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It’s never fun coming home to a yellow puddle on the floor. Whether you have a new puppy, an older dog with a older bladder, or you work long hours, puppy training pads can make your life easier when accidents happen.
Puppy pee pads are a convenient tool during potty training, when slip-ups are inevitable. And they come in handy when you can’t take your pup outside due to weather, health concerns (pre-vaccinations), or extended work days, says Paige Gordon, a certified dog trainer with SpiritDog Training.
“In these instances, the pads provide your puppy with a designated place to relieve themselves and allow for an easy clean up later,” she tells Rover.
The best puppy pads will be ultra-absorbent, with multiple layers to keep liquid contained. Effective odor control is another key factor. And pads with built-in attractants may be beneficial, since this encourages dogs to pee on the pad and helps establish a routine.
Taking different pet parent needs into account, we’ve landed on 8 puppy pads that work hard to protect your floors—and your sanity.
Best Scented: Four Paws Wee-Wee Odor Control with Febreze Freshness
Keep your home smelling clean while you train your puppy with these disposable Wee-Wee pads. They’re designed to neutralize the strong smell of ammonia with a coating of Febreze. So instead of a pungent pee smell, you’re left with a subtle burst of spring freshness.
Each pad contains a 7-layer system to lock in moisture and odor. They’re guaranteed to be leak-free for up to 24 hours, and they’re designed to absorb quickly to prevent urine from being tracked across the floor. Plus, these pads have a built-in pheromone attractant to make them more appealing to your pooch.
Features we like:
- Febreze coating provides fresh, spring scent
- Quilted pockets trap urine and prevent tracking
- Compact packaging & ethically sourced materials
- Available in counts of 10, 50, 100, & 150
Things to consider:
- Some report the Febreze scent is too weak
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Best Charcoal: Bulldogology Black Carbon Training Pads
“Some pee pads incorporate materials that help neutralize and control odors, keeping the environment fresh and pleasant,” says Gordon. These Bulldogology pads block odor with a layer of activated charcoal, which helps to lock in the smell of urine. The darker color also hides the icky yellow spots visible on other pads.
For optimal absorbency and leak-proofness, Bulldogology pads are made with six layers. This includes a waterproof plastic film and a layer of Bulldogology Bullsorbent® polymer, which instantly absorbs liquid and turns it into gel. Each corner has an adhesive sticky tab to hold the pad in place—although some dog parents found them to be too sticky.
Features we like:
- Two layers of quilted, tear-resistant material
- Antibacterial
- Built-in attractant
Things to consider:
- On the pricey side
- Adhesive stickers can be tough to remove and may leave residue
Best for Large Dogs: Simple Solution X-Large Training Pads
With bigger dogs come bigger puddles—and puppy pads should follow suit.
“Pee pads come in various sizes to accommodate different dog breeds and living spaces,” says Gordon. “Choose pads that are appropriately sized for your puppy’s needs and the area where you’ll be placing them.”
These X-Large Simple Solution pads measure 28” x 30”, and they hold an impressive 7 cups of liquid. To prevent leaks, Gordon also recommends looking for pads with multiple layers. These pads offer maximum absorbency with six layers, including an odor-neutralizing core and a leak-proof liner. They also have a quilted, tear-resistant top sheet and a built-in attractant.
Features we like:
- Larger surface area
- Able to absorb a lot of fluid
- Tear-resistant and leak-proof
- Neutralizes odor
Things to consider:
- No adhesive
Best for Crate Training: Hartz Home Protection Gel Pads
Crates are for sleeping and quiet time—ideally, not a place where you want your puppy to pee. If you find that you have to place a pad in the crate, put it in the far corner, away from your dog’s sleeping area, and in a place where they don’t have to step on it to exit their crate.
Since the last thing you want is a pad that leaks while your pet is crated, look for leak-proof backing. Plastic or polyethylene are commonly used for this purpose, Gordon explains. These Home Protection pads from Hartz have a waterproof plastic bottom layer to keep messes contained. They also feature FlashDry Technology, which turns liquid into gel to prevent messy leaks.
Features we like:
- 6-layer protection that extends to all four corners
- Leak-proof plastic backing
- Made in the USA
Things to consider:
- May be too small for giant-size crates
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Best Sustainable Option: Pogi’s Earth-Friendly Dog Training Pads
“As you will likely go through many pee pads with your puppy, you may want to consider eco-friendly pee pad options that have a reduced impact on the environment,” Gordon remarks. She explains that earth-friendly choices include pads made from sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled materials, or biodegradable materials.
While Pogi’s Training Pads aren’t fully biodegradable, they’re a better option than many others. Made from a combination of plastic and organic materials, they offer six layers of protection, including a bamboo-based top sheet, sustainable fluff pulp, and a plant-based liner. There’s also a honey-based attractant to entice your pup.
Features we like:
- Made with 25% plant-based renewable materials
- Honey-based attractant
- Includes anti-skid sticky tabs
Things to consider:
- A bit more expensive
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Best Washable: Pet Parents Pawtect Washable Dog Pee Pads
If you’re concerned about adding to landfill waste, these reusable training pads should be on your radar. They boast a proprietary moisture-wicking fabric top layer that absorbs urine quickly, plus a no-slip bottom that keeps the pad in place.
These pads come in packs of two, so you’ll always have one on hand when one is in the wash. We also like how versatile they are: you can use them in crates, the car, on furniture, under food bowls, or at the front door for sopping up muddy paws. The edges are triple-stitched to prevent fraying.
Features we like:
- Machine-washable & reusable
- Available in four sizes
- Anti-tracking cover
- Come with a two-year warranty and a money-back guarantee
Things to consider:
- Not recommended for dryer use
Best Value: Glad for Pets Activated Carbon Training Pads
If you have multiple puppies in training, or you’re just looking for a bargain, consider these training pads from Glad for Pets. These disposable pads work fast: they can absorb up to three cups of liquid in about 30 seconds. Plus, they’re carbon-infused, which not only cuts down on odors but also helps absorb liquid and prevent yellow spots from forming on the top layer.
Each pad features a 5-layer design with a quilted and cushioned top and a polyethylene plastic lining to prevent leaks. And they’ve been redesigned with folded edges to prevent leaking.
Features we like:
- Polymer layer turns liquid into gel for easier clean up & less tracking
- Leak-proof plastic backing
- Layer of activated carbon absorbs odors
- Contains pheromonal attractant
Things to consider:
- No adhesive on back
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Best Artificial Grass: PetMaker Artificial Grass Mat
For folks who live in small apartments or who have limited indoor space, the smell of soiled pee pads may be too much. “If you have a safe and secure balcony or patio, you may want to consider putting the pads out there in this case,” advises Gordon.
This artificial grass training pad from PetMaker is a reusable option for either indoor or outdoor use. Underneath the artificial turf, there are two plastic trays. The first helps drain the liquid from the grass and keep it dry and fresh, and the base layer keeps urine from spilling out onto the floor.
The artificial grass is odor-resistant and antimicrobial, and the design may encourage your puppy to associate grass with potty time. The top layer and the plastic inserts can be individually separated and hand-washed with soap and water.
Features we like:
- Ideal for indoor or outdoor use
- May help puppies transition to pottying on grass
- Grass is soft to the touch
Things to consider:
- Can be challenging to clean
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms and interviews with veterinary experts, including dog trainer Paige Gordon. We prioritized training pads with multiple absorbent layers, odor-fighting properties, and leak-proof technology. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.