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It’s never fun coming home to a yellow puddle on the floor. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog with weakened bladder control, 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. 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 9 puppy pads that work hard to protect your floors—and your sanity.
Most Absorbent: Frisco X-Large Premium Dog Training & Potty Pads
You’ll want a training pad that can keep up with potty-training puppies, especially multiple ones. These Frisco X-Large Premium Dog Training & Potty Pads are leak-proof and hold up to 10 cups of water. They come in light floral-scented and unscented varieties, with both featuring five layers to lock in moisture and odors.
Each pad is 24 x 29 inches and made with a sticky adhesive backing, making them ideal for puppies and small and large breeds. There are also giant-sized pads available for medium to large dog breeds.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Both scented and unscented | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Disposable | |
| Attractant | Pheromone attractant | |
| Quantity | Available in counts of 21, 40, 75, and 150 | Giant size may be better for bigger puppy breeds |
Best Reusable: 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 your puppy’s crate, as a dog seat cover in the car, on furniture as protection, under food bowls, or as a dog doormat for sopping up muddy paws. The edges are triple-stitched to prevent fraying.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Unscented | No scent to cover odors |
| Environmentally Friendly | Reusable and machine washable | |
| Attractant | None | |
| Quantity | 2 in a pack | May go through fast with multiple puppies |
Best Budget-Friendly: Glad for Pets Black Charcoal Activated Puppy 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.
“Some pee pads incorporate materials that help neutralize and control odors, keeping the environment fresh and pleasant,” says Gordon. These carbon-infused large pads cut down on odors, help 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 avoid seepage. And they’ve been redesigned with folded edges to prevent leaking.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Unscented; carbon-infused to help cut down on odors | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Can also be used as food and water spill catcher, cat litter box spill mat, wet paw door mat, and a crate liner | |
| Attractant | Pheromones; helps to encourage your dog to use it | |
| Quantity | 100, good for dogs young and old | May be better for short-term use vs. long-term (e.g., not an all-day pad if you work out of the home) |
Best Alternative: PetMaker Artificial Grass Mat
For pet parents 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.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | No, but grass is washable | Can be challenging to clean |
| Environmentally Friendly | Reusable alternative to disposable puppy pads | |
| Attractant | No, but grass is soft to encourage puppies to use it | |
| Quantity | 1 | May be better if used on a balcony or patio if you live in a small indoor space |
Most Tear-Resistant: Four Paws Wee-Wee Ultimate Attractant Dog Pee Pads
If you’ve got a pup that likes to dig, you may want to opt for a training pad with extra protection. These pads feature a 6-layer design, with the top having a tear-resistant floor armor leak-proof system for extra protection. They also have a grass scent, which can help your puppy learn to use the potty outdoors, making this a good transitional pad.
Each pad is made from cotton and natural fibers and features a targeted attractant to entice your puppy to use them. Some users have noted that while they are absorbent and useful in potty training their pups, they are on the thinner side, so they may need to be changed often.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Yes—grass scent that helps with outdoor trained pups if they need to go inside | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Disposable | |
| Attractant | Yes | |
| Quantity | Available in counts of 10, 50, and 100 to fit your needs | Might be a better fit for smaller dog breeds due to thickness |
Best for Odor-Control: Four Paws Wee-Wee Odor Control Training Pads
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.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Febreze Spring Fresh Scent | Scent is on the lighter side |
| Environmentally Friendly | Disposable | |
| Attractant | Pheromone | |
| Quantity | Multiple count sizes available (10, 50, 100, 150) |
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.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Unscented but features an odor-blocking core | May not mask unwanted smells as well due to not being scented. |
| Environmentally Friendly | Tear-resistant top for added protection and use | Disposable |
| Attractant | 3-in-1 attractant and has a wetness indicator | |
| Quantity | Available in 50, 100, and 150 counts; works well for large breeds due to being able to hold a larger amount of liquid | No backing adhesive; may cause issues with keeping it in place |
Best for Crate Training: Hartz Home Protection Odor Eliminating Dog Pee 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.
In addition, they provide 6-layers of leak protection that extends all the way to the corners of the pads. They also feature FlashDry Technology, which turns liquid into gel to prevent puddles.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | Lavender; available in unscented options | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Made in USA | Disposable |
| Attractant | None besides lavender scent | |
| Quantity | Available in multiple sizes and quantity options for different breeds and needs | Regular size may be too small for giant-sized crates |
Best Sustainable: 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.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Scented | No strong scent, but users noted it does a good job of neutralizing odors | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Made with 25% plant-based renewable materials | |
| Attractant | Honey-based attractant | |
| Quantity | Available in multiple sizes and quantity options for puppies, medium, and large-breed dogs | A bit more expensive |
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.
