The Best Puppy Pads
Puppy pads are a godsend for any canine caregiver in the process of housebreaking a puppy. Puppy pads can also be great to have on hand during inclement weather so that Buster doesn't pee on the couch after being snowed in all day. And finally, they're quite useful for dogs who are not able to make it outside, whether it's due to incontinence, injury, or old age. Whatever the reason, we know you're looking for inexpensive pads that are effective at absorbing liquid and minimizing the potential mess. We've done the research, so without further ado, here you'll find a few of our favorite puppy pads.
Amazon Basics Heavy-Duty Potty Pads
When nature calls
Look, while your puppy is still, well, just that – a puppy – chances are she’s going to make a mess sometimes. Housebreaking isn’t an overnight process, so while you’re teaching Lady the ins and outs of proper potty etiquette, it may be wise of you to go with a product like these Amazon Basics training pads. Because her bladder is small and her habits are not yet disciplined, the occasional indoor accident is nearly unavoidable; however, if you can teach her that the pads are an acceptable spot in the house where she can go, it’ll save you a lot of time and trouble. These pads are absorbent, inexpensive, and perfectly sized for larger puppies, though other sizes are available, too. They’re effective enough to stop urine from seeping through and damaging your floor or carpet. Of course, they have their limits, so if your floor is carpeted, it’s a good idea to double-up or simply put these in a non-carpeted room.
Pros:
- Great value for the price
- Large enough for even the biggest puppies
- Available in other sizes as well
Cons:
- Not the most absorbent pads out there
Glad for Pets Charcoal Puppy Pads
Bearer of glad tidings
If you aren’t already hip to activated charcoal’s many uses, this one’s going to be a pleasant surprise. Aside from being used for fuel, pencils, and all that other boring stuff, charcoal has a whole other range of use cases when it’s utilized in its activated form. Useful for situations ranging from certain types of poisonings to simple tummy aches and hangovers, activated charcoal also happens to do an excellent job of neutralizing odors. Makes sense then that a company would think to use it in a puppy pad, right? These pads from Glad are among the best activated-charcoal pads out there. Aside from keeping leaks contained, they do a fine job of
Pros:
- Five-layer construction helps keep leaks contained
- Built-in pheromone attractant so your dog is drawn to the pad
- Do an excellent job at neutralizing odor
Cons:
- Not ideal for very large puppies
American Kennel Club XL Pads
Big is beautiful
It’s not just tiny, precious puppies that use potty pads. They’re also useful for sick dogs, incontinent dogs, senior dogs — the list goes on. These dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but often, pads are designed with small canines in mind, so these other subsets are ignored. But fear not — American Kennel Club’s pads are specifically designed for medium- to large-sized pooches who need pads with a larger surface area. While they aren’t the only XL pads on the market, these are a favorite in the community for their overall clout. Utilizing a 6-layer construction in conjunction with quick-drying gel, they’re capable of absorbing a lot of liquid. Aside from boasting antibacterial and odor-eliminating properties, the pads are also scented. You can choose from a wide array of aromas, including eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, and “newspaper print fresh.” No, that’s not a typo; a bit bizarre, but real nonetheless.
Pros:
- Bulk options available
- Built-in attractant
- Great value for the cost
Cons:
- Not the best at minimizing odor
- Not a good option for reuse
ASPCA Dog Training Pads
No messing around
If you’re focused on finding a pad that doesn’t just absorb urine reliably, but also smells fresh while doing it, here’s your product. Sure, these pads boast a six-layer construction with technology that turns urine into gel almost instantly, but aside from that, they just smell good. Offered in three scents — Fresh, Citrus, and Mountain — these ensure your home smells good even with reckless pooches bounding around. Whether you’re dealing with a senior dog or a puppy, the built-in attractant chemical is effective at signaling to your dog that here is a good place to pee. And thanks to that effective six-layer design, urine stays contained on the pad. It’s like they say: what happens on the puppy pad, stays on the puppy pad.
Pros:
- Made by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
- Competitively priced
- Three fresh scents to pick from
Cons:
- May not stay securely in one place
SincoPet Reusable Pee Pad
Less waste, waste less
As consumers begin to turn away from needlessly wasteful products, companies start feeling the pressure to develop good reusable alternatives. Aside from cutting down on waste and ultimately lessening the burden on the environment, these products can often save you money, too. While disposable products are often cheaper in the short-term, they’re a recurring cost, whereas reusable products are usually a one-and-done kind of a deal. This is true when it comes to SincoPet’s reusable pee pads. One of its standout features is its anti-slip silica gel grip on its underside. This grip helps the pad stick to the floor and stay put, so it won’t move when your pup walks over it. The non-slip grip really is effective. The last thing you want when you set down a doggy pad is for it to slide over to the couch or onto a rug without you realizing it.
Pros:
- Offered in two-pack bundles, too, so you can have another to use while one’s in the wash
- Many sizes available to suit all dogs
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- May shrink a bit in the wash
- Collected urine can easily spill when you lift the pad
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using puppy pads?
The main benefit for puppy-pad users is convenience. Whereas for some this just means having a place for Chip to pee during stormy weather, for others, a puppy pad can meet pressing needs. Some dogs are ill, injured, or simply too old to make it outside on a regular basis. For these dogs (as well as their caregivers), puppy pads are a godsend. They’re also useful for housebreaking for two main reasons. The first and obvious one is that puppy pads offer your young, yet-to-be-housebroken pup a place to pee without making a mess of the place. The other reason is that they can actually serve as a housebreaking tool. (See more about this below.)
On the not-so-positive side, it can be easy to over-rely on the pads. This can be detrimental if you’re trying to housebreak your puppy. If he thinks it’s okay to pee on the pads, the concept of only going to the bathroom outside becomes muddled, and it may become difficult to reinforce the idea. Aside from this, it means your dog won’t be getting as much exercise and fresh air as he would if he had to go outside to do his business. Finally, for whatever reason, some dogs find these pads quite appetizing. Nobody wants their dog to eat a puppy pad — especially not one that’s already been used.
How do I use puppy pads to help housebreak my dog?
We’ll simplify the process here for the sake of brevity, so if you’re planning on doing this, we encourage you to do more research. With that said, it goes like this: first, you set up a pad somewhere safe. Ideally, this is in a non-carpeted, confined area. When your dog has an accident in the house, take her to the pad immediately. Repeat this process until you find her going on the pad. Here you’ll want to reinforce the behavior with verbal cues. Once she repeats the behavior, you’ll want to continue the reinforcement with a treat and verbal praise.
Once this practice becomes more consistent, you’ll start moving the pad progressively closer to the door that leads outside. Finally, bring the pad outside and leave it there for a few days. Once she gets used to this, you can stop using the pads completely, and begin reinforcing outdoor potty-going with treats and praise until the behavior becomes a habit.
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