Amazon Basics Dog Pee Pads Review: Reliable but Limited
The Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pee Pads have emerged as one of the most discussed pet essentials online, with a consensus rating averaging around 8.5/10 across platforms. While marketed as a reliable, leak-proof, quick-dry option for potty training, the collected data shows these pads are equally valued by senior dog owners, multi-pet households, and even in unexpected contexts like rodent cages or first-aid setups.
Quick Verdict
Verdict: Conditional Yes — They deliver dependable performance for small-to-medium pets and alternative uses, but heavy soakers or large breeds may require doubling up or upgrading to heavier-duty absorbency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong absorbency for standard accidents (Amazon, Reddit consensus) | Some users report leakage if left overnight or with large volume urination (Fakespot) |
| Quick-dry surface reduces paw tracking (Twitter, Trustpilot) | Thin construction compared to premium pads |
| Leak-proof lining protects floors (BestChoice review) | Can shift out of place on smooth flooring |
| Built-in attractant aids training for many pets | Absorbent area smaller than total pad dimensions |
| Versatile: used for cats, rodents, post-surgery care | Not chew-proof — scratch-prone dogs can tear them |
| Budget-friendly cost per pad | Scented versions less popular due to artificial smell |
Claims vs Reality
The product promises “5-layer leak-proof protection” and “quick-dry surface” for keeping floors safe. According to Amazon buyers, the five layers do perform as described for average puppy or small breed output — one user poured an entire cup of water and reported it was fully absorbed without runoff. However, Fakespot-aggregated feedback exposes a gap: if a puppy urinates heavily in the center and it’s left overnight, moisture can seep through to hardwood flooring.
The brand also touts a built-in attractant to speed potty training. While some owners confirm dogs adjusted in a single box’s worth of pads, Trustpilot and Twitter conversations note cases where dogs ignored the pad entirely. One rural buyer even observed, “in item description, pet will be attracted to pad is not true,” suggesting that training reinforcement is still necessary regardless of the attractant.
Another major claim: "quick-dry to minimize tracking." Across Reddit and Amazon reviews, this holds for most users — the surface gels quickly, reducing paw prints. A notable exception came from a Reddit report where rats would dig through fleece liners to reach the pad below, which could tear the top layer and wet the cage base.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Absorbency for standard pet needs is consistently cited as a top benefit. Twitter user stories often mention saving hardwood floors from surprise messes — one senior dachshund owner noted that even after two years of daily use, “no pee has dribbled off.” Reddit’s pet community has embraced them not only under litter boxes for aging cats but also beneath fleece bedding in guinea pig and rat cages, where they prevent staining and odors in base liners.
The price-to-performance ratio emerges as a key selling point. Many Amazon reviewers highlight buying in bulk as a money-saver over pet store pads. Owners of rescue dogs, like a Trustpilot user who inherited an untrained senior pup, found that even heavier-duty competitors cost much more for only marginal performance gains.
On odor control, the carbon odor-control variant receives strong feedback from BestChoice.com reviewers who gave it a 9.4/10 for minimizing smell, a win in multi-pet households. One cat owner praised the pads for containing the smell of territorial spraying well enough to stop repeated marking.
Common Complaints
Size and coverage limitations cause frustration, particularly for large-breed owners. As one sharvibe.com reviewer recounted, “My friend’s Great Dane needed overlapping pads.” While marketed for all breeds, the effective absorbent zone is closer to 19" x 19” for the standard size, meaning edge urination can overwhelm the border.
Durability is another sticking point. Reports via Fakespot cite pads tearing “as easily as paper” when subjected to enthusiastic scratching. Additionally, some users found them less absorbent than expected with heavy streams, necessitating layering two pads to fully protect flooring.
Slippage on smooth floors is a recurring minor annoyance. Multiple Trustpilot users recommend securing them with double-sided tape; without it, pads can bunch or fold during pet movement, reducing protection.
Divisive Features
The attractant scent divides buyers. Some report instant success in training, while others — especially with scent-sensitive dogs — find it ineffective or off-putting. Similarly, pad thickness earns both praise (“great absorbency and no leaks”) and criticism (“thinner than name brands, not worth the cleanup hassle”).
Cross-platform, the multi-purpose versatility gets unique praise: pet enthusiasts have adapted them for protecting bedding from menstrual accidents, shielding changing stations in public restrooms, and even serving as low-cost “chux pads” in first-aid kits.
Trust & Reliability
There’s no widespread concern over counterfeit sales — the issue is performance consistency. Trustpilot feedback shows patterns where long-term users (1–3+ years) endorse their reliability for recurring use cases, especially with established routines. Reddit posts from cage pet owners praise that “the actual bottom of the cage never got wet or stained” after months of use, showing consistency when appropriately applied.
Some durability concerns apply to storage — if kept for years without use, the pads can lose structural integrity, making careful rotation of stock advisable for bulk buyers.
Alternatives
Competitors mentioned include Glad for Pets Black Charcoal Pads for odor control and simple solution training pads with more layers. The Glad pads match on absorbency but cost slightly less per pad when discounted, though they lack the 150-pack bulk option that Amazon Basics offers. In tight budgets, Honey Care All-Absorb pads are mentioned on eBay/market listings as a lower-cost alternative, but with smaller sizing.
For odor-sensitive environments, carbon-infused Amazon Basics pads seem to outperform non-charcoal big-box pads according to BestChoice and Twitter data.
Price & Value
Amazon Basics pads are typically priced between $0.20–$0.39 per pad depending on size and quantity, undercutting comparable drugstore brands that average $0.50+. eBay listings show resale still viable — sealed boxes moving for ~$48 for 100-count — indicating steady demand in secondary markets.
Bulk packs (150 count) offer the lowest unit cost; Reddit pet owners recommend buying ahead in subscription shipments to avoid price fluctuations and last-minute local purchases at higher prices.
FAQ
1. Do these pads really prevent leaks?
Yes for typical puppy use, according to Amazon and Trustpilot reviews, but some owners report overnight leakage on heavy soiling. Doubling pads or using heavy-duty versions can help.
2. Will the attractant train my dog automatically?
Not entirely — while many dogs respond quickly, Trustpilot feedback stresses that reward-based training is still necessary for consistent results.
3. Can they be used for cats?
Yes — Reddit and Twitter users successfully place them outside litter boxes for elderly or spraying cats, with good odor control in most cases.
4. How big is the absorbent area?
Smaller than the full pad size — on regular pads, the absorbent core is around 19x19 inches, so pets urinating at the edges may cause overflow.
5. Are the scented versions recommended?
Feedback is mixed. Some appreciate the odor masking, but scent-sensitive pets — or owners — may prefer unscented for comfort.
Final Verdict
Buy if: you need an affordable, reliable pad for small-to-medium dogs, senior pet incontinence, or multi-use scenarios like travel crates, post-surgery recovery, or cage liners.
Avoid if: you own large breeds or have a dog with a habit of tearing pads — an upgrade to heavy-duty, oversized pads is advisable.
Community pro tip: Secure pads with double-sided tape to prevent slippage and maximize floor protection, especially on tile or hardwood.
