Dog Training

Dog Litter Boxes? Yes, They’re a Thing—Here Are the 5 Best (and What to Try Instead)

best dog litter boxes
Written by Laura Hall

Did you know there are litter boxes for dogs? We’re all familiar with litter boxes for cats, but now, dog litter boxes are taking over! And it’s not as crazy as it sounds. For owners who live in apartments or places with severe weather, litter boxes for dogs can be lifesavers. 

They’re also good for seniors, puppy training, illness/injury recovery, and dogs or owners with mobility issues. Keep reading for the best litter boxes for dogs, as well as some litter-free alternatives. Before we get into our top product picks, let’s take a look at some training tips. For more options, check out our list of the best indoor dog potties

Best for Small Dogs
Best for Big Dogs
Best Alternative
Description:

Designed for multi-cat families, the Multi-Cat Litter Box is your all-in-one solution that’s large enough for multiple cats (or even small dogs) to share and easy enough for you to clean.

Description:

The Piggy Poo and Crew Pig Litter Box has a high back and tall side walls to help avoid messy accidents, plus it has a low front, allowing your buddy to enter and exit with ease. It’s made in the USA from high-quality, thick plastic and can accommodate animals up to 150 pounds.

Description:

This portable indoor/outdoor toilet works for dogs, cats and small pets. The Pet Loo™ is a convenient alternative to pee pads. No more coming home for lunch or rushing home after work to let your pup out. Train your pet to potty inside! The urine conveniently drains through the grass mat into the Pee-Pod™ and the Wee Sponge™ powder absorbs the liquid on contact to trap odors and help make clean-up easy.

Best for Small Dogs
Description:

Designed for multi-cat families, the Multi-Cat Litter Box is your all-in-one solution that’s large enough for multiple cats (or even small dogs) to share and easy enough for you to clean.

Best for Big Dogs
Description:

The Piggy Poo and Crew Pig Litter Box has a high back and tall side walls to help avoid messy accidents, plus it has a low front, allowing your buddy to enter and exit with ease. It’s made in the USA from high-quality, thick plastic and can accommodate animals up to 150 pounds.

Best Alternative
Description:

This portable indoor/outdoor toilet works for dogs, cats and small pets. The Pet Loo™ is a convenient alternative to pee pads. No more coming home for lunch or rushing home after work to let your pup out. Train your pet to potty inside! The urine conveniently drains through the grass mat into the Pee-Pod™ and the Wee Sponge™ powder absorbs the liquid on contact to trap odors and help make clean-up easy.

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How To Train a Dog to Use a Litter Box

To train a puppy to use a litter box, put them in it after meals and naps and use rewards to reinforce the behavior. Patience and consistency are key! With adult dogs, we recommend placing the box in their usual toilet spot and rewarding attempts, then moving it where you want it once they get the hang of it. 

It might help to guide them physically if you can do so without being forceful or invasive, and use toilet commands if your dog has those down. Alternatively, if they’re already trained to use potty pads, you can simply place a pad in the box.

Which Dog Litter Box Is Right for Me?

Important things to consider when shopping for a litter box for your dog include the size of the box; it should be big enough for them to turn around and move around in, as well as the shape and accessibility of the box. Low entrances, for example, are crucial for seniors.

You should also consider whether you want something simple, self-cleaning, or even smart with app control. Other things to take into account include the box’s look, odor control, litter compatibility, value for money, and ease of assembly and cleaning. 

Best Dog Litter Boxes 

Let’s take a look at our top five litter boxes for dogs and their pros and cons. FYI, not all of them are actually made specifically for dogs. We chose a few made for cats that have dog-friendly designs.

PetSafe MultiCat Litter Box

Although the PetSafe MultiCat Litter Box is technically designed for cats, it’s ideal for small dogs and puppies, and it comes with a handy metal scoop for poop scooping. 

Key features:

  • 30 x 20 x 8 inches
  • Grey plastic design 
  • Best for small dogs 
  • Removable sealed container
  • Comes with a metal scoop
  • Satisfaction guarantee  

What we like:

The scoop is ergonomically designed for easy, comfortable clean up, and the removable, magnetic rubber-sealed container stores waste to keep odors away. You can also use it to store extra poop bags to ensure they’re to hand when you need them. 

What to consider:

The brand suggests pairing it with their crystal clumping cat litter, but we don’t recommend this for dogs. 

Petsafe Multi-Cat Litter Box

Designed for multi-cat families, the Multi-Cat Litter Box is your all-in-one solution that’s large enough for multiple cats (or even small dogs) to share and easy enough for you to clean.

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Piggy Poo And Crew Litter Box For Animals 

The Piggy Poo and Crew Litter Box for Animals is extra wide to accommodate pets up to 150 lbs.

Key features:

  • 30 x 24 x 9 inches
  • For pets up to 150 lbs
  • Minimal black design
  • High-quality plastic
  • Extra wide inside 
  • Low entrance 
  • Tall walls and high back 
  • Made in the USA

What we like:

It’s made in the USA for ensured quality, and the sleek black design fits seamlessly into any home. It’s also made from high-quality, durable plastic for long-term use and effortless cleaning, with a low entrance for easy access and high walls to keep mess contained.  

What to consider:

There’s not much to consider with this litter box, but it is on the pricey side for its simplicity. However, it’s worth it if you have a larger dog. 

Piggy Poo and Crew Litter Box - Extra Large - for Animals Big or Small (2 Boxes)

The Piggy Poo and Crew Pig Litter Box has a high back and tall side walls to help avoid messy accidents, plus it has a low front, allowing your buddy to enter and exit with ease. It’s made in the USA from high-quality, thick plastic and can accommodate animals up to 150 pounds.

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FRISCO Dog Potty Tray

The FRISCO Dog Potty Tray is made by popular pet company Chewy’s brand, in which everything is designed, tested, and approved by experts!

Key features:

  • 23 x 23 x 9 inches
  • For small-medium breeds
  • Simple grey design 
  • Low entrance
  • High walls
  • Can be paired with potty pads

What we like:

This tray is ideal for small and medium-sized breeds at 23 x 23 x 9 inches, with a simple grey design that won’t look ugly in your home. It has a low entry for pups and seniors with extra high walls to prevent spillages. It can also be paired with the brand’s potty pads for smooth training and transitioning. 

What to consider:

Even though it’s an XL size litter pan, it’s still not really roomy enough for large breeds. 

Frisco Dog Potty Tray X-Large

Keep your floors clean from any potential potty time mess with this potty tray from Frisco by Chewy. The high sides help to keep everything contained so there’s less of a chance of an accidental mess in the household. The low-entry design allows for senior pups, puppies, or even dogs recovering from an injury to step in easily and without strain. It pairs perfectly with Frisco potty pads or Frisco dog litter to make a potty spot for your pup that’s just about mess-proof for your convenience. 

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Shirley K’s Indoor Dog Potty Tray

Ideal for large breeds, the Shirley K’s Indoor Dog Potty Tray is the biggest litter pan on the market. It’s 30 x 30 inches to ensure your dog can make circles without bumping into the sides, and it easily accommodates training aids like potty pads.

Key features:

  • 30 x 30 x 9 inches
  • For breeds of all sizes
  • Comes in beige and grey
  • Thick high-density polythylene 
  • Smooth non-porous surface
  • Wide and low entry 
  • Tall side walls
  • Crack resistant 
  • Waste tolerant
  • Made in the USA

What we like: It’s made from thick, high-density polythylene plastic that’s ultra-durable for life-long use; designed to resist cracks and breakages and tolerate waste and chemicals. The smooth, non-porous surface looks nicer in the home and wipes down easily for effortless maintenance. 

The entrance is not only low, but extra wide for ultimate accessibility, no matter your dog’s size or age. It comes in chic neutral beige and grey colors, so you can find something that suits your home, and it has tall walls to keep mess contained. 

What to consider: It can be a little unstable on slippery surfaces, so consider pairing it with a mat or stick on non-slip feet if you have a wooden floor. 

Shirley K's Indoor Dog Potty Tray

Keep those messes contained within the walls of your home with Shirley K's Indoor Dog Potty Tray. It’s the paw-fect indoor spot for your furry friend to use the restroom due to its tall side walls and ability to accommodate additional potty aids, such as pet pads, fake grass, newspaper, or litter. Plus, you can clean its smooth non-porous surfaces with ease! 

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Ps Korea Indoor Dog Potty Tray

The Ps Korea Indoor Dog Potty Tray is ideal for cutting down on cleanup with messy pups and potty training, featuring a clever perforated gate and a leak-proof design. 

Key features:

  • 22 x 17 x 6 inches
  • For small dogs 
  • Comes in blue, wine, and pink 
  • High-quality plastic 
  • Leak-proof design 
  • Removable perforated grate
  • Pee pad underneath 
  • Raised walls
  • Low entrance

What we like:

It features a removable perforated grate, so your dog’s pee flows onto the pad below, preventing leaks and mess. No more dirty paws! The leak-proof design also includes raised walls and a low entrance, and it comes in three fun colors to accommodate your home’s decor. 

What to consider:

Sensitive pups may not like standing on the gate. 

PS KOREA] Indoor Dog Potty Tray with Protection Wall Every Side for No Leak, Spill, Accident - Keep Paws Dry and Floors Clean (Wine) + Pee PAD 100 PCS

Puppies are messy by nature! Get ahead of your little rascal’s chaos by training him with the PS KOREA Indoor Dog Potty Tray! Designed to keep pee where it belongs, this plastic tray features a leak-proof design and raised walls. The perforated grate allows urine to travel to the tray underneath and prevents pups from tearing up the icky pee pad or newspaper inside. Small dogs will also love using the potty tray as an indoor toilet during inclement weather.


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Best Dog Litter Box Alternatives

If traditional litter boxes don’t quite meet your needs, check out these alternative options. 

PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor Dog Potty

If you want something portable, the PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor Dog Potty is ideal. It comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large, supporting 20, 40, and 80 lbs in weight. 

Key features:

  • Comes in small, medium, and large
  • Removable plush grass surface
  • Soft and washable
  • Collection tray
  • Reinforced plastic base
  • Covered to prevent odors 
  • Disposable Pee Pod included
  • Comes with a trial-sized Wee Sponge
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed

What we like:

The surface mimics grass to encourage easier toilet training. It’s plush, soft on paws, and removable for hassle-free cleaning. Liquid drains through it with ease into the collection tray underneath, and the plastic base is reinforced for daily, long-term use. 

The tray is also covered to prevent odors from escaping, and it comes with the brand’s Pee Pod. When slid into the base and paired with their Wee Sponge powder, urine turns to gel on contact for easier waste disposal and total odor elimination. 

What to consider:

It needs to be cleaned 2-3 times per week, which may be inconvenient for some.

PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Dog Potty - Pet Toilet Alternative for Puppy Pads - Large - Perfect for House Training - Easy-to-Clean Grass Mat
$109.95

This portable indoor/outdoor toilet works for dogs, cats and small pets. The Pet Loo™ is a convenient alternative to pee pads. No more coming home for lunch or rushing home after work to let your pup out. Train your pet to potty inside! The urine conveniently drains through the grass mat into the Pee-Pod™ and the Wee Sponge™ powder absorbs the liquid on contact to trap odors and help make clean-up easy.

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BrilliantPad Smart Self-Cleaning Indoor Dog Potty

The BrilliantPad Smart Self-Cleaning Indoor Dog Potty is our top pick for lovers of smart tech, with app control and handy health monitoring features. 

Key features:

  • 35 x 25 x 7 inches
  • For dogs under 25 lbs
  • Self-cleaning
  • Odor trapping
  • Built-in safety sensors 
  • Built-in camera 
  • WiFi connectivity
  • App control 
  • Health alerts and photo journal
  • Comes with an ultra-absorbent roll
  • Plugs into any standard outlet

What we like:

It self-cleans upon dog-activation, wrapping and sealing waste after each use. The built-in safety sensor keeps pups safe, and the built-in camera captures photos for waste analysis and vet sharing. 

It also comes with an ultra-absorbent odor-trapping roll, with one roll being equivalent to 50 large puppy pads. You can control and monitor your pup’s potty via the app, with health alerts and more!

What to consider:

It’s only suitable for smaller breeds. 

BrilliantPad Smart Indoor Dog Potty for Small Pets | Self Cleaning with Odor Control & AI Health Monitoring

BrilliantPad SMART is self-cleaning dog potty that not only cleans up after Fido, but also helps you detect health problems early thanks to its waste-analysis camera. It really is the smartest indoor dog potty on the market!

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Welpe Dog Potty Tray With Pee Pad Holder

The Welpe Dog Potty Tray With Pee Pad Holder is ideal for small-medium breeds, with a thoughtfully designed grid surface that drains pee and keeps paws dry. 

Key features:

  • 25 x 19 inches
  • For small to medium dogs
  • Durable lead-free polypropylene
  • Grid surface drains pee
  • Keeps paws dry
  • Anti-bacterial 
  • Wear-resistant
  • Universal access 
  • Leak-proof base
  • Non-slip bottom 
  • Quick installation 
  • Easy to clean
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

What we like:

It’s made from durable, anti-bacterial, and lead-free polypropene that’s wear-resistant and suitable for use indoors and outdoors. It also has a leak-proof base and non-slip protectors on the bottom to prevent slipping and sliding on hard floors. There are no front or side walls for universal accessibility, and it’s super easy to clean and maintain. 

What to consider:

It does require some assembly, but it’s quick and easy to put together. 

Dog Litter Box The Perfect Indoor Dog Potty Tray with High Walls for Small & Medium Dogs, Mess-Free Puppy Training, Protects Floors & Makes Housebreaking Easy!

This Dog Potty Tray offers a secure, mess-free area for puppies and senior dogs to relieve themselves, making it a must-have for dog potty training and housebreaking. It’s perfect for keeping your home clean while training or assisting dogs with bladder control issues.

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Top Paw Indoor Grass Pad System For Dogs

The Top Paw Indoor Grass Pad System For Dogs is a great pick for large dogs and multi-dog homes, with a unique connect and expand design that can be customized to your needs. 

Key features:

  • 26 x 18 inches
  • For all breeds and multi-dog homes
  • Connect and expand 
  • 6-layer design 
  • Soft artificial grass
  • Machine washable pee pad
  • Dry and odor controlled 
  • Non-invasive base tray 
  • Replacement layers available 

What we like:

The 6-layer design keeps the surface dry and traps odors, with soft artificial grass and a reusable pee pad that’s ultra-absorbent. The pad is also machine washable for easy cleaning, and the base tray is designed to protect carpets and floors. Although they’re made to last, the brand also sells replacement layers in case you need them. 

What to consider:

Only the pee pad is machine washable; the grass layer is hand-washable only. 

Top Paw Indoor Grass Pad System for Dogs

This Indoor Grass Pad System is a great tool for potty training a new puppy, helping a senior dog, or simply for when the weather is too unpleasant for your pup to do their business outside. Using this layered system gives you peace of mind that your dog will be able to relieve themselves in a clean and safe environment. Create a larger area for your dog or multi-pet home by connecting two tray bases and pad systems together. Additional grass pads, washable pads, and trays sold separately. Only at PetSmart.


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MyMoon Home Pee Pad Holder 

If your pup lifts their leg when they use indoor pee pads, missing the pad and making a mess, check out the MyMoon Home Pee Pad Holder

Key features:

  • Holds pee pads up against walls
  • Extra-strength magnets
  • Fast pad changes 
  • Easy to install
  • Fits any flat surface 

What we like:

The extra strength magnets hold pee pads up against the wall to prevent mess with male dogs at the perfect angle. They work with any flat surface, including drywall, glass, doors, and more, to avoid mess, stains, and smells in your home. They’re also super easy to install and remove when you need a new pad, taking only ten seconds to change. 

What to consider:

They’re not a lifelong product and will need replacing after a few years, but they’re super affordable to replace. 

MYMOON HOME Pee PAD Holder (Pack of 2)

Each dog pee pad holder features strong 3M stickers on the back of the magnet to easily stick to the wall; Works on different types of surfaces - drywall, glass, doors, basically any flat surface!  No matter if you are using a small or extra-large sized pee pad, our extra-strength magnets will hold it in place; Even if the wee wee pad is “damp,” it will still be held up preventing any mess in your home

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FAQs 


How many litter boxes do I need for my dog?

You should have at least one litter box per dog, placed somewhere quiet, accessible, and hygienic in your home. 


How often should I clean my dog’s litter box? 

You should scoop a regular litter box every day and deep clean it with soap and water once a week, or once per month if it’s self-cleaning.  


What type of litter should I use in my dog’s litter box?

Paper and wood pellets are the best options for dogs because they’re softer on paws and safer if swallowed. We recommend avoiding more traditional litter, such as clumping clay litter, because a lot of them are toxic or can cause blockages if swallowed. 


How much litter should I use in my dog’s litter box? 

Aim for 2-3 inches of litter in your dog’s litter box, or 3-4 for large dogs and those who like to dig. 

Final Thoughts

Let us know your thoughts on litter boxes for dogs in the comments down below, and share your top tips and ideas for training and cleanliness. For more cool canine stuff, check out our review of the Bake-A-Bone Dog Treat Maker!

Author

  • Laura is an experienced pet writer & dog lover with a degree in animal media creation, as well as years of practical hands-on experience with dogs. She has owned Border Collies all throughout her life and has worked and volunteered with dogs of all kinds.

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