The Best Puppy Pads
If you've welcomed a new puppy into your home or are planning to soon, you've probably considered using pads to help potty train them. Although you'll eventually want to train your puppy to relieve themselves outside, puppy pads are an excellent tool to help avoid accidents and messes around the house as your dog grows. They're also convenient. Since puppies have small bladders, it's often easier for them to use a pad than go outside every time they need to pee.
What To Look For
The best puppy pads have the following qualities: they’re highly absorbent, they neutralize odors, and they dry quickly. The Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pads emerged as our top choice because they have a quick-drying surface, keeping dogs from tracking liquids after relieving themselves. However, check out Honey Care Dog and Puppy Training Pads if you need extra odor control. Their built-in attractant and odor neutralizer does an excellent job of keeping smells at bay. Keep reading for our in-depth reviews of the best puppy pads on the market.
Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pads
Always dry
Amazon Basics’ puppy pads have everything you need to keep your floor dry and your pup happy. These pads have five absorbent layers, plus a sponge-like core that turns liquid into a gel on contact. Since the liquid is locked away in the center, the surface stays dry, so you don’t have to worry about your dog tracking urine through your home. What’s more, the built-in attractant appeals to dogs, making them want to use the pad when they need to relieve themselves.
Pros:
- We love that these pads are thick enough to hold a substantial amount of liquid without leaking.
- Although they’re advertised as puppy pads, we found they worked well with senior dogs as well.
- There’s no need to spray an extra scent on the pads because dogs are naturally attracted to them.
Cons:
- They don’t have adhesive corners to keep them in place.
Honey Care Dog and Puppy Training Pads
Never a leak
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly puppy pad, you’ll be happy to know that these pads are affordable and effective. The pads feature a quick-drying surface and five absorbent layers to keep your floors clean and dry. These pads are so absorbent that they can hold up to three cups of liquid. Plus, their leak-proof padding ensures your dog’s urine stays where it’s supposed to be, deep within the core.
Pros:
- We especially like that these pads hold a lot of liquid, so there’s no need to double up when using them.
- They contain baking soda, which does a great job of masking odor.
Cons:
- You’ll use a lot of them while potty training your dog.
Glad Black Charcoal Puppy Pads
Keeping it clean
If you need to neutralize tough odors, look no further than these puppy pads. They use activated carbon technology to absorb odors and yellow spots, effectively controlling unpleasant scents. That’s not all, either: the polymer layer also absorbs urine, transforming it into a gel, leaving the outer layer dry. You can use them independently or as a liner in a puppy crate. Plus, you won’t have to worry about accidents because the pheromone attractant lets your puppy know it should relieve itself on the pad.
Pros:
- We were thrilled to read about how effectively these pads neutralized odors and eliminated yellow stains.
- These pads are so effective at absorbing liquid that they won’t leak even after multiple puppies have used them.
Cons:
- They’re so effective at masking odors and absorbing yellow spots that it’s hard to know whether the pads have been used.
Four Paws Pads for Dogs and Puppies
Nice and dry
Finding puppy pads that work well with larger pups can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. No need to worry, though; these pads are big enough to work with dogs of all sizes. They’re especially useful for multi-dog households. The pads have six leak-proof layers that lock in urine, keeping your floors dry. Plus, their quilted mesh dries quickly, protecting your floor from tracking. Not only that, but the built-in attractant keeps dogs coming back to the pads, helping train them and preventing accidents.
Pros:
- We love that the pads are thick and absorbent, minimizing accidents around the house.
- An unexpected benefit of the pads was that they not only worked great for potty training dogs but also for drying things inside and outside the house.
Cons:
- If your dog scratches after relieving itself, the pad might rip.
OUT! Pro-Grip Dog Pads
Free from leaks
If you’re tired of puppy pads slipping across the floor after your dog uses them, these pads are for you. Pro-grip technology secures these pads in place, helping to keep your home clean and accident-free. Plus, the pads trap liquid and odor, so you won’t have to worry about messy leaks or unpleasant scents. You can also use them on any surface. These pads work well for lining a dog crate or kennel or housebreaking your puppy.
Pros:
- We were impressed to learn that the pads don’t slip or bunch even when a dog scratches or plays with them.
- They have a pleasant smell and effectively absorb odors to keep surrounding areas smelling fresh.
Cons:
- They don’t hold as much liquid as some other brands on our list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you use puppy pads?
As frustrating as it may be, your puppy won’t be able to control its bladder until it’s at least 16 weeks old. That’s why using a potty pad is an excellent way to train your puppy and prevent accidents. The best way to train your puppy to use a pad is by taking it to the pad as often as every 15 minutes for very young puppies. You’ll know your puppy is ready to graduate from using puppy pads when it waits for you to put one down when one isn’t available. Other signs include your puppy sleeping through the night without going potty or your puppy waiting until you bring it inside to relieve itself. Once your puppy knows how to use a puppy pad and its bladder is strong enough, you can begin teaching it to relieve itself outdoors.
Are dog pee pads a good idea?
You won’t always be able to take your puppy outside to go potty, making puppy pads an excellent choice for busy dog owners who can’t be on call for potty duty all day. Since puppy pads absorb liquids, there’s minimal clean-up. All you have to do is throw them in the trash. Plus, the attractants in puppy pads encourage your dog to relieve itself on the pad and not in other parts of your home. However, be sure to start training your puppy to go outdoors as soon as possible. If you don’t, you could find your dog prefers relieving itself indoors instead of outside.
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