The Best Pee Pads
Pee pads can be a serious boon to anyone living with a dog who occasionally has accidents in the home. Perhaps you live in an apartment building with limited outdoor access. Maybe your elderly dog is dealing with incontinence, or you're taking in a puppy who hasn't been potty-trained. Whatever the case might be, with the help of a pee pad, you can help contain those accidents. Simply put a pad down and train your pup to use them, and you'll have a quick, convenient way to keep your floors safe without having to shuffle outside every five minutes. Check out this list of the best pee pads to find the best option for you and your furry friend.
SincoPet Reusable Pee Pad
Heavy-duty construction
These washable pads from SincoPet are everything you could want from a reusable pee pad and more. The anti-slip silica gel bottom keeps it from moving and shifting under your puppy as they play or go potty. Meanwhile, the inner layers of PUL and high-density fabric are highly absorbent and do an excellent job of protecting your floors from any accidents your dog may have. You can get them in a range of sizes, too, which means there’s an option for you no matter your dog’s breed.
Pros:
- These pads can go right in your washing machine and come out smelling fresh and clean every time.
- Each pad can absorb 20 to 30 times its weight in fluid. The best part is that even with all that weight, the pads are leak-proof.
- The soft outer layer won’t irritate your pup, even if they lay on it.
Cons:
- They’re a bit pricey, but we think they’re well worth the investment.
Hartz Home Protection Pee Pads
Affordable convenience
If you’re looking for a simple, absorbent pad that fits within your budget, these are for you. Hartz created these pads to instantly absorb liquid with odor-absorbing gel. That, along with their lovely scent, makes them an excellent choice for keeping your floors dry when you can’t keep an eye on your fluffy friend. When you’re done with them, all you need to do is roll them up and throw them out. No washing or drying is necessary, making them convenient for busy pet owners.
Pros:
- They’re great at keeping smells at bay while preventing leaks, and they’re especially helpful for small and elderly dogs who tend to have accidents inside.
- We love that they’re available in two different scents, and having those options can help keep everything smelling fresh and clean.
- Although they’re scented, they aren’t overwhelming, so you won’t need to worry about them being off-putting to guests.
Cons:
- These pads are a bit small, but their leak protection helps them stand up to their competitors.
Medline Heavy Absorbency Pee Pads
Powerfully versatile
These pads from Medline do precisely what we need them to: absorb and hold in liquid and odors. In fact, they do it exceptionally well. The thick fluff and polymer core absorbs and contains all your dog’s urine within seconds. A soft, diamond-weave top sheet keeps your dog’s feet clean and dry while preventing their nails from catching, which is especially helpful for elderly dogs and young puppies who tend to get their poor little feet stuck in looser weaves.
Pros:
- These pads are huge and cover a ton of floor space. As a bonus, the size makes them easier to unfold.
- You can use them as puppy pee pads, dog or human bed liners, cage liners for small animals, and more. If you need absorbency, they’ll work for you.
- Each large box has several small packs inside. That make it very easy for traveling.
Cons:
- The price seems a little high, but we find them well worth it between the absorbency and size.
Glad Activated Carbon Training Pads
Odors are the bane of a pet owner’s existence. One of the worst things we deal with is walking into our home at the end of a long day only to be hit with the strong smell of dog pee. That’s why we turned to Glad’s activated carbon pads. The carbon inside stops smells in their tracks, while the polymer layers absorb and hold in lots of fluid. It all comes together to provide strong, leak-free protection that can stop smells before they start.
Pros:
- There’s an attractant built into these pads to help your dog learn where to go when they need to go potty, making them the ideal choice for new puppy owners.
- The darker color helps them look better in your home, and they blend in with most decor.
Cons:
- It takes a few minutes for any liquid to be absorbed, so you shouldn’t lift them immediately. However, once the liquid is completely absorbed, it isn’t going anywhere.
Careoutfit Washable Puppy Pads
When you want to save money and skip the waste of disposable pads, these reusable ones from Careoutfit could be right for you. The thick inner layers are highly absorbent, so you can set them up before heading off to work or bed without worrying about leaking or mess. Vinyl backing adds to the leak protection and helps them stay in place. And the best part? As they’re soiled, all you need to do is throw them in the wash with your usual detergent or pet cleaner, and you’re all set to use them again.
Pros:
- This set makes it much easier to avoid unnecessary waste without sacrificing the cleanliness of your home.
- The thickness of the material can help you prop the edge up against something, like a wall or chair leg. That’s especially helpful for owners of male dogs who try to spray everything.
- You only need to get a set or two and you’re done. No more running out of pads last minute or searching for deals on disposables.
Cons:
- They aren’t as convenient to use as disposables, but the cost savings and benefits to the earth make us feel like the extra work of washing is well worth it.
Our Tips and Tricks
Pee pads are an excellent choice for various situations, including puppy training, apartment living, and busy homes. However, there’s one drawback: you have to teach your pooch to use them before they can be helpful. But don’t worry — getting started is easier than you’d think. First, you’ll need lots of delicious treats. There are small ones made specifically for training available. And remember, you shouldn’t give your dog the treat until they’re on the pad. From there, it’s just a matter of putting them on it often and giving them a tasty snack every time they go potty. Over time, they’ll come to realize that using the pad, and only the pad, brings them lots of praise and yummy surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use washable or disposable pee pads?
Washable pads are eco-friendly and offer great value. You’ll never need to worry about running out or finding more if you get a few sets. Meanwhile, disposable options provide more convenience, and you can just set them up and throw them out once they’re soiled. They also make travel more manageable because you don’t need to store them dirty or find a place to wash them.
How do I decide if pee pads are right for my dog?
Although pee pads are highly convenient and helpful, they aren’t always the best choice. So, how do you decide? First, let’s answer a couple of questions. Are you home nearly all day, every day? Do you have a private yard? Can you take long walks several times a day? If you answered no to any of those questions, pads could be a good option. If you said yes, you might want to consider training your pup outdoors. Either way, pee pads are always great to have on hand in case of an emergency.
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