An outdoor dog toilet, usually an artificial turf grass pad with a catch tray, solves a real problem for apartment dwellers, balcony owners, and anyone house-training a puppy. It gives dogs a consistent grassy surface to use and channels liquid into a tray you can empty and rinse.
🏆 Complete Buyer's Guide · Dogs
★ Top Pick: Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 34''X23'' Large Artificial…
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Best Dog Toilet? Odor Control Tips & Top Pick (2026)
Odor control comes down to drainage, not turf. See the best outdoor dog toilets for every budget and why a fast-draining pad beats premium grass.
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★ Top Pick: Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 34''X23'' Large Artificial…
Check Price on Amazon →
5
Grass pads compared
41 in
Largest pad in our lineup
20 in
Smallest pad width
3
Pad styles we recommend
⚡ Key takeaways
- Best Overall: Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 34''X23'' Large Artificial Turf Grass Potty, Reusable Puppy Pee Pads for Dogs, Portable Dog Litter Box for Indoor/Outdoor Potty Training Toilet. We chose the 34-by-23-inch dog grass pad with tray as our overall pick for its balanced si.
- Best for Large Dogs: Hompet Dog Grass Pad with Tray Large, 41"x27", 2 Reusable Artificial Turf for Dogs Potty, Waterproof Non-Slip Washable Pee Pads, Quickly Absorbency Portable Dog Litter Box for Indoor/Outdoor Use. We recommend the Hompet 41-by-27-inch grass pad for bigger dogs and multi-dog homes becaus.
- Best for Puppies: Dog Grass Pad With Tray, 25" x 20" Potty for Puppy Training, Reusable Artificial Pee Pad, Indoor/Outdoor Pet Toilet Loo, 3-Layer System. We picked the 25-by-20-inch potty pad for puppy training thanks to its compact, manageable.
- Best Compact: Pawise Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 20x25 Inch Artificial Turf Puppy Potty Pad, Indoor Outdoor Dog Toilet with Pull-Out Drawer & Free Garbage Bags, Dogg Litter Box for Potty Training. We chose the Pawise 20-by-25-inch artificial turf pad as our compact indoor-outdoor option.
- Best Drainage: Grass Pad for Dogs 39.3 x 31.5 Inches Fast-Drain Artificial Grass for Pets Potty Training, Easy to Clean Fake Grass for Dog Indoor Outdoor Use(1 Pack). We rate the 39.3-by-31.5-inch fast-drain grass pad highly for its emphasis on quick liquid.
At a Glance
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 34''X23'' Large Arti… | Best Overall | Check price → |
| Hompet Dog Grass Pad with Tray Large, 41"x27"… | Best for Large Dogs | Check price → |
| Dog Grass Pad With Tray, 25" x 20" Potty for … | Best for Puppies | Check price → |
| Pawise Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 20x25 Inch Ar… | Best Compact | Check price → |
| Grass Pad for Dogs 39.3 x 31.5 Inches Fast-Dr… | Best Drainage | Check price → |
Why this matters
Odor control on an outdoor dog toilet comes down to drainage plus cleaning routine, not the turf alone. A fast-draining pad that you rinse daily will stay fresh, while even premium turf smells if liquid pools underneath.
The Options
Types Explained
Standard grass pad with tray
A single layer of artificial turf over a draining tray for routine outdoor or balcony use.
Best for: Apartment dogs and balcony owners needing a reliable everyday spot.Large draining pad
An oversized turf pad with a high-flow tray sized for bigger dogs or multi-dog homes.
Best for: Larger breeds or households with more than one dog.Compact puppy pad
A smaller turf-and-tray system suited to young puppies and tight spaces.
Best for: Puppy training and small breeds in apartments.The Rankings
Top 5 Picks
#1
Best Overall
Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 34''X23'' Large Artificial Turf Grass Potty, Reusable Puppy Pee Pads for Dogs, Portable Dog Litter Box for Indoor/Outdoor Potty Training Toilet
We chose the 34-by-23-inch dog grass pad with tray as our overall pick for its balanced size and reusable turf that suits most dogs. What we like is that the dimensions give medium dogs room to stand naturally over a draining tray.
#2
Best for Large Dogs
Hompet Dog Grass Pad with Tray Large, 41"x27", 2 Reusable Artificial Turf for Dogs Potty, Waterproof Non-Slip Washable Pee Pads, Quickly Absorbency Portable Dog Litter Box for Indoor/Outdoor Use
We recommend the Hompet 41-by-27-inch grass pad for bigger dogs and multi-dog homes because of its generous surface and dual reusable turf design. In our evaluation the larger footprint stood out for breeds that need more room.
#3
Best for Puppies
Dog Grass Pad With Tray, 25" x 20" Potty for Puppy Training, Reusable Artificial Pee Pad, Indoor/Outdoor Pet Toilet Loo, 3-Layer System
We picked the 25-by-20-inch potty pad for puppy training thanks to its compact, manageable size. We like that it fits tight spaces and gives a young puppy a clearly defined target during house-training.
#4
Best Compact
Pawise Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 20x25 Inch Artificial Turf Puppy Potty Pad, Indoor Outdoor Dog Toilet with Pull-Out Drawer & Free Garbage Bags, Dogg Litter Box for Potty Training
We chose the Pawise 20-by-25-inch artificial turf pad as our compact indoor-outdoor option. What we like is the small footprint that works on a balcony or in a corner for small breeds.
#5
Best Drainage
Grass Pad for Dogs 39.3 x 31.5 Inches Fast-Drain Artificial Grass for Pets Potty Training, Easy to Clean Fake Grass for Dog Indoor Outdoor Use(1 Pack)
We rate the 39.3-by-31.5-inch fast-drain grass pad highly for its emphasis on quick liquid runoff across a large surface. We like that the fast-draining design helps keep a big pad drier between cleanings.
Before You Buy
Key Buying Factors
01
Drainage speed
Fast-draining turf keeps the surface dry and discourages odor buildup. We favor pads with open backing that channel liquid quickly into the tray.
02
Tray design and capacity
A well-shaped tray with raised edges catches liquid without overflow. We look for trays that are easy to slide out, empty, and rinse.
03
Size vs your dog
The pad should comfortably fit your dog's full stance. We match pad dimensions to dog size so larger dogs are not cramped onto a small surface.
04
Turf durability
Quality artificial grass resists matting and holds up to repeated use and cleaning. We note any reports of fibers flattening or the backing degrading.
05
Odor control and cleanability
Removable turf that you can rinse thoroughly is key to controlling smell. We weigh how easily each system disassembles for deep cleaning.
06
Stability and grip
The unit should stay put on a balcony or patio. We check that the tray base does not slide when a dog steps on or off.
Living With It
Care, Cost and Maintenance
Rinse the turf daily
A quick hose-down each day keeps the surface fresh and prevents odor from setting in. Let it drain fully before returning it to the tray.
Deep clean weekly
Lift the turf and wash both it and the tray with a pet-safe cleaner weekly. This is the single biggest factor in long-term odor control.
Dry before reassembly
Standing moisture under the turf breeds smell and bacteria. Allow both pieces to air-dry before putting the system back together.
Pro tip
Place the pad in the same consistent spot from day one, and reward your dog right after they use it. Consistency builds the habit faster than any single product feature.
Frequently asked questions
Do artificial grass dog toilets control odor?
They do when paired with a daily rinse and a weekly deep clean. The drainage design matters, but standing liquid under the turf is what causes smell, so cleaning routine is the deciding factor.
What size grass pad does my dog need?
Choose a pad that fits your dog's full standing stance comfortably. Smaller pads around 20 to 25 inches suit puppies and small breeds, while larger dogs do better on pads of 34 inches or more.
Can I use these on a balcony or patio?
Yes, that is one of the most common uses. The tray catches liquid so it does not pool on the balcony floor, though you should still rinse the turf regularly and ensure the tray drains away from living areas.
How do I clean an artificial turf potty?
Rinse the turf daily and lift it for a weekly wash of both the turf and tray with a pet-safe cleaner. Always let both pieces dry fully before reassembling to prevent odor and bacteria.
Will my dog actually use a grass pad?
Most dogs take to the grassy texture readily, especially puppies. Place it in a consistent spot, reward use right away, and be patient during the first week as the habit forms.
A note on advice: This guide is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Talk to your vet before changing your pet's diet or care routine, especially if your pet has allergies, kidney disease, pancreatitis, obesity, heart disease or any other medical condition.
Transparency
How we made this guide
How we chose. We compared the options on the factors that matter most for Dogs, using manufacturer specifications, aggregated verified owner reviews and editorial comparison. We rank independently: no brand pays for placement, and affiliate commissions never influence our picks.
How it was written. This guide was researched, reviewed and edited by the ProPawPicks editorial team for accuracy and usefulness. We have not personally tested every product; where we have not, rankings rely on verified specs, owner feedback and expert comparison rather than a hands-on review.
Affiliate disclosure. ProPawPicks is reader-supported. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
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Sources and further reading
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are based on product research, label data and suitability, not on commissions.