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Do you have a new puppy that is peeing everywhere? Or maybe your old dog is starting to leak. If pee is your problem, then a pee pad is probably the solution to stop coming home to a mess on your floor. Find out how to properly use a dog training pee pad and how to attract dogs to pee pads so your dog does their business where you want them to. Some of these solutions hold cups of liquid that can save you and your dog multiple trips outdoors.
| Best Overall | Best Non-Slip | Best Basic | Best Budget | Best Scented | Best Eco-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Bulldogology Carbon | Bulldogology | All-Absorb | Frisco | AKC Training | PETMAKER |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Chewy | |||
| Read Review | Read Review |
Why Does Your Dog Need A Pee Pad?
These pee pads work great for many situations:
- Housetraining young pups
- Assisting sick or aging dogs
- Using while traveling (e.g., protecting car seats)
- Offering an option for dogs who don’t have timely access to the outdoors
- Lining crates and carriers
- Drying wet paws after a walk in the rain or going out to potty on damp ground
Best Dog Pee Pads
With the help of dog trainers, a dedicated team of testers, their dogs, and over 500 owners of new puppies surveyed, we spent hundreds of hours testing and reviewing over 50 different pee pads. We tested each pee pad for its ability to absorb urine, dryness, odor masking, and leaks, among other things.
Here are a few things we were looking for in each dog pee pad:
- Leak-proof – you don’t want urine seeping onto your floors
- Tear-resistant – some dogs may be destructive, and you don’t want them destroying their pee pads
- Wetness indicator – to help you know when a pee pad has been used
- Quick-drying surface – to prevent wet, urine-soaked paw prints around your home
- Odor neutralizer – to keep your home from smelling like pet feces
- Large capacity (can hold 3 cups of urine) – to ensure it can handle frequent urinators
- Built-in attractant – to help attract the dog to the area and encourage them to go potty
These items are listed in our pros and cons below for each of the dog potty pad reviews.
Best Overall: Bulldogology Carbon Tech Puppy Training Pads Review
With 6 different layers, these quilted pee pads are so thick they feel luxurious. Let’s break it down:
- Layer 1: Odor neutralizer (carbon)
- Layer 2: Layer of tissue
- Layer 3: Bullsorbant Gel Polymer
- Layer 4: Fluff pulp
- Layer 5: Tissue Paper
- Layer 6: Waterproof liner to prevent leaks
These pee pads are urine-absorbing monsters. Sure, the tragically named “Bullsorbent” layer made us cringe. But you’ll forget all about that when you experience just how thirsty this pee pad is.
I was actually surprised by how much liquid the Bulldogology pee pads can hold. Cup after cup, the absorbent core showed no sign of filling.
Keep in mind that this pee pad is only 24 x 24 inches. Yet it was capable of absorbing as much urine as pee pads, nearly double its size.
Our simulated pee test saw a full cup of pee absorbed in 4 seconds. Best of all, it stays there. If your dog steps in his pee, you can be confident he won’t track it across the floor – even when the pee pad is almost full.
What we loved most about the Bulldogology puppy pee pads is their resistance to wrinkling. Whether absorbing a small amount of pee from a tiny Chihuahua or the seemingly endless flow of our Boxer, the absorptive layer refused to bunch up.
As for leaks and drips? None. You could carry this pee pad vertically just seconds after your dog has peed – it will remain locked inside.
Flip the Bulldogology pee pad over. You’ll discover that there are sticky tabs in each corner. Peel off the tabs on the underside of the pee pad, and you can secure it to any hard flooring, such as tiles, hardwood, or vinyl.
Now, the pee pad won’t slip when your dog catches on it — even if your dog catches his paw on the edge. The adhesive tabs will also keep the pee pad in place when the wind blows!
Are you worried about the sticky tabs leaving adhesive behind? I am happy there was no sticky residue left behind on wood, tile, or laminate flooring. We got mixed results on the carpet, with especially poor results on high-pile or fluffy rugs. I don’t recommend using the sticky tabs on carpet flooring.
Do you have a boy dog who raises his leg? We spoke to one owner who used the sticky tabs to attach half of this pee pad to the wall. This way, when his Pomeranian cocked his leg, he would hit the section on the wall. However, we advise caution if using the Bulldogology pee pad in this manner – you may find the adhesive takes the paint off your wall.
The Bulldogology pee pads use carbon to trap odors. The carbon was surprisingly effective at neutralizing the smell of dog pee. Even when we left a soaked pee pad out all day, the smell was considerably less noticeable than pee pads without carbon.
Even so, if odor protection is your primary concern, then check out our scented pee pad recommendation further down this review.
Not all of our reviewers were sold on the dark grey, almost black color. Some disliked that it clashed with the color scheme of their home. It’s not exactly a downside, but if matching decor is essential to you, then this may be a deal-breaker.
I personally didn’t mind the color. Any pee was considerably less visible than on a white-colored pee pad. I could sit in the living room with guests, and they would be oblivious that they were sitting just a few feet from a dog pee-soaked pad.
If the color really is a deal breaker for you, then check out the Bulldogology Puppy Training Pads (which are reviewed below – a traditional white pee pad. They performed almost identically but did not have the odor-reducing carbon layer.
Given that there is no difference in price, our top pick is the carbon version. However, if you are on a budget, then these amazing pee pads have a downside. Per pad, the Bulldogology pee pads are among the most expensive on the market. There are multiple sizes available including 30 x 30 inches, and 24 x 35 inches.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sticky tape to prevent sliding around | More expensive than others |
| 6 layers and a built-in attractant | Some owners do not like the darker color pad |
| Carbon for minimizing odors and hiding pee spots | |
| Liquid is quickly turned into gel to prevent leaks | |
| 110% money-back guarantee (money-back, plus 10%) |
Price & Tech Specs
- 100 Count: $48.99 ($0.49 / Count)
- Item dimensions: 24 x 24 inches for regular size (23 x 23 inches absorbent area)
Best Non-Slip: Bulldogology Premium Pee Pads With Adhesive Sticky Tape Review
View on Amazon | View on Walmart
What we love about Bulldogology’s premium puppy pee pads is their adhesive tape on the back to keep it from moving around when your dog walks on it. It’s optional, depending on where you use it (it might not be needed on carpet versus slippery hardwood floors). The quilted material is also a more premium feature that makes these pads stand apart from the pack (and worth the extra price tag if you’ve got a leaky little guy).
- Adhesive sticky tape
- Quilted layer
- “Bullsorbent” polymer tech
- More than 5g super absorbent polymer (SAP)
- 2 layers of quilted fluff pulp
- Waterproof film
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sticky tape to prevent sliding around (optional) | More expensive than others |
| Quick-drying surface and 6 layers | |
| Odor minimizing | |
| Waterproof film | |
| 110% money-back guarantee (money-back, plus 10%) |
Price & Tech Specs
- 100 Count: $45.99
- Item dimensions: 24 x 24 inches for regular size (23 x 23 inches absorbent area)
Best Basic: All-Absorb Training Pads Review
If you’re looking for a no-frills, good-value pee pad, these All-Absorb pads from Honey Care get the job done. These dog training pads have many great features, including a quick-drying surface, which prevents your dog from tracking urine throughout the house. It also has a super-absorbent core, which turns urine into a gel and can hold up to three cups of urine. Each All-Absorb dog training pad has five layers of material.
- Non-woven cloth to allow urine to flow through quickly
- Paper tissue with dog attractant and baking soda
- Super-absorbent polymer and fluff pulp to absorb the urine and turn it into a gel
- Paper tissue
- Waterproof Polyethylene (PE) film prevents leaking
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leak-proof | Some complaints that the pads leak |
| Quick-drying surface and 5 layers | |
| Odor neutralizer | |
| Can hold 3 cups of urine | |
| Built-in attractant | |
| Made in the U.S. |
Price & Tech Specs
- 100 Count: $18.54 ($0.19 / Count)
- Item dimensions: 23 x 22 x 0.1 inches
Best Budget: Frisco Dog Training & Potty Pads Review
Are you on a tight budget? Then you probably don’t want to pay top dollar for something that is going to get tossed in the trash. This is especially true if you are potty training more than one dog – the cost of all those pee pads quickly adds up.
To win this category, the pee pads had to be constantly available at an economical price. We ignored any pee pads that were on sale for a limited time only.
Interestingly, it was the major retailers who offered the cheapest pee pads. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Petco, and Chewy all battled it out to provide a high-quality pee pad at an affordable price.
When it came to value for money AND performance, nothing came close to the Frisco Training & Potty Pads – the instore brand of Chewy. By selecting the auto-ship option, you’ll get an additional 5% off your order. Check back regularly to take advantage of Chewy’s special offers.
But here’s where things really get impressive. Frisco has managed to make an inexpensive pee pad without sacrificing quality.
Firstly, the Frisco Training & Potty Pads hold 3.75 cups of urine. In the standard sized pee pad category, there were very few pee pads that could hold that much without leaking. Those that could were considerably more expensive.
These pee pads absorb fast. When we imitated a dog peeing, the Frisco Training & Potty Pads absorbed urine almost as quickly as it hit the pad.
The thick padded design is mostly to thank. The 5 layers work together to ensure pee is absorbed fast and trapped there:
- Layer 1: Absorbent cloth
- Layer 2: Layer of tissue
- Layer 3: Absorbent Gel Polymer
- Layer 4: Layer of tissue
- Layer 5: Leak-proof plastic liner
The quilted top made the Frisco Training & Potty Pads appear thicker than the other pee pads we tested. Most importantly, these pee pads passed our 24-hour test. You can leave them out for a full day, and unless your dog over-saturates them, they won’t leak or drip.
Even if your dog steps on the pad hours later, his paws won’t get wet. Like our other recommendations, the Frisco Training & Potty Pads excelled at preventing urine from being tracked through the home.
The only issue we noticed is that the pee pads wrinkled up as they became saturated. However, we were filling the pee pads to capacity and was hardly an issue in everyday use.
Perhaps best of all, the Frisco Training & Potty Pads are covered by Chewy’s generous return guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with the product for any reason, you can return it for a full refund. However, based on our testing, that’ probably won’t happen – we love these pee pads.
Frisco also offers larger sizes. These all performed exceptionally well, consistently placing in the top three for all our tests. However, these variations add to the overall cost. If you want the cheapest pee pad possible, there is no going past the standard Frisco Training & Potty Pads – They also offer a scented option if that’s your thing, same performance with a wildflower scent.
The Frisco Premium Potty Pads offer great performance at a budget price. Highly recommended.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Available in scented and unscented options | Pads can wrinkle when fully saturated |
| Budget price top performance | |
| Absorbs quickly | |
| 5 layers to prevent leaking | |
| Refund guarantee |
Price & Tech Specs
- 150 Count: Starting at $32.45
- Item dimensions: 22 x 23 inches
Best Scented: AKC Training Pads Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy | View on Walmart
Coming in at the top pick for best-scented dog pee pads are the AKC training pads. These pads are unique because they are available in different scents and print designs (fresh scent, lavender scent, lemon scent, and a newspaper print design). AKC dog training pads have a six-layer composition, but unlike our top two picks, AKC doesn’t tell us what those six layers are. We know that it has a quick-drying gel to help absorb urine and prevent tracking and leaking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leak-proof | Unsure how many cups of urine they can hold |
| Quick-drying surface and 6 layers | Complaints of them not being absorbent |
| Odor-eliminating | Complaints that the scent of the pads combined with the urine is unpleasant |
| Built-in attractant | |
| Available in different scents and prints |
Price & Tech Specs
- 100 Count: $24.71 ($0.25 / Count)
- Item dimensions: 22 x 22 inches
Best Eco-Friendly Pee Pads
Are you looking for an alternative to disposable pads or dog litter boxes? These potties are stylish and better for the environment than wasteful paper pads. They may also save you money in the long run since they are reusable. These are our top picks for the eco-friendly category.
Top Pick: PETMAKER Puppy Potty Trainer Review
View on Amazon | View on Walmart
Another indoor restroom option is the PETMAKER AstroTurf pad. This three-layer system consists of a top layer that is odor-resistant, a middle antimicrobial mat that looks like natural grass, a detachable plastic insert for drainage, and a bottom base tray to collect urine.
Once the tray is full, discard it and rinse it with soap and water. If you don’t mind getting a little dirty for the sake of Mother Nature, this might be an ideal solution for you.
Since no dog has peed on this grass the first time they use it, you may need to spray a product like Potty Here to encourage them to use this spot (this product could work on top of any of the “pads” we reviewed here).
Our Personal Experience With PETMAKER Puppy Potty Trainer
I have used this astroturf potty pad for many years. I really like it, though it can be a bit gross to clean. However, it saves money and reduces trash, and my dog loves it. She used to pee on the carpet, but the astroturf has been a game changer. As a Chihuahua, she tries to sneak away to pee, and this has really helped reduce those unpleasant surprises. It works much better than any disposable pads I have tried.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Pup Parent, Canine Journal Research & Writing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Satisfaction Guarantee | Cleaning can get messy |
| Most eco-friendly option (clean & reuse) | Grass can be replaced but is expensive |
| Non-toxic synthetic material | |
| It can be used indoors or outdoors | |
| Size optimized to fit inside standard crates | |
| Comes in two sizes |
Price & Tech Specs
- $29.95
- Item dimensions: 25 x 20 inches
Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty Review
Bring the outdoors in with a Fresh Patch. As seen on the ABC TV Show Shark Tank, the Fresh Patch claims to be the first in the business to ship real-life patches of grass to your doorstep. The hydroponically-grown grass naturally absorbs pee and odors while training dogs to keep their business strictly to the green stuff.
To set it up, remove the top, and Fresh Patch is ready to go in its shipping box. It’s also dirt-free, so your pup won’t drag mud around your home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent customer service | Only available in one size |
| Can combine multiple patches for larger dogs | Bulkier compared to other pads |
| For indoor or outdoor use | Not intended for indefinite use and more expensive to replace |
| Naturally attracts dogs to potty place | Some reports of dogs eating grass or cardboard |
| Easy to set up and break down when done | Ships from California and transit can take 2-5 days (depending on U.S. destination) |
Price & Tech Specs
- $34.95
- Item dimensions: 16 x 24 inches
JdPet Washable Dog Pee Pad Review
The JdPet washable pad looks and acts like a regular pee pad (versus grass). However, it is washable, so you can reuse it repeatedly. It has four layers of potty protection: a fabric-like quilted polyester top layer for comfort, an absorbent dense inner layer with odor control, a breathable waterproof inner layer, and a slip-free bottom grip to prevent the pad from sliding on the floor. These come in a two-pack, so you’ll always have a backup pad to use if one is dirty.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blue color may blend in with floors | More significant in size than others and not ideal for smaller spaces (but you could fold it) |
| Comes in a variety of size options | Might require more training to get pups to use |
| Protects floors and is stain-resistant | |
| Economical and easy to clean |
Price & Tech Specs
- Check Amazon for availability
- Item dimensions: Multiple options
What About Amazon Basics, Arm & Hammer, And Gardner?
Below is an alphabetical listing of other pee pads we’ve reviewed.
AmazonBasics Pet Training Pads Review
This option from AmazonBasics has a super-absorbent core that turns liquid into gel, a leak-proof plastic liner, and a quick-drying surface. The AmazonBasics dog training pads are made of five layers.
- The anti-streaming layer quickly dries the quilted surface and locks in wetness, reduces odor, and prevents tracking
- Surge layer helps absorb the liquid
- The sponge-like core absorbs and turns liquid into gel to help minimize odor
- The locking layer holds liquid in
- Protective plastic lining keeps floors safe from damage
Our Personal Experience With AmazonBasics Pet Training Pads
I have used these pet training pads for a few different pets. They worked well for potty training my Poogle puppy, Falkor. They were used to line the bottom of his crate, as well as laid out to catch any accidents. He is a small dog, about 25 pounds, and these were perfect for absorbing the amount of urine he has. I found these to be easy to use, very affordable, and free of any fake chemical odors.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Pup Parent, Canine Journal Research & Writing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leak-proof | Unsure how many cups of urine they can hold |
| Quick-drying surface and 5 layers | Some complaints of dog tracking urine throughout the house |
| Odor minimizing | |
| Built-in attractant |
Price & Tech Specs
- 100 Count: $20.99
- Item dimensions: 22 x 22 inches
Arm & Hammer Pet Training And Puppy Pads Review
View on Amazon | View on Walmart
Each Arm & Hammer training pad has Arm & Hammer baking soda to help eliminate odor. The top sheet is tear-resistant and can withstand digging, scratching, and chewing. These training pads use Thinsorb technology, which soaks the liquid quickly and locks in odors. This prevents your dog from tracking urine off the pad. These Arm & Hammer dog pads are made with three layers.
- A tear-resistant top keeps your dog from destroying the pad
- Thinsorb core draws in urine and locks in wetness and odor
- The leak-resistant liner keeps moisture in and protects your floor
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leak-resistant | Unsure how many cups of urine they can hold |
| Tear-resistant | We read reviews comparing them against our #1 pick, and they said these pads were worse |
| Eliminates odor | Complaints of them leaking |
| Built-in attractant | |
| Made in the U.S. |
Price & Tech Specs
Gardner Pet Super-Absorbent Dog Pee Pads Review
The Gardner Pet Super-Absorbent dog pee pads have some really cool features that others do not. This includes a special tear-resistant material and a wetness indicator to let you know when your dog has “used the facilities.” These training pads convert liquid into gel so your dog doesn’t walk away with wet paws. They are fast-drying and are available in standard, odor-control, and super-absorbent versions. Overall, these have good reviews. However, other pee pads are more popular.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Leak-resistant | Customers complain that they cannot actually hold 3 cups of urine |
| Tear-resistant | Customers with larger dogs say these aren’t ideal |
| Wetness indicator | |
| Quick-drying surface | |
| Odor-eliminating | |
| Can hold 3 cups of urine | |
| Money-back satisfaction guarantee |
Price & Tech Specs
- 100 count: $36.99 ($0.37 / Count)
- Item dimensions: 24 x 24 inches
How To Properly Use A Dog Pee Pad
Below are some tips on how to use a puppy pee pad for potty training purposes.
- Place your dog on the pee pad several times throughout the day.
- If your pet begins to go potty, say, “Go potty” (or some other cue) to help them relate the command with the action.
- If your pet goes potty somewhere other than the pad, bring them back to the pee pad immediately. (Find the exact spot with a UV flashlight.)
- When your dog uses the pee pad, reward them by giving lots of attention or offering a treat. This will help them know they’re doing something right.
- Once a pee pad is soiled, you should dispose of and replace it.
- After your dog consistently relieves itself on the pee pad, begin moving it closer to the door. This helps them associate going to the door when they need to go potty.
- Repeat step 6 until you can move the pee pad outside. Once the dog goes potty outside consistently, you have successfully potty trained them.
Pee Pad Infographic
How We Tested Dog Pee Pads
At Canine Journal, we don’t recommend any product we wouldn’t happily use on our own precious pups. That’s why we vigorously test, compare, and review each pee pad you see featured in this guide.
But before we could begin testing, we had to decide which pee pads to review. So we set about interviewing dog owners, trainers, daycare centers, and pet shop employees who all had experience with pee pads to narrow down the selection.
During our research, it surprised us to learn that there are hundreds of different brands of pee pads. Once we eliminated the generic rebrands, variations of the same product, those that were not commonly available, etc. things began to look a lot more manageable.
Even so, this left us with over 50 different pee pads to review. We did think about cutting this number down again.
However, after individually considering these pee pads, and discussing with the team, we decided to attempt our biggest review yet. It took the effort of dozens of people and hundreds of hours testing, but we feel this decision was worth it.
To start, we purchased each pee pad. Just like you, we pay the full retail price. We soon learned that pee pads are surprisingly expensive for what they are, especially the “premium” brand names. This quickly became our most costly review to date.
Below are the tests we used to separate the winners from the losers.
Note: Each test was repeated with 10 pee pads pulled from various positions in each box.
1. Capacity
When choosing the ideal pee pad for your pup, you want to be sure that it will contain every last drop of urine. Larger dogs need a pee pad that holds as much urine as possible. Puppies and small dogs, like Chihuahuas, don’t produce nearly as much pee as a larger dog.
Now, it is unlikely that you will allow a pee pad to fill to capacity before replacing it. Even so, it’s better to buy a pee pad with a higher capacity than you need. For example, if you forget to replace a pee pad, then that extra capacity could be the difference between a dry and wet floor.
Unfortunately, nearly every pee pad brand we reviewed exaggerated just how much their pee pad could hold – in most cases, reaching the advertised capacity of a pee pad caused it to leak or rendered it unable to prevent tracking.
So, we tested each pee pad’s actual usable capacity by adding water bit by bit, until it reached its maximum capacity, without impacting performance or leaking.
2. Absorption Test
A high capacity is meaningless if it takes forever for dog urine to be absorbed into the core of the pee pad. The longer it takes for pee to absorb, the more likely it is that you’ll end up with pee on your floor. Your puppy could excitedly run through his fresh pee or accidentally flick the pee pad, sending pee splatters across the room.
To test, we added a cup of water to each pee pad and timed how it took for the pee soak it up, without leaving any water pooling on the surface.
3. Spread Test
When choosing the ideal pee pad, you must consider how far dog urine spreads across the pee pad. The spread is how far the wet patch spreads as dog urine is absorbed into the pee pad.
To an extent, this will determine how often you need to swap out the pee pad. A pee pad with a small spread will have a more absorbent surface area for the next time your dog pees. On the flip side, a pee pad with a large spread may only be suitable for a single peeing session.
For this test, a cup of water was poured on each pee pad. We then measured how far the wetness had spread after letting it sit for 10 minutes.
3. Leak Test
Any pee pad that leaks is going to make a mess. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to clean pee off my floors after a long day at work. Throughout each of these tests, we monitored each pee pad closely for leaks.
In addition to this, we saturated each pee pad to its maximum usable capacity and left them to sit for 24 hours. We added blue food coloring to the water, so any leaks were easy to spot.
4. Drip Test
Pee pads can also leak when you are carrying them to the trash can. In fact, this is probably when you least want a pee pad to leak. Any drips here will leave a trail of dog urine throughout your entire home. To prevent drips, the plastic liner should be able to maintain its integrity when folded over or carried vertically.
To test for this, we once again saturated each pee pad to its maximum usable capacity. The pee pads were then placed vertically for 1 hour. We soon realized that this test was the undoing of many pee pads. However, most pee pads finally began to drip in the second part of an hour.
In terms of real-world use, we consider that a perfectly acceptable result. After all, it’s unlikely you will take longer than a few minutes to walk to the trash with a pee pad full of urine. However, we did find many pee pads were able to last the full hour. These pee pads in general beat out the competition on all other tests – so passing the drip test may indicate a higher quality pee pad.
5. Tracking Test
A good dog pee pad needs to lock in moisture within its absorbent layers. If your dog steps on a urine-soaked pad, he can track urine across your entire house – dog pee footsteps on the carpet? No thanks!
Trust me when I say that tracking is something you want to avoid. Your entire home will smell like dog pee. It’s almost impossible to get rid of it without deep cleaning every inch of flooring.
To test for tracking, we let a pee pad sit for an hour with a cup of water. I then pressed my pup’s paw against a paper towel to see if it left a mark. The test was repeated after the pee pad was left to sit for a day. Interestingly, many pee pads that passed the 1-hour test failed when left to sit out all day – It appears that the ability for some pee pads to trap urine decreases as time goes on.
6. Condensation Test
During our leak test, we noticed something interesting. Some dog pee pads had wet patches underneath them. Just a leak, right? Well, no. We used blue food dye to make sure any leaks were easy to find. However, these wet patches were clear. They couldn’t have come from the pad.
The mystery was solved when one of our team members suggested it was condensation.
After retesting these pee pads on various flooring types, including carpet, tiles, and wood, we found it to be true – water would condense underneath these pee pads.
This condensation can easily be confused with leaking. And while I would much prefer water on my floor than dog urine, it’s still a mess that needs to be cleaned up.
So, we also tested each pee pad for condensation. Any dog pee pad that showed signs of condensation failed.
7. Odor Elimination Test
There are times when I hate this job. And this test is of one them. If you had asked my younger self what career I would be doing when I grew up, I never would have guessed it would involve sniffing dog pee.
But that’s exactly what I did. Luckily I got to share this awful job with another 20 reviewers. The goal was to rank just how well pee pads with scents and odor neutralizers were at masking the smell of dog urine.
We sniffed after a fresh pee, an hour later, and again after 8 hours had passed. The aim here was to see if a pee pad lost its odor-neutralizing abilities as time passed.
We also took note of our reviewer’s experience after leaving urine-soaked pee pads out over a full day. Rating was simple. The more noticeable the odor, the worse the pee pad scored.
8. The Breeze Test
There is nothing more frustrating than a gust of wind picking up your dog’s pee pad and blowing it across the room. Actually, there is. That same pee pad landing urine-side down on your floor.
In this test we simulated a light breeze by placing each pad by laying it flat on the ground and blowing air at it with a handheld fan. Pee pads that folded over or lifted off the ground failed. Spoiler: Only pee pads that had sticky tabs passed this test.
9. One Last Test
By now, we had several pee pads leading the competition. Just one problem – we had reviewed them in isolated conditions. It was now time for them to face the ultimate test…
Pee pads are often called puppy training pee pads for a good reason. They are most commonly used for housebreaking a new puppy. To this end, our review wouldn’t be complete without testing each pee pad on that was in the process of being potty trained.
So, we rounded up 20 dog owners at various stages of potty training their dogs. Their goal was to see how our findings held up in real-world use. Each owner was given a selection of our top picks. If any irregularities were discovered, we were to go back and retest that pad. I am happy to report that real-world feedback closely mirrored our test results.
4 Testing Observations
While testing each pee pad for the above qualities, we made some observations to help you have a positive experience when using pee pads.
1. Is There Such A Thing As A Leak-Proof Pee Pad?
While researching which pee pads to buy, you may have noticed that every single one has reviews complaining that it leaks. I’ll admit, this was a curiosity to me. If every single pee pad was capable of leaking, then why are they such a popular potty training product?
I wanted to use this review as an opportunity to answer the question once and for all:
Is there such a thing as a leak-proof pee pad?
Let’s ignore the pee pads that leaked due to either poor construction or second-rate materials. It doesn’t matter what you do here, buying an inferior pee pad will almost certainly lead to leaks.
Instead, I want to focus on the best pee pads we reviewed. These pee pads must surely be leak-proof, right? I mean, how could we possibly recommend them otherwise?
Well, based on our testing, they generally are, but they require you to use them correctly. And that’s where the problems start. When we surveyed, interviewed, and observed ordinary dog owners testing our top picks, we noticed a trend.
Many people were either misusing pee pads or had unrealistic expectations.
One dog owner complained that our top pick kept leaking. When we pressed her further, we learned that she was using a single pee-pad for her elderly Rottweiler and only replacing it once a day – The amount of pee far exceeded it’s absorbing capacity.
For another user, we observed her dog peeing on the side of the pee pad. Half went on the floor, half went on the pad. The owner returned and came to the conclusion that the pad must have leaked. The problem was actually an inaccurate dog.
Perhaps in the funniest instance, we observed a user placing the pee pad upside down. When the dog went to the toilet, it did so on the waterproof underside, and pee streamed onto the floor. Once again, the owner complained that the pee pad leaked.
In an other case, a dog owner expected the sticky tabs that held the pee pads on the ground to stop her dog from chewing on them. Her dog is a 150 pound Saint Bernard. No chance. She watched her dog effortlessly pluck the pee pad from the ground and chew on it – yet she blamed the pee pad for not working correctly.
Let’s face it, pee pads are perhaps one of the least complicated dog products around. This is why it surprised us that so many dog owners were using them incorrectly.
We suspect part of the problem is that many users are new to the dog world. They have a new puppy and don’t understand how products such as pee-pads are supposed to be used.
Now, don’t get me wrong, manufacturing defects do occur. Some reviews are likely valid in their critique of the pee pads leaking, even the pee pads we recommended above. However, based on our experience, pee pads can be effectively leak-proof when used correctly – but you need to be realistic with your expectations.
2. Watch Those Edges
Pee pad sizing is a little sneaky. When a brand states the size of its pad, this includes the non-absorbent plastic area that runs around the edge of the pad.
You see, pee pads are designed so that the plastic liner that makes up the bottom layer of the pee pad folds up and over the edges. While this has the advantage of preventing leaking at the edges of the pee pad, it does reduce the absorption area for the top layer of the pad.
Allow me to explain. The AmazonBasics training pads measure 22 x 22 inches. However, there is a 1-inch liner running around the edge of the pad, so the actual absorption area measures 21 x 21 inches. This means that almost 17% of the pad won’t absorb your pup’s pee. If your dog pees on the edge, the pee will sit there or, worse, flow onto your floor.
It is for this reason that we recommend buying a larger pee pad than you think you need. Generally, the non-absorbing area takes up an inch inwards around the perimeter of the pad.
3. Ignore The Marketing
Pee pads are not exactly a complicated product. I mean, it’s a square-shaped pad that absorbs pee. I imagine that’s why the marketing departments tasked with selling pee pads make bold claims that didn’t match our testing.
More layers mean better performance.
This was demonstrably false. Bulldogology Puppy Training Pads and Four Paws Wee-Wee pads both boasted 6 layers. However, one performed considerably better than the other. The quality and material matter more than the number of layers.
Words like 2x, 3x, and 4x mean nothing.
This was perhaps the most meaningless marketing phrase we saw repeated across brands. A dog pee pad that boasted it absorbed 4x as much urine held considerably less than our top picks. Similarly, another brand that used the phrase 2x odor destroyer was the least effective scented dog pad at masking the smell of urine.
Holds up to X cups of urine
Replace X with the number printed on your box. The keyword is up to. Most brands we reviewed failed to reach half the advertised capacity offered without leaking. Even our top picks fell short in absorption compared to their advertised capacity.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t buy a brand based on its claims. Every single brand is trying to tell you that their product is the best to open up your wallet. I’ll admit, this does make it challenging to choose which pee pad to buy. But that’s the purpose of this guide – we did the hard work for you.
4. What About Dog Pee Pads With Attractant?
The exact attractant used will vary from brand to brand. Some use a grass scent, while others use pheromones to entice your puppy. It is my opinion that attractant in pee pads is somewhat of a gimmick. At least, that’s what our review shows.
To test this, we placed each pee pad with attractant alongside three other pee pads that did not contain attractant and see where our dogs would do their business. We repeated this 10 times with each brand.
It was a coin flip as to whether or not a dog would go on the pee pad, which contained an attractant. We even potty trained a puppy exclusively on a particular pee pad brand with attractant. When we repeated this test on him, he used the pee pads without attractant more than 50% of the time – that’s a fail. Interestingly, we were able to achieve the same results from scented pee pads that didn’t contain attractant.
Then there’s the Spot X pee pads and Bullseye Pee pads. In the center of these pads is a marker at is infused with a pheromone attractant. Both of these pee pads claim to help a dog pee in the center of the pee pad every single time. In practice, it didn’t work. Our testers were just as likely to go potty on the edges of the pad as they were in the center.
This is a curiosity to me. After reviewing spray-on attractants with an incredibly high success rate, I expected the same from the pee pads infused with an attractant.
In our best potty training spray review, the top-performing attractant had a 90% success rate. We did not observe the same success when reviewing pee pads with an attractant. If you want to use an attractant to help housebreaking your puppy, buy the liquid bottles instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions from our readers. If I missed yours or you have an experience to share, let us know in the comments.
What To Put Under Pee Pads
We recommend having them on a hard surface like hardwood that is easy to clean if the pee pads leak. You could also put the pee pad on a small, inexpensive rug that you can wash if need be (which might also help prevent the pads from sliding around).
How Often Do You Change Pee Pads?
It depends on the size of your dog and how frequently they pee. At a minimum, we recommend changing the pee pads once per day.
How To Keep Puppy Pads In Place
Wondering how you secure a dog’s pee pad? An effective way to keep the pads in place is to put them on the carpet or a rug, although you might want to double up in case there is a leak. You can also try putting it on top of a pee pad holder to prevent it from sliding around.
How To Stop Puppy From Chewing Pee Pad
Puppies are prone to chewing almost everything (including their pee pad). To prevent chewing, ensure the pee pad is secured to the floor using duct tape, masking tape, or even a puppy pad holder. If they still try to chew it, try to divert their attention to chewing on something more desirable, like a toy or treat.
What Attracts Dogs To Pee On Pads?
Dogs are attracted to urinate in areas that smell like their own waste. Pee pads are often infused with scents that attract dogs to use them. You might try luring them to the pee pad by pointing at it while saying “potty” so they understand what it’s for.
How Do I Stop My Pee Pad From Smelling?
Replace the pad frequently to minimize odor buildup. Depending on your dog’s usage, you may need to change it multiple times a day. You can also sprinkle baking soda or use odor-neutralizers specifically designed for pets. Use pet-friendly cleaning products on the floor underneath the pad and around the area regularly to prevent the spread of odors around the house.
Potty Pad Training Tips & Video
Do you still need help with pee pad training a puppy? Here are a few tips and tricks in a short video from our friends at Rover (our best pick for dog-sitting website).
Learn More About Accessories For Your Dog’s Potty Needs
We also encourage you to read our dog toilet 101 article, which includes a dog grass pad for going potty, a puppy pad holder that automatically changes itself, and other potty tips for pups. Finally, here are a few more tips for housetraining your dog. It may also be helpful to look at this guide on how long dogs can hold their pee, to help understand your dogs potty habits and needs.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Kimberly has written about various dog-related topics, such as pet insurance, health conditions, treats, training, and more. She hunted down the best pee pads with the best performance and the lowest price. She consulted with other Canine Journal members to glean their personal experiences using pee pads for their dogs. Kimberly spent over 10 hours researching and writing this article.
