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If you are thinking about getting a litter tray for your dog then you are in the right place!
This article will give you all the information you need on why you might need to use a litter tray, the types of litter tray that are available and provide some reviews of the best trays for each type.
After looking at the different types of litter trays you can get for a dog we have given our best choice award to the conventional type litter tray. There are a few different options and they all serve a particular function and might be more suitable for your needs. But we felt the PuppyGoHere Dog Litter Tray offered the best option. It has a sturdy design made from recycled plastic, has a 5″ raised edge and a front opening for easy access. You can read the extended review here.
Jump straight to Litter Tray reviews…
Trays Reviewed In This Article:
| PuppyGoHere | All-Absorb | Klean Paws | PetMaker | Fresh Patch | |
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| Type | Conventional Tray | Pad Holder | Grate | Artificial Grass | Real Grass |
| Size | 20″ x 15″ x 5″ 24″ x 20″ x 5″ 28″ x 22″ x 9″ |
24″ x 24″ | 21.5″ x 16.5″ x 1.2″ | 20″ x 25″ x 1.25″ | 16" x 24" |
| Pros | Sturdy Design 5″ Raised Edges Easy Access Opening |
Lightweight Design Easy To Clean Can Be Rolled Up Lavender scent Raised Edges |
Prevents your dog from walking in their own mess. Easy to clean. |
3 Layer System Odor Resistant Antibacterial Mat Easy To Clean Indoor/Outside Use |
Real Grass Natural Attractant Odor Neutralizer Inside/Outside Use Biodegradable |
| Amazon Rating | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 | 3.4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
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Article Contents
When it comes to training your dog to learn where it is and isn’t okay to go to the toilet, it is never an easy task. You might think that it’s only cats that use a litter tray but did you know that it is possible to train your puppy or dog to use a litter tray as well?
It isn’t a very well-known fact, as most people associate litter trays with cats, but they can be very beneficial for dogs as well. A litter tray for a dog is a bit different to one that is used for a cat, for a number of reasons. For one, some dogs are very large and wouldn’t be able to fit into a smaller litter tray, and sometimes they won’t use ‘litter’ at all.
Why Use A Litter Tray for Your Dog?
- You Don’t Have A Garden.
- You Have An Elderly Dog Or A Dog With Mobility Issues.
- Bladder Control Issues.
- Avoid Going Out In Bad Weather.
Some people might be wondering why they should bother training their dog to use a litter tray when they can just go outside into the garden or when on a walk. But what happens if you don’t own a garden and happen to live in an apartment complex? Or perhaps you work long hours away from home and can’t make it home in time to let your dog outside. There is nothing worse than coming home to find an unwelcome gift on the carpet.
You Don’t Have A Garden
When it comes to wanting a litter tray for your dog, there are a number of reasons why. The first one that most people mention is one we discussed earlier, in that they don’t always have the opportunity to have a garden. Houses are expensive to live in, which is why apartments are so popular, but they don’t come with an outdoor space.
If you’re lucky then you will have a balcony, which can be a great place to put an outdoor litter tray, as well as an indoor one. A litter tray while living in an apartment is a great idea when potty training a puppy. Another plus is that you won’t need to keep travelling down all those flights of stairs multiple times a day to go outside.
You Have An Elderly Dog Or A Dog With Mobility Issues
Another reason that people might think about investing in a litter tray is that they have a senior dog to accommodate. When dogs are older, they often move slower, which means they might not always make it outside in time or let you know when they need to go to the toilet. The reason they move slower could be because of pain, and if the trek is long, they might just go on the floor instead.
There are also times when they might not be able to control their bladder, resulting in unfortunate accidents. Although, it isn’t just the dogs that could have mobility issues, as the owner can as well. Your dog will still need to go outside for walks, but it stops you from needing to let them out for the toilet every few hours.
Bladder Control Issues
Then there is the fact that certain breeds of dog will need to go to the toilet more often due to a smaller bladder than other breeds, such as the Maltese dog. It makes it much harder for them to adapt to going outside for the toilet, and this is where an indoor litter box will come in handy. Some dogs also have a hard time waiting to go to the toilet and end up feeling bad when they pee on the carpet or furniture.
Avoid Going Out In Bad Weather
Another reason for wanting to buy a litter tray for your dog is that you might live in a place with bad weather. Whether that means it snows heavily for months at a time or the pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on in summer, sometimes it isn’t ideal for your dog to go outside and pee. Nobody likes to have to experience extreme weather conditions and the same can be said for your dog as well.
Other Things To Consider When Using A Litter Tray For Your Dog
Dogs sometimes have a tendency to eat their own poo, which sounds extremely disgusting to humans, but they don’t seem to mind. When you want to train your dog to use a litter box, you also have to train them to stop their habit of eating poo. Just like when you stopped them from drinking out of the toilet, it will take time and patience. It is a lot harder than just house training them and sometimes people will want to stop training them to use the litter box, but perseverance is key. Once you realise why they are doing what they shouldn’t be, you can work on overcoming the obstacle together.
If you are trying to potty train your dog then you might like to read our article – How To Potty Train A Puppy.
Types Of Dog Litter Trays
- Conventional Tray.
- Pad Holders.
- Plastic Grates.
- Real Grass.
- Synthetic Grass.
Dogs have the ability to use a litter tray the same way as a cat does, it can just be a little harder to accomplish. Some dogs won’t take to it easily and you never really know if they will stick to it unless you try. Something that can make it easier for your dog in choosing the right type of litter tray for them and there are actually more types than you realise. Manufacturers have thought ahead and designed five different types of litter trays that your dog can use, and there are different sizes as well.
You don’t want to choose one that is too small for your dog, so always keep in mind that is has to be roomy enough for them to find that perfect spot. We all know how dogs like to pace or go in circles before they go to the toilet outside and it is the same for inside. You also have to make sure it is placed somewhere that will stop your dog from causing damage to the flooring or carpet when they go to the toilet.
Conventional Tray
The conventional litter tray is a simple solution to going to the toilet indoors. However, where some litter trays have roofs over them, the dog versions don’t, and it is for the simple reason that your dog won’t go to the toilet if there isn’t enough space for them. They do, however, have higher sidewalls that will keep all the litter contained in the tray and can come in a range of sizes to suit your dog.
You don’t have to fill them with litter as you do with other types of trays. Instead, most people prefer to use recycled paper pellets as they are effective at soaking up the urine. You must make sure that the tray is cleaned and changed frequently to ensure they keep using it and reduced undesirable smells in your home.
Pad Holders
When dogs are being traditionally house trained, a lot of owners will buy pee pads to stop them from peeing on the floor. They are often made from sheets of paper, fabric or a mixture of both, and come in a range of sizes to cover your floor. But did you know there are reusable kinds that can be used inside permanently? If you buy multiple kinds, then you can switch them out when one needs to go in the washing machine.
They don’t have to be placed directly onto the floor either and can line the inside of a crate or pad holder. The pads work by having a four-layer protective system which can stop the odour from being as strong and will protect the underneath from being soaked. The only problem with the pee pads is that dogs will sometimes destroy them by ripping it up. The pee pad stops this from happening by holding the pad in place and keeping it taut. Consequently, the pads will last for longer when they aren’t being torn apart.
Plastic Grates
If you want your dog to be able to use their tray without stepping in their own pee, then investing in a plastic grate might be the answer. You don’t want them traipsing around the house with wet paws and making the carpet smell. The grate helps to split the tray into sections.
Underneath there will be an absorbent material such as the pee pads or newspaper where the pee will be collected once drained through the grate. The dog will stand on top of the grate and any solids can easily be collected, as well as making it quick to clean with a wipe. The grates can be removed to give you access to clear up the absorbent material underneath, before being secured back in place.
The plastic grates are also good as it stops your dog from having access to the pee pads underneath, not allowing them the chance to rip them up. They can come in multiple sizes and even different colours too.
Synthetic/Artificial Grass
Do you like the idea of using a grass litter tray but don’t want to buy a new one every few weeks when the grass dies? Synthetic litter boxes are the perfect option. With the look and feel of real grass, these trays will help to train your dog to transition easily from outside to inside without much fuss. Unlike real grass, they won’t die from lack of sunlight being inside and can be washed so they can be reused until it starts to wear away from use.
There are different types of synthetic grass litter trays to buy, but they all work in the same way. Some types have a thin layer of fake grass on top, with a tray just below that will catch any liquid in an absorbent pad. There are also trays that are raised off the ground, so the pee won’t wet the dog’s paws as it gets trapped beneath.
Due to the size and raised edges, it can be picked up easily, making it perfect for travelling. The only downside to synthetic grass is that your dog may be tempted to chew the fake grass blades, which won’t agree with their stomach.
While litter boxes can be a great addition to your dog’s life, it doesn’t eliminate the need for them to go outside. They still need to be walked or taken to the toilet outside a number of times a day for fresh air, the litter trays just reduce that number.
Real Grass
It is no secret that dogs love the great outdoors and the grass makes it much easier for them to go to the toilet. Certain manufacturers took note of this and decided to create litter boxes that incorporate real grass into them. They will make the dog feel as if they are outside and make them more likely to use it, rather than going to the toilet on the floor.
The boxes aren’t exceptionally large and will feature a swatch of grass on top, but some even have a base under the grass for any liquids. The only downside to these real grass boxes is that the grass eventually dies out or wears away after two to three weeks. It means you will have to keep on buying them and the reason for this is that they don’t use soil. The grass is grown hydroponically, which helps to reduce any mess that using soil would cause, but it also dries out quickly.
Dog Litter Tray Reviews
We’ve had a good look at a variety of litter trays and boxes, and below we will share with you our best choices for each type of tray that is available – conventional tray, pad holder, tray with a plastic grate, artificial grass or real grass. Have a look at the options and see what one you think will best suit you and your dog’s needs.
PuppyGoHere Dog Litter Tray – (Conventional Tray/Box)
The PuppyGoHere Litter Box is a conventional litter box made from good sturdy 100% recycled plastic. It gets our best choice award and we feel it is the most practical and efficient way of allowing your dog to go potty in the home. It has 5″ raised edges to prevent any mess leaving the potty area. A lot of customers reviews show that this is a great feature that separates it from a pad holder as all the mess is kept inside the box. It has an opening at the front of the tray that you can see in the image. This opening provides easy access for your dog and reduces the chances of the tray being tipped over. This tray comes in a variety of sizes and colors. You can either use litter or pads with this tray, whatever you prefer. The litter tray weighs 2.4 pounds giving it good stability when being used by your dog.
Sizes:
- 20″ x 15″ x 5″.
- 24″ x 20″ x 5″.
- 28″ x 22″ x 9″.
The PuppyGoHere Litter Box has a 4.4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon and you can read the customer reviews for yourself here.
Benefits:
- Sturdy no tip design.
- 5″ Raised edges.
- Made from 100% recycled plastic.
- Easy access opening.
Check the price of the PuppyGoHome Litter Box on Amazon
Buy Dog Litter Pellets on Amazon
All-Absorb – (Pad Holder)
The All-Absorb Potty Training Pad Holder is made from a durable, lightweight silicone material that can be easily cleaned and rolled up for easy storage. It also has a lavender scent that reduced bad odors in your home after your dog has done their business. It has raised edges and fits pads up to up to 23.5 inches. This pad holder is a good option if you don’t want to leave you dogs potty area available all hours of the day.
The All-Absorb potty pad holder has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on chewy.com and you can read the reviews for yourself here.
Benefits:
- Durable lightweight design.
- Easy to clean.
- Can be rolled up for storage.
- Lavender scent.
- Raised edges.
Check the price of the All-Absorb Pad Holder on Chewy.com
Klean Paws Dog Litter Tray – (Grate)
The Klean Paws Litter Tray comes with a high-quality perforated grate that allows your dog’s pee to go straight through on the pad or newspaper. This feature reduces mess as it stops the pee flowing out onto the floor and also stops your dog from walking in their own mess then transporting it around the home. Another great feature of having a grate is that it secures the pad. This could be a useful thing for you if you have one of those dogs that like to chew and rip up their pads. It will save on cleaning up and also save you money as you’ll be buying fewer pads. The only slight negative of this litter tray is its size. It has a size of 21.5″ x 16.5″ x 1.2″ and almost all puppy pads are square so they won’t fit perfectly. However, it’s only a small job to fold the pad so it fits ok.
The Klean Paws Litter Tray has a 4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon and you can read the reviews of other customers here.
Benefits:
- Prevents your dog from walking in their own mess.
- Save on pads and mess.
- Easy to clean.
Cons:
- Is not a square so pads won’t fit exactly.
Check the price of the Klean Paws Litter Tray on Amazon
Frisco Potty Trainer – (Artificial Grass)
The Frisco Artificial Grass Potty Trainer has a unique 3 piece design. It consists of a synthetic plastic mat, a detachable grid tray and a bottom base. The base is detachable and can be easily cleaned with soapy water. The detachable gird has holes that allow your dog’s pee to drain through to the bottom tray and the synthetic grass mat provides a similar experience for your dog to when they go outside. The top mat is odor resistant reducing bad smells in your home and can also be easily washed with soapy water. It is completely waterproof meaning you can also use this potty mat outside without any concerns. It also comes with an “attractant” smell that will encourage your dog to do its business where you want them to. It’s dimension are 20″ x 20″.
The PetMaker Artificial Grass Tray has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on chewy.com and you can read what over customers have to say about this product here.
Benefits:
- Odor resistant.
- Antibacterial mat.
- Easy to clean.
- Indoor and outside use.
- Has an attractant smell to attract to your dog to the right place.
Check the price of the Frisco Potty Tray on Chewy.com
Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty – (Real Grass)
Fresh Patch is a unique potty tray option. You’ll get a biodegradable light weight patch of grass in a cardboard box that can be bought individually or as a subscription service. The grass is hydroponically grown so there is no dirt. This means you don’t have to worry about dirt getting everywhere and more mess to clean up. Due to this technique of growing the grass, it will last much longer than ordinary grown grass. According to the manufacturer, the grass will last from 1 to 4 weeks depends on how often it’s used.
The grass absorbs liquids and controls odors naturally so there are no messy cleanup or dirty pads to be thrown away. Most dogs naturally seek grass to relieve themselves so your dog should be instantly drawn to the Fresh Patch tray. The Fresh Patch is a good option for elderly dog owners or dog owners that have mobility issues. It’s also a good idea for dogs that are injured or have mobility restrictions and for puppies or smaller dogs that have a limited bladder capacity.
The Fresh Patch has a 4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon from over 2000 reviews and you can read what other customers have to say about this product here.
Benefits:
- Real grass.
- Natural attractant.
- Odor neutralizer.
- Can be used inside or outside.
- Biodegradable.
- Optional subscription service.
- Hydroponically grown so there is no dirt to make a mess.
- Last longer than normally grown grass.
Check the price of The Fresh Patch on Amazon
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