Litter box for puppies

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A litter box for puppies is an indoor potty tray that holds a puppy’s urine and solid waste in one place, usually filled with paper litter, plant-based fiber or artificial grass over a pee pad. Owners use one when outdoor trips are hard, such as apartment living, bad weather or a puppy that is still learning. This guide compares the puppy litter boxes and potty trays in our product data pack, explains how the main surfaces differ, and gives size and cleaning details from each listing. Every fact comes from the listing data we collected, and where a listing does not state a value we say so.

Quick answer

  • Measure the puppy before you buy. The listings in the pack give sizes in inches, and one foldable model is sized by the dog’s length from nose to the base of the tail.
  • Choose plant-based fiber for a surface that drains. The Bark Potty listing describes a tray that drains liquid down and keeps the top dry.
  • Choose artificial grass with washable pads if you want a surface that can be washed and reused. Several listings in the pack use this design.
  • Pick a large model for a large puppy. The PuppyGoHere listing is sized for dogs up to 20 pounds, and the Pick For Life listings give 35 and 41 inch models.

How to choose a puppy litter box

A puppy litter box has three jobs. It must hold the puppy’s waste without spilling, it must be easy for the puppy to enter and leave, and it must be easy for you to clean. The listings in our pack handle these jobs in different ways, so start with the size and then the surface.

Size comes first. A puppy that cannot turn around in the tray will step out of it, and a tray that is too large can be hard to keep clean. The listings give dimensions as a width and length, sometimes with a height. The PuppyGoHere tray is a large dog litter box for dogs up to 20 pounds. The Bark Potty tray is 24 by 16 inches. The Pick For Life models are 35 by 22.6 inches and 41 by 26.8 inches. The HQ4US foldable base is sold in three sizes, chosen by the dog’s length from nose to the base of the tail, with the listing giving 23 by 15 inches for the smallest model. Measure your puppy before you order.

Surface comes second. The pack covers three surface types. The first is a rigid polypropylene tray that takes paper litter or puppy pads, such as the PuppyGoHere model. The second is a plant-based fiber tray, which the Bark Potty listing describes as draining liquid down and away from the surface. The third is a tray with artificial grass, washable pee pads and a drainage base, which several listings describe for training and for indoor potty use.

Cleaning comes last. A tray you can lift and tip is easier to empty than one that must be taken apart, and a washable surface costs you less time than a disposable one. The listings describe how each product is cleaned, and we repeat those instructions in the comparison and in each product block.

Comparison of the puppy litter boxes in the pack

The table uses only the values stated on each listing. A cell reads “not stated” where the listing gives no value.

Product Surface Stated size Dog size guidance Cleaning stated
PuppyGoHere Large Dog Indoor Litter Box, Apple Green Polypropylene tray for paper litter or pads Up to 20 lb dog (title) Large dogs up to 20 lb Wipe with soap and water
Pick For Life Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 35 in Artificial grass, washable pee pads, tray 35 x 22.6 in Medium and large dogs Turf and pads washed; tray hosed
Pick For Life Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 41 in Artificial grass, washable pee pads, tray 41 x 26.8 in Medium and large dogs Turf and pads washed; tray hosed
Bark Potty Puppy Litter Box, 24 x 16 in Plant-based fiber tray 24 x 16 in Not stated One-hand disposal and replacement
HQ4US 4LEGS Dog Grass Pad with Litter Box, foldable Artificial grass on a foldable base 23 x 15 in (smallest model) Chosen by length: S, L or XL Not machine washable; soak and rinse

Roundup: puppy litter boxes and potty trays worth a look

Each block covers one product from the pack. The facts come from its own listing. Two of the Pick For Life listings are different sizes of the same design, so we describe them together.

1. PuppyGoHere Large Dog Indoor Litter Box, Apple Green

This polypropylene litter box is sized for dogs up to 20 pounds, according to its title. The listing says it works with paper litter and with puppy pads, and that the open-top design has a low entrance and wide opening. It says the base is reinforced to resist warping, and that the tray is easy to lift when filled. The listing says the tray can be cleaned by wiping with soap and water. It is available in several colors, including Little Boy Blue and Misty Gray, which are separate listings in our pack. The listing describes the tray as made in the USA.

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2. Pick For Life Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 35 by 22.6 inches

This model is a three-layer potty system: artificial grass on top, washable pee pads underneath and a drainage tray at the base. The listing gives a size of 35 by 22.6 inches and says it suits medium and large dogs. It says the grass has a drain hole that runs through the whole lawn, and that the surface is weather proof, so it can be used on a balcony or patio. The listing says the grass and washable pads can be washed quickly with soap and water, and that the tray can be rinsed with a hose. No assembly is needed.

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3. Pick For Life Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 41 by 26.8 inches

This is the larger size of the same three-layer design. The listing gives 41 by 26.8 inches and says it is ideal for medium and large dogs. Like the smaller model, it has artificial grass, washable pads and a tray, and the listing describes the same drainage and cleaning steps. The larger tray takes up more floor space, so measure the spot before you order. If your puppy is still small, the 35 inch version may be the better fit.

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4. Bark Potty Puppy Litter Box, Plant-Based Fiber, 24 by 16 inches

The Bark Potty tray is made from plant-based fiber and is sized 24 by 16 inches according to its title. The listing says the tray drains liquid down and away, so the top stays dry, which is different from a pee pad that can pool. It says the material does not break down the way organic potty patches do, which the listing says reduces the chance of flies and gnats. The listing says the tray weighs less than a gallon of milk even after use and can be lifted with one hand. It also says the tray suits puppies at every stage, and it names post-vaccine periods, when outdoor exposure is limited, as a time to use it.

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5. HQ4US 4LEGS Dog Grass Pad with Litter Box, Foldable

The HQ4US base is a foldable liner with artificial grass and two pieces of turf. The listing says the size depends on the dog’s length, so pick small for a dog under 19 inches long, large for a dog under 28 inches and XL for a dog under 38 inches. It says the base folds for travel, is lighter than a hard plastic tray and needs no assembly. The listing describes six times more drainage holes on the grass than similar products, which the listing says helps urine drain to the pee pad more quickly. The grass sits on a black rubber backing and is described as chew-resistant, but the listing says it is not machine washable, so soak it in soapy water and rinse.

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Review: the Bark Potty tray in depth

The Bark Potty tray is the only product in the pack built around a plant-based fiber surface, and it is the one to read closely if you want a tray that you can lift and replace in under a minute. The listing gives the size as 24 by 16 inches, describes the tray as light enough for one-handed disposal, and says it stays dry on top because liquid drains down and away.

In daily use, the drainage design is the main point. A pee pad can pool liquid and soak through to the floor, while a draining surface keeps the top where the puppy stands drier. The listing says this means no wet paws or puddles, and it describes the fiber as a surface that does not break down the way some potty patches do. Those are listing claims, so check the surface after the first few days and see how your puppy takes to it.

The listing also gives guidance about teething. It says supervise early use for teething pups and keep a toy nearby, which is a practical point for a young puppy that chews. The tray is not described as chew-resistant, so check it often and replace it if the fiber tears or the edges break. A puppy that chews the tray should be watched closely, and a veterinarian should check any piece that has been swallowed.

The listing mentions bad weather and post-vaccine periods, when outdoor exposure may need to be limited. Those are times when an indoor potty is most useful, and the listing presents the tray as a way to cover them. Talk to your veterinarian about when your puppy can go outside, because the listing does not replace that advice.

The weak point is the size. A 24 by 16 inch tray suits a small or medium puppy in its early months. A larger puppy may outgrow it, and the listing does not give a dog size range, so check the dimensions against your puppy’s length before you buy.

Mistakes to avoid with a puppy litter box

  • Buying by the puppy’s age instead of its size. The listings give dimensions and size ranges, and a puppy grows quickly. Measure the puppy’s length.
  • Choosing a surface you cannot clean. A grass pad needs the turf and pads washed, and the HQ4US listing says the grass is not machine washable.
  • Using a pee pad under a draining tray without checking the base. The Bark Potty listing describes a tray that drains down, so the base and pad setup matter.
  • Leaving a chewed tray in place. Check the tray for torn fiber, loose turf or broken edges, and replace any damaged part.
  • Using an indoor tray as a substitute for vet care. A change in urination, straining or blood in the urine needs a veterinarian.

FAQ

What size litter box does a puppy need?

Measure the puppy from nose to the base of the tail, then compare that length with the size guidance on the listing. The HQ4US listing uses this method for its foldable base. For a larger puppy, consider the 35 or 41 inch Pick For Life models, or the PuppyGoHere large tray, which the listing sizes for dogs up to 20 pounds.

Can I use paper litter in a puppy litter box?

The PuppyGoHere listing says the tray works with paper litter and with puppy pads. The Bark Potty and grass pad listings describe their own surfaces, so use the surface the listing names.

How do I clean an artificial grass potty?

The Pick For Life listings say the grass and washable pads can be washed quickly with soap and water, and the tray can be rinsed with a hose. The HQ4US listing says its grass is not machine washable, so soak it in soapy water and rinse it well.

Is a plant-based fiber tray safe for a puppy?

The Bark Potty listing describes plant-based fiber that does not break down the way some potty patches do, and it says the tray suits puppies at every stage. The listing does not replace veterinary advice. If your puppy eats the fiber or shows any change in appetite or stool, contact your veterinarian.

Can an indoor potty replace walks outside?

The listings present the trays as indoor options for bad weather, apartment living and times when outdoor trips are limited. Outdoor walks also matter for exercise and training, so use the tray as a supplement and keep your veterinarian informed about your puppy’s schedule.

How often should I replace the pad or the fiber?

The listings do not give one schedule for every product. The HQ4US listing says its grass is designed for daily replacement, which is a helpful guide for that surface. For fiber and paper, follow the replacement instruction on the package and replace any part that is soiled or torn.

Bottom line

For a puppy that is growing fast, measure first and buy the size that gives the puppy room to turn. For a surface that drains and disposes in one step, choose the Bark Potty tray. For a washable surface with a drainage base, choose one of the Pick For Life models, and use the HQ4US foldable base for travel. Check the surface often, and speak to a veterinarian about any change in your puppy’s urination or appetite.

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