We have never thought much about pee pads for dogs in all the years we have been dog owners and have traveled extensively with our dogs. Somehow, with a bit of luck and training on both our parts and a very well-used dog door at home – our dogs have never used pee pads. So pee pads for dogs have never been on our horizon, until recently when we adopted a very old blind and deaf Maltese from a senior rescue. He had been there for a while – his former elderly owner having had to go to an assisted care facility and her family having no desire to take the dog.
An old, blind, and deaf dog is a challenge. Certainly, it was never going to use the pet door! Fortunately, a few months in, we are in a pretty good place and routine with the dog and he is happy. For his own safety and security, at night when we are asleep and during the day when we are not at home, he has his own enclosure in the middle of the kitchen. The floor of the enclosure (our kitchen floor) has pee pads on it – and honestly, these days, they are seldom even used.
But in the early days, we went through a lot of them and like some more than others. Pee pads and pet pee cleaner – we’ve done a lot of learning in a short time!
What we want in a pee pad for daily use
Note, we were not looking for training pads but rather a protective pee pad in the event that, an otherwise house trained dog, had an accident – so an “attractant” (usually a fresh grass scent that is very subtle) was not high on our list of requirements. An attractant is sometimes helpful with housebreaking a dog – the scent makes them want to “go” – so they will use the pad as opposed to the carpet/floor and slowly get used to going outside on the grass. However, there are very few pee pads that don’t have a small amount of attractant.
We are also not a fan of artificial scents so did not look for anything scented. By mistake, we once bought some Hartz Home Protection Lavender Scented pads – they were super large and offered really great protection but the scent was very off-putting.
A good pee pad provides the following:
- They don’t leak.
- Odor elimination.
- Great absorption.
Our Favorite Pee Pads
Our favorite pee pads are actually two of the more inexpensive on the market with the best reviews. They are also eco-friendly.
PL 360
These pads have a 5 layer protection that immediately absorbs and locks liquids in place. They have a neutral color, non-slip backing and are made of dye-free and bleach-free materials as well as sustainably harvested forested pulp. They also come in an easy dispensing box. Even though these apparently have a small amount of attractant in them, our old dog only goes on them as a last resort and they definitely haven’t taken the place of peeing outside.
Amazon Basics
These pee pads have great reviews and are another inexpensive option. They have a 5 layer, leak-proof design with a sponge-like core that turns liquid into gel. They come in various sizes and people rave about their absorbency.
Pet Pee Cleaners
Urine, stain, and odor removal products are a must for every pet-owning household. Whether you are traveling with your dog or the product just lives in the cupboard under the kitchen sink – it is a very good idea to keep these products on hand.
Nature’s Miracle
We have been very loyal customers and users of Nature’s Miracle products. We absolutely love them and they have worked very well for us. Nature’s Miracle Products can be used on carpets, hard floors, furniture fabrics, and more. The bacteria-based formulas produce enzymes when they come into contact with a food source — pet urine, feces, vomit, and other bio-based messes. The enzymatic cleaner will continue working as long as the food source is present. This product also freshens with a light, citrus scent!
Skout’s Honor
Our small, local pet store recently stopped supplying Nature’s Miracle for some reason which forced us to try another brand (quick, emergency purchase)! That brand happened to be Skout’s Honor and honestly, we have been purchasing these products exclusively since then. They work tremendously well and are manufactured under the California Green Chemistry Initiative. They utilize a plant-derived surfactant that breaks down and lifts away stains as well as a molecular deodorizer that breaks down and eliminates odors. These products are socially-conscious and cruelty-free. They are not enzyme-based so they never expire. Reviewers rave about this product for dogs and cats and we certainly are right there with them!
Conclusion
Even if you don’t use them on a regular basis, it is a good idea to have a stock of pee pads on hand both at home and when you are traveling. They give tremendous peace of mind, particularly when you have a puppy, or older or anxious dog. They can be used to make dogs more comfortable traveling, line a crate or offer an alternative if there just isn’t one in the moment. As for Nature’s Miracle and Skout’s Honor – we recommend packing either of these in a travel bag or under the kitchen sink for accidents and emergencies. Peace of mind is priceless!!