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Because you don’t have the best indoor dog potty, I am sure you had your fair share of stinky little “accidents” left by your pooch. Whether he was untrained, sick or some other condition, but can’t blame him. We blame you for not getting him an indoor potty that would solve your problem.

Get your dog his private toilet where he can pee or poop feeling safe. No more old fashion solutions, like newspapers on the floor (yuck!). No more going outside in the eye of the storm blizzard just because your dog scratches the door and whines.

The indoor potty is suitable for all dogs, even without any health issues, but is especially helpful in some cases.

Best Indoor Dog Potty – Top 5 (Summary):

ImageProductFeatures
rocket & rex Washable, Puppy Pee Pads. Waterproof, Pet Training Reusable Pads

Rocket & Rex - WINNER - Best Rated

  • Durable
  • Contains bad odors more efficiently
  • Extremely absorbing
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Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty with Real Grass

Fresh Patch - Most Reviewed

  • Absorbs urine
  • Easy disposal
  • Lightweight
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Dog Grass Pee Pad Potty - Artificial Grass Patch for Dogs - Pet Litter Box Training Pads

Paws & Pals - Best for Large Dogs

  • Leakproof bottom tray
  • Extremely durable
  • Multiple layers for easier cleaning
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Home-Man Puppy Potty Trainer - Pets Indoor Restroom

Home-Man

  • Odor free three layer system
  • UV resistant material
  • Long lasting collecting tray
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Indoor Dog Potty Tray – with Protection Wall Every Side for No Leak

DogCharge

  • Base doesn’t slip at all
  • High sides and perforated grate for easier urine drainage
  • No leakage of urine and water on your floors
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11 Best Indoor Dog Potties on the Market

11 Best Indoor Dog Potties on the Market

1. rocket & rex Washable Dog Pee Pads, Dog Training Pads, Waterproof and Reusable

If you want to save money, but still own a large and durable indoor dog potty, you might want to look at Rocket & Rex.

This product is environmentally friendly and disposes of waste very effectively. This might change and your potty might start leaking after a few years, but you’d have to change any product after some time after all.

Four very absorbing layers make sure that the waste and pee never get to your floors and carpets.

They’re backed with a waterproof backing and don’t contain any of the harmful substances, making it very safe for your pet.

rocket & rex Washable, Puppy Pee Pads. Waterproof, Pet Training Reusable Pads

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Extremely absorbing with waterproof backing
  • Contains bad odors more efficiently
  • Durable and spacious
Cons
  • Starts leaking after an extended period of use

2. Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty with Real Grass

With the look of natural grass, Fresh Patch Indoor Dog Potty is both stylish and practical, in addition to being biodegradable and environment friendly.

Its natural look attracts dogs and makes them want to spend most of the day on it. Without any reusable parts, you have to clean or replace often, this product is also disposable.

Lightweight and long-lasting as it is, this potty isn’t too heavy or bulky, so you’ll be able to move it around your home if needed.

It’s suitable for dogs that are up to 25 lbs in weight and absorbs urine and bad odors more efficiently than any other similar product.

Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty with Real Grass

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Neutralizes bad odor and absorbs urine
  • Biodegradable and lightweight
  • Easy disposal and doesn’t have reusable parts that need to be replaced
Cons
  • Price is a bit higher

3. Dog Grass Pee Pad Potty – Artificial Grass Patch for Dogs – Pet Litter Box Training Pads Best for Puppy Indoor Turf

Design of Paws & Pals Indoor Potty for Dogs is sturdy and pretty long lasting with multiple layers that make leakage almost impossible.

The top layer is made of synthetic grass, while the bottom tray is meant for collecting waste and urine.

These layers allow for easy cleaning since you can remove them, wipe and rinse off and your pet can use them again.

Inside the pack you get two pads, draining grate and leakproof bottom tray. The only thing you might not like is the upper layer that sheds bristles a little.

Dog Grass Pee Pad Potty - Artificial Grass Patch for Dogs - Pet Litter Box Training Pads

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Leakproof bottom tray
  • Multiple layers for easier cleaning
  • Long lasting and extremely durable
Cons
  • Synthetic grass upper layer tends to shed

4. Home-Man Puppy Potty Trainer – Pets Indoor Restroom – Artificial Grass Pet Bathroom Mat

Made of synthetic turf with three absorbing layers, Home-Man Dog Potty is safe and non-toxic, in addition to being UV resistant.

Like most of the similar products, it also strives to remain odor free and takes care of your pet’s urine by draining and collecting it in the durable tray.

The first layer resembles the real grass, while the middle part has holes for urine drainage. As you can guess, the final layer is the aforementioned collecting tray.

A design like this works great in keeping your floors and carpets dry since all the waste goes into the bottom base tray and you can easily dispose of it.

Home-Man Puppy Potty Trainer - Pets Indoor Restroom

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Improved, non-toxic, odor-free three layer system
  • UV resistant material that’s easy to clean
  • Durable, long lasting collecting tray
Cons
  • A bit hard to clean

5. DogCharge Indoor Dog Potty Tray – with Protection Wall Every Side for No Leak, Spill, Accident

Perforated grate on DogCharge Indoor Dog Potty is great for keeping the urine of your pet away from your floors.

With its high sides, it provides plenty of space for your dog to lay on it, while at the same time allowing easier liquid drainage into the last base.

The base of this product is anti-slip which means you won’t have to worry about it moving around even if you have a hyperactive dog.

On a side note, this item might be too small for most of dogs, but for the ones that aren’t, it’s an amazing product your pet is going to love.

Indoor Dog Potty Tray – with Protection Wall Every Side for No Leak

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Base doesn’t slip at all
  • No leakage of urine and water on your floors
  • High sides and perforated grate for easier urine drainage
Cons
  • Too small for most dogs

6. BrilliantPad Self-Cleaning, Automatic Indoor Dog Potty for Puppies and Small Dogs

Often considered as an alternative to regular indoor dog potties, BrilliantPad features five layers that trap waste and bad odor but are still thin looking.

On a side note, although the manufacturer claims the item is entirely odor free, you’ll probably start noticing the slight bad smell after a while.

However, this doesn’t prevent it from being awesome, especially since it’s super and absorbing. Automatic roll makes the process of changing dirty pads with the clean ones extremely easy without you having to touch the waste at all.

You can adjust the timer to change the pads as fast as you wish. The pad is sturdy and lasts for very long, but it’s mostly for smaller dogs.

 

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Fast absorbing and has a drip lip to prevent spills
  • Made of five durable layers
  • Odor free and has an automatic roll that replaces dirty pads with clean ones
Cons
  • Not entirely odor free

7. Artificial Grass Bathroom Mat – Portable Potty Trainer for Indoor and Outdoor Use

Unique system with three layers that have the same feeling as natural grass makes PETMAKER Indoor Dog Potty very easy to clean.

They’re all non-toxic and entirely safe for your furry friend. In addition, they prevent bad odors from sticking on the potty since they drain any liquid to the tray at the bottom.

You can remove this grid tray when the time for cleaning comes. On the other hand, the bottom base is also detachable and it’s meant to be cleaned with soap and water only.

The only thing that you might not like is the fact that the product starts to fall apart after a few years, but this is something to be expected from almost all similar products.

Artificial Grass Bathroom Mat for Puppies and Small Pets- Portable Potty Trainer

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Antimicrobial, odor-resistant three-piece system
  • Removable grid tray drains to keep the potty clean at all times
  • Detachable bottom base for easy cleaning
Cons
  • Tends to fall apart after some time

8. SavvyGrow Artificial Grass for Dogs Pee Pads

Safe, non-toxic and looking like natural grass, SavvyGrow Dog Potty is made to be durable and the manufacturer states that it usually lasts between 15 and 25 years with regular use.

The color of the real grass won’t fade away with time and there won’t be the need that you mow, blow, trim or water the potty.

Aside from that, this product is resistant to harsh weather, UV rays and wear and tear. Drainage holes are there to prevent urine from getting on your floors and carpets.

You’ll find this item easy to install and clean. It has a non-slip rubber that doesn’t let urine slide through on your floor.

SavvyGrow Artificial Grass for Dogs Pee Pads - Premium 4 Tone Puppy Potty Training, Easy to Clean with Drain Holes

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Corrosion and UV resistant
  • Non-slip rubber backing
  • Drainage holes for quick water and urine absorption
Cons
  • Tends to get too hot if you put it in the sun for too long

9. PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor/Outdoor Dog Potty

Uniquely designed and highly absorbent sponge in PetSafe Pet Loo Dog Potty traps urine and other liquids, as well as bad odor and prevents them from getting on your floors.

All the liquids are gathered in the collection bin and you can conveniently throw them when the bin gets full.

Simply remove the bin from the potty, dispose of the waste and attach it back. The cleaning should be performed with water, which makes the whole process a lot easier.

The product resembles real grass and is suitable to take with you in your RV or camper. It’s mostly for smaller dogs, but it can work pretty well for medium sized ones.

PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor/Outdoor Dog Potty, Alternative to Puppy Pads

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Absorbs any liquid and prevents bad odor
  • Easy waste disposal
  • Simple to clean with removable collection tray
Cons
  • Too high of the floor

10. Giantex Dog Potty Pad, Home Training Toilet Pad – Grass Surface Portable Dog Mat Turf

Carefully selected durable materials and weatherproof design make Giantex Indoor Dog Potty long-lasting and convenient to use and clean.

The grass on the upper layer looks really natural and feels soft, which is one of the reasons why your dog is going to love spending time on it.

This is also the layer you can remove to make the cleaning easier. The grid tray underneath is made with drainage holes that lead all the liquids to the bottom tray.

Once the waste gets to the last layer, you can easily clean it by just rinsing it with water.

Giantex Dog Puppy Pet Potty Pad Home Training Toilet Pad Grass Surface Portable Dog Mat

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Weatherproof and portable
  • Crafted from premium, durable materials
  • Removable bottom base tray and great drainage holes
Cons
  • Only for small puppies

11. Paradise Indoor Puppy Dog Pet Potty W/Tray Training Pee Pad Mat Tray Grass

Two essential layers and a well drained tray that collects urine and other pet’s waste, Paradise Group Dog Potty can be removed and cleaned with ease.

Both layers are detachable and resistant to harsh weather conditions. The materials from which are made aren’t toxic and they don’t allow bacteria accumulation.

You can clean the item with warm, soapy water. It also doesn’t allow bad smells to stick around.

However, the top layer made of synthetic grass doesn’t have a natural look at all, which is why this product might not be attractive for your dog.

Indoor Puppy Dog Pet Potty W/Tray Training Pee Pad

View Price on Amazon

Pros
  • Detachable, weatherproof and entirely washable
  • Anti-bacterial, non-toxic and safe for your pet
  • Well drained tray for urine
Cons
  • Grass doesn’t look very natural

What Is an Indoor Dog Potty and the Benefits of Using It

Benefits of Using an indoor dog potty

Senior dogs – age before beauty

When your respectable pet reaches a certain age, his bladder and bowels aren’t as obedient as they used to be. Incontinence problems are serious and despite the mess, they can cause a sense of shame in your elder dog.

Tiny dogs

There is a small problem with small dogs, their bladders are small too. That just means they need to go to the bathroom more often. Like, very often, and it can get pretty annoying.

The sad fact is that the majority of tiny dogs have been left in the shelters or even on the streets just because their owners failed to potty train them properly.

Health problems and limitations

Sometimes it’s not easy just to go out with your dog and let him do his thing. Maybe you live in a very crowded city or you are just too sick to go outside.

The older dog owners cannot take so many walks and the dogs, same as their owners can have some case of limited mobility. There is also a decent number of dogs that are afraid of thunder, rain or stronger wind.

Work and travel

If your dog spends a lot of time alone in an apartment while you are working, there is practically no other choice for you than to get him an indoor dog potty.

Unless, of course, if you want to find a slightly unpleasant view and smell when you come home. Also, it works great when you are traveling with your pet and spending the night somewhere outside of your dog’s comfort zone. 5-star hotel or a tent near the river, your dog will be grateful if you bring him his own potty.

How Does an Indoor Dog Potty Function?

How Does It Work

Will My Dog Really Use It?

Most of the indoor potties try to reflect the natural conditions and encourage your doggo to use it. Your dog will soon get used to an idea of doing his job on a safe spot that gives him a certain amount of privacy, without fear that he has done something forbidden or got you angry.

Especially when he gets used to the comfort of not having to go outside to relieve himself.

Types

The market offers a wide variety of indoor potties, all with their pros and cons. Let’s have a look, shall we?

Disposable pee pads

They are mostly used for training puppies, but your tiny dog can use them for everyday purposes. Consider them as a cheap and practical solution, something like paper tissues for dog purposes. They are really affordable, so you can pretty much hoard them when you find a decent price.

Of course, you can get picky with the extra options:

  • scented pads: they come with the scent of fruits or herbs to cover up the bad smell
  • odor-free pads: eliminating the odor instead of covering it. Nice if you don’t like the smell of scented ones
  • carbon pads: activated charcoal in it makes a perfect odor absorber
  • gel pads: they turn urine into a gel to prevent leaking and enable more usage of the pad
  • pop-up and target pads: free target practice for your dog. Gives male dogs something to shoot at and the pheromones in the pad secure the hit

Reusable pee pads – washing type

If you are the type of person that doesn’ like to throw anything, consider the use of washable pads. If you own more dogs, or if your pet has a bladder problem, the disposable pads can get pricey, too.

Solve the problem by getting washable pads, and consider buying a couple of spare ones, just in case.

The reusable pads are leak-proof, so your home won’t look like a smelly swamp. Just don’t forget to get the anti-slip option, that prevents the pad from slipping, especially if the floor is wooden or tiled.

Pad holders for pee pads

The problem with the disposable pee pads is… well, they tend to get gross in a short matter of time. Sometimes they leak, sometimes smell bad and sometimes your vigilante dog literary destroys them and happily plays in a puddle of urine.

The pad holders are a savior because they simplify the cleaning and look more appealing than just leaving the disposable pee pad on the floor. There are four basic types of pad holders.

Classic pee pad tray has a grid to drain the urine thus preventing your dog to carry it around the house.

The clipped pee pad tray has clips in the corner for securing the pad. Works great if your dog is a scratcher, and the raised corners secure that the urine doesn’t leak.

The silicone pee pad tray is considered the best combination with the reusable pads. It is lightweight, durable, soft and affordable

Wall protected pee pad tray is great if your dog does his things in private, or tends to get messy. Basically a potty tent. Size limited for medium and small dogs.

Fresh grass indoor dog potty station

As the name states, you have a real chunk of grass that will make your pup happy and eager to relieve himself. The hydroponically grown grass will attract your dog and the roots will cover the stench of urine.

The poop, well, you have to clean it yourself and flush it down the toilet, as with any other type of indoor potty. No cleaning, no-hassle, that’s a plus.

The bad part is that it must be replaced every couple of weeks, depending on your pet’s habits. That can have a serious impact on your budget.

Artificial grass dog potties

It mimics the real grass pretty well and is much easier to maintain. The price is lower than the real grass and the durability is much higher.

However, some dogs will take some time getting used to it, just because the artificial grass doesn’t have the same feeling as the real one does. Also, cleaning is a bit more complicated.

Indoor Dog Potty Patch

Basically, it consists of three layers. The surface layer is commonly made of disposable pads. The second layer is a plastic grid that drains the urine from the surface layer and gets it to the third, bottom layer that is used for collecting the fluid.

Three-layer system ensures easiness of cleaning and odor-free environment and your dog doesn’t get his paws wet. However, some dogs don’t like the feeling of a grid under their paws.

Potty Training Puppy Apartment

Try to imagine you bought your puppy a one-bedroom apartment with a bathroom separated.  The puppy apartment is technically a crate divided into two parts.

One serves as a place to sleep, howl or play with the best dog puzzle toys, while the other part serves as a bathroom. It is a well-known fact that dogs will not poop or pee in the same place that they sleep, so this apartment serves as a nice solution, by giving your dog no alternative and learning him that he uses only “bathroom” for that purposes.

Both rooms have doors to the outside and include a connecting door so your pup can easily access every room.

How To Choose The Best Indoor Potty

Height

Because most of the indoor dog potties are purposed for a small or medium-sized breed of dog, try not to get your dog a skyscraper. Just get him a potty that suits his size. If the height is adjustable, even better!

Durability and stability

Also, you don’t want a potty that breaks under the weight of your chunky dog, so choose one made of sturdy, high-quality materials that won’t break easily.

The sturdiness of materials also secures that your dog will not use his potty as a chew toy, or try to wreck it, especially after he failed to do it with his indestructible dog toys.

Size and shape

As always, size matters. Picking the right size of the indoor dog potty can be tricky. If you pick a potty that is too small, it will get dirty much quicker and there is a modest chance that your dog will simply miss his target every now and then.

Having a potty that is too large just means that you will have to clean the bigger surface without any need, along with extra costs if you use disposable materials. As far as the matter of shape, consult with your dog and see what does he prefer, standard square shape or something exotic.

Easy cleaning, easy life

Have you ever met someone who enjoys cleaning stuff? Me neither.  A great indoor potty must be easy to clean, not just to save our precious time, but for the sake of your pet.

That means that the parts are easily separable and made of a material that is easy to clean. Equally important,  regularly cleaning the potty reduces risks for your own health.

Non-slip – no more sliding your potty around the house

Imagine the amount of disaster that will happen if your playful pooch tries to drag his favorite potty around the house. Even worse, imagine your pet slipping while he tries to use the potty.

To prevent those smelly apocalyptic scenarios, pick a potty with non-slip options, especially if you are going to place it on the floor tiles.

Does Spending More Mean More Quality?

Your choice is yours, and yours only. But be careful when you are choosing the potty for your dog and we say this for his well-being. Always check all the information about the supplier and manufacturers and do business only with reliable ones, to rule out any possible scam.

It is always better to pay a few coins more for a high-quality product that will make your pet’s life easier than to risk and purchase low-quality equipment from suspicious sources.

How To Train Your Dog To Use an Indoor Dog Potty

How To Train Your Dog To Use an Indoor Dog Potty

The best thing is to start training them while they are puppies, or, in the case of a new, adult dog, as soon as they move in with you. The process will take some time and a lot of bribe and patience.

Present the potty to your dog as something normal to his surroundings, just like the food bowl, his bed or a leash. Make him feel safe around it. Then try to observe your dog’s habits.

When you notice that he has to poop or pee, slightly pull the potty to him and encourage him to use it, with a soft, calmly voice. “Here you go, boy”. “Do your thing”. If it succeeds, reward him with treats and the biggest dog toys ever. If it doesn’t, be patient. Don’t ever punish your dog if he doesn’t obey at the start, because it will then link the potty with a bad experience and will refuse to use it ever again.

You can use a little trick: gather some urine from his last little accident (or a pee pad attractant spray) and apply it on the potty, so he recognizes the smell and connects the dots in his furry little head. After every successful visit to a potty, give him some treats and a lot of compliments.

Needless to say, the surroundings of the potty also must be easy to clean, because accidents will happen, even with a fully trained dog. It takes around 10 days (averagely) to properly potty train your dog.

 

 

How To Clean and Maintain Your New Best Indoor Dog Potty

It depends on the type of potty that your dog is using. Disposable pads – well, the name says it all. The same goes for the washable pads – they are easily washed in a washing machine.

Real grass is disposable too, you just need to physically remove all the poop when it appears. When it comes to the potties made of artificial material, some hot water and mild soap will do the trick.

Flush the urine and feces down your toilet, and scrub the potty thoroughly. Just remember never to use any stronger chemicals as it might harm your pet

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to make the indoor dog potty smell-free?

If you sense any bad smell, that usually means something is wrong. Renowned manufacturers use materials that hide and neutralize any bad odor coming from the potty.

In most cases, you just need to clean the potty a bit better. And remember that artificial grass doesn’t have the same properties as the real grass, so it has a different smell and requires a bit more cleaning.

Where is the best place to put the indoor dog potty?

Choose the location of the potty carefully. Your pet needs a place that will secure his privacy and a safe feeling, without many people passing by.

That rules out the living room and the kitchen, so try with the laundry room, basement or something similar. You should not change the location of the potty as it might confuse your dog.

How often should I clean the indoor dog potty?

The best answer is: you should clean it as soon as your dog poops or pees in it, and at least once a day. That prevents the occurrence of diseases and bacteria that could harm you or your dog. Once a weak, clean your dog’s potty with maximum dedication to details.

Is the indoor dog potty for male dogs different than the ones for female dogs?

When we talk about puppies, there is no gender difference:  both genders squat when they pee. However, male puppies, as they become maturer, start to mark their territory and lift their leg when they pee.

To avoid the puddles, the use of pop-up pads or target pads is necessary. Also, secure the area around the potty to avoid the splatter.

How to choose the indoor dog potty for large dogs?

Simply, get him a bigger one. Your large pet needs extra space to feel comfortable, so buy him a size that fits him, because anything smaller would be extremely unpleasant, or impossible to use. Just don’t forget to consider his weight into the calculation.

Can I use one indoor dog potty for multiple dogs?

Although it is not recommended, it is possible if your dogs get along well.  But it is better to be safe and get each dog his own private potty.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it all depends on you. Indoor dog potties are a great invention that makes the lives of dog and dog owners much easier. Many available options will suit the need of any dog, regardless of size, breed, training or health. Pick one that your dog will love.

Photos from: damedeeso / depositphotos.com, isampuntarat / depositphotos.com, markcarper / depositphotos.com. 

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Big pet lover and a dog training and behavior expert who loves to share his knowledge and experience. Happy owner of two amazing dogs Labrador Bela and Jack Russell Terrier Piksi and one cuddly cat Tom.