Why Piddle Patch is better than puppy pads for the environment
Here at Piddle Patch we know how important nature, wildlife and the outdoors are to both our furry four legged friends and their owners, which is why we developed the innovative, 100% natural Piddle Patch!
Made from eco-friendly, biodegradable and recycled materials, Piddle Patch is a zero waste product, so you can rest assured that you’ll be doing your part in protecting the environment when using yours. Piddle Patch is soil-free and made from real, fresh grass, providing a natural and intuitive solution to help potty train your pup faster.
Did you know that puppy pads can take up to 500 years to degrade in landfills? As a plastic product, puppy pads do not easily degrade, and cannot be recycled or composted. With many puppies requiring frequent puppy pad changes, the amount of plastic waste produced can quickly add up. That’s why Piddle Patch has been specially designed to be both a more intuitive house-training solution, and a more environmentally friendly toilet solution, so you can rest assured you’re making the best decision for your dog and for the environment.
Does Piddle Patch house-train faster than puppy pads?
Environmental impact aside, the question most owners actually want answered is which one gets a puppy reliably house-trained sooner. Puppy pads work by teaching a dog it’s fine to go on a soft surface indoors, which is exactly the habit you’ll need to unteach later if the plan is ever to move them outside. That relearning stage is where a lot of owners find their puppy pad routine stalls out.
Real grass carries no mixed message: it’s the surface dogs are instinctively drawn to anyway, so there’s no habit to undo later, whether the goal is an outdoor garden routine eventually or a permanent indoor or balcony setup. Owners moving from pads to a Piddle Patch typically find the switch itself is the hard part, once a puppy’s on real grass, training is usually faster from that point on because it’s working with their instincts rather than against them.
Biodegradable Puppy Pads Made in the UK
As a planet, we’re now becoming more and more conscious about the effects our purchases and household items have on the environment. This is why we think it’s time to wave goodbye to the days of disposable plastic puppy pads and say Hello to the wonder that is Piddle Patch. Trust us – you and your pup will never look back!
Biodegradable Puppy Pads vs Regular Puppy Pads
We’re glad you asked! Here’s a breakdown of all of the key similarities and differences between regular puppy pads and Piddle Patch’s biodegradable puppy pad alternative:
What carbon footprint impact do puppy pads have?
Our puppy pads are made from grass grown in the UK using LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) principles for sustainable agriculture. Given that the grass is sourced locally and sustainably, the carbon footprint is likely to be far lower than that of regular puppy pads which contain less sustainable materials, such as plastic.
Piddle Patch is also grown in textiles that have been diverted from landfill. This helps reduce textile waste and lowers the carbon impact these textiles would otherwise have if they were sent to landfill.
Lifespan
Regular puppy pads need to be changed at least once a day, whereas owners who use a Piddle Patch only need to change them once every few weeks! Most people subscribe to a Piddle Patch delivery once every 2 to 3 weeks, and only need to dispose of solid waste in between, just like you would when walking your dog.
Disposal
When it’s time to replace your Piddle Patch, check your local authority’s rules and, if permitted, simply dispose of it in your garden waste bin as you would with any other compostable materials from your home, or in your general waste bin. Piddle Patch is much kinder to the environment than regular puppy pads as it’s 100% eco-friendly, providing you with peace of mind when it comes to your new puppy’s impact on the planet!
Packaging and delivery
Piddle Patch packaging is, of course, 100% biodegradable as well as being sturdy and tough enough to keep your package safe while it’s en route to you and your pooch. All the materials, from the labels to the packing tape, have been carefully selected to ensure they are eco-friendly and either biodegradable or recyclable.
Maintenance
Puppy pads made from artificial grass require regular cleaning which often includes the use of harsh chemicals that are not beneficial to the environment. Your dog will also walk on these chemicals, licking their paws later and potentially ingesting trace amounts of them! Piddle Patch on the other hand, offers a much lower maintenance solution. Simply dispose of any solid waste, just as you would when walking your dog, and any liquid will be absorbed into the grass.
Environmentally-friendly puppy pads made in the UK
Not only is it kinder to the environment, but by using Piddle Patch you’re training your puppy to only go on the grass and not teaching them to go on pads and other household textiles. This can help to speed up the house-training process, because there’s no mixed messaging, and also to prevent your puppy from having accidents in the house or developing bad toilet habits. So why not give it a go and make the switch to our sustainable puppy pad alternatives? Simply order one of our starter packs today to get your hands (and their paws) on a Piddle Patch of your own delivered straight to your door!
FAQs
Do puppy pads or real grass house-train a puppy faster?
Real grass tends to get puppies there faster overall, mainly because it doesn’t teach a habit that has to be undone later. Puppy pads can work fine short-term, but many owners find the switch to an outdoor or garden routine afterwards is its own second training process.
Can I use Piddle Patch and puppy pads together during the transition?
Yes, some owners run both briefly while switching, though it’s usually a shorter adjustment if you commit to the grass patch as the one consistent spot from the start, since mixed surfaces can slow down how quickly the habit sets in.
Is Piddle Patch actually cheaper than puppy pads long-term?
It depends on how many pads a puppy gets through. Frequent pad changes add up quickly, whereas a Piddle Patch subscription is a predictable, scheduled cost with far less packaging waste per use.
Will my dog know the difference between a Piddle Patch and grass outside?
No, that’s the point. It’s genuine living grass, so there’s nothing to relearn if you ever move your dog’s routine outdoors later.
Making the switch
If you’re moving away from puppy pads, our complete guide to house training a puppy walks through the full method, and our guide to the best dog toilet options for apartments, balconies and no-garden homes compares Piddle Patch against artificial turf and puppy pads side by side if you’re still weighing up which surface suits your space.
Start your pup off on the grass they’d have picked anyway
Every step above works best on the surface your puppy’s instincts already expect. Pick the option that fits how you want to buy.
