Can dogs use litter boxes? Yes, they sure can. Many dogs can be trained to use a litter box. Litter boxes are ideal for puppy potty training and smaller dogs because of their size and the amount of urine they produce. If you have an indoor potty need for a larger dog, there are quite a few options to pick from.
For adult potty-trained canines, indoor dog bathrooms aren’t meant to replace doing their business outdoors fully. However, some situations call for the occasional indoor alternative. See my reviews of the best dog litter boxes and other solutions, how to train your pup to use them, and when it makes sense to let your dog eliminate inside.
Traditional Puppy & Small Dog Litter Box | Artificial Grass Litter Box | Self-Cleaning Litter Box |
---|---|---|
PuppyGoHere | LOOBANI | BrilliantPad |
View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Best Dog Litter Boxes & Indoor Potty Options
I looked at over 50 of the top products available to find the best indoor potty options for dogs. I based my recommendations and reviews on each product’s quality, performance, ease of use, pricing, customer feedback, and other factors. You may also want to check out our reviews of the best dog toilets for some additional options, as well as our picks for the best potty pads and doggy diapers.
Best Puppy Litter Box: PuppyGoHere Review
This traditional litter box (made for dogs rather than cats) is a popular choice for owners of puppies and small dogs. It’s a bit more affordable compared to many other indoor dog potty options on the market. And it has an open top and low entrance design to make it easy and comfortable for your pup to circle around and then take care of her business.
You can use it with litter, potty pads, newspaper, etc., and it comes in six colors and three sizes. Many dog owners say it’s durable, doesn’t leak, is easy to clean, and works well for their little buddies. Here are the sizes and recommendations from the manufacturer (all have a 3″ high entrance area). However, based on the reviews I’ve seen, the XL size likely won’t work for dogs over 25-30 pounds.
- Small: 20″ x 15″ x 5″ – Ideal for puppies/dogs up to 6 lbs
- Large: 24″ x 20″ x 5″ – Ideal for dogs up to 20 lb dogs
- X-Large: 28″ x 22″ x 9″ – Ideal for dogs up to 35 lbs
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Works well for liquid and solid waste | Not a good option for most medium-sized dogs and large pups |
Can be used with litter and potty pads | Can be messy if used with litter – dogs tend to dig around in it before eliminating |
Users say it doesn’t leak | |
Easy to clean |
Price
- Starting at: $31.95
Best Large Litter Box For Dogs: Shirley K’s Indoor Dog Potty Tray Review
This traditional litter box is the largest one I could find on the market, and fortunately, it gets fantastic customer reviews overall. The design is similar to the PuppyGoHere litter box, with a low front entrance and fairly tall raised sides to help contain urine spray and litter.
This box comes in one size, measuring 30″ x 30″ x 9″ (with a 3.5″ high front opening), and is recommended for dogs up to 70 pounds. Not only can you use it with litter and potty pads, but it’s also large enough to fit an artificial grass pad.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Works well for liquid and solid waste | Not for dogs over 70 pounds |
Can be used with litter, potty pads, fake grass, etc. | Can be messy if used with litter |
Users say the sides are tall enough to keep urine spray contained | |
Smooth, non-porous surface is easy to clean |
Price
Best Artificial Grass Litter Box: LOOBANI Dog Grass Pad With Tray Review
My choice for the best artificial-grass indoor potty system, this LOOBANI product has a triple-layer design with an artificial grass mat, a drainage grate, and a leak-proof collection base. It’s lightweight and easy to clean with a hose and comes in four sizes (ranging from 16″ x 20″ to 23.6″ x 35.5″) to accommodate larger dogs.
This system comes with two grass mats, so you can spray one off and dry the other while the other is available for use. You can use it indoors, on an apartment balcony, or on a patio. It’s also easily portable in case you need to take it on the go.
Our Personal Experience With Artificial Grass Dog Litter Boxes
After many unsuccessful attempts to get my Chihuahua to stop peeing on the carpet, the indoor grass pad was a game changer. It gave her a place to pee inside that did not damage the home or make removing odors and stains difficult. As a tiny dog, just five pounds, getting her to go outside to the bathroom was always difficult. Once I realized that she needed an indoor potty, she was a lot happier, and we had far fewer accidents. I highly recocmend the astroturf option, it feels natural and is better for the environment.
– Danielle DeGroot, Chihuahua Owner, Canine Journal Research & Writing
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Reusable system saves money over time and is more eco-friendly than potty pads | Cleanup can be a bit cumbersome if you don’t have a hose |
Faux grass may help your dog associate the indoor pee area with outside potty time | Some complaints that the faux grass sheds and frays |
Low grass pile height makes collecting solid waste easier than some other grass pads | |
Good for most dog sizes | |
Comes with 2 grass pads and replacement pads available for purchase |
Price
- Starting at: $41.99 ($41.99 / Count)
Best Self-Cleaning Dog Litter Box: BrilliantPad Smart Review
This smart self-cleaning dog “litter box” saves you from the cleanup hassle and odor of your pup going #1 and #2 in your house because it automatically wraps and seals the waste. You can set the device to clean once your dog steps off the machine or create custom cleaning schedules. It also has a built-in camera with a live view so you can see when your dog goes, and then you can remotely advance the pad with the smartphone app.
One roll is equivalent to 21 traditional potty pads, so you can go days or even weeks without changing the roll. The pads are extremely durable, absorbent, and made of decomposable material. Once the roll is used, you just dispose of it and replace it.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Excellent for odor prevention | Only for dogs under 25 pounds |
Auto-cleans after each use | Must be near a power source |
Biodegradable rolls are 80% thinner and use 33% less plastic than traditional pee pads | Rolls are expensive to replace |
Convenient for tech-savvy pet parents | |
Includes app and training support to help dogs transition to using BrilliantPad |
Price
- Starting at: $299.99
Best Pee-Pad Holder “Litter Box”: Skywin Pad Holder Tray Review
For many large-breed dogs, traditional litter boxes (even the largest sizes available) are simply too small, given the raised sides for them to use comfortably. The large size of artificial grass boxes may suffice, but some pup parents find that this Skywin Pad Holder Tray is the most effective and affordable (and least messy) option for their super-sized pooches.
This tray works with potty pads measuring 24″ x 24″ and smaller. Its slightly elevated edges help prevent urine from flowing onto the floor (for pups who like to pee on the edges of potty pads). It’s also made of anti-slip silicone, so your dog won’t scoot around the floor.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Budget-friendly | Some dogs try to chew it |
An excellent solution for some large dogs | A few complaints that the edges aren’t raised enough and urine leaked over the sides |
Simple to clean | |
Many fantastic user reviews | |
Flexible, lightweight silicone is easy to roll up, making it very portable |
Price
Best Grated Litter Box For Small Dogs: PS Korea Indoor Dog Potty Tray Review
Some pup parents find grated litter boxes work best for their dogs. They involve a plastic grated top where urine flows through to a collection tray underneath. These are often excellent solutions for dogs who tear up potty pads — you simply place the potty pad in the tray. Or, if you prefer, you can add litter to the tray.
This product measures 22.6″ W x 17.77″ L x 6″ H, so it’s suitable for puppies or smaller dogs. It comes in four attractive colors: gray, pink, blue, and wine. The grate is easy to attach and remove.
Pros | Cons |
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Excellent solution for dogs who dig in litter or rip up potty pads | Only for small puppies and dogs |
Works with potty pads, litter, newspaper, etc. (but the pan is fairly shallow) | Cleaning up solid waste can be a bit messy if it gets into the grates |
Has non-skid feet | |
Overall, good customer reviews |
Price
Best Dog Litter Box For Male Dogs: City Loo Dog Potty Review
City Loo offers a stylish, space-saving dog bathroom. It is designed like an igloo and made for both indoor and outdoor use. The City Loo Chic Dog Potty includes a compact fiberboard dog (or cat) potty with artificial grass, potty pads, and a potty tray. The sides are designed to be sanitary and feature pee pad clips. These are perfect for male dogs, holding the pee pad up against the back wall to catch and spray, or for pups who pee straight out.
The City Loo dog potty is designed to be used in any weather and is perfect for pups who are reluctant to go out on cold or wet days. It features a potty enclosure, an easy-access entryway, and see-through acrylic walls. The City Loo Chic Dog Potty is available in white or black.
City Loo is a versatile solution best for pets 20 pounds and under and 11.5” to 16” tall at the shoulder. The potty measures 21.25” x 29.25” x 21”. The door height can be set at 14” or 16” and has a 10” width. The base measures 30.75” x 21.75”. It’s recommended that potty pads be changed daily and the grass washed weekly.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Fantastic option for male dogs | Expensive |
Clip attachments for pee pads | Only for small dogs 20 pounds and under |
A three-part system with an odor-absorbing tray, potty pad, and artificial grass | Uses a lot of potty pads |
Easy to clean with soapy water | The starter kit only comes with eight potty pads |
The starter kit only comes with 8 potty pads | Requires more cleaning than disposable options |
Made from medium-density fiberboard and acrylic panels | |
Adjustable entrance height |
Price
Reasons To Use A Litter Box For Dogs
Although it’s ideal to take your pup outside to do her business, certain situations make this extremely difficult. Some reasons pup owners turn to an indoor dog bathroom or an apartment dog potty include:
- Housetraining a puppy
- Incontinence due to old age or health problems
- A dog’s comfort
- Post-injury or surgery
- Bad weather
- Owner mobility issues
- Working away from home for long hours
- Limited access to outdoor potty areas, e.g., a highrise apartment building
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions pup owners ask most often about dog litter boxes and indoor potties. If I missed yours, let me know in the comments.
Can I Use Cat Litter For My Dog?
Yes, you can use some cat litter types for your dog. The most popular type of litter for dogs is paper pellets made from recycled paper. But regular cat litter is perfectly safe to use for most dogs — unless your pup has a penchant for eating the litter. Then, you’ll want to find cat litter that uses non-toxic materials, such as Feline Pine pellet litter or Naturally Fresh walnut-based kitty litter.
How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Litter Box?
You’ll want to remove any litter that’s soiled with urine or poop as soon as you can to keep it sanitary for your pup and everyone else in your household. The same poop bags you use outside will work well to clean out your litter box. And if your dog is a poop eater, remove it immediately. Depending on whether any urine has seeped down to the box itself, you may need to wipe it down or rinse it out with hot water.
Where Should I Put The Litter Box?
Your indoor dog pee area should be easy for your pup to access and easy for you to clean. If your furry friend is used to going outside, putting your indoor potty near the door may help encourage her to use it.
If there’s a risk of spillage outside of the box, a tiled floor is ideal to avoid hardwood or carpet damage. Many people find a bathroom is the best location, but it can also depend on how much space you need for your pee area.
How To Train A Dog To Use A Litter Box (With Video)
This brief video gives you some tips on litter box training for an older puppy or dog.
Here’s some more advice on litter box training for your pup.
- When starting, placing the box near the door leading outside may help with the transition (but keep it far enough away from her food and water). Be sure to pick a box large enough for your pup to turn around in and do her potty business in comfort.
- Place your dog in the litter box and say a command like “pee in the box.” Praise your pup for being in the box.
- When your dog leaves the box, put her back in and repeat your command and praise. You’ll need to repeat this process numerous times until your dog understands to go into the box when you use your command.
- Soak some paper towels in her urine and bring in some poop from outside and place them in the box. This helps your pup understand that it’s okay to eliminate there.
- Watch your dog for cues that she needs to urinate. When you think it’s time, send her to the box using your command. When your pup pees or poops in her indoor pee area, give her lots of praise and a treat.
- When your furry friend has an accident, be sure not to use a harsh voice or any kind of punishment.
- If you catch your pup in the middle of peeing or pooping outside of the box, clap loudly to try to stop it. Then, pick up your dog and place her in the box to finish going potty.
- Be patient. Learning how to use an indoor potty can take some dogs quite a long time.
When To Call The Vet
If you notice your pup having trouble urinating, passing bowel movements, or experiencing urinary incontinence, it is best to seek veterinary advice sooner rather than later. A dog litter box can help with some things, but it cannot treat an underlying medical condition.
You may want to consider pet insurance for your pup as well. While your fur baby may be healthy now, it is inevitable that they will experience emergencies and unforeseen health issues as they age. Pet insurance may be able to help with the cost of care, allowing you to focus on your pup’s recovery. You can learn more in our pet insurance guide.
Getting Dog Pee Out Of Carpet & Eliminating Pet Odors
While you’re training your pup to use her indoor potty, you’ll likely encounter some accidents along the way. See our step-by-step guide on how to get dog pee and poop out of carpeting, which includes our recommendations for the best stain and odor removers. You may also want to check out our reviews of the best pet odor neutralizers that you can use on your pet and throughout your home.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has researched and reviewed hundreds of different dog care products. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience in researching, testing, and writing about everything you need to know to keep your pup healthy and happy. We test and research the best pet products, not only for our own pups but for all of our readers.