Pee Pads for Cats FAQ (13 Questions Answered)

Do Pee Pads Work for Cats? 

Pee pads, like the ones designed for puppies, are a great tool for catching your furry feline’s accidental potty messes. Potty pads are not used the same way with cats and kittens as they are with dogs, though. Instead of potty training, pee pads are typically used as a mess preventative to help clean up accidents before they happen.

How Do I Get My Cat to Use a Pee Pad?

Place your cat’s pee pad where they urinate to train them. If your cat is struggling to litter box train, put the pee pad on top of their pee spots and slowly lead them toward their litter box. Other pee pad tactics include putting a pee pad underneath their litter box or in a scaredy-cat’s carrier. This can minimize your clean-up later.   

Bladder issues happen for several reasons like behavioral and medical problems. Placing a pee pad at the bottom of your cat’s portable crate will automatically catch the messes of a cat with behavioral problems.   

How Long Do Cat Pee Pads Last? 

The average pee pad lasts roughly two to three uses. For a cat, this can be anywhere between one and two days depending on how much water they drink. 

Overall, use your best discretion to determine how often you change your cat’s pee pad. If you recently changed it but it is already pee-soaked and reeking of a strong odor then you should still change it. Cats appreciate a clean and sanitary bathroom area. Treat your feline friend with respect and change their potty pad often. Otherwise, they may develop health issues!

Are Pee Pads a Bad Idea? 

Pee pads are an exceptional idea, especially for cats with a history of bladder problems. Preventative Vet recommends using pee pads in the bottom of traveling pet carriers to soak up messes. The ultra-absorbent fabric is perfect for soaking up messes quickly and helping your pet stay dry! 

The absorbent pee pad technology is ideal for cats who cannot hold their bladders for long times stay dry and comfortable. They are also great for training, 

Why Is My Cat Peeing Over the Side of the Pee Pad? 

Vertical peeing is an expression of potential discomfort in their bathroom. The behavior is common for cats. This happens when a cat is experiencing behavioral and health problems and should be investigated immediately. Visit your veterinarian and have your cat get an examination! 

Are Cat Diapers A Thing? 

Cat diapers are used for elderly cats and cats with uncontrollable bladder issues. These come in disposable, single-use forms which can be purchased at retailers and local pet stores. Cat diapers also come in a reusable form, too! 

If your kitty cannot control their bowels, cat diapers are a real option. They have tail openings and come in a variety of sizes, materials, and even designs. 

In fact, there are even a number of small businesses that sell customizable cat diapers so your kitty can roll in comfortable kitty style.

Can Cats Use Pee Pads Instead of Litter? 

Pee pads are recommended as a training method or supplement to a cat with bladder issues. These should be used in addition to your cat’s potty routine but are not recommended as an alternative to litter boxes.  

Cats are all about personal space of their own and litter boxes are a staple to a cat’s bathroom ritual. By training to use a potty pad, you are disrupting their natural urge to have a clean, personal bathroom space.  

Instead of dedicating your cat’s potty routine completely to pee pads, these should be placed underneath the litter box to catch missed urine. 

How Do You Train a Kitten to Use a Pee Pad? 

If your kitten is having bladder issues, VCA Animal Hospital recommends starting by placing pee pads where you find pee spots. Continue this until your kitten is only using your kittens use these pee pads until they use only them. 

Slowly, move the pee pads from the original pee location to your litter box area. Make this adjustment over time. In other words, do it over a span of weeks and do not change it multiple times per day unless they are using the bathroom excessively! 

Finally, put the pee pad into the litter box and let the kitten begin using their litter box as normal. You can continue using the pee pad at the bottom of your cat’s litter box for easier cleaning or you can remove it after your kitten has become litter box trained. 

Should I Put a Pee Pad in the Crate? 

Pee pads are a good addition to the crate of any traveling cat with medical or behavioral issues that impact their bladder. This can simplify the cleaning process and make your furry family member more comfortable. 

If a cat has been trained to use a pee pad, then you will not be required to place an entire litter box in their crate before locking them up in their crate. This can prevent spillage for cats who get rambunctious in small spaces.

How Often Should I Change Pee Pad? 

The frequency you should change a pee pad will vary based on how often every cat uses the restroom. Every three days is a good estimate, but this may change based on the number of cats you own, the amount of water your cat drinks, any potential health issues that impact their bladder, and more.

Should I Punish My Cat for Peeing Outside the Pee Pad? 

It is best to avoid punishing your cat for performing a natural behavior, even if it is undesirable. Instead, use positive reinforcement to reward them if they use their pee pad correctly. This will encourage them to use their pee pad the right way and not form negative connections with their pee pad.  

Cats may seem asocial, but they thrive off a hierarchical system. When you punish cats for performing regular behavior, they think you are challenging their social status. This causes them to potentially develop resentment toward you.