How Often To Change Puppy Pads? (9 Important Facts)

One question that dog owners tend to pose is as to how often they need to change puppy pads. This article has the answer.

How often to change puppy pads depends on factors like how much the puppy pees, and the nature of the pads in question. Generally though, changing the pads after two or three uses works well in most cases.

When a puppy pees on a pad, it leaves the scent of its urine there. There is therefore an inclination for it to go to the same spot, the next time it wants to pee.

That is helpful, for anyone who is undertaking potty training for a puppy. You want to get the puppy used to peeing in the same spot.

Thus when making the decision on when to remove puppy pads, that is something you need to keep in mind.

Changing the pee pads every time the puppy urinates on it can also end up being too costly. Thus while working out how often to change puppy pads, you also have to consider the cost factor.

There are, of course, disposal and reusable (washable) puppy pads. They work in different ways. And the nature of pads you are using is a consideration, when making the decision on how often to change puppy pee pads.

Even the intensity of the pee stench can be a factor, in making the decision on how often to change puppy pee pad.

You don’t want a situation in which your entire home starts reeking of dog pee, because of failing to change the pads often enough.

But before going any further with this discussion on how often to change puppy pads, we first need to know whether the puppy pads are reusable.

Are Puppy Pads Reusable?

Usually, right before the question on how often to change puppy pads comes this one: on whether the puppy pads are reusable.

So, are puppy pads reusable? Should we use puppy pads more than once?

The truth of the matter is that some puppy pads are disposable (meant for roughly one time use). Others are reusable: that is, capable of being washed and redeployed numerous times.

But even for the disposable puppy pads, the design is usually such that the puppy can pee on them several times, before you have to throw them out.

With regard to the washable/reusable puppy pads, there are questions like the one on how often to wash pee pads. We shall address that later.

On the other hand, with regard to the disposable pee pads, the relevant question is on how often do I change puppy pads.

The bottom-line is that all/most puppy pads are capable of more than one time usage.

The washable ones can be used ad infinitum: you only need to wash them whenever they get too soiled.

But the disposable ones may only be capable of 2 or 3 times usage, before disposal.

Thus if you had the can you use puppy pads more than once question, this is the answer to it.

This background information is helpful when it comes to answering questions like how often should I change pee pad, when to change pee pad and how many puppy pads per day to use.

How Often To Change Puppy Pads?

How often to change puppy pads depends on several factors.

Firstly, how often to change puppy pads depends on how much your puppy pees. If your puppy pees a lot, you will need to be changing the pads more often.

Secondly, how often to change puppy pads depends on the nature of the pads. If, for instance, you use super-absorbent pads, you may have to change them less often than someone who is using less absorbent pads.

Thirdly, how often to change puppy pads depends on the puppy’s toilet habits. Some puppies will refuse to reuse a puppy pad they have urinated on before.

Even your budget may be a factor in determining how often change potty pad. These pads cost money. And if it is in short supply, you may find yourself having to go for longer between pad changes.

Ultimately, due to the interplay of these factors, it is difficult to give a single answer to the how often should I change the pee pad question.

If you take a group of dog owners and ask each of them, how often do you change puppy training pads, chances are that each will give you a different answer.

There however seems to be agreement that after being peed on two or three times, puppy pads need to be changed.

That is if they are of the disposable variety: so you throw them away then.

But if they are of the washable type, after roughly 48 hours is when you wash them, before redeploying them.

Thus if you had questions like how often do I change puppy pads or how often should puppy pads be changed, that is the answer to it: after two to three uses.

When Should I Change Puppy Pads?

The simple answer is that you should change puppy pads once they get too soiled.

In most cases, that will be after two or three uses.

That is what we said, while answering the question on how often to change puppy pads.

Thus once you notice that the puppy pads have become too soiled, you have no reason to continue keeping them in place. You need to change them.

After a great deal of soiling, they will no longer be able to absorb pee.

That is when you need to change them. If you don’t change them at that point, the pee will start making a mess. That beats the whole purpose of having pads in the first place.

So that is when to take puppy pads away, and replace them with new ones.

If you ask most people, how often do you change pee pads, they will tell you after 2 or 3 urinations.

So that seems to be the best possible answer to the how often should I change my puppy pee pad question.

And if you had the how long should you use puppy pads question, this is the best answer to it.

With regard to washable pads, the time to change/wash them may be after 48 hours or so.

So you should have a pair of them, at least. Once one has been in use for 48 hours, you take it out and wash it. Meanwhile, you put another puppy pad in its place.

How Long Do Puppy Pads Last?

In discussing the how often to change puppy pads subject, it is essential to comment on how long puppy pads last.

Now much depends on whether what we are looking at are disposable or washable pads.

Disposable puppy pads will normally only last 2 or 3 uses, before they have to be thrown.

While using those, you of course need to know how to dispose of dog pee pads responsibly. That is because you will probably have lots of them to dispose of.

Washable pads, on the other hand, may last a year or more – with numerous use and wash cycles. But they eventually get to a point at which they have to be discarded.

How Many Puppy Pads Should I Put Down?

Alongside the question on how often to change puppy pads comes this one: on how many puppy pads to put down.

So, indeed, how many puppy pads do I need to put down? The answer is that, for the most dogs, one pad at a time should be enough.

That is unless your pup has a tendency to miss the pad while urinating. In that case, you spread several, to create a larger peeing area, and minimize chances of the pup missing and making a mess.

Thus if you had the how many pee pads should I put down question, that is the answer to it.

If you are learning how to use puppy pads and outdoor potty training together, then you may find yourself laying multiple pads at a time.

In most cases though, a single pad at a time should suffice.

While at it, one may ask, should I use puppy pads at night? And the answer is ‘yes’ – especially if your circumstances are such that you can’t be taking your dog out to pee at night.

Should I Change The Puppy Pad Every Time?

People seeking to know how often to change puppy pads may also have an interest in knowing whether they should change the puppy pads every time.

In fact, when you think of it, the should I change the puppy pad every time question is simply another way of asking how often to change puppy pads.

So, how often should I change a puppy pad? Should I change the puppy pad every time?

The true position is that you don’t need to change the puppy pad every time.

That is unless your puppy pees so much that the pad gets fully soiled in a single use.

Or unless your puppy is one of those that will never urinate on a pad they have used before.

If you take to changing the puppy pad every time, you may end up incurring a very huge expense.

Thus you should only adopt the routine of changing the puppy pad every time if it is absolutely necessary.

Otherwise it should be possible for a puppy to pee on a pad 2-3 times, before it requires changing.

We said as much earlier, while answering the how often should you change a puppy pee pad question.

How Often Should I Wash Puppy Pads?

In answering the question on how often to change puppy pads, it is also a good idea to comment on how often the washable pads require washing.

The true position is that the washable pads can go for quite a while – like 48 hours – before requiring washing.

But of course how much your puppy pees is the main determinant of how often you need to wash pads.

If your puppy pees too much, you may have to wash the pads more often.

But then again, if you allow the pads to go for more than, say, 48 hours, they may start reeking.

How Long Should Puppies Use Training Pads?

Right after the question on how often to change puppy pads is likely to come this one – on how long puppies should use training pads.

So, how long do puppies use pee pads? The answer is that most puppies are able to comfortably graduate from using pee pads at 6 months age.

But there are also those that may need to use the pee pads for as long as a year.

But if your puppy is more than one year old, and you still have to use pee pads, there may be a problem.

It is important to know how to stop using puppy pads in the right way. Otherwise you could undo benefits from months of patient puppy potty training.

All in all, once they are 6 months old, most puppies are able to graduate from using pee pads.

Final Verdict – How Often To Change Puppy Pads

How often to change puppy pads depends on factors like how heavily the puppy pees, and the nature of the pee pads in question.

The puppy’s preferences can also be a factor. Some puppies simply won’t pee on a pad they have used before. That then forces you to change the pads every time.

Generally, for disposable pads, you use 2-3 times before changing (unless the puppy has an aversion to reusing).

If you are using disposal puppy pads, changing will entail throwing the old and replacing them with new ones.

But if you are using washable puppy pads, you may need to wash them after every 48 hours or so.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet dog a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️