actually makes the Wee-Wee quite interesting. The Floor Armor System keeps the 4 upper layers together while also protecting your floor from spills.
The borders of the Wee-Wee come with plastic channels, keeping pet urine safe and eliminating spilling or leaking onto the floor. The Four Paws pee pad for dogs provides exceptional moisture-locking and odor-neutralizing capabilities on top of a reliable dog attractant for easier housetraining.
Take a look at our guide on Carpet Cleaners for Pets.
5-layer absorbent pad construction
Liquid-containing plastic borders
Floor Armor System leak-proof technology
Moisture-locking, odor-neutralizing quilted top
Built-in dog attractant
- Brand: Four Paws
- Model: 100534713
- Weight: 4.1 pounds
The American Kennel Club’s Ultra-Absorbent Training Pads are perfect for pet parents who would like a variety of natural scents on the pee pads as well as a handful of design choices. While there are no indications as to what comprises its 6-layer pads, one can feel confident about the antibacterial and odor-eliminating properties embedded into the AKC pee pad. At any rate, you’ll be able to easily train your pup because of the attractant that is already integrated into the pee pad’s design. It costs less, too than other brands so it should come as a viable option for those who require cost-efficiency in housetraining dogs.
6-layer absorbent pad construction
Leak-proof, non-tracking technology
Odor-eliminating and antibacterial properties
Built-in attractant
- Brand: American Kennel Club
- Model: AKC 62920
- Weight: 5.95 pounds
The Home Protection Dog Pads feature the FlashDry gel technology which is HARTZ’s way of saying it has a middle, super-absorbent core that turns urine into soft gel. Unlike other dog pee pads that come with baking soda-layered pads, the HARTZ is embedded with lavender to help neutralize the odor emanating from pet urine. Like the AKC pee pad, the HARTZ Home Protection Gel Dog Pads come with 6 layers, although there is no information as to what constitutes these layers. At the very least, you’ll find comfort knowing that HARTZ comes with non-tracking and leak-proof design. Not only do you get to easily train your pet, you also get to protect your floors from pet urine stains.
FlashDry Gel technology
Odor-eliminating lavender scent
Leak-proof, non-tracking, with plastic backing design
6-layer super-absorbent pads
- Brand: Hartz
- Model: 3270014840
- Weight: 5.95 pounds
The GOBUDDY’s Pet Training Puppy Pads is a superior product that is ideal for a wide range of dog sizes, from little puppies to aging dogs. It is a carefully crafted pad that offers you guaranteed safety and security of your household lining such as carpets and floors since it quickly teaches your pet where to do its business
Similar to the AmazonBasics Carbon Pet Training and Puppy Pads, the GOBUDDY’s Pet Training Puppy Pads are made from a five-layered super absorbent and leak-proof fabric that dries liquids pretty fast. The top layer consists of high-quality anti-scratch and long lasting non-woven material that absorbs and dries quickly. The lower part of the pad is made from watertight polythene film that secures any liquid from any part of the pad to protect floors and carpets.
Clearly, a product that is superior in its class
contains odor remover polymer that takes out all bad scent to ensure a smell free environment
five layered super absorbent and leak-proof fabric that dries liquids pretty fast
takes care of all dogs; from puppies to aging dogs
multi-layered super quality absorbents.
- Brand: GOBUDDY
- Weight: 6.4 pounds
Another APSCA product is here to solve all your pet potty needs in a special way – you can rest assured that your pet always knows where it as to go to take care of itself. These super absorbent training pads for pets from ASPCA is a new product that removes all bacteria and smell from the surroundings whenever the pet goes to the potty. This pad is perfect for dogs and puppies that are mostly confined indoors. The six-layered composition and the super fast drying component of the pad assure of quick absorption to prevent leakage. It is made from good absorbent high-quality special polyester material lining to shut out odor whilst releasing that pleasant fragrance into the atmosphere.
The absorbent capacity of this product is superior to most brands of its kind and offers ideal potting training material for senior, aging and incontinent dogs whilst you are away. It is easily biodegradable and very much environmentally friendly. This product comes in an amazing package with clear instructions on how to use it to achieve the best results.
Anti-bacteria component to keep a pet healthy always
Quick absorption material to prevent leakage
Six-layered compositions, superior to others of its kind
Fragrance enhancing surroundings
- Brand: ASPCA
- Model: AS62930
- Weight: 5 pounds
The Gardner Pet’s Dog Pee Pads and Puppy Training Potty Pads is a heavy duty, super absorbent, thick, multilayered pee pad designed especially for dogs. Many products of this kind may take care of the pee, but not the scent, but not so with Gardener’s. This pad takes care of both with its heavy duty super quality pet pad specially designed for dogs of all sizes and weights. It is manufactured using a tear resistant non-woven matrix of super-absorbent polymer and fluff pulp with a waterproof plastic layer, it can hold up to 3 cups of liquid.
It is made from a quick-drying quilted mesh material and makes the dog pee dry faster. The core materials will quickly turn urine into a gel, and prevent any odor within the surroundings. Large amounts of liquid can be absorbed by this pad without the worry of leakage and without leaving any trace on the floor or carpet. The pad is able to take care of dogs of all sizes and is excellent for multi-block apartment neighborhoods where there is no provision for pets to go outside to relieve themselves. Even in apartments with backyards, this product can be used as an excellent tool for training your pet for outdoors potting.
Made from hard tear resistant
Heavy duty absorbent designed for large dogs
Inherent special material to convert urine to gel upon contact
quick drying quilted mesh material and makes the dog pee dry faster
- Brand: Gardnerpet
- Weight: 1.28 ounces
Best Pee Pads for Dogs Buying Guide
It really is never easy picking a pee pad for dogs as the market can be very unforgiving especially for those who lack the basic understanding of what these products are and whether they’re right for certain types of dogs. To help you get a better grasp of how to buy the best potty pad for your pet we’ve prepared a guide and FAQ section just for you.
What to Look for When Buying Pee Pads for Dogs
Picking the right pee pads for dogs is almost the same as picking the best disposable diapers for your baby or even for an incontinent adult. Unfortunately, it is also not that easy since almost every other product in the market will come with almost exactly the same features. You may be able to narrow down your choices a lot further if you consider the following things you’d have to look for when buying pee pads for your dog.
Check out our article on the Best Dog Diapers.
- Quick-drying surface
You will need a pee pad that will dry in an instant. This is a fundamental requirement of any absorbent pads. It helps to minimize, if not eliminate, wet and urine-soaked paws from getting imprinted onto your floor. You don’t want to be following your pet every time it steps out of the pee pad just to wipe dry its paw prints on your floor.
- Leak-proofing
The bottom panel or backing of the pee pad should be constructed of a waterproof layer to help protect your floor from urine seepage. Some products may also come with perimeter channels that help to keep the moisture within the center region of the pad, further eliminating the risk of leaks.
- Tear-resistance
The problem with ordinary absorbent materials is that they get easily shredded into bits once soaked. Try immersing tissue paper in water and you can easily shred it. That’s exactly what happens if a pee pad is not designed to be tear-resistant. It should be constructed of durable yet highly absorbent materials to resist shredding or tearing especially when already soaked with urine.
- Odor neutralization
Urine in itself is not foul-smelling. Unfortunately, the nitrogen it contains can react with bacteria and other microorganisms causing the bad smell associated with pet urine. Always go for products with natural deodorizers such as baking soda. Essential oils may also be good options for those who require a more pleasant scent.
Take a look at our article on Candles for Pet Odor.
- Wetness indicator
Most baby diapers come with wetness indicator, giving you visual clue as to when it’s time for a diaper change. The same is true with dog pee pads. There must be a way of knowing if it’s already time for a change in the dog pad.
- Dog attractant
When you buy these pee pads your dog will not be able to use it immediately. You’d still have to train it how to use the pee pad. Helping you in this regard are natural attractants embedded into the design of the pee pad. These are like pheromones that entice dogs to use the pee pad to potty.
- Absorbent capacity
Unfortunately, not all products will state just how much urine their pads can take before changing. For example, some products say they can hold up to 3 cups of urine while others will not give you an idea just how much urine the pee pad can hold.
How to Properly Use a Dog Pee Pad
Using a dog pee pad to help teach your dog where to potty includes a series of steps.
- Bring your pet to the pee pad and place it on the pad several times every day.
- As soon as your dog starts to urinate, issue a verbal cue. Be consistent with this verbal cue.
- If your dog wants to urinate somewhere else, bring it immediately to the pee pad.
- Reward your pet every time it pees on the pad.
- Dispose of soiled dog pee pad and replace with new one.
- Move the pee pad closer to the door once your pet has consistently used the pee pad.
- Relocate the pee pad just outside the door once your dog has consistently used the pad near the door.
- Move the pee pad further away outside the home.
What are Dog Pads / Pee Pads?
Dog Pads are like super-thin yet super-absorbent diapers in a mat form. These resemble mats that are composed of several layers of various materials, each having their respective functions. As the name implies, pee pads are contraptions upon which your dog can urinate on without causing a leak onto the surface of the floor. As such these dog pads are made of both absorbent materials and waterproof bottom.
Why Does Your Dog Need a Pee Pad?
Pee pads are useful in a variety of situations. For instance, if you’re housetraining your puppy, pee pads can provide a safe place for your pet to urinate inside the home. You don’t want your new puppy to be wreaking havoc throughout your house. Training it to use the pee pad will not only help it learn about the most ideal place to potty but, you’re also protecting your precious floor.
Read here our guide on the Best Indoor Dog Potty.
Dog pads are also useful for dogs that are recovering from an illness. If they’re too weak to go outside for a pee, these pads can provide temporary relief. The same is true for dogs that are left at home alone for extended periods of time. Instead of coming home to a place that is reeking of pet urine, you’d do much better if you give your canine friend one of these pee pads to use while you’re away.
These dog pads can also help pets with behavioral issues such as severe anxiety problems. There are dogs that are quite fearful of the outdoors especially in a thunderstorm. They will never want to go out because of this morbid fear. Getting them a pee pad should help them relieve themselves in such anxiety-provoking circumstances.
You may also like our article on Dog Car Seat Covers.
Pee pads are versatile enough to be used in many other applications. For example, since these have quick-drying elements then can be used as doormats for your pet to walk on after coming in from the rain. It can also be used for drying its paws whenever it has stepped on damp surfaces. For traveling pet parents, pee pads can be great protectants for car seats so your pet will not be soiling on them. It’s also ideal as a liner for your pet crate as well as the carrier.
How Do I Train My Dog to Use Dog Pads?
Teaching your pet to use the pee pad is almost similar to any other type of dog training session. First, you will need to introduce the pee pad to your dog as a normal part of its everyday existence. To optimize your training, it is critical that you understand the times when your pet is most likely to go. For most dogs, this is usually about 10 to 15 minutes after a meal. As such you need to time your training session. Throughout the course of the day, however, you may want to bring your pet to the pee pad whether or not it is going to pee. This is just to acclimatize it to the presence of the pee pad.
Further Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Use Dog Pads
When you think your pet is about to go, bring it to the pee pad and issue a verbal cue. You can use “go potty” or anything else that you can think of. The idea is for your pet to associate the ‘verbal cue’ with the behavior of peeing.
If your dog tries to urinate somewhere else, bring it immediately to the pee pad and issue the verbal cue. If your dog successfully pees in the pad, give it its reward. What you want here is for your dog to associate the behavior (peeing on the pee pad) with something that is pleasurable (treats, plenty of hugs, more playtime, etc).
By the time your pet has mastered urinating on the pee pad, you can move the pee pad near the door. This will teach them to go to the door if they want to potty. Once your pet has mastered going to the pee pad near the door, you can then move it outside.
Dog pads are excellent items to be used for potty training dogs. When used properly, these potty pads can help your dog learn where to go when it really needs to go. These items are also useful for many other purposes. With the 5 best pee pads for dogs we’ve featured, we’re hoping you’re now more confident in securing the right product for your pet.
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Pros & Cons of Dog Pads
There are some pet parents who are not really convinced that they need dog pads for their pets. You may want to look at the following pros and cons of dog pads to help you better understand whether this product is for your pet or not.
- Comfortable for dogs as they don’t need to go outside to potty when it’s not safe to do so
- Very convenient for housetraining puppies
- Protects your floor from spills, leaks, and pet urine stains
- Allows for easier and more efficient cleanup
- Excellent options for pets that may not be able to go outside because of illness or other reasons
- Eliminates nasty odors emanating from pet urine
- Great for puppies and dogs living in high-rise apartments
- Great for pet parents who may have health conditions that prevent them from going outside in an instant
- Your dog can get used to the pee pad that it will no longer potty outside. This can surely defeat the purpose of potty training your pet dog
