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Best Puppy Pads

Updated June 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Four Paws Wee-Wee Pet Training and Puppy Pads
Four Paws
Wee-Wee Pet Training and Puppy Pads
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Long-lasting Option
Bottom Line

Absorbent enough for multiple uses by smaller dogs and puppies.

Pros

Very absorbent, handling multiple uses, owners report. No lingering smell after puppy uses a pad. Sized well for smaller dogs, puppies, and senior cats. Fairly thick enough to give owners peace of mind.

Cons

Pad can leak if a dog doesn’t hit the center precisely.

Best Bang for the Buck
All-Absorb Training Pads
All-Absorb
Training Pads
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For Well-Trained Pups
Bottom Line

Leak-proof liner, but pad absorbs slowly, setting up a potential edge leak.

Pros

Good-sized pad for puppies and small dogs. Very absorbent material with a liner that is not prone to leaking. Pad doesn’t slide around easily on floor. Has a built-in attractant that most dogs will gravitate towards.

Cons

Some owners note that if a puppy doesn’t go in the center of the pad, pee may leak or roll off the pad.

AmazonBasics Pet Training and Puppy Pads
AmazonBasics
Pet Training and Puppy Pads
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Very absorbent, despite their thinness, and well-sized for puppies, small dogs, and cats.

Pros

The thin design is extremely absorbent decreasing the likelihood that any mess will leak onto your floor. Just the right size for puppies, owners note. Many owners use them for elderly cats.

Cons

Owners would like stickers or rough edges to help hold the pad in place on the floor.

Hartz Home Protection Odor Eliminating Dog Pads
Hartz
Home Protection Odor Eliminating Dog Pads
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Strong Smell
Bottom Line

Owners are split on the heavily scented pad, which masks odors from multiple uses.

Pros

Absorbs a lot of liquid, owners find, with little to no leakage. Good for multiple uses, in some cases. Most owners like the scented pad, which masks odors after use. Lasts a good amount of time.

Cons

Some owners feel the lavender scent is too strong.

Glad for Pets Activated Carbon Training Pads
Glad for Pets
Activated Carbon Training Pads
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

These durable pads are quick-absorbing and don't leave behind any yellow stains.

Pros

Facilitates odor reduction and offers five layers of leak-proof protection. They're suitable for use on their own or as liners Plus, they're packed with a pheromone attractant, so you're puppy knows where to go.

Cons

Those with larger dogs may need to lay down two pads simultaneously.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consulted
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Buying guide for best puppy pads

That cute little puppy you just brought home will melt your heart right up until she starts to make a mess on your floor. Potty training a young dog requires plenty of patience, but you don’t need to resign yourself to accepting that your floors will be ruined forever. Puppy pads help with training and keep the mess contained and off your hardwood and tiles. These floor pads are also useful for owners of older dogs with urinary incontinence.

If you have a small dog and live on the top floor of an apartment complex, it might be hard to head outside in time for your pup to relieve himself. You can use a puppy pad as an alternative to the outdoors. Do you bring your dog to a pet-friendly office environment? Bring a puppy pad just in case. Your co-workers will thank you.

Puppy pads are also great for traveling with your pet or when you’re away from home and unable to walk your dog during the day. If you have a small dog who gets uneasy about going outside in the wintertime, use a pad when it gets too cold and snowy.

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Some dogs will take to using a puppy pad a lot faster than others.

Benefits of using puppy pads

  • Puppy pads provide a safe place for your pup to urinate.

  • Using puppy pads can prevent odors from circulating around your home.

  • Disabled and older pets have an easy-access place to do business.

  • The pads are an excellent tool for training puppies not to urinate all over the house and eventually housebreak them.

  • Puppy pads provide floor protection and are easy to clean up/dispose of.

Potential drawbacks of training with puppy pads

Puppy pads aren’t perfect for all situations. Here are a few drawbacks to using puppy pads.

  • Your dog might decide to play with or rip up the pad.

  • Not all pads are absorbent enough for big dog breeds and may leak.

  • Your dog might learn to do her business inside at all times.

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Expert Tip
Use puppy pads for your cat when you’re in a pinch and there’s no litter box around, or if you’re on-the-go with your feline friend. Some cat owners also use these to line the area around cat litter boxes.
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Other considerations

Puppy pad size

The size of the puppy pad depends on the area you’d like to cover and the dog breed involved. Certain brands offer jumbo-size pads for larger breeds, but pads for puppies or small breed dogs are the most common.

Thickness and absorbency

Thicker puppy pads usually absorb more liquid and are suitable for larger breeds or multiple pets. If you’re housebreaking several pets at once, go for the thickest pads you can find.

Number of pads

You’ll commonly stumble upon packs of 100 pads, but you can find packages with smaller or larger quantities depending on your needs. If your dog has a temporary illness that’s preventing him from doing his business outside, don’t bother spending more on a larger pack of pads.

Training required

If you’ve brought home a puppy, you’re probably already aware of the training time involved in housebreaking your new furry roommate. Chances are you know that using puppy pads will require some time and patience. For owners of older dogs or dogs dealing with new illness, remember that training will also be required. Each dog is different. Not every pup will catch on at the same rate. Before settling on this method of house training your pet, consider the possible training involved.

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Caution
Puppy pads immediately absorb urine and keep your floors from getting wet and your house from smelling. If your pads are not properly absorbing liquids, they may be low-quality or need to be thrown away and replaced.
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Features

Odor control

This is a crucial feature to consider, especially if you plan to use these types of pads regularly. If you’re training a litter of puppies, you may not mind dealing with the smell temporarily, but for long-term use, controlling odor is essential. Carbon is an oft-used material in puppy pads that helps neutralize pungent odors.

Leak-proof design

Of course, you’d think all puppy pads would be leak-proof, but some are less prone to leakage than others. Thicker pads are usually better at preventing leaks. To eliminate the potential for leaks completely, search for pads with a padded border. Products without a leak-proof border may allow liquid to spill off the sides, especially if pets do their business in the corner of the pad or near the edge.

Slip-proof backing

Prevent slipping and sliding by choosing puppy pads that have a sticky backing, so the training pad remains in place. This will help prevent accidental spills, and your pup will be less likely to decide the pad is a toy if it’s immobile and stuck in place.

Quick-dry

To avoid pee paw prints all over your hallway, choose a puppy pad that’s quick-drying and super-absorbent. If the pad is slow to absorb liquid, your dog is likely to step in her own urine and leave a trail of dirty paw prints behind.

Grass pad

If your dog is used to doing his business outside and prefers relieving himself in the grass, select a puppy pad that mimics grass.

Washable

These puppy pads are reusable absorbent floor mats. Typically sold in bundles of two or more, they’re machine washable and an excellent environmentally friendly option.

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Did you know?
You can use puppy pads under your senior dog’s bed or around her sleeping area to prevent accidents from damaging your floor or being tracked around the home.
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Puppy pad prices

Expect to pay $30 or under for a pack of 100 puppy pads. The more pads there are in a package, the pricier they will be. Washable pads are usually the most expensive and will cost more than $30, but these are a one-time purchase.

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you teach your dog to use your newly purchased puppy pads.

  • Keep the pad in the same place. Don’t move it from room to room. It should be easy for your dog to locate. Your pup will eventually learn that the pad is the place to do business.

  • Move it closer to the door. If you’re house training with a puppy pad, slowly move it closer to the door throughout training. Eventually, you can place it outdoors.

  • Place it in an easy-to-reach area. It might look nicer in a tight corner next to the sofa, but it may not be easily accessible for your pet, especially if your dog is sick or has mobility issues.

  • Frequent exposure is key. If you’re house-training a puppy, you’ll need to bring her to the pad repeatedly throughout the day to get her used to the area and to prevent accidents.

  • Use commands that are easy to understand. When training your puppy to use the pad, use the same command each time.

  • Patience is vital. Don’t yell at your puppy or get angry when things aren’t going as smoothly as you’d hoped. It takes time.

  • Offer a reward. Have treats on hand to give your dog once he has successfully used the pad.

Other products we considered

In addition to our top picks, we selected a few runners up. The Top Dog Deluxe Puppy Pads include fast-drying black carbon to neutralize odors. We love that the black color helps hide messes and doesn’t appear dirty, even when soiled. The pads from the reputable American Kennel Club are also a good choice. They’re available in a variety of scents and feature a gel-interior that sops up wetness. The Glad for Pets Training Pads are carbon-activated and feature a five-layer design that’s thick enough to absorb lots of liquid. They also feature a pheromone attractant to guide dogs to the area. And finally, the Pet Parents Dog Pee Pads are washable and reusable. The fabric is super-absorbent and the pad resembles a floor mat, so your home will still appear neat and tidy while you housebreak your new pup. There’s also a sticky backing to prevent slippage.

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Traveling with your pet? Use a puppy pad to line your pet’s carrier.

FAQ

Q. Are puppy pads intended for dogs to urinate and defecate?

A. Puppy pads are designed to absorb and protect your floor from pet urine, but dogs may also do their other business on the pad. Pads are sometimes capable of neutralizing the smell of poop in addition to urine. Throw away and replace the puppy pad once it has been defecated on. While pads may be able to absorb multiple rounds of urine, they’re not meant to deal with more than a single poop.

Q. What’s the advantage of a product that contains black carbon?

A. Black carbon helps to control the odor of pet urine. Carbon does a remarkable job of neutralizing pungent smells. However, products with carbon still need to be replaced regularly, because once the pad has absorbed the maximum amount of liquid it’s capable of retaining, it will start to smell.

Q. My dog has a tendency to rip up the pads I purchase. Is the absorbent material inside toxic to dogs?

A. You should check with the manufacturer, but it’s highly unlikely that the absorbent gel will harm your dog. Try to discourage this behavior. Direct your dog to chew or rip up something else when the destructive behavior starts. If you select a pad with a grippy backing, your pup may be less inclined to rip it.

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