Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Dogster Team
In an ideal world, your dog would pee outside and you would not have to deal with pee pads. But if you have a small puppy, or a senior, or blizzardy winters, or any of a host of other roadblocks, pee pads are a must. These pads soak up all the mess and protect your floors and furniture from dog pee. However, disposable pee pads become expensive quickly and add a lot of waste to the landfill, so many dog owners are looking for a better option. Each of these pads is a great machine-washable alternative that will save the environment and your wallet. Plastic Dog Kennel
Available in four different sizes, these pee pads are a great choice whether your dog is a tiny pup or a massive hound. We found these pads to be the best overall reusable pee pad for dogs. The Pet Parents Pawtect Pads come in packs of two, one tan and one grey, making them unobtrusive and attractive. What sets these pads apart is the WickQuick fabric that locks in moisture quickly, ensuring that your dog doesn’t track pee through the house. They are triple-stitched for extra durability and their slightly sticky backing prevents the pad from slipping. Although these pads have overall good reviews, some reviewers did mention that the absorbency decreased significantly after a few washes. They also noted that the small size pads don’t hold very much pee and require regular cleaning, even if you own a small dog.
The Rocket and Rex Reusable Puppy Pads give you a lot of bang for your buck, with packs of up to four low-priced pads and great prices for their size. These pads come with four layers of absorbency to soak in as much liquid as necessary and are backed with a waterproof backing that keeps liquid in. They are fast wicking so that tracking is minimized and are easy to machine wash and dry. The pad comes in a basic gray or a cute bone-print that will bring a smile to your face.
Although we love these pads and they have great reviews overall, some reviewers mentioned that these pads tended to slip on tile or hardwood floors. They also occasionally shrink slightly the wash, leaving them with a rumpled appearance as each layer shrinks to a different amount.
Lots of washable pads claim they are long-lasting and absorbent, but with Lennypads Ultra Absorbent Washable Pee Pads the reviews back it up. We found these pads to be the best premium choice for washable dog pads. Reviewers love these pads, stating that they last for months longer than other brands and still absorb pee like they are new. The plaid print is stylish and matches many different décor styles, making the pad feel a part of your home. However, some reviewers do note that the dark color makes it hard to tell if the pad needs cleaning. This pad comes with four layers of protection to keep your floors clean and leak-free. Because they are sold individually and not as part of a pack, they are slightly more expensive per pad than many other brands, but the extra lifespan makes the cost worth it.
If square’s not your style, Pet Parents Pawtect Round Pads are a great alternative. These circular pads come in three different sizes to fit your needs, making them perfect for small or large dogs. These pads are durable and easy to clean, with pads designed to survive rough and tumble puppies and multiple washings. Their triple-stitched quilting helps to keep them safe from all but the roughest chewers. They also have patented WickQuick fabric that absorbs liquid in seconds so that your pup doesn’t track wet pawprints all around the house. Some reviewers did warn that the fabric pills in time as it is washed, leaving it looking a little less pristine as time goes on.
Zampa Pets Quality Whelp Round Dog Pee Pad is the perfect choice for putting under a round playpen for extra protection. With four thick layers of polyester knitting, it absorbs liquid quickly and a waterproof inner layer prevents leaks. Reviewers say the pads are soft, thick, and comfortable for the dogs to walk on. This pad is also safe for use indoors or outdoors, making it a great option if you need to keep a pee pad outside. Some reviewers did mention that the fabric is stiff enough that dogs’ claws tap against it, annoying some owners. Other reviewers noted that their pads are between one and two inches smaller than advertised, so if size is an issue, consider going up a size.
If you are switching over from a paper pad, these Green Lifestyle Reusable Dog Pee Pads are a great option. These pads are white, making it easy to see when they need cleaning. The white color also helps dogs who have already been trained on paper pads to switch over easily. They also come in a pack of four or six, which lowers the overall cost per pad and makes rotating out pads easy. These pads are ultra-absorbent and reinforced to be long lasting. These pads do have a few drawbacks though. Compared to other pads on this list, they don’t absorb odors well, so they need to be switched out regularly to keep your house smelling clean. The white surfaces also stain easily, so if your dog ever gets poop or blood on the pad it can be difficult to get the stain out.
If you’ve got a big dog, you know how hard it is to find a big enough mat. The Paw Inspired Washable Dog Pee Pad comes in sizes of up to 72×72 inches, making it one of the biggest washable pads out there. The pad is durable and machine washable, making cleanup quick and ensuring your pad will last through many washes. Cleanup is easy and it is designed to absorb moisture quickly. However, reviewers do note that it’s less absorbent than other dog pee pad brands and that the back tends to crack over time. In addition, the extra-large sizes of pads can be difficult to wash in a standard washer, so it may be better to go for several smaller pads instead.
Magasin Washable Dog Training Pads are another low-cost reusable alternative to disposable pads. These pads are designed to absorb liquids and odors, making them great for training puppies or caring for older or sick dogs. Each layer is made of a needle-punched fabric that is less leak-prone than woven fabric. They are machine washable and dryable, but some reviewers noted that drying them made them fall apart quickly. Reviewers also noted that each pad stopped absorbing quickly and needed frequent rotation, making them more work than other pad options.
As the name suggests, reusable pads have a big advantage over disposable ones because they are multi-use. Although reusable pads wear out over time, most reusable pads will pay for themselves several times over when compared to a single-use disposable pad. But that’s not the only perk. Reusable puppy pads are also a great option because they are more durable than a single-use pad, making them ideal for puppies and dogs that like to shred disposable pads. Most reusable pads are also more absorbent, meaning that they can hold more liquid. If your disposable pads are usually flooded, a reusable pad might be a good alternative.
One of the most important qualities in a pad is absorbency. This refers to how much liquid they can absorb before becoming soggy or leaking. High-quality pads should be able to hold several cups of liquid. Larger pads will also hold more liquid than smaller ones.
If you are interested in an all-natural ezyme cleaner, our favorite is the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. It does an excellent job of successfully lifting set-in stains and odors the first time without odor masking. It's available in 3 light scent options - Neutral, Citrus Splash, and Floral Fresh. Best of all, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee - click here to learn more. Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical... Check Price on Amazon At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
If you are interested in an all-natural ezyme cleaner, our favorite is the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. It does an excellent job of successfully lifting set-in stains and odors the first time without odor masking. It's available in 3 light scent options - Neutral, Citrus Splash, and Floral Fresh. Best of all, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee - click here to learn more.
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical... Check Price on Amazon
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
Your pad should be big enough to make sure your dog doesn’t miss it, and small enough to fit into your space. Extremely large pads can get in the way and take up a lot of room, especially since you might not always want to step on them. You should also consider washability when considering size. If you buy a 72-inch pad, it might be perfect for your Great Dane, but it might not be able to fit in your washer. If you can’t find a pad that is the right size for your needs, you can overlap smaller pads by a few inches to make a bigger space.
Pads usually come in packs of between one and six pads. If your dog uses pee pads regularly, you probably want at least two so that you can place one down while the other is being washed. Having more pads allows you to place them in more places in your house.
Some pads come with wicking technology that allows them to absorb water faster. This is great if your dog has a tendency to track wet pawprints all over your house.
As you can see from these reviews, the Pet Parents Pawtect Pads are the best overall pads with great performance and unique wicking technology. We also loved the Rocket and Rex Puppy Pads because they gave you so much value for their price. Lennypads Ultra Absorbent Washable Pads are premium priced but will absorb liquid and odors for months on end without a break. And all the other pads on this list come highly recommended for cost-saving, eco-friendly mess containment.
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
Cat Toilet House Chelsea Flake Mortensen is a writer with a passion for pets. She grew up around everything from cats to chameleons and loves working with all kinds of animals. Chelsea has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Brigham Young University. Chelsea loves reading, writing, sewing, and board games. She's lived in half a dozen US states and two countries. She is currently living in New England with her husband. Her articles have been featured in various magazines and literary journals for children and adults. Her writing has been translated into over 40 languages.