Reasons for needing a tray
In many situations, having a special place in the home where the dog can relieve itself helps owners. It happens that a pet is prohibited from going outside for some time or is unable to do so. It is recommended to install a toilet for a dog in an apartment if it:
- a small puppy that relieves itself much more often than adults. In addition, after a recent vaccination, he should not be taken outside until immunity is formed;
- cannot stand walking in frosty weather , in the rain, catches cold easily;
- got sick, had surgery, gave birth to puppies , and now has difficulty leaving the house;
- old age, therefore she is no longer able to restrain herself for long and relieves herself of natural needs before the arrival of her owners.
— Age, however...
It happens that the owner, for health reasons, is temporarily unable to walk the dog. The best way out is to train your pet to defecate in a designated area.
How to train a dog to use a litter box
Although dogs are smart animals, relieving themselves at home is unusual for them. To help your pet quickly understand what its owners want from it, take the following measures:
- Choose the most suitable place for the future dog toilet and place a diaper or piece of cloth there, which needs to be slightly soaked with your pet’s urine.
- If the dog tries to do its business in places that are not suitable for this, then treat them with special repellents.
- If you find a dog “at the scene of a crime,” be sure to take it and put it in a special tray.
- Always wipe up puddles in the wrong places. Additionally, it is recommended to treat them with a vinegar solution so that the dog will discourage any desire to go there again.
- Use a system of rewards and punishments. Celebrate successful moments with praise and some kind of reward, and unsuccessful moments with censure and dissatisfaction.
- If the dog resists your attempts and continues to mark its territory, then you will need to limit its movements. Place your pet in an enclosed space with a litter tray. If the dog understands what you want from him, then be sure to give him a reward.
Types of home toilets for dogs
First of all, when choosing a container intended for leaving puddles and piles, you should think about how convenient it will be for the dog to use it. Important qualities:
- suitable sizes;
- structural stability;
- material safety;
- ease of cleaning up excrement;
- retention of fluid and unpleasant odors.
Some owners simply place absorbent diapers on the floor, but most prefer to install plastic or metal trays with a tray for draining urine. The pet's paws remain dry thanks to various fillers that absorb moisture and odors or a grid covering the tray.
Containers may vary in size and side height.
Attention! A tray for small breed dogs should have low edges to make it easier for the animal to climb inside. Large pets need high sides and a large tray capacity, especially males.
Toilet design features may include:
- Presence of a grill. The filler or absorbent diaper is placed on the bottom of the tray and covered with a rigid mesh. If the dog does not try to chew the litter, you can do without a grill.
- Walls and roof. Some small breed pets become restless when sitting in an open litter box. A toilet-house will suit them, allowing them to feel safe.
- Column. Installed in a tray to satisfy the need of some male dogs to mark territory by raising a hind leg. A toilet with a pillar should have high sides.
- Grass flooring. The multi-level device does not allow odors to pass through. The liquid flows into a tray separated from the plants by a mesh.
A tray for a dog
You can make a toilet for a dog with your own hands from an ordinary plastic basin, if necessary, cutting its sides to a comfortable height and putting an absorbent diaper and filler inside.
It is not recommended to use sand. It practically does not retain the smell and sticks to the paws. It is best to use clumping litter, making sure your pet doesn't chew on it. It is recommended to cover a dog tray with a post with absorbent diapers, since the dog can splash the floor and walls.
Toilets for large and small dogs
The choice of litter box depends on the size of your dog. After all, it may be too big for a small pet or, conversely, too small for a large dog.
Toilets for large dogs. This toilet is rarely used. After all, mostly large dogs relieve themselves on the street while walking. The only exceptions are old or sick dogs.
Toilets for small dogs. Despite the fact that owners go for walks with small dogs, they mostly relieve themselves in the house. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange this place in such a way that the pet is calm and comfortable. And here are some toilet options.
Basin with sand
A sandy toilet for dogs is simple, but unhygienic.
It is made with your own hands. You need to take a basin and pour sand into it, the toilet is ready. It’s worth noting right away that this option is not the best for the pet, or for the owner himself. Not only will it be inconvenient for the dog to climb into the basin to do its business, but you will also end up with an eternal mess. It is almost impossible to keep a clean house with such a toilet. The sand will stick to the pet’s paws, and he, in turn, will constantly spread sand around the apartment. In addition, sand does not absorb odor at all, which is also a disadvantage.Double bottom toilet
Double-bottom toilet: inexpensive, but too smelly.
This tray is inexpensive and does not require additional expenses for fillers. But, unfortunately, almost all breeds of small dogs do not want to use such a toilet. It is inconvenient for them. Plastic is distinguished by the fact that it absorbs odor well. This means that no matter how thoroughly and well the toilet is cleaned, the smell will still appear sooner or later and it will be impossible to get rid of it.Tray with filler
Toilet filler.
Hygienic, but dangerous: the dog can get poisoned. There are many types of fillers. Some simply absorb liquid and do not fight the odor. Others, when wet, form hard lumps and seem to retain the smell within themselves. And you just need to replace hard lumps with fresh filler. The disadvantage of such a toilet is that the dog can swallow the litter , and this is practically poison for dogs - it will lead to intestinal obstruction, which is very dangerous. If you have purchased a similar litter box for dogs and notice that your pet is trying to taste the litter, you need to immediately change the litter box or replace this litter with a natural one.Diapers in the toilet
Toilet with diaper: convenient and inexpensive.
For a long time now, dog breeders have been using ordinary absorbent diapers for such purposes. And this is very convenient, besides, the pet itself quickly gets used to such a toilet. It is best to purchase an additional tray with a mount specifically for diapers. As a result, you will be able to protect your floor, and also quickly teach the dog that he needs to relieve himself in only one place. The diapers are easy to wash, and the trays themselves are easy to wash - this will get rid of the unpleasant odor. There are also disposable diapers that need to be thrown away immediately after they are used.Pillar toilet
Urinal for males.
It has already been mentioned above. It is an ideal option if there is a male dog in the house who instinctively lifts his hind leg. A regular tray will not be a very hygienic solution. But a tray with a column will help solve the problem.
The price of trays depends on their functionality and size. So, a tray with grass for a large dog can cost 3,000 rubles, and a plastic tray with a column for medium breeds can be purchased for 900 rubles.
Nuances of toilet problems
The owner must ensure the cleanliness of the tray: wash it regularly, remove soiled diapers (wash if they are reusable), throw away used lumps of filler. The dog will refuse to relieve itself in a dirty container and will choose another, undesirable place to do so.
Attention! You should not wash your dog's litter box with bleach in hopes of removing the unpleasant odor. The pet's delicate sense of smell is receptive to even a small amount of this substance, and the dog will stop going to the treated tray. In addition, chlorine is harmful to the respiratory tract.
Other chemical detergents should also not be used. The smell of urine can be eliminated with hydrogen peroxide poured into the bottom of the container.
If your pet is used to relieving itself on the lawn, you can offer him a dog toilet with grass. Probably a familiar surface promotes habituation, and a piece of lawn will be enough.
Carpeting should be removed from the floors until the dog gets used to the litter box. It is much more comfortable to defecate on soft surfaces, so there is no need to provoke.
Toilets for small breed dogs need to be of the appropriate size. In a container that is too spacious, the pet will be uncomfortable, and he will not go to the tray.
The choice of location for the home toilet is of great importance. It should be installed in a corner where the dog will not be disturbed. Most often, owners place the tray in the bathroom or near the front door. The toilet should always be accessible to the pet; it is not advisable to move it.
Types of dog trays
Modern manufacturers of pet accessories offer several designs of dog toilets to choose from. Please note that if your dog is in the process of litter box training, it is not recommended to use detergents to wash the litter box, otherwise you may completely remove the smell of excrement. The most common dog litter boxes are:
- A toilet equipped with a collector. The product has a relatively simple design, the set of which consists of a container and a durable mesh that can be easily cleaned. A rug can be placed in this type of device and then filled with absorbent filler. To prevent the unpleasant odor from spreading throughout the house, you should place a disposable diaper under the net.
- Product with a removable column. This is also a completely ordinary design, which consists of a tray and a grate placed on top. An additional detail is a column, which is designed to help the dog cope with its needs in a familiar physiological position, i.e. raising my paw. It is made from non-toxic materials, so it is harmless to both the dog and others. It is recommended to wash at least once a day. The contents of such a container are removed, and the structure itself is washed.
- Tray with absorbent filling. It is similar to the design with a collector, but unlike it, this dog toilet does not have a mesh. A filler is placed in the container, which fights odors and absorbs liquid. This container is convenient, but has a significant drawback - often dogs (especially puppies) swallow various inedible objects and the filler is no exception. This can be avoided if you give preference to filler made from natural materials (wood).
- With a diaper. One of the most common options. Dogs quickly get used to doing their business in a diaper. If previously a hygienic disposable or reusable diaper was placed on a regular tray or directly on the floor, now you can order a special tray with fastenings for diapers. With this design you can quickly train your dog to use the toilet and protect the floor covering. The tray itself does not absorb odors and is easy to clean.
- Toilet box. Externally, this design is similar to a plastic carrying house. A tray is placed inside it, and the entrance is equipped so that the pet can freely enter and leave the toilet box. This option is ideal for puppies and shy pets of dwarf breeds, for whom everything around them can distract them from their work.
- Product with lawn grass. An original multi-level version of a dog tray, at the bottom of which there is a spacious tray. The top layer imitates a lawn, and the middle layer is designed to protect against contact with the flooring. Liquid flowing through the grass layer is retained in the container. This dog toilet is voluminous, so you can clean up after your pet only once a week. There is no need to be afraid of unpleasant aromas, because... In the production of this design, odor “locking” technology is used. The lawn tray is convenient to use both at home and outside - it is completely transportable.
Dog tray with post
If you are looking for a litter box for small breed dogs, then take a closer look at the Triol litter box. The removable mat that this design is equipped with will prevent your pet’s paws from remaining dry. For convenience, you can use absorbent mats:
- Model name: Triol 0102266002;
- price: 1392 RUR;
- characteristics: color – white/blue/brown, dimensions – 60x40/70x47 cm, column height – 16.5 mm;
- pros: variety of colors, sizes;
- cons: overpriced.
Another practical option for small pets is “Makar” with a grill that will prevent the dog from getting its paws dirty, and a post. The product will not harm either the pet or people, because... made of non-toxic polystyrene. It is recommended to clean this toilet at least once a day:
- model name: Makar;
- price: 1419 RUR;
- characteristics: color – blue, material – plastic, dimensions – 40x60 cm, weight – 1.45 kg;
- pros: good workmanship;
- cons: more expensive than analogues, only one color.
A more budget option is Hello PET Blue P159-05 with a removable post. A hygienic diaper is placed under the grille, which is securely held by the side clamps. The grille actively protects it from gnawing:
- Model name: Hello PET Blue P159-05;
- price: 955 rub.;
- characteristics: color – blue/white, material – plastic, dimensions – 48x35x6 cm, weight – 0.9 kg;
- pros: low cost, good quality;
- cons: none.
Tray with grass for small breed dogs
Petzoom Pet Potty from an American manufacturer is a great opportunity to stop spending money on disposable diapers and litter. The product is easy to clean, and the convenient retractable tray can hold up to 3 liters of liquid. Due to this, cleaning can be done in a matter of minutes. The design is ideal for both small puppies and adult dogs:
- model name: Petzoom Pet Potty;
- price: 3899 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 63x51x6 cm, color – green, material – plastic, artificial grass;
- pros: no need to clean every day, convenient, original in appearance;
- cons: expensive.
Another great option for this type of dog litter box is the Potty Patch. The upper part of the structure remains constantly dry due to the membrane, which is able to pass all the liquid into the lower part. A special three-level system of such a toilet can neutralize unpleasant odors:
- model name: Petzoom Potty Patch;
- price: 3585 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 68x43 cm, material – plastic, color – green, artificial grass;
- pros: original, comfortable, no need to wash every day;
- cons: high cost.
Tray with filler
On sale in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of the country there are dog toilets with a collector and a reliable mesh. A special filler (absorbent) can be poured into such a tray. The Dezzie toilet for small dogs from a Russian manufacturer has a thoughtful and practical design, high sides and a wide entrance. You can pour filler under the grille, which will prevent the spread of unpleasant odors:
- model name: Dezzie;
- price: 1651 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 42x42x15 cm, material – plastic, there is a grill, a special container;
- pros: good quality, prevents odors from spreading;
- cons: costs more than analogues.
The model from Triol is a product with high walls and mesh. The design is ideal for puppies and toy dogs, which are not recommended for frequent walks outside in bad weather. More details about the product:
- Model name: Triol 0102266006;
- price: 1175 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 40x40x16 cm/52x40x15 cm, there is a mesh, sides, material – plastic;
- pros: compactness, ease of use, two sizes to choose from;
- cons: none.
With diaper
VIPet "Japanese style" is a Chinese-made model with a sanitary diaper that should be placed under the grill. The latter is securely held by side clamps:
- Model name: VIPet Japanese style;
- price: 1399 RUR;
- characteristics: color – brown/milky, blue/milky, etc., dimensions – 63x49x6 cm, material – plastic, packaged weight – 1.18 kg;
- pros: comfortable, variety of colors;
- cons: diapers are not included in the price.
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The Savic Puppy Trainer toilet training tool will help teach your dog to relieve itself in the right place in a short time. The diapers included in the kit have absorbent properties and within 30 seconds. they absorb both moisture and unpleasant odors:
- Model name: Savic Puppy Trainer;
- price: 2098 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 48x35x4 cm, 7 diapers included, material – plastic;
- pluses: the presence of diapers, low height;
- cons: none.
Closed
The Ferplast MAXI BELLA coal toilet box is made of innovative plastic and is equipped with an easy-to-open/close swing door. The two containers of the tray are fastened together with reliable clips on the sides. This closed toilet is universal because... Suitable for both cats and small dogs. To neutralize odors, the kit includes special carbon filters:
- model name: Ferplast MAXI BELLA;
- price: 4080 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 65.5x50.47 cm, material – plastic;
- pros: presence of filters, comfortable handle, easy to clean;
- cons: expensive.
Pay attention to another toilet box, which can be a good choice for small dogs - MAK42 Light Blue. This closed box will cost slightly less than the previous one:
- model name: MAK42 Light Blue;
- price: 3022 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 62x46x46 cm, material – plastic, color – blue;
- pros: has a handle, compact size;
- cons: overpriced.
With sides
The Hello Pet toilet mat with sides is an elastic and waterproof product that does not slip on the floor. Can be used either separately or together with hygienic diapers 30x40/60x40 cm:
- model name: Hello Pet;
- price: 1062 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 60x45x4 cm, color – blue/light wood, material – silicone;
- pros: does not absorb odors, dries quickly, easy to clean;
- cons: low sides.
If you are looking for an option with higher sides, then take a closer look at Percell. This model is equipped with a sieve. Perfect for both small and larger dogs:
- model name: Percell;
- price: 2345 rub.;
- characteristics: dimensions – 63x63x15 cm, material – plastic, has a sieve;
- pros: medium height sides, large size;
- cons: expensive.
How to accustom your pet to “conveniences”?
Adults have difficulty changing habits. Therefore, training and accustoming to a house toilet should begin from an early age.
Training a puppy
From the first days of being at home, you should monitor the puppy to understand when he wants to relieve himself. This usually happens after eating, active games, sleep and manifests itself in restless behavior.
If the baby himself has chosen a place for the toilet that suits the owner, a tray should be placed in this corner. The pet sits on it when there is an urge to defecate, praises it and rewards it with a treat when the dog potty has been used for its intended purpose. You can’t scold or poke your puppy’s nose - he may perceive the litter box as a place of punishment and start walking to another corner.
You can place a small piece of paper or fabric soaked in puppy urine in the toilet. Dog breeders recommend making a path of several absorbent diapers, laid to the tray. At first, the baby will relieve himself on a soft surface. The farthest wet diapers are gradually removed, eventually the dog ends up near the tray. There will only be one left, placed in the tray. This will help your dog understand what the litter box is for.
From diapers, you can move on to the filler when the pet has a good understanding of where the tray is located and what it is intended for.
Attention! House toilet training a dog can take several months. You need to be patient, not deviate from the intended goal, try different options, for example, an enclosure or other restriction of movement.
You can use products that lure or repel your dog during potty training. It is also recommended to place a bowl of food in inappropriate places chosen by the puppy for the toilet - he will not defecate where he eats.
If your pet does not want to go to the tray, you should correct possible mistakes in choosing a place, container, or filler. And when a toilet-trained dog suddenly begins to defecate in inappropriate places, it is recommended to check the state of its health.
How to choose a dog litter box
When choosing a suitable dog toilet, consider several nuances and focus on the size of the dog. There are containers of different shapes and parameters on sale. Rectangular designs are often used, but you can also purchase a convenient corner option that will help save space. Additionally, please note that it is not recommended to use products with chlorine to clean domestic dog toilets. Helpful Tips:
- Material. Any dog toilet is made of plastic (for example, polypropylene). The only difference is quality and price. An expensive purchase can last for more than one year.
- Sides. There are products with both small and large fences. Please note that the larger your pet, the higher the wall of the dog toilet should be. Sometimes there is no need for it at all.
- Gender of the pet. For a male dog, high sides or a post would be an excellent option, while for a female, a product with low walls would be more suitable.
Consider how often your pet will use the litter box. Pregnant dogs, old dogs or small puppies use the indoor toilet frequently, so a cheap plastic product may not be the best choice. The best solution is to use a reusable diaper. A small tray with filling is quite suitable for a puppy. Small products with slatted floors are suitable for owners of small pets like the Pomeranian.