There are some instances when using a dog litter box is just essential. Fur example, when your fur baby is a puppy, and he is potty training, a dog litter box is pawfect. Although you can use puppy pads or even newspapers, puppies go poo at least 4 times a day, and they urinate a lot more. You cannot expect to leave your pup home alone and not have a mess when you get back.
Other issues that can make a dog litter box a good idea are when your pup is sick or injured or when he gets older and cannot get around. It is also very helpful if you cannot let him in and out due to an injury or illness of your own or if the weather is bad.
The HIPIPET Puppy Dog Potty Tray is the perfect solution. Although it may not be good for large or giant breeds, this one is great for small and medium dogs. After evaluating more than 30 dog litter boxes using our criteria, we feel that this is one of the best dog litter boxes on the market.
The HIPIPET Puppy Dog Potty Tray has a lot of the main features you need like being easy to clean and safe to use. It also has extras like a splash guard and movable post for better aiming. In addition, the tray can hold 3 gallons of liquid. In fact, you could even add a puppy pad to absorb liquid so it will hold even more.
But I understand that you might have different needs. Perhaps you’re looking for a different size or a different material. That is why I prepared a shortlist of the top dog litter boxes that address different needs.
Also, we listed 12 of our favorite dog litter boxes in every group to help you narrow down your choices. But first, we are going to talk about whether you should use a dog litter box and how to choose the right one for your pup.
Is It Wrong to Get My Dog a Litter Box?
Getting a litter box for your fur baby is not a bad idea, and it does not mean you are a “bad” dog parent. There is nothing wrong with letting your pup go to the bathroom when he needs to instead of waiting for you to get home every day. After all, it is not good for your pooch to “hold it” because it can cause urinary tract infections or kidney stones. Here are some situations when it would be a good idea:
Pup Parents Who Have Mobility Issues
For those who have trouble getting around, letting your pooch in and out to go potty can be a tremendous chore. For example, if you are recovering from an illness or injury, you may have to limit your dog to once a day, which is not good for his bladder or kidneys.
Dogs with Bladder Trouble or Aging Dogs
Another issue that can be a problem is if your older pup cannot get around as well as he used to. Or if he is injured or sick. Also, some dogs have trouble controlling their bladder for certain health or emotional reasons. A litter box, in this case, is furfect too.
Puppies Being Housebroken
Training your new puppy to control when and where he relieves himself is also a great time to use a dog litter box. Rather than using a puppy pad, which can leak or move around, get stepped on, etc., a box just for him to use is a fantastic training process.
Bad Weather Areas
If you happen to be in an area where it snows or rains often, you may not want your pooch going in and out. This is a good time to pull out the dog litter box and let him relieve himself in the safety and comfort of his own home.
Those Who Live in Apartments
Dog parents who live in apartments are at a disadvantage as far as how to let their pooch in and out to relieve himself. For instance, if you happen to live on the 2nd (or 22nd) floor and all you have is a balcony, you would have to take the stairs or elevator down and then find a place to take your pup where he can go. A dog litter box would be pawfect.
Choosing The Right Litter Box For Your Lifestyle & Your Dog
Once you have decided that a litter box would be a great addition to your home, you have to consider which type is right for you and your pup. There are many different kinds, from a small plastic box just like for cats to the huge extravagant 4-foot porch potty with a sprinkler system. Here are some of the choices according to our preference, from the most recommended to the least.
Authentic Grass Patches: If your pooch only likes to “go” on the grass, you can get one that has real grass. Your pup will love the smell and may even decide to eat some. However, these are typically just a small pad of grass, and since it is real, it will end up dying eventually, meaning you will need another one every few weeks.
Artificial Grass Patches: A patch of synthetic grass is our second choice. Real grass may be a good idea for some pet parents, but having to replace it once or twice a month can add up. Artificial turf works great for football and baseball fields so it will be just as good for most pups. It will not die and you can wash and reuse it over and over.
Puppy Pad Holders: Because puppy pads are just large pieces of paper, they are not ideal for many reasons. They leak, move around, and your dog can tear them up. If you have a puppy pad holder, it is much easier and cleaner.
Plastic Grates: Plastic grates are another option because your puppy can pee on them and it will go down onto the puppy pad underneath. His feet stay nice and dry and all you have to do is replace the pad once a day. However, this is not optimal for poop, which does not go through the grates.
Plastic boxes: Just like a regular cat litter box, these plastic boxes work the same way but without the kitty litter. Some have higher walls, others have recycled paper pellets or other natural substances to soak up the urine, but you will have to change it often to avoid major odors.
7 Rules Of Thumb When Buying a Dog Litter Box
Before shopping for a dog litter box, there are some things you should consider. For example, you have to think about your dog’s size, the way it works, what it is made out of and how durable it is. You also need to check how easy it is to clean, the cost of maintaining it, and how good the warranty is.
- Your dog’s size: Most dog litter boxes are for small or medium dogs up to about 50 pounds. A litter box for a Great Dane, for example, would be massive and hard to keep clean. The average dog litter box is about 20 inches long and 18 inches wide. If your pup is much larger than that, you may want to reconsider.
- The Mechanism: You have to clean some boxes every time your dog uses them, while others you can clean once a day. They even have a few that are self-cleaning! The ones with natural grass need to be replaced often, and if he poos on it, you will need to pick it up and dispose of it. Others use a grate with a pad underneath, and some just hold puppy pads.
- Material: You have to decide whether a natural grass, artificial turf, plastic grate, actual litter box, or puppy pad holder is best. This depends on both you and your dog. If he will not go on anything but real grass and you are determined to keep him inside, you will have to get real grass.
- Durability: Don’t forget, dogs like to dig. If you have ever watched your pup out in the yard digging holes, the real grass dog litter box may not be right for him. It will not last very long if he digs into his new patch of grass like he would in the yard. You need something durable that he is not going to dig holes in or chew up.
- Ease of cleaning: The self-cleaning or disposable litter boxes are the easiest to clean, although they are also the most costly. Puppy pad holders are easy since all you have to do is toss and replace the pad. Plastic turf, real litter boxes, and grates have to be cleaned often.
- Cost Of Maintenance: The most expensive dog litter box is the one that you have to replace often (real grass). You will need to buy a lot of litter for the litter box types. And for the others, it is just a matter of replacing a pad or washing off the plastic.
- Warranty: Many of those made with real grass or the disposable ones will not have a warranty because they are only made to last a couple of weeks. The plastic ones often come with a 30-day warranty but not much longer than that. After all, your dog will be urinating and defecating in it so returning it would be unsanitary.
Our 2024 Review For 12 Best Dog Litter Boxes
After reviewing more than 30 dog litter boxes using our above mentioned criteria, we chose 12 that we think are some of the best on the market with the most important features. We even classified them to help you narrow down the choices.
HIPIPET Dog Potty Pad Holder with Removable Post and Wall Cover
- Litter box size: 23L x 18W x 2H inches
- The mechanism: Tray system and puppy pad holder
- Material: Plastic
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: Clean in hot soapy water when needed
- Cost Of Maintenance: None unless you want to use puppy pads
- Warranty: 100% lifetime satisfaction guaranteed customer service
- Best for: Top Pick Overall (Small & Medium Dogs)
This nice little litter box is more of a plastic grate with a basin underneath to hold urine. It holds up to 3 gallons of liquid so you do not have to worry about it overflowing if you do not make it home from work on time. You can use puppy pads or newspaper underneath the grate to absorb moisture or do not use anything and save money.
Another cool thing is the backsplash that protects your wall and floor when he lifts his leg. The little post can be placed strategically to make sure he does not aim in the wrong direction. In addition, the base has rubber grippers to keep it from moving around. Also, no more wet paw prints from stepping on used puppy pads.
What We Like:
- Excellent satisfaction guarantee
- Holds 3 gallons of liquid
- Has a splash guard
- It comes with a movable post to help him aim
What Dogs Love about it?
- He does not have to get his feet wet.
What We Don’t like:
- It is not big enough for large pups.
PETMAKER Artificial Grass Puppy Pad
- Litter box size: 20L x 16W x 1H inches to 25L x 20W x 1H inches
- The mechanism: Wash grass and tray as needed
- Material: Synthetic grass and plastic tray
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: Fairly easy
- Cost Of Maintenance: Low, only have to buy replacement pads as needed, which is not often.
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Affordable
For less than $20, you can get your fur buddy a small patch of artificial grass that he can use every day without getting his paws dirty. The synthetic grass is so much like real grass, he will love it and the separate grid tray drains liquid down so the grass stays dry. You do not need puppy pads at all so no maintenance cost.
The grass pads should last for months without replacing it as long as you clean it as needed. All you have to do is separate the grass, grid, and tray to wash them each individually.
Then they snap back together, fresh and clean. It comes in 2 sizes. The small is 20L x 16W x 1H inches and the medium is 25L x 20W x 1H inches.
What We Like:
- For less than $20 you get a potty tray that lasts about 6 months
- Replacement pads can be bought for under $20 for 3 of them, which is over a year’s worth
- The whole thing is sturdy and durable
What Dogs Love about it?
- His paws don’t get wet or dirty.
What We Don’t like:
- It only comes in small and medium.
PuppyGoHere
- Litter box size: 20L x 15W x 5H inches to 28L x 22W x 9H inches
- The mechanism: You change it and clean it yourself
- Material: Polymer plastic
- Durability: Thick plastic can stand up to some ruff-ness
- Ease of cleaning: Have to dump the litter and clean the pan daily
- Cost Of Maintenance: Dog litter is about $1 per pound
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Puppies
For small pups that need to stay indoors, this PuppyGoHere dog litter box is a simple solution. The Puppy Pan is the furfect idea for new puppies who are learning, sick or elderly dogs that cannot go outside anymore, or for dog owners who cannot get their fur baby in and out safely anymore. The custom-made pan is easy for even the smallest pooch to get in and out of while the sides are high enough to keep the urine inside the box where it should be.
These are available in 6 colors and 3 sizes. The small is 20L x 15W x 5H inches, large is 24L x 20W x 5H inches, and the xlarge is 28L x 22W x 9H inches for dogs up to 20 pounds. Each one has a 3-inch entrance for your pup’s convenience. In addition to the litter box, you should also purchase the litter that goes with it, Purina Second Nature. It comes with a training guide to help you train your pup.
What We Like:
- 3-inch entrance perfect height for puppies
- You can use puppy pads or litter
- It comes in 3 sizes for different breeds of puppies
What Dogs Love about it?
- They don’t have to wait to go outside.
What We Don’t like:
1-2 bullet points
- The litter is expensive.
- It can be tough to clean
Porch Potty Premium with Sprinklers
- Litter box size: 50L x 26W x 7H inches
- The mechanism: Sprinklers rinse urine into a drain hose
- Material: Synthetic grass, wicker, and metal frame
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Ease of cleaning: Sprinklers clean the urine away
- Cost Of Maintenance: None
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Large dogs
This unique dog potty mat made by Porch Potty is over 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, so your pup has plenty of room. Dogs up to 120 pounds can use this pawsome fake field of grass whenever they need to so they do not have to wait for you to get home from work to go potty.
One of the best things about the Porch Potty is that the sprinkler system washes the urine away through a drain hose so you do not have to worry about cleaning it except for maybe once every month or so. Pick up any solid waste and let the sprinkler take care of the rest.
What We Like:
- Large enough for big dogs to use
- Plenty of room for him to circle and sniff
- The sprinkler system keeps it clean
What Dogs Love about it?
- It has a cute little scented fire hydrant to sniff.
What We Don’t like:
- You cannot use the sprinkler indoors.
- It is very expensive.
Blyss Pets Klean Paws Indoor Dog Potty, No Torn Potty Pads!
- Litter box size: 21L x 16W x 1.25H inches
- The mechanism: Change pad daily, wash grate as needed
- Material: Polypropylene and PVC
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: Moderately easy
- Cost Of Maintenance: Moderate, the only cost is puppy pads
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Plastic grate
The Blyss Pets Klean Paws Indoor Pee Pad Holder is a top seller among dog potty products. It keeps your fur baby’s paws clean and dry, it protects your floors, and it is easy to clean. Just toss the pad in the trash and rinse the grate. The plastic grid grate snaps on so your pooch cannot get to the pad and tear it up.
It is also very durable, so if your pup likes to scratch and dig, he can do it all he wants. The thick plastic will stand up to his antics, and the rubber pads on the bottom will keep it in one place. However, this is only for puppies and small dogs under 20 pounds, so if you have a large breed, you will not be able to use this one.
What We Like:
- Thick plastic grate stands up to scratching and digging
- The grate is easy to clean with soap and water
- Clips keep the grate in place
What Dogs Love about it?
- The grate is soft and smooth on his paws.
What We Don’t like:
- It is only for small dogs.
Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty with Real Grass
- Litter box size: 16L x 12W x 2H inches to 48L x 24W x 2H inches
- The mechanism: Disposable
- Material: Fresh sod in a cardboard box
- Durability: Fairly durable
- Ease of cleaning: Just throw away
- Cost Of Maintenance: Expensive since you have to buy a new one often
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Real grass litter box
This one is the best for a real grass litter box because it comes in 4 sizes and the grass is so thick and full. It stays green a long time. In fact, it will probably still be green when you throw it away because after a week or two you will need to replace it. That is the main issue. The cost of replacement.
Just the mini is more than $20 so you would likely be spending between $60 and $80 per month on these, depending on how often your pup uses it. But your fur baby will love it. Having his own patch of grass and not having to go outside or wait for you to get home is priceless. It comes in 4 sizes. The mini is 16L x 12W x 2H inches, standard is 24L x 16W x 2H inches, large is 24L x 24W x 2H inches, and x-large is 48L x 24W x 2H inches.
What We Like:
- The grass is very fresh and thick
- Easy to train pup because of the real grass
- No messy clean up involved
What Dogs Love about it?
- Fresh grass to sniff and “go” on
What We Don’t like:
- The cost of maintenance is high.
PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Outdoor or Indoor Dog Potty
- Litter box size: 21L x 17W x 5H inches to 33L x 33W x 5H inches
- The mechanism: Rinse with water daily
- Material: Plastic base, synthetic grass, and plastic pee pod with powder
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: Moderately easy
- Cost Of Maintenance: Have to buy Wee Sponge Powder regularly
- Warranty: 45 days
- Best for: Artificial grass
With the PetSafe Pet Loo Dog Potty, your pup can go anytime he needs to even if you are sleeping or not at home. The artificial grass is so much like real grass that it is easy to train your fur buddy to use it. For durability, the clips hold the grass pad in place so he cannot pull it up when scratching or digging.
The unique drain system leads urine to the tray underneath with the pee powder to trap wetness and odor. It is recommended that you remove the grass mat daily and flush it out with warm water. Also, you should clean the grass mat thoroughly once a week. It comes in 3 sizes too! The small one is 21L x 17W x 5H inches, medium is 24L x 24W x 5H inches, and the large is 33L x 33W x 5H inches.
What We Like:
- Has clips to hold it in place
- Unique pee powder solidifies urine and traps odor
- It comes in 3 sizes, so most dogs can use
What Dogs Love about it?
- The grass is a lot like real grass
What We Don’t like:
- The cost of maintenance is a bit high with the powder and replacement pods.
IRIS USA Pet Training Pad Holder for puppy and Dog
- Litter box size: 26L x 19W x 2H inches
- The mechanism: You have to change the pad as needed
- Material: Plastic
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: Simple
- Cost Of Maintenance: Moderate, just buy pads
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Pee pad holder
The IRIS Floor Protection Tray keeps your floor safe when you are potty training your new pup, taking care of an elderly or ill pooch, or if you cannot get them in and out due to a mobility issue of your own. The tray is heavy-duty plastic and holds the pads in with clips on the sides. Also, it comes in gray, blue, or navy.
There are 4 non-skid feet on the bottom to keep the tray where it belongs unless your fur baby gets really rambunctious. This is not good for large dogs or those pups that are not used to going on a pad instead of outside. You will have to train them to use it so it takes patience and time. But it does hold the pee pad where it needs to be.
What We Like:
- Keeps the pee pad where you want it
- Your pooch cannot fold or ball it up because it is snapped in
- No more messy pee pads leaking all over your floor.
What Dogs Love about it?
- He does not have to wait for you to let him out.
What We Don’t like:
- Not for big dogs
- The pad can be torn up if your pooch is a digger
DoggieLawn Natural Grass Puppy Pee Pads
- Litter box size: 20L x 16W x 2H inches o 24L x 20W x 2H inches
- The mechanism: Disposable, but you have to pick up solid waste
- Material: Cardboard box and real grass sod
- Durability: Fairly durable
- Ease of cleaning: Toss in the trash
- Cost Of Maintenance: High cost to replace every 2 weeks
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Odor control
With real grass and excellent odor control, the DoggieLawn Natural Grass Puppy Pee Pads are a great way to let your dog have the freedom of going when he needs to instead of waiting for you to get home or wake up. The enzymes in the grass also help absorb the odor so it will last 2 to 3 weeks without smell. Then, all you have to do is throw it away and put out a new one.
Another great thing to control the odor is that your pooch will take to it naturally since it is real grass, and he will not be going on the floor anymore. Now, the cost can be significant if your pup goes often and you have to replace it more than 2 times per week. Otherwise, it is about the same price as you would pay for those pee pads, and you do not have to worry about it leaking.
What We Like:
- Grass enzymes absorb the odor for up to 3 weeks
- If it gets stinky, just toss it out
- He will use it since it is real grass
What Dogs Love about it?
- The real grass is nice and natural for dogs.
What We Don’t like:
- The cost can add up if your dog goes a lot.
BrilliantPad Self-Cleaning, Automatic Indoor Dog Potty
- Litter box size: 34L x 24W x 6H inches
- The mechanism: Self-cleaning by rolling up mess into sealed roll
- Material: Plastic base, paper roll
- Durability: Extremely durable
- Ease of cleaning: Very easy
- Cost Of Maintenance: Moderate, about $15 to $20 per month
- Warranty: One year
- Best for: Easy to clean
With Brilliant Pad Self-Cleaning Auto Potty Pad Machine, you can keep your house smelling fresh and clean without lifting a finger, literally. This unique machine has an automatic sensor that rolls up the pad after several uses (that you choose) and traps the odor and solid waste in the roll casing. When your pup has used up the roll, toss it out and replace the roll.
This simple machine was a hit on Shark Tank and has been selling out so often that they have upgraded a new version with Wi-Fi. It has alerts to tell you if your pup has been going more or less often, how much he goes, and even has a camera so you can check it from your phone if you are not home. Also, you can get a subscription for the rolls, so you never have to worry about running out.
What We Like:
- No messy cleanup
- Just remove the roll and throw it away
- Set it to roll after 1-5 uses
What Dogs Love about it?
- He can go when he needs to
What We Don’t like:
- The initial cost is expensive.
Richell Paw Trax Mesh Training Tray
- Litter box size: 25L x 19W x 1.5H inches
- The mechanism: Remove pad and rinse
- Material: Plastic tray and grate
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: You will need to remove the pad daily and wash as needed
- Cost Of Maintenance: Just the pads
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: Low profile
Your Richell Paw Trax Mesh Training Tray is especially good for housetraining pups but can also be used for older, ill, or injured dogs that cannot get around as much. Also, this nice tray is inconspicuous, only an inch tall, and has a thick grate to cover the pad. That way, nobody steps on a dirty puppy pad.
It only comes in one size and is only good for pups up to 25 pounds, but it is nice to have a tray to keep the pad in place and to prevent your pups from tearing up the pad. To save money, you can even use old newspapers instead of pads. Just remember to change it often since the newspaper does not hold as much liquid.
What We Like:
- Inconspicuous and blends with surroundings
- Thick grate keeps guests from seeing a dirty puppy pad
- No more stepping in wet pee pads
What Dogs Love about it?
- They can go when they need to
What We Don’t like:
- It only comes in one small size
DogCharge Indoor Dog Potty Tray – with Protection Wall Every Side
- Litter box size: 23L x 18W x 6H inches
- The mechanism: Remove pad and wash as needed
- Material: Plastic tray and grate
- Durability: Very durable
- Ease of cleaning: Clean in hot soapy water as needed
- Cost Of Maintenance: None if you do not use pads
- Warranty: 30 days
- Best for: With or without pads
If you have a pooch that is constantly ripping up his pee pads trying to cover his pee, this DogCharge Indoor Dog Potty Tray is furfect. You can still use the pad if you like, but you do not have to. The grate has legs to keep it up off the tray, so your pup does not have to step in his own pee.
If you cannot dump the tray often enough, using a pee pad can help absorb the liquid and odor so it is not overflowing when you get home. Keep your floors clean and your fur baby’s paws dry. It comes in blue, pink, or wine, but they only offer one size.
What We Like:
- You do not have to buy puppy pads unless you want to
- Easy to clean by rinsing with a hose or in the sink
- When using pads, you do not have to clean as often
What Dogs Love about it?
- They do not have to get their paws wet.
What We Don’t like:
- Only good for small dogs
Common Questions From Dog Parents
Is it Okay for Your Pooch to Go Pee and Poop in Litter?
This depends on the type of litter box you get. Some of them are optimal for urine only, while others are perfectly fine for your dog to poop in. The problem is, you would have to clean it out, and it can be a pretty stinky situation until you do. Just remember, even with a litter box, your dog still needs exercise and fresh air.
Is it wrong to stop taking my dog outside to the toilet once I get a litter box?
You should not quit taking your fur baby outside because he needs that exercise and fresh air just like humans do. Even having a litter box for urine is not really a good substitute for when he has to go number 2. If you are unable to take him outside or for a walk at least once a day, hire a dog walker or ask a neighbor to help you out.
How Often Should You Clean the Litter Box?
This depends on the type of litter box you are using. The kind with actual litter, you should scoop every day, getting rid of the wet litter and replacing it with fresh. Then, do a thorough cleaning once or twice a month with soap and hot water. Similarly, if you are using puppy pads, you will have to change them daily.
For those synthetic grass dog boxes, you can typically rinse them with soapy water once a week to keep it from getting too smelly. But this depends on the size of your dog and how often he uses it. Some of these types are self-cleaning, and you will not have to clean it as much, but you will still need to give it a deep cleaning once a month.
How Often Will I Need To Replace A Natural Grass Pet Potty?
These are disposable, so you do not have to worry about cleaning them. If your pooch is using a natural grass dog potty, you will have to monitor it and change it when it starts getting too smelly. At least every couple of weeks, you should replace the natural grass potty and get a new one.
Can I Use Old Newspapers Instead Of Dog Litter Boxes?
You can always use newspapers instead of litter boxes, but like puppy pads, they can be unreliable since they move around on the floor and do not hold much urine, letting it soak into your floor. This is also a health hazard since you or someone else in the house can step in it and track it around.
I Have 2 Dogs. How Many Dog Litter Boxes I Need In The House?
For 2 dogs, you should at least have 2 dog litter boxes. Ideally, each pooch should have their own box so they do not have any issues. Also, if you have more than one floor, you need to put boxes on each floor.
How do you train a dog to use a litter box?
Training a dog to use a litter box takes time and patience. Since dogs will not poop where they sleep, you will be able to coax him into using a box by moving a puppy pad from the front of the crate to the litter box in steps.
First, let him get used to using the puppy pads in front of the crate for a few days. Then, move it over by the litter box but not inside, showing him where it is. Move him there several times a day to let him know that is where to go.
Once he is using that pad, move it into the litter box and put him onto it several times a day to get him used to it. Eventually, he will use it, and you can praise him and give him a small treat. After that, he will smell his scent there and know that is where he should go. Remove the puppy pad after a few days and use litter or keep using the pads.
The Final Woof
The HIPIPET Puppy Dog Potty Tray may not be the furfect fit for all pooches, but after reviewing more than 30 dog litter boxes on the market using the abovementioned criteria, we feel that this is one of the best dog litter boxes. It has many of the desired features as well as some extras like a splash guard and movable post for better aiming.
It is not for all dogs though, because it is not large enough for big or giant breeds, but it can handle most small and medium fur babies. Also, the tray can hold 3 gallons of liquid so you don’t have to rush home after work. You could even add a puppy pad or newspaper to absorb liquid so it will hold even more.
