Alternatives to Puppy Pee Pads for Small Dogs

Puppy pee pads are typically called “Housetraining Pads” but many pet owners, especially those with small dogs, use them well after the puppy has grown. They are convenient in cold or stormy weather when it may not be possible to take the dog outside, or for long periods of time at home alone. The pads need to be picked up and changed often and this can become very expensive.

Environmentally conscious pet owners are looking for alternative ways to allow their pet access to puppy pee pads instead of constantly throwing the plastic sheets into the trash to sit in our landfills for years. Other pet owners are looking for ways to save money.

Alternative Pee Pads

• 1. Old throw rugs can be found at yard sales and thrift shops for very little cost. You may even have some around the house that you can save whenever you purchase new ones. Don’t worry about doggie using your “good” rugs. Once he or she is trained to find his spot, he will know where to go. If you worry about leakage you can place the throw rug on top of puppy pee pads to be safe. You won’t have to change the commercial pee pad every time, just the top layered rag rug.

• 2. Hospital or nursing home bed pads work well also. When these facilities get new bed pads, the laundry workers are usually instructed to throw out some of the older, worn pads. These are not stained or nasty looking, they are just slightly worn. Some are quite large, so you can cut them into several pee pads for your dog. The bonus is that they already have the protective side. If you ask at one of the facilities, they will be happy to give you a supply of freshly laundered pee pads that they were going to throw out.

Laundry and Care

If you have been using commercial pee pads or picking up from your dog after a walk, you shouldn’t be squeamish about laundering the home made pee pads. Just pick up the solid waste and dispose of it and put the pee pad into its own laundry basket until you have enough to wash.

Wash the load with regular detergent and add a small amount of 20 Mule Team Borax to remove all signs of urine from the pads. Dry them in your dryer or hang them outside on a nice day. What? Your thinking, “Not in my washer?” Surely you have had small children who had thoroughly soaked their bed and pajamas at some point in their life. It’s no different than washing those.