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Are you sick of your pup shredding pee pads? Or maybe you are looking for a way to stop your dog from tracking pee through your home. A pee pad holder may be the perfect solution!
Table of Contents
We spent over 120 hours reviewing 13 different pee pad holders. With the help of our dedicated team of puppies, we reviewed each pee pad holder for ease of use, leaks, ability to grip pads, and more.
All to answer a single question… Which puppy pee pad holder is best?
| Best Overall | Best Grated | Best For Travel | Best Box |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Pawise | Richell | Four Paws | PuppyGoHere |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Best Pee Pad Holders
After countless potty sessions (and plenty of cleanups), we narrowed the field to four standout winners, each excelling in its own category.
We’ll start with the best overall option for most homes before diving into specialized choices for larger dogs, frequent travelers, and edge-case sprayers.
Related reading: If potty training is still a struggle, see our guide on housebreaking a puppy.
Best Overall: Pawise Dog Pee Pad Holder Review
The Pawise Dog Pee Pad Holder is perfect for square pee pads. When it came to containing leaks, ease of use, and quality, it outclassed the competition.
Size & Fit
- Dimensions: 23.5″ x 23.5″
- Material: Hard plastic
- Pad Size Range: Works best with 22″ x 22″ to 26″ x 26″ pads
The Pawise holder is made of two parts: a sturdy base and a square tray that clips over the top. Each edge of the tray has a latch, and once they’re locked down, the pad is clamped securely in place.
This design worked better than any other model we tested.
It’s no surprise that many other pee pad holders try to imitate this system, but none gripped as tightly as the Pawise. In our testing, no dog was able to pull or remove the pad once it was installed correctly.
Of course, if you’ve got a truly determined pad-shredder, nothing is 100% foolproof. In that case, you may want to check out the grated-style option we review next.
Performance & Usability
The Pawise holder also stayed put thanks to four rubber stoppers on the bottom, which kept it from sliding around on laminate and hardwood floors.
As for leaks? None. Even when we poured cup after cup of water onto the pad—far more than the pad could absorb—the overflow was neatly contained within the tray. The only way you’ll see wet floors is if your pup misses the pad entirely and pees on the outside rim.
Another plus: while the holder is designed for square pads, we were able to fit rectangular ones like Kirkland’s 30″ x 23″ pads by folding the longer edge to make it square. This works in a pinch, though it does reduce the usable surface area.
Extra Features
One feature I loved: you can layer multiple pads at once. Depending on pad thickness, you can stack up to five disposables or one washable pad inside the tray. When one gets used, just peel it away, and the next one is ready to go.
Cleaning was simple. The glossy plastic wipes down easily, and even dried messes came off without a fight.
Bottom Line
The Pawise Training Pad Holder is durable, effective, and easy to clean. If you’re using square pads and want something that locks them down tight, this is the one I recommend first.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable plastic construction | Not ideal for larger, rectangular pads |
| Fits most square pads securely | Won’t stop the most aggressive diggers or chewers |
| Latches hold pads with an iron grip | |
| Raised edges contain overflow |
Price
Best Grated: Richell Paw Trax Mesh Pee Pad Holder Review
The Richell Paw Trax Training Tray may look like other grated holders, but in testing, it stood out for its clever design, sturdy build, and pup-friendly grate.
Size & Fit
- Dimensions: 17.7″ x 23.6″
- Material: Plastic
- Pad Size Range: Works best with 17.7″ x 23.6″ up to 21″ x 30″ pads (rectangular)
The tray uses a three-piece construction: a base, a snap-on lid, and a removable grate that locks into place. Unlike latch systems, the lid clicks onto the base via four pegs, making it faster to secure and release.
Performance & Usability
The key feature here is the plastic grate. Once it’s clipped on, your dog can’t reach the pad at all—no shredding, no chewing. The grate also helps keep paws dry by letting liquid drip straight through.
What really sets this model apart is the softer, flexible plastic used in the grate. Our puppy testers actually preferred stepping on it compared to harder grates, which some refused to use altogether.
That said, larger dogs could make the grate sag slightly under their weight. One clever workaround: a reviewer used zip ties underneath for reinforcement, preventing sagging and backflow.
For leaks, the Paw Trax did exceptionally well. Even when we oversaturated pads, any overflow stayed neatly contained inside the tray.
Extra Features
- Fits both rectangular and square pads, though large rectangular ones work best.
- Non-slip rubber stoppers keep the tray in place on hardwood or tile.
- Disassembles quickly for cleaning, though poop smushed into the grate can take extra scrubbing. A garden hose and disinfectant made cleanup much easier.
Bottom Line
If your pup is a pad shredder or tends to track wet paws through the house, the Richell Paw Trax Mesh Holder is worth it. The grate takes a bit more effort to clean, but for dogs who need that extra layer of protection, this tray is hard to beat.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable build with softer, paw-friendly grate | Grate can sag under heavy dogs unless reinforced |
| Prevents pad shredding completely | Adds extra cleaning time compared to flat trays |
| Holds pads with an iron grip | |
| Raised edges contain leaks | |
| Stable with rubber stoppers |
Price
Best For Travel: Four Paws Wee Wee Silicone Pad Holder Review
Most of our top picks are rigid plastic, which is fine at home, but what if you’re traveling with your dog? That’s where the Four Paws Wee Wee Silicone Pad Holder comes in. Lightweight, flexible, and portable, it’s designed to go wherever you do.
Size & Fit
- Dimensions: 22″ x 23″
- Material: Flexible silicone
- Pad Size Range: Works best with 22″ x 23″ up to 30″ x 30″ pads
This holder rolls up like a travel dog bowl, so it takes up almost no space in a bag or suitcase. When you arrive, simply unroll it, insert a pad, and you’re ready to go.
Performance & Usability
The Wee Wee Pad Holder is the only silicone pee pad holder we came across that can grip the pads. All other silicone holders were little more than a plate with a lip to hold any overflow – there wasn’t a method to secure the pad.
Unlike most silicone trays, this one has cross-shaped corner slots to grip pads in place. It’s not as secure as clamping systems, but it works well for calm dogs who don’t shred their pads.
The raised silicone edges kept overflow contained even when the pads were oversaturated. On the floor, the silicone gripped surfaces exceptionally well — vinyl, hardwood, tile — no sliding, even when our pups kicked at the edges.
Dogs also seemed more comfortable stepping on silicone compared to hard plastic. All our testers took to it immediately, which isn’t always the case with rigid trays.
Extra Features
- Rolls up small enough to stash in a glovebox or carry-on.
- Extremely easy to clean: one solid piece of silicone that rinses off in seconds.
- One drawback: silicone attracts dog hair and dust on the bottom, but rinsing under water solves that.
Bottom Line
The Four Paws Wee Wee Pad Holder isn’t meant to replace your everyday tray at home, but as a travel-friendly backup, it’s the best option we tested. Just don’t expect it to hold up to chewers or rowdy, large-breed puppies.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, flexible, and portable | Not durable against chewers |
| Only silicone holder we found that actually grips pads | Easy for larger dogs to flip if bumped |
| Non-slip and easy to clean | Less secure than latch-style holders |
| Comfortable surface for hesitant pups |
Price
Best Box: PuppyGoHere Dog Litter Box Review
Technically, the PuppyGoHere Dog Litter Box isn’t a traditional pee pad holder. It’s more like a mini litter box for dogs. Even so, it earned a spot in our top picks for its high sides and splash protection, which small dogs and puppies can really benefit from.
Size & Fit
- Dimensions: 24″ x 20″ x 5″
- Material: Heavy-duty hard plastic
- Pad Size Range: Fits 19″ x 24″ pads or larger (no max size, as pads lay flat inside)
Since pads sit loose in this tray, there’s no clamping system to hold them down. That means playful pups can still pull pads up if they’re determined. But for calm or smaller dogs, the fit is just fine.
Performance & Usability
The best part of this design is the raised sides, which catch splashes and accidents. If your pup tends to pee near the edge, the walls funnel everything down into the pad instead of onto your floor.
That said, space inside the box is limited. Our Chihuahua, Dachshund, and Maltipoo had no trouble stepping in and using it comfortably. But by the time we tested it with a 20-lb Boston Terrier, things got cramped—and he sometimes stepped in his own mess. Our Beagle tester? She couldn’t fit at all.
Extra Features
- Great option for tiny breeds and toy dogs, but easy for larger pups to outgrow.
- Simple, one-piece design makes it very easy to clean—just wipe it down or rinse it out with a garden hose.
- The base doesn’t have a non-slip grip, so you’ll need to place it against a wall or on a rug to keep it steady.
Bottom Line
If you have a toy or small breed that tends to spray or miss, the PuppyGoHere Litter Box is a solid choice. Just keep in mind that it’s not suited for larger dogs or playful puppies who like to shred pads.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High sides prevent overspray | Too small for medium or large breeds |
| Ideal for small dogs and puppies | Pads aren’t secured, so shredders can pull them up |
| Sturdy and easy to clean | More expensive than some clamp-style holders |
Price
More Dog Pee Pad Holders To Consider
Not every pee pad holder made our top list, but several others are still worth a look depending on your dog’s needs. Each one has its own strengths, and while they didn’t outperform our winners, they may be a good match for the right home.
HoneyCare All-Absorb Silicone Training Pad Holder Review
This flexible silicone tray grips floors well, whether wood, laminate, or carpet, and it’s incredibly easy to clean. Just rinse or wipe, and you’re done.
It’s designed specifically for All-Absorb Carbon Training Pads, which come with adhesive strips to hold them in place. Standard pads don’t secure as tightly, which means you lose some of the advantages of a traditional clamping system.
If you already use All-Absorb pads, though, this tray is a lightweight and low-maintenance option.
Price
Vet’s Best Dog Pad Holder Review
The standout feature here is that it folds in half for storage, making it easy to tuck away when not in use. It’s also lightweight and simple to wipe clean.
The four corner clips work best for smaller or calmer dogs. If you have a very active pup who digs at pads, they may pop loose. But for occasional use or low-energy dogs, it’s a practical, space-saving solution.
Price
IRIS Large Puppy Pad Holder Tray Review
This IRIS tray accommodates large, rectangular pads (28″ x 34″ or bigger), making it a solid choice if you need more coverage for medium to large dogs. The folding option also lets you use it at a 90-degree angle against the wall—handy for male dogs that lift their leg.
We did notice that liquid can seep through the folding seam if the pad gets heavily saturated, but as long as you’re swapping pads regularly, it’s not a major issue. Overall, it’s a versatile pick for bigger pads and leg-lifters.
Price
IRIS Regular Pee Pad Holder Review
This one is very similar in design to our Pawise favorite, and it secures standard-sized pads with a clamp-down frame. It’s lightweight, easy to move, and quick to clean.
During testing, heavier dogs sometimes caused the tray to flex and make a popping sound, which startled a few pups. Smaller or more confident dogs didn’t mind at all. If you’re looking for an affordable, straightforward pad holder, the IRIS regular is still a reasonable choice.
Price
What Is A Pee Pad Holder, And Does Your Dog Need One?
A pee pad holder is exactly what it sounds like: a frame or tray designed to keep your dog’s pee pad in place. (If you need great pee pads, check out our best dog pee pad reviews.)
I’ll be honest: at first I thought pee pad holders were a gimmick. But after testing so many different pads and holders, I realized they can make a big difference in how clean and stress-free potty training is.
Here’s what I discovered:
1. Stop Your Puppy Playing With Pee Pads
Puppies see everything as a toy, including pee pads. Left loose, they’ll claw, bite, or even swallow pieces. That’s not only messy but potentially unsafe. My dogs would shred them into tiny pieces if given the chance.
- Pee pad holders with grates make shredding impossible.
- Even clamp-style holders deter most playful pups.
Even a pee pad holder without a grate offers enough of a deterrent that a playful puppy will look for easier toys to play with – keep chew toys or your pup’s favorite plush dog toy on hand!
2. Keep Pads From Sliding Across The Floor
While some pee pads have a textured backing that stops them from sliding around your floor, many don’t. And because pee pads are thin and lightweight, this can cause issues.
If your dog catches the underside of the pad with his foot on the pee pad, it can fold over itself or even flip upside down. When this happens, your dog can pee on the waterproof underside of the pee pad, causing pee to spill everywhere.
Gross, right? Well, as I learned, it can get worse.
During our pee pad review, one of our testers left the back door open. A strong gust of wind blew through the door and picked the pee pad up like a feather. It spiralled through the air before it landed pee-side down on a new rug (because why wouldn’t it?).
Pee pad holders provide your pee pad with some much-needed weight, helping to prevent accidents such as these.
Note: Litter boxes don’t clamp down on pee pads and will not stop a dog from playing with them.
3. They Keep Paws Dry
Something I noticed during testing: dogs don’t care about walking through their own mess.
Puppies in particular would happily step across a wet pee pad once they had done their business.
While it may not make the same mess as a spill, do you really want pee paw prints tracking through your house? Probably not, especially if you have carpet.
Some pee pad holders feature a grate system. This grate sits on top of the pee pad. Instead of pooling on top, pee trickles down through the grate – no matter how many times your pup walks across it, his paws will remain dry!
4. They Help With Dogs Who Pee On The Edge
When I was potty training my pup, one of the biggest frustrations was how often he’d aim for the edge of the pad.
He would forever pee on the edge of the pad, where the plastic liner failed to absorb the pee. As a result, it would flow onto the floor.
The closer to the edge of a pee pad your pup does his business, the more likely it is that you will experience leaks.
Most pee pad holders come with walls or rims to help keep your dog’s spray in one place, preventing leaks from running off onto your floor.
A pee pad holder also provides a clear beginning and end to the pee pad, making it easier for your dog to verify he has gone in the right place.
5. They Make Cleanup Less Messy
Finally, pee pad holders are easy to carry. It beats folding the pee pad up on itself and carrying it across your room – you are asking for drips or leaks.
Simply pick the pee pad holder up and walk it over to the trash can. The pee pad holder will contain any pee that misses the pad. Once done, simply clean your pee pad holder in the sink.
But here’s the flip side:
- Chewers will eventually destroy plastic holders. It’s better to redirect them with safe dog chew toys.
- There aren’t really extra-large holders for giant breeds like Great Danes.
- For elderly dogs or those recovering from surgery, the raised sides could be a tripping hazard.
So, do you need one? Not necessarily. You can potty train just fine with pads alone. But if your pup is a shredder, spiller, or floor-tracker, a pee pad holder might just save your sanity.
How We Tested
At Canine Journal, we never recommend products we wouldn’t use with our own pups. That’s why we went all-in on this review and tested 13 different pee pad holders.
Here’s how we did it:
- First, we scoured the internet to find the most popular and widely available options. Since these products are affordable, we decided to buy them all at full retail price—just like any dog parent would.
- Next, we spoke with dozens of owners who already use pee pad holders. Hearing their pain points helped me design real-world tests for leaks, durability, and ease of use.
- Finally, we recruited a team of dogs—big and small—to put each holder through its paces.
Meet a few of our potty training helpers:
- Jax – Labrador Retriever/Hound mix
- Symone – Golden Retriever
- River – Boxer
- Neptune & Mr. Cookie – Toy Chihuahuas
- Hulk – French Bulldog
- Norris – Miniature Australian Shepherd
- Zeus – Great Dane
From tiny pups still learning to aim, to giant breeds who like to push products to their limit, this crew gave us a wide range of feedback.
What We Tested For
Each holder was graded on:
- The minimum pad size it could accept
- Ease of installation and removal (without spills)
- How well it held pads in place
- Ability to contain leaks and overspray
- Ease of cleaning (because no one wants to scrub for hours)
- Slip resistance on surfaces like hardwood and tile
After 120+ hours of testing (and more cleanups than I’d like to admit), I felt confident about which holders truly stood out.
Our Testing Observations
While reviewing each pee pad holder for the above qualities, we made some observations that are worth mentioning.
1. Some Dogs Are Afraid Of Pee Pad Holders
You’d think a dog who already uses pee pads would happily switch to a holder. Nope. While some dogs take to pee pad holders without hesitation, others are not so keen.
- Jax would walk right onto some holders but flat-out refused others — even though they looked almost identical.
- Another puppy tester refused to touch anything with a grate because he didn’t like how the squares felt on his paws.
Luckily, this was easy to fix with patience and training. Using a dog training clicker, potty training spray, and plenty of food rewards, we taught them to step on and use the holders. It felt just like standard potty training, only with a raised target instead of a flat pad.
2. Holders Don’t Improve Aim
One thing a pee pad holder won’t do is make your dog more accurate.
- If your pup pees on the side, it’ll still trickle down onto the floor.
- Smaller dogs did better—they could climb fully onto the tray and hit the pad.
- Larger dogs often left their front paws off the tray, which sometimes meant “close enough” instead of a bullseye.
Like most things, this comes back to training and consistency. If accuracy is an issue, you’ll need to coach your dog on where to go.
3. You May Need To Modify Your Pee Pads
Now, I’m sure you are aware that pee pads come in hundreds of different sizes. This makes designing a pee pad holder to fit them all an impossible task.
Fortunately, pee pads are a thin sheet that can be folded into shape. In fact, every single pee pad we reviewed could fit into the pee pad holders we tested… with some modification.
- Larger pee pads needed to be folded down in order to make them fit the holder.
- Smaller pads could be doubled up side by side, though this worked best with grated holders (open trays left a flap in the middle that lifted if a paw caught it).
So yes, you can probably make your favorite pads work, but you may need to fold, overlap, or buy a different size.
4. Grates Add Extra Cleaning Time
Prior to testing, I couldn’t figure out why so few pee pad holders had grates. A grate stops dogs from playing with the pee pad and keeps your dog’s paws dry, so pee isn’t walked across your floor.
While the pee tracking can be eliminated by using a highly absorbent pee pad, stopping your dog from playing with the pee pad is reason enough to consider one.
So, why don’t all pee pad holders feature a grate? Now I know the downside: poop + grate = headache.
- If it’s solid, no problem—it just sits on top.
- If it’s runny or worse, stepped on, it gets smushed into the squares.
At that point, your best friend is a garden hose and disinfectant spray. It’s manageable, but definitely an extra step compared to flat pad holders.
Seriously consider if you need a pee pad holder with a grate. If your dog doesn’t try to bite the pee pads and doesn’t track pee through the home, then you can probably skip it.
Beyond Pee Pads
Pee pad holders do what they promise — secure pads, reduce mess, and add convenience. But like any product, they have tradeoffs you’ll want to weigh before buying.
If you’re looking for alternatives, you might also consider a dog litter box or even artificial grass potties, depending on your space and your pup’s needs. Check out our reviews of the best dog toilets for some fantastic solutions.
Which pee pad holder have you found works best? Let us know in the comments below!
