Dog Toilets
Dog Toilets
Dog toilets are perfect for city-dwelling pups, those navigating harsh weather or for owners that lead busy lives. They are an amazing, clean and hygienic option for your dog to do its business. Dog toilets are a great way for your dog to learn effective potty training techniques, and make it easier for your furry friend to relieve themselves.
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Porch Potty
4.5 
Potty Plant Starter Kit
5.0
Real Grass Dog Toilet
5.0
The Pet Loo
4.0
What Are Dog Toilets?
A dog toilet or a dog potty is often a small, rectangular mat or tray that meets your dog’s bathroom needs in a hygienic manner. However, now there are so many other types of dog toilets available on the market to match an owner and dogs preference. Whether you are into real or artificial grass, needing a self cleaning system or something more disposable, the right dog toilet is out there for you and your dog.
Dog owners who live in apartments or homes with limited outside access, may find it difficult to get their dogs outside regularly to relieve themselves. The use of a dog toilet, that is simple to clean and maintain, can be the perfect option. Giving individuals that have busy lives peace of mind knowing that their dog’s business is taken care of in a hygienic manner.
How to Train Your Dog to Use a Dog Toilet
To properly train your dog to use a dog potty and maintain cleanliness and a hygienic living situation for you and your dog, follow these steps.
Select an Appropriate Location: Make sure the dog toilet is in a relaxed, convenient area. Dogs frequently like a quiet, private area.
Introduce the Dog Toilet: Give your dog unrestricted access to investigate the dog toilet. Let it sniff around so they can become accustomed to its scent.
Apply Positive Reinforcement: Provide your dog with positive reinforcement whenever they use the dog potty or show interest in doing so. Treats, praise, or the use of a clicker can all be used to encourage desired behaviour.
Create a Routine: Decide on a regular timetable for bathroom breaks. Before going to bed, after meals, and when your dog wakes up, take them to the dog bathroom.
Cue Words: When your dog uses the dog potty, give him or her special cue words or phrases. This makes it easier for them to connect the action to the setting.
Handle Accidents Correctly: If there are any spills, make sure they are completely cleaned to get rid of any scent markers that could draw your dog to the same area.
Have Patience: Mishaps happen and training takes time. Remain calm and refrain from scolding your dog for errors.
Be Consistent: Training must be consistent. Follow the plan repeatedly and give positive reinforcement for desirable behaviours.
Types of Dog Toilets
Dog toilets come in a variety of forms. Here are a few popular kinds of indoor and outdoor dog potties:
Grass Pads
These give dogs a familiar and cosy surface to use, and they are frequently made to resemble outdoor grass and get your dog familiar with the smells and textures or going to the toilet outside.
The fresh grass needs some upkeep. The owner needs to take responsibility for disposing waste away and washing the grass pad down with water. These grass pads can be used and last anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending on how often your dog goes to the toilet. Some have a urine collection tray underneath.
If your dog is a bit of a digger, real grass dog toilets can be an inconvenience as this can lead to more dirt and grass around your home.
Synthetic Turf
Synthetic grass dog toilets offer an artificial grass surface for dogs to use that tend to be more durable.They can last for months at a time and don’t fall apart easily. These synthetic grass solutions are easier to rinse down and clean with animal friendly soap to then be reused. They are not eco-friendly however and need to be put with the normal rubbish each time they are replaced.
Enclosed Litter Box-Like Systems
These systems consist of closed boxes or containers that are loaded with fake turf or pellets. To keep a nice smelling and clean environment these should be cleaned regularly. With the pellets you can easily scoop things up and dispose of them and with the fake grass, take it out to be cleaned. Much like a cat litter tray, these boxes are great for dogs that are a little messy when going to the toilet. Consider these options if you have a dog that is older or with health issues as it limits the number of accidents that may happen as your dog will know it has an enclosed secure place to do its business.
When Should I Consider Getting a Toilet for My Dog?
Purchasing a dog toilet can be helpful in a number of circumstances. In the following situations, you might think about purchasing one:
Apartment Living: A dog toilet can be a good indoor substitute if you live in an apartment and it’s not always easy to take your dog outside for potty breaks.
Bad Weather: It could be challenging to take your dog outside during severe weather, such as periods of intense rain, snow, or storms. If you live in areas that have extreme weather depending on the season, a dog potty can help your pet with their sanitary needs.
Health Issues: With a dog toilet, your dog may relieve themselves without having to rely entirely on outdoor access, especially if they have health conditions that limit their mobility or necessitate frequent restroom breaks.
Senior Dogs: Elderly dogs may have less control over their bladders or have trouble moving. Adding a dog toilet to your home might help meet their needs, particularly if they are unable to go on lengthy walks.
Training Puppies: They serve to promote healthy potty behaviour by giving them a specific place to go when they are unable to go outside.
Busy Schedule: A dog toilet can be a helpful way to make sure your dog has access to a restroom when you’re not at home, especially if you have a hectic schedule or work long hours.
Which Is Better: Dog Toilets or Dog Pee Pads
For a number of reasons, dog toilets are usually preferred over dog pee pads. Here are some reasons why many owners are choosing to purchase and use a dog toilet over pee pads:
- Dog toilets support the act of doing their business in a designated spot like when going outside. Especially if the dog toilets have grass or mulch as they remind your dog of environments outside and they encourage behaviours that match your dog’s outside tendencies.
- When opposed to disposable pee pads, dog toilets – especially ones with easy-to-clean features offer a hygienic option that reduces odours and offers long-term cost effectiveness.
- Their adaptability to different living conditions – both indoors and outdoors – allows dogs to become more independent.
- Dog toilets are generally a more desirable option for many dog owners due to their ability to combine outside training, cleanliness, odour control, cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and environmental consideration.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dog Toilet
A few things to think about while selecting a dog toilet include size, materials, training features, and upkeep. Here are the factors to consider in more detail.
Size and Space
Think about how big the dog toilet is in relation to the space that you have in your house or yard. While a larger yard could be able to support a larger outdoor choice, smaller living spaces might only be able to accommodate a compact or indoor dog toilet. Make sure the dog toilet’s dimensions suit the breed and size of your pet.
Material and Durability
Select a dog toilet constructed of sturdy, maintainable materials. Dog toilets should be weatherproof while they are outside, and odour- and stain-resistant when they are inside. Choose materials that are suitable for your dog and won’t break or deteriorate with time.
Training Aid
Certain dog toilets have features like artificial grass that simulates natural turf to make training easier. Others might have garbage disposal or odour control systems.
Maintenance and Cleaning
The dog toilet should be simple to disassemble and clean. Certain items can be cleaned more easily with their removable trays or liners, while others could need more complex upkeep. To maintain the dog’s potty and make it hygienic for your pet, think about your willingness and capacity to clean it frequently.
Pros and Cons of Dog Toilets
Pros of Dog Toilets
- Convenience - For pet owners who might find it difficult to regularly access outside areas for bathroom breaks, dog toilets provide a practical solution.
- Indoor Use - Dog toilets allow dogs to relieve themselves indoors, which is very helpful for apartment owners or people without yards.
- Weather Independence - Having a separate dog potty might be helpful in bad weather. When it's too hot, cold, wet, or snowy to walk the dog outside, it offers an alternative.
- Training Aid - For puppies or dogs that aren't completely trained to use the bathroom dog toilets can be a useful training tool. They offer a reliable location for restroom breaks.
- Senior Dogs or Health Concerns -
Cons of Dog Toilets
- Upkeep - To avoid bacteria and unpleasant smells, dog toilets need to be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.
- Training Difficulties - If a dog is accustomed to going outside, it may be difficult for them to adjust to using a dog potty. The time that's required to train your dog can be consuming.
- Space Requirements - Larger dog toilets can take up a lot of precious interior space. This could be a disadvantage for people who live in smaller houses or apartments.
- Cost - When compared to conventional outdoor choices, high-quality dog toilets with features like fake grass or automatic cleaning systems can be somewhat pricey.
- Limited Dog Activity - Dog toilets solve the problem of where to relieve waste, but they don't provide the same benefits of physical activity as regular outdoor plays and walks.
The Best Dog Toilets in Australia
We have tried and tested the best dog toilets available to us in Australia to find you the top dog toilets around.
The best for being eco-friendly
Potty Plant
Everything your dog needs to switch to natural toilet training is included in the Potty Plant Starter Kit. A special feature of the Potty Plant design is a protective frame that encircles the real grass to prevent mischievous pups from removing the grass mat. When it’s time to change the grass mats, the protective frame swings up and then swings back down to lock it in place.
The best for cleaning
Nature’s Loo
For dogs of all ages, from potty-training puppies to old dogs who are immobile or incontinent, Nature’s Loo is a natural dog toilet solution. Perfect for situations where taking your pet for a regular relief walk can become too difficult, such as apartments, puppy training, mobility-impaired pets (and owners), bad weather, and so on. It is simple to order a fresh patch of grass and can be disposed of quickly and efficiently thanks to the recyclable cardboard box that the real glass box toilet comes in.
The best for price
Ready Pet Go
The artificial grass on the Pet Loo is held in place using grass clips and sits on top of the Pet Loo base. Pets are encouraged to ‘go’ by the Pet Loo grass, which mimics real outdoor grass.
Via the grass, liquids seep into the Pet Loo base and the Pee Pod. All Pet Loo devices can accommodate the 2-litre plastic The-Pee Pod container. Your pet’s liquids are captured and stored by the Pee Pod for convenient disposal.
The best for longevity
Porch Potty
Porch Potty has a unique self-draining design and is constructed of premium resin wicker. It’s ideal for living in an apartment, season changing weather, or just days when you can’t walk outdoors to let your dog relieve themselves. Its special self-draining mechanism makes cleanup a pleasure. Porch Potty only needs to be rinsed with a watering can every few days to allow the grass to drain on its own, leaving no mess, or odour behind.
Dog Toilet FAQs
Maintaining consistency is essential. When your dog uses the toilet correctly, give them praise. Take them frequently, especially after meals, to the designated area. As soon as they leave, give them something.
Your dog should have its own designated spot outside for relieving itself. Select a location separate from their dining and living spaces. Reward them for following directions consistently and give them praise when they do.
Dogs may exhibit restlessness, sniffing, circling, or an abrupt focus on the door as indicators that they need to use the restroom. In addition, they might bark, whimper, or scratch at the door. Pay attention to your dog’s cues and behaviour, and as soon as you see these indications, take them outside.
Age, size, health, and diet are some of the variables that affect how often a dog needs to use the bathroom. Puppies and elderly dogs may need more frequent toilet breaks, although adult dogs often need to go potty three to five times a day.
