6 Best Washable Dog Pee Pads for Eco-Friendly Dog Training
Updated: May 29, 2023
If you have peeing puppies, dogs with health issues, "leaky" senior canines or dogs that get car sick, washable dog pee pads are an economical way to manage the mess.
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As a certified animal behavior consultant helping clients with both normal and health-related behaviors, I often recommend disposable or washable dog pee pads for puppy potty training and management issues. When my tiny five-pound old lady cat developed hit-or-miss bathroom habits at age 21, I used puppy pee pads for her, too.
Puppies won’t know where to go potty without proper house training, and some pups are harder to train than others. But it may have nothing to do with training issues. Dogs of any age may have trouble making it to the designated potty spot because of health challenges.
For instance, your vet may recommend confining your dog to his crate until a broken bone heals or he recovers from surgery. Senior citizen dogs don’t always have enough time to make it outside or can “forget” to tell you they need a potty break. Old girl dogs, especially, can have nighttime urinary incontinence and dribble when they sleep, needing doggy diapers.
Disposable dog pee pads offer convenience but have some drawbacks: Environmentally conscious people know such disposable products fill up landfills; you use them only for short periods before they get stinky; and they often leak. Traditional disposable pee pads are so lightweight and thin, dogs may turn them into nasty chew toys—yuck!
Washable dog pee pads answer these issues. Their construction offers several layers, making them less attractive to chewers and harder to drag around. They absorb much more liquid, and you can use them for longer periods of time before needing to change them. They wash easily, include built-in odor control, and dry quickly either in the dryer on when hung to dry. One washable dog pee pad replaces up to 300 disposable pads.
What to look for when buying dog pee pads
- Absorption: A tiny pup produces less urine than a senior Great Dane, and absorption capacity matters.
- Washability: Cleaning the pee pad impacts the longevity of the product, so pay attention to the recommended number of washings.
- Wash and dry time: Also take note of drying times, because during cleaning your dog won’t have access to the pee pad. Consider getting at least two, so you have one available while cleaning the other. Note that a leak-proof lining may take longer to dry.
- Odor control: The pungent aroma of dog urine varies from dog to dog. Diluted urine of a diabetic dog or one challenged with kidney issues may not smell as badly as young healthy dogs. Odor and absorption dictate how often you’ll wash the pad.
- Leak proof: How does the product contain the liquid? Look for a leak-proof backing or other construction that protects floors, car seats or dog beds.
- Non-skid backing: For senior dogs especially, non-skid backing helps them “pose.” It also reduces the risk of playful dogs pulling or pawing the pad out of position.
- Size: Choose a pad appropriately sized for your dog. For pups, choose something that works for them as an adult, so you’ll have that option as they grow up.
Evaluation criteria
- Product function
- Price
- Professional expertise
- User reviews
- Unique features
Best overall washable dog pee pad
SincoPet Reusable Pee Pad
The SincoPet reusable pad wins our pick for the best washable dog pee pad. The four layers of material offer comfort for your dog as a bed liner, which is especially important for leaky senior girl dogs. The absorbent middle layer pulls liquid away from the surface and holds 20 to 30 times its weight. The waterproof inner layer helps protect floors.
It stands up to multiple machine washings and can be machine dried. This pee pad also has an anti-slip gel bottom so it won’t slide around, even when large dogs get up and down.
The washable pad comes in 19 sizes, so it’s ideal for a variety of purposes. Use for puppy potty training; or as crate, kennel or carrier liner protection. Use one to protect your floor or furniture, or on the dog’s bed—or your own if you share a pillow. They also work well to protect car seats or cargo areas where your dog rests. If you have a mommy dog, use this in the whelping box to catch messes.
With over 16,000 glowing five-star reviews, customers rave about this product’s superior odor control. Another tip: Do not use bleach or water softener, as that affects the absorbency.
Pros
- Superior absorption
- Machine-washable
- Leak and skid proof
- Multiple-size pads with many applications
Cons
- Can take a long time to dry
- Size may shrink after first washing/drying
- Water “resistant” not waterproof
Best value washable dog pee pad
Pet Parents Pawtect Washable Dog Pee Pads
The Pawtect Dog Pee Pads offer an economical option, starting at $22 for a pair of reusable pads. They use a proprietary fabric blend that wicks away, absorbs and locks in liquids, making them waterproof and leakproof. That helps keep the mess confined while protecting the floor or fabric surface below. Unlike some other dog pee pads, the design helps prevent your pooch from stepping in the wet and tracking it throughout your home.
The washable dog pee pads include a StickyPaw backing that keeps them in place, preventing slip-sliding on tile, wood or similar floor surfaces. They are available in two neutral colors, making them less noticeable in your decor. They are also triple-stitched for security. Choose from four different sizes to accommodate your individual dogs’ needs, from Pomeranian to Saint Bernard. P.S. While you’re at it, also check out the Pupiboo reusable puppy pads.
Pros
- Affordable
- Waterproof and leak-proof
- Sticky backing prevents slipping
- Odor control
Cons
- Puppies may chew through pad
- Reviewers say multiple washings deteriorate the backing, so the pad won’t lay flat and may allow leaks
Best washable dog pee pads on Amazon
Green Lifestyle Washable Underpads
The Green Lifestyle Washable Underpads are hospital-grade products and boast more than 23,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Reviewers rate them highly on absorbency, ease of cleaning, leakproof abilities and value for money. After use, they pull liquid away from the surface so the pet more willingly uses the pad again—with little to no odor. They come in three sizes, and in packs of two, four or six.
For pets who share your bed, the pads fit on twin, queen and king-size mattresses. The heavy-duty design allows them to handle large amounts of urine, making them ideal for puppies and adult dogs of any size. The premium quality fabric—made with reinforced seams—lets the pads last longer than other products, even after multiple washes.
Pros
- Over 23,000 five-star reviews
- Outstanding absorption
- Machine-washable
- Notable odor control
- Multiple sizes and pack options
Cons
- Slick backing may move on floors
- After several washings, the backing sometimes separates
Best extra-large washable dog pee pad
Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pads
The Peepeego washable dog pee pads come in a jumbo size perfect for large dogs. They also work well as a pad in the whelping box for mom dogs caring for pups, or as flooring for puppy exercise pens. The material quickly soaks up liquid and holds up to eight cups of urine. The light gray color helps camouflage stains, while the no-leak rubber backing protects floors and prevents slipping.
For longevity, wash the pad in warm water and tumble dry on low, or hang it to dry. This durable pad promises wash-and-use up to 300 times. Reviewers with litters of puppies love this product. The oversized pad also protects sofas, so you can snuggle with your old dogs without worrying about staining the upholstery.
Are your pups stinking up the place? Here’s how to get rid of dog smell, which might involve getting their teeth cleaned.
Pros
- Extra large size
- Excellent absorption
- Skid-proof
- Over 10,000 5-star ratings on Amazon
Cons
- Some reviewers complain the product leaks
- May retain urine odor even after washing
- Takes a long time to dry
Most stylish washable dog pee pad
Paw Inspired Washable Dog Pee Pads
Most washable dog pee pads offer a plain-Jane look, all one bland color. This Paw Inspired pad instead provides a stylish print and cute dog-centric design that appeals to many pet lovers. It’s well-rated and -reviewed on Chewy, and recommended for multiple uses besides just potty training. Use as a kennel liner, beneath feeding stations, to protect floors from muddy paws or to protect furniture.
The absorbent leak-proof design helps lock in moisture and odor. The machine-washable fabric offers easy cleanup, and the durable construction means you can use this pad over and over. Choose from four sizes to fit your pets’ needs. Each two-pack costs $15 to $35. If your pup has an accident outside a pad, find out how to clean pee out of carpets (and remove dog poop, too).
Pros
- Stylish diamond pattern
- Unscented for anyone sensitive to smells
- Machine-washable
- Leak and skid-proof
Cons
- Sides may fray with washing
Best travel washable dog pee pad
Paw Legend Travel Washable Dog Pee Pads
Dogs may not have bathroom mishaps at home. Going on the road, though, can upset schedules and tummies. The Paw Legend washable pee pad protects car seats and cargo areas for those unexpected accidents while on the go with Fido. They fold up for easy portability for your holiday trip to visit Grandma—and keep her house clean once there.
The Paw Legend pee pads come in brown and tan, which also help camouflage when accidents happen. Choose from three sizes to best fit your circumstances. Pads come in packs of two, so your dog can use one while you machine wash and tumble dry the spare. Just skip the fabric softeners, which reduce absorbency. To extend the life of the pad, line dry.
The pad has three layers to provide superior protection. A moisture-wicking top layer draws pee into the absorbent core to reduce tracking and odor. The pad’s inner layer absorbs liquid, while the bottom has a coated leak-proof barrier to keep pets and your furniture dry. The washable versions hold 10 times more liquid than their disposable counterpart, too.
Pros
- Easily folds up
- Portable
- Affordable
- Two colors in each two-pack
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Some say it slips on hard floors
- May take two washings to eliminate odor
How we found the best washable dog pee pads
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQs
Do washable dog pee pads work?
Yes, washable dog pee pads work well. They contain the mess, prevent tracking, neutralize odor and help keep your pet happy and home clean. Without them, containing the mess becomes a hygiene issue. You must avoid cleaning products harmful to pets while you constantly clean your carpet to remove pet stains.
How do you get the smell out of dog pee pads?
Different dogs smell more pungent than others. Also, people have different sensitivities and what bothers you may not bother someone else. The longer the urine sits, the stronger an odor becomes, so washing quickly helps enormously. It sometimes takes more than one round in the washer to eliminate the odor.
You can also add white vinegar, borax or pet odor neutralizers like Nature’s Miracle laundry booster to help purge smells. Wash at least once weekly, but more often is better. Don’t use fabric softener, as that reduces absorbency. Pads also last longer if hung to dry.
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