Holistic for Dogs!

Small dogs are notoriously difficult to housebreak compared to larger dogs.  Puppies and small dogs have smaller bladders than big dogs and can’t hold it as long.  While some dogs go only 3 times a day, I can’t imagine that it is good for the dogs’ urinary track/kidney health or the carpet.  I strongly recommend teaching dogs to use the toilet out doors rather than on puppy pads unless there are compelling reasons not to.  The grass would be the best solution but if not grass,  some type of doggy toilet would then be needed if an owner works a full day and can’t take the dog out to the bathroom.

I will admit that I used puppy pads for my dogs as puppies and also still use them when I know I will be gone all day.  Puppy pads are basically baby diapers.  They hold poop and pee and are not biodegradable just like diapers.  Not good for the environment at all!  Even if there were biodegradable puppy pads, they wouldn’t degrade in the landfill where they would end up.  Just like diapers, there is a large market for various products that provide convenient toilet options, while also being good for the environment.

Washable puppy pads

Similar to cloth diapers, dogs with toilet needs could be taught to use washable, cloth, puppy pads.  These are also called or considered whelping pads.  Usually they consist of a top cloth, an absorbent layer and a leakproof plastic layer.   Washable pads are less expensive than a box of puppy pads and can easily be washed instead of thrown away.  I’m sure many people will wonder if these are any more eco-friendly than disposable (just like the cloth v. disposable diaper debate) but this is a viable option for those with landfill guilt.

I bet my dog would want to sleep on it though.

If you are interested in washable puppy pads check out our store here!

Commercial dog toilets

I bought a Ugodog for my dogs a while ago but to be honest, I could never convince my dogs to use it.  The Ugodog is a plastic tray covered by grating that allows for clean dog feet and collection of urine in the tray below.  I wish I had known about this product when my dogs were small as retraining now is more time consuming than I care for.  I would recommend this product to anyone who has a new puppy as it contains nasties and can be used with or without paper in the tray.   It is also large enough that a larger dog/puppy could use it if needed.

There are also numerous dog toilets sold online and on tv that have artificial grass.

The only downside to these products in my opinion is that in terms of cleaning, they are no more pleasant that picking up used puppy pads.  Some of them have trays that need to be emptied (possible spillage?)  or have actual puppy pads/newspaper in them!  In some of the deeper boxes, maybe cat litter (non-clumping/not clay)  could be more convenient to remove dog messes.

Litter box train your dog

For some reason Emmala always wants to EAT litter not poop in it so I don’t feel like this is a viable option for my pups.  Eating clumping litter is a real danger to a dog so don’t use it if you are going to litter box train your dog.  Of all of the above options this is my favorite.

There are several biodegradable litters that could be used for a dog.  Feline pine is made of.. pine.  Clumping litters could cause obstructions so I wouldn’t recommend them.  There are also actual litters designed for dogs available for purchase along with specially designed dog trays.

My ultimate goal was always to litter train my dogs and buy a cat genie!!!!  But alas..

Always observe the dog carefully if using litter as it may be considered tasty not appealing for pooping.

Actual toilets

The human toilet may be an option for the novelty dog trainer.  Just like cats a few special dogs have managed to learn to go in the human toilet.  I don’t know if they flush too but it’s a start!

For those who are the most handy, or dedicated to dog toilet.  You could actually make and install a urinal type dog toilet or buy a “pet potty”.  As I can’t brandish my drill and hammer with any skill, I don’t have a dog toilet.  :(  It would be really cool though!

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