How We Tested Dog Diapers And Wraps
We selected 19 diaper products for real world testing with a dog in a home environment. Over the course of 3 weeks, each human companion of our canine testers recorded their experience.
Our participants also followed a precise methodology written with the help of pet experts—we consult veterinarians, vet techs, animal behavioral researchers, manufacturing specialists, and other expert sources while developing our testing protocols.
Our criteria for evaluation of these dog diapers focused on these categories: Absorbency, Quality, Comfort, and Effectiveness. At the end of our testing timeframe, each tester ranked the diaper on a scale of 1 to 5 in each category. They also elaborated on the features they felt made the diaper an item they would or would not recommend, including the ease of getting the diaper on their dog, the quality of absorbency after washing (if reusable), and the aesthetic appeal. We used the aggregation of ratings and feedback to inform our selections.
What To Look For When Selecting A Dog Diaper Or Wrap
Reusable Or Disposable
Whether you are looking into diapers for your older dog that’s suffering from urinary incontinence or you are trying to minimize messes while house training your pup, reusable and disposable diapers each have their own benefits as well as limitations. Some folks may not mind cleaning up after their dog if it’s a little urine dribbling but a puppy in the middle of house training may make a bigger mess.
Female or Male
Your dog’s anatomy will determine whether a diaper or wrap (also called a belly band) should be used. A diaper is designed to securely fit female dogs and a wrap is for male dogs.
Let Their Tail Wag
Some diapers have built-in holes for your dog’s tail to fit through. Not all dogs have tails, though. If you have a breed such as a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a diaper with a tail hole may allow for leaking. Diapers with no such hole will be a better option. On rarer instances, a dog may have had a rear limb amputated. Similar to the tail hole for a dog with no tail, a hole for a leg that isn’t there may allow for leaking. There are diapers on the market for amputees.
Identify Why Your Dog Is Urinating
To help you determine if a dog diaper is needed and will be useful for you dog, you need to understand why your dog is urinating in places where they shouldn’t.
Training: While training, ifyou need to keep your dog or puppy indoors for an extended period of time you can use a diaper, but it won’t help your dog learn where it’s appropriate for them to potty. Instead of relying on diapers to keep your home clean, we recommend positive reinforcement training. When your pup relives themselves outside and/or on a puppy pad, you provide a treat to reinforce the behavior to increase the likelihood of it happening again.
Post-Training Accidents: While traveling, adjusting to a new space, or if your dog needs to stay indoors for an extended amount of time, they may have the urge to relieve themselves and not understand the proper protocol because it’s not part of their usual routine. In these scenarios, a dog diaper can help to prevent a mess, and is especially beneficial to their comfort in a confined, space like a kennel.
Incontinence: Also referred to as urine leaking is involuntary can be caused by old age, injury, or infection. You should consult with your veterinarian to determine the source, and a properly fitting dog diaper can help keep your dog comfortable and your space urine free.
Marking: Some dogs, especially males, display marking behavior in which they release a small amount of urine to “mark” a space. It’s typically done outside and is driven by sex hormones, but the habit continues for some dogs even after they’ve been spayed or neutered. It’s very common, but if you are concerned you should consult with your veterinarian.
How We Tested
We selected 19 diaper products for real world testing with a dog in a home environment. Over the course of 3 weeks, each human companion of our canine testers recorded their experience.
Our participants also followed a precise methodology written with the help of pet experts—we consult veterinarians, vet techs, animal behavioral researchers, manufacturing specialists, and other expert sources while developing our testing protocols.
Our criteria for evaluation of these dog diapers focused on these categories: Absorbency, Quality, Comfort, and Effectiveness. At the end of our testing timeframe, each tester ranked the diaper on a scale of 1 to 5 in each category. They also elaborated on the features they felt made the diaper an item they would or would not recommend, including the ease of getting the diaper on their dog, the quality of absorbency after washing (if reusable), and the aesthetic appeal. We used the aggregation of ratings and feedback to inform our selections.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a lovely pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.
A previous version of this shopping guide was written by Theresa Holland, a professional writer and animal lover with lots of experience covering pets. You can find more of Holland’s writing on MyDomaine and Byrdie.