Coming home to a mess and odor-free house is a dream for many pet parents. And while dog potties provide a fashionable turf right inside your home for your four-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 potty training your pup while also aiding older and sick dogs that may have problems getting to their outdoor bathroom when they really need to go. And if you’re wondering which pee pad brands are favored by many pet parents, read on as we bring you the best.
Key Takeaways:
- Pee pads are a good way of potty training your new puppy while minimizing accidents around the home
- They can also be used for senior dogs, or pooches convalescing after an illness
- Well-designed dog pee pads lock away moisture, reduce and absorb odor, and protect your floor
- Many training pads contain synthetic pheromone attractants to draw a puppy in
- Dog pee pads should only be used to toilet train your pup as he learns to independently take his potty outside
A Glance at Our Favorites
The 11 Top-Rated Disposable Puppy Pads
1 AmazonBasics Pee Pads For Dogs
- Material: Plastic/Paper/Polymer
- Count: 100
- Scent: Unscented
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 22×22
Dog owners love using the AmazonBasics Pet Training Pads for a number of reasons. It comes with natural attractants that make it a cinch to entice puppies and adult dogs alike to go potty into the pee pad.
These dog pee pads come with a 1.5-inch plastic barrier around the perimeter of the pad to absorb urine and other liquids within its borders. On top is an anti-streaming layer that 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 which turns the liquid into gel. The locking layer is what keeps the liquid-turned-gel in place. And finally, the leak proof plastic liner protects your floor from spills and leaks.
Read in-depth our review of Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pads.
- Features attractants to entice your pup to use the pad
- Really quick drying and locks those odors well away
- Not quite as thick as some other puppy pee pads
2 Frisco Dog Training & Potty Pads
- Material: Cardboard/Paper/Plastic
- Count: 150
- Scent: None
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 22×23
With a quilted, fast drying top layer, these durable pads from Frisco help prevent any mess being tracked around your home. And they also offer high comfort for your pooch when they need to do their business.
There are five layers to each sizeable pad which lock away moisture, sealed in by the leak-proof plastic lining. You also get a built-in attractant to entice your pooch and make pee pad training a breeze. A good option for active puppies, you get a choice of sizes as well as pack quantities, from 20 pads right up to a bumper 300-pad pack. This all adds up to a versatile mid-price pee pad that works with young pups as well as more senior dogs.
- Bumper packs make this a cost-effective pee pad choice
- Unscented so don’t mask any pee odor
3 Glad For Pets Activated Carbon Dog Training Pads
- Material: Plastic/Paper/Polymer
- Count: 100
- Scent: None
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 23×23
These training pads from Glad are certainly hard workers when it comes to mopping up pee and neutralizing any smells. And what sets them apart is a layer of activated carbon which not only absorbs odors, but also yellow surface stains to keep your home hygienically clean.
But this carbon technology doesn’t mean your pup has to sacrifice pee-time comfort as each pad is quilted and features five layers of leak-proof protection. And this means they can lock away up to three cups of liquid, which is then turned into gel, thanks to a special polymer layer. The result is a high-performing pee pad that is great for training pups or supporting senior dogs. And for pet owners, these pads are also easy and clean to dispose of once used for a fresh home all round.
- Activated carbon layer to absorb odor as well as unsightly surface stains
- The dark gray surface color is not to everyone’s home style taste
4 OUT! Heavy Duty XXL Dog Pads
- Material: Plastic/Paper/Polymer
- Count: 30
- Scent: Unscented
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 26×30
When extra absorption is needed to counter a messy pup or a senior dog, then these heavy-duty pads from Out! are up to the job. These are super-sized pads too and come with extra protection and odor control so are also ideal for multiple dog households.
Out! have added 25% more absorbency to these pads and offer five layers of leak-proof protection. Plus, you get a super-tough top sheet that resists tearing during the rough and tough of puppy use. The diamond surface pattern then works to prevent any tracking from canine paws as they walk away from their pee pad.
Each pack contains 30 pads, so less than other brands but they do offer value as their super-absorbency means that they are up to multiple use.
- Super-sized with clever tear-resistant outer layer to prevent tracking
- 3-in-1 attractant to get your pup in the mood
- Not as many pads per pack as similar pee pad brands
5 All-Absorb Dog Training Pads
- Material: Plastic, Pulp
- Count: 100
- Scent: Unscented
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 22×23
If you’re concerned that housetraining your pup will be difficult, then you may find the All-Absorb Training Pads especially useful. It comes with built-in attractants that draw your puppy or dog to the pee pad, making it super-easy to housetrain.
At the bottom of the five-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. It is this super-absorbent core that gives the All-Absorb its magic, turning liquid into a 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 three cups of urine. Unless you’ve got a dog with polyuria, this should last a few days or so.
- Layering includes baking soda for natural odor absorption
- Can hold up to three cups of pee
- Some users report the pads can tend to move around
6 Four Paws Pee Pads For Dogs
- Material: Plastic/Polymer
- Count: 100
- Scent: Unscented
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 22×23
The Four Paws Wee-Wee Pet Training and Puppy Pads also come with five layers of pad construction that start 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 that lock in liquid and neutralize odor. The polymer core then turns liquid into gel. The Floor Armor System keeps the upper layers together while also protecting your floor from spills.
The borders of the Four Paws Wee-Wee come with plastic channels, keeping pet urine secured and eliminating spills or leaks onto the floor. In short, the Four Paws Wee Wee pads 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.
- Layering includes baking soda for natural odor absorption
- Can hold up to three cups of pee
- Some users report the pads can tend to move around
7 American Kennel Club Dog Training Pads
- Material: Plastic/Paper/Polymer
- Count: 100
- Scent: Grass
- Absorbency: Six Layers
- Dimensions: 22×22
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 six-layer pads, you 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. The AKC Training Pad also costs less than many other brands so it should come as a viable option for those who require cost-efficiency when house training dogs.
- Above-average six layers to absorb liquid
- Attractant really helps with puppy pee training
- For some pet owners, the scent on these pads was a little too strong
8 Hartz Home Protection Gel Dog Pads
- Material: Plastic/Paper
- Count: 50
- Scent: Lavender
- Absorbency: Six Layers
- Dimensions: 21×21
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 a soft gel.
Unlike many 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 six layers, although there is no information as to what constitutes these layers. However, you’ll find comfort knowing that HARTZ comes with a non-tracking and leak-proof design. Not only do you get to easily train your pet, but you also get to protect your floors from pet urine stains.
- Contains natural lavender to help reduce odor without irritating your pup
- Plastic backing stays secure on your floor
- They are a bargain price, but they are not the most durable pee pads out there
9 GOBUDDY Super Absorbent Training Puppy Pads
- Material: Plastic/Polymer/Paper
- Count: 100
- Scent: Lemon
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 22×22
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.
- A versatile pee pad that’s designed for dogs of all ages, including senior pooches
- Absorbency levels are not quite suited to very large spills
10 ASPCA Ultra Absorbent Training Pads For Dogs
- Material: Plastic/Paper/Polymer
- Count: 50
- Scent: Fresh
- Absorbency: Six Layers
- Dimensions: 22×22
These super absorbent ASPCA dog training pads remove all bacteria and smell from the surroundings whenever your pet goes potty. These disposable pads are particularly good for dogs and puppies that are mostly confined indoors. The six-layered composition and the super-fast drying component of the pad assure 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 also easily biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
- An excellent product if your pooch suffers from serious incontinence
- The odor protection could be a little better
11 Gardnerpet Pee Pads For Dogs
- Material: Plastic/Paper/Polymer
- Count: 100
- Scent: Unscented
- Absorbency: Five Layers
- Dimensions: 24×24
The Gardner Pet’s Dog Pee Pads and Puppy Training Potty Pads are heavy-duty, super absorbent, thick, and multilayered. Many products of this kind may take care of the pee, but not the scent, but not so with Gardener’s. 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 three cups of liquid.
It is made from a quick-drying quilted mesh material to help dog pee dry faster. The core materials will quickly turn urine into a gel, for optimum odor control.
These super absorbent training pads can suck up liquid without leaving any trace on the floor or carpet. The pad can accommodate dogs of all sizes so 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 outdoor potting.
- The mesh layers make this a fast-drying puppy pee pad
- The tough, durable design means this can be used for larger or more energetic dogs
- These super-sized pads also have a super-sized price so come at the top end of our review budget
Best Pee Pads for Dogs: Buying Guide & FAQs
With so many products to choose from, it can be a challenge to choose the right type of pee pad for your puppy or adult dog.
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 best dog pee pads 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 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 pad as 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 those paw prints on your floor.
Leak-Proofing
The bottom panel or backing of the pee pad should be constructed with 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 can easily shred once soaked. Try immersing tissue paper in water and you can easily shred it – this is exactly what happens if a pee pad is not designed to be tear-resistant. The best pee pad for dogs should be made from durable yet highly absorbent materials to resist shredding or tearing, especially when already soaked with urine.
Odor Neutralization
Urine itself is not foul-smelling. It is actually the nitrogen it contains that can react with bacteria and other microorganisms to cause the bad smell associated with pet pee. To reduce odor, always go for products with natural deodorizers such as baking soda. Essential oils such as lemon or lavender are also available in scented puppy pads.
Take a look at our article on Candles for Pet Odor.
Wetness Indicator
Most baby diapers come with a wetness indicator, giving you visual clue as to when it’s time for a diaper change. This is also a good feature to look for when choosing potty training pads. A wetness indicator is a handy way of knowing if it’s already time for a change in the dog or puppy pee pad.
Dog Attractant
When you buy puppy pads for the first time, your dog may not use it immediately and you will have to train them how to use the pee pad. To help, many pee pads include natural attractants embedded into the design. These attractants work like pheromones to entice dogs to use the pee pad to potty.
Absorbent Capacity
Unfortunately, not all products state just how much urine their puppy pads can take before they need to be changed. For example, some products say they can hold up to three cups of urine while others will not give you an idea of how much urine the pee pad can hold. Always check the packaging for this information before you buy.
How to Properly Use a Dog Pee Pad
If they have never used one before, you should teach your pup or adult dog to properly use a pee pad for their potty. Here are the steps to follow:
- To start, choose a designated space in your home for the pee pad and only use that space.
- Now, bring your pet to the puppy pad and place it on the pad’s surface several times every day.
- As soon as your dog starts to urinate on the pad, issue a verbal cue by praising them. Be consistent with this verbal cue so they know that they have done a good thing.
- If your dog looks like they want to urinate somewhere else, bring it immediately back to the pee pad.
- Make sure you reward and praise your dog every time it pees on the pad.
- Always dispose of a soiled dog pee pad and replace it with a new one so it doesn’t become an unpleasant place for your pooch.
- 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 and into the correct outdoor potty space such as an enclosed yard. This way your pet will associate the pad with the location where they need to do their business.
- Once your pooch is consistently and successfully peeing and pooping outside, you can stop using the pee pads.
What are Dog Pads / Pee Pads?
Dog pee pads are like thin yet super-absorbent disposable diapers in a flat form so that your dog can use them for their toilet needs. They resemble mats that are composed of several layers of various absorbent materials, which lock away moisture and help prevent leaks spilling onto your floor.
With a waterproof bottom layer, dog pee pads can also include deodorizers to prevent unpleasant smells.
Why Does Your Dog Need a Pee Pad?
Dog pee pads are useful in a variety of situations when your dog needs to pee, such as:
House Training
They are an excellent training aid for young puppies or un-house-trained adult dogs so you can prevent unwanted accidents in the home. The pads will create a safe place for your pup to associate with their need to wee or poop while you undertake the necessary outdoor toilet training. By training a pup to use the pee pad, you can also help to protect your home, floors, and carpets when they need to go potty.
Read here our guide on the Best Indoor Dog Potty.
Recouperation
Dog pee 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 a nearby space for your dog to safely go to the toilet. Using a pee pad in these circumstances support your pet’s recovery while protecting your home.
When you Need to Leave Your Dog
If you need to leave your dog at home for an extended period of time then a pee pad can be a very useful aid. While they should not replace access to an outdoor toilet space, using a pee pad as a back-up can help protect against accidents.
Behavioral Issues
Dog pee 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 or suffer from separation anxiety. Giving them access to a pee pad should help them relieve themselves in such anxiety-provoking circumstances.
You may also like our article on Dog Car Seat Covers.
Other Uses
Pee pads are versatile enough to be used in many other applications. For example, thanks to their quick-drying elements, they can be used as doormats for your pet to walk on after coming in from the rain. A pad can also be used for drying its paws whenever it has stepped on damp surfaces. For traveling pet parents, pee pads can be a good way to protect 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 like any other type of dog training session. Time, patience, positive reinforcement, and reward are the secret to your dog pee pad success.
First, you will need to introduce the pee pad to your dog as a part of its everyday routine and support them to use it independently when they need to pee.
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, so you need to time your training session throughout the day.
However, if you are training a pup, then you should also include bringing your puppy regularly to the pee pad whether they need to potty or not. This way you can acclimatize the pup to the presence of the pee pad and what it is for.
Further Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Use Dog Pads
To help you get your pooch to be comfortable with his pee pad, here are a few more tips and tricks:
When you think your dog is about to go, bring them 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 action 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 them a 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 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 eight best pee pads for dogs we’ve featured, we’re hoping you’re now more confident in securing the right product for your pet.
Read here our detailed guide on the Best Dog Treats.
Pros & Cons of Dog Pads
There are some pet parents who don’t feel they need dog pads for their pets while others really appreciate their uses. We’ve put together the following pros and cons of dog pads to help you better understand whether this product is for your pet or not.
PROS
- 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
CONS
- Your dog can get so used to the pee pad that it will no longer potty outside. This defeats the purpose of potty training your pet dog.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The number of pee pads you put down will depend on the size of your puppy, but a general rule of thumb is to start with four pads laid out to form a larger square. Use less if you have a very small puppy. For consistency, you should also use the same number of pads at night as you do during the day, so it is all familiar for your little pooch.
There is no set time for using puppy pads although your goal is to get your little pet to consistently doing his potty outdoors as soon as they are comfortably able to. And puppy pads should never be a substitute for proper potty training as it will lead your pet to think it is perfectly ok to pee or poop inside the house.
Your cat should be using their litter box, so your priority is to train your young kit to use this space properly. Generally, it is not a good idea to use puppy pads for training kittens or cats to go to the toilet. However, they can be a good back up if you have a poorly, elderly, or immobile cat.
If you do want to use training pads for your kitten, there are cat specific pee pads on the market.
