The 9 Best Porch Potties
Updated by · How we research
Nine synthetic and real-grass dog potties for balconies and porches compared on drainage, size and upkeep. The Porch Potty Standard leads for outdoor use. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A dog won't use a patch of grass on a balcony by instinct. It has to be taught, and the patch needs a tray or a drain so urine never reaches the floor or the neighbors below. These potties, in synthetic turf or real grass, suit apartment dwellers, puppies in training, older dogs and nights of bad weather.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Porch Potty Standard now leads this list. It's the one design here that sends runoff away through a hose instead of holding it in a tray, and that matters most on a real porch. Six earlier picks didn't survive the review. The Blyss Pets Klean Paws, the StarRoad-TIM rug and the Paws & Pals PTGP-02-LG are no longer sold. The Richell Paw Trax and PuppyGoHere pan are a pad holder and a litter pan rather than grass potties, and the BrilliantPad is a motorized indoor pad roll, so they're out too.
The Prevue Tinkle Turf, DoggieLawn Large, Petmaker 80-ST1620 and PetSafe Pet Loo stay. New picks add two big-dog trays, a model with a splash wall for leg-lifters and a second real-grass patch for small dogs.
The evidence here is mostly about how each potty is built: how many layers sit between grass and floor, where the urine goes, and how often the grass has to be washed or thrown out. We weighed that against owner reports on odor, shedding and dogs that refuse to use them, plus house-training advice from Humane World for Animals.
Earlier notes
December 16, 2020, by Edmund Dawson:
There are a plethora of solutions for housebreaking your pets out there, and we felt that this list, as well recommending quality items, should also reflect as many alternatives as possible so you know what's on offer.
A lot of manufacturer's opt for an astroturf mat on top of their potties to get pets used to the idea of going on grass. We kept the Paws & Pals PTGP-02-LG and the Prevue Hendryx Tinkle Turf as examples of the simple three-layer system that drains liquids through the grass mat and perforated plastic middle, into a collection-tray base. They both have a durable construction with realistic-looking turf.
We removed the PuppyPro Trainer in favor of the Petmaker Portable, a much more popular solution amongst users that costs a little less and performs the same function. It's worth noting though that many of these cheaper options that have the top layer simply resting on the one below (and not fastened in any way) are prone to having it pulled off my boisterous pups.
We also removed the Giantex Portable Patch PS621, an option that includes a drawer, and added the PetSafe Pet Loo instead. Both feature this pullout tray for easy removal of waste, but the latter has a much more ingenious solution for minimizing cleaning and bad smells. By using disposable plastic trays to line the drawer that are filled with powder, you can easily take them out and throw them in the trash and the solidified powder will trap the bad odors in until it's time to do so.
We kept the DoggieLawn Real Grass for owners with fussy pooches that simply won't perform for the faux variety, although you need to consider the high cost of frequently replacing these boxes. The BrilliantPad Self-Cleaning kept its position as being the only automated "conveyor belt" solution, let down only by the fact it's not suitable for outdoors, which somewhat defeats the object of a porch potty for people who have balconies or terraces exposed to the elements.
The PuppyGoHere Litter Pan is a versatile option that cats and rabbits can make use of too, and the low entryway for easy access is a nice touch that older mutts will thank you for. The StarRoad-TIM Artificial Grass Rug is another option for those with dogs that have mobility issues and find steps hard, as you can just lay down the astroturf where necessary and your pet will barely notice the difference in levels. It's also a budget-friendly option, just be prepared for a lot of cleaning between visits.
Finally, there's the snaplock grate boxes. We added the Blyss Pets Klean Paws and the Richell Paw Trax, two models that utilize a plastic grid that pins down the pee pad (or newspaper) underneath, creating an all important distance between the wet and your pet, for dry paws and a clean floor afterwards. They both come apart easily for quick and simple cleaning with soapy water.
December 13, 2019:
There are many reasons pet owners may want a porch potty, from being so busy it's hard to stop at home often enough to take Fido out for walks, to dealing with young puppies or older dogs who don't have control over their bladders. We thought of each of these scenarios when making our selection.
Since we know getting animals used to going indoors in the first place can be tough, and you still want them to understand that grass — and not your floors or carpets — is the place to go so you aren't having to constantly use your carpet cleaner, we made sure to include some models that resemble lawns as closely as possible. The Giantex Portable Patch PS621, the Paws & Pals PTGP-02-LG, and the StarRoad-TIM Artificial Grass Rug fit that bill. Unfortunately, with this standard in mind, we had to remove the PetSafe Piddle Place, as many pets don't seem to like the texture of the turf.
Ease of maintenance is important, too, so we like that the BrilliantPad Self-Cleaning DM110 automatically swaps out a soiled pad for a fresh one after it senses new waste. The Alpha Dog Series Any Pet Toilet is another convenient option that is designed with a grated surface that clips on above a pee pad, resulting in a top level that stays relatively clean and dry. Though the UgoDog Indoor is a similar option, we removed it as the grates proved difficult to wash.
As for pets who simply won't go on anything but the real thing, we wanted to have a genuine grass option. However, we removed the Fresh Patch as there was a quality control issue with the grass and it would often contain large amounts of insects. We added in, instead, the DoggieLawn Real Grass, since the company seems to take better care to make sure each box is in pristine condition before being shipped out.
Special Honors
Porch Potty Direct Porch Potty sells its systems direct in five CLASSIC sizes, from Mini to Mega, plus a newer CORE model and add-ons such as a catch basin for the drain hose. The larger sizes are worth a look for big dogs that outgrow the Standard. porchpotty.com
Real Grass Or Synthetic Turf
Plan to pick up solids daily, rinse the turf and tray with soapy water, and empty the tray before it starts to smell, which happens faster in hot weather.
Real grass patches like DoggieLawn and Fresh Patch are grown without soil and sold in a cardboard tray. Live grass soaks up more liquid, so it smells less and needs almost no care: pick up solids and throw the whole box out when it browns. The trade-off is cost over time. The Dog Clinic puts a patch's life at one to three weeks, and both makers offer subscriptions that ship a new one every few weeks.
Synthetic turf lasts much longer, but it never stops needing care. Plan to pick up solids daily, rinse the turf and tray with soapy water, and empty the tray before it starts to smell, which happens faster in hot weather. Even with good cleaning, a fake grass mat eventually holds odor and has to be replaced, so a model that sells spare mats, or ships with two, saves money. The Porch Potty takes a third route: synthetic grass over a sloped base with a hose, so you rinse the grass and the runoff drains away instead of collecting under it.
Size, Layers And Where The Urine Goes
A bare turf mat lets urine soak straight through to the floor. Look for at least two layers: grass on top and a tray below. Better designs add a third layer between them, a plastic grate or an absorbent pad, so the grass isn't sitting in a puddle. Two sets of turf let one dry while the other is in use.
Size by length, not weight. Your dog should be able to stand, turn and squat with all four paws on the grass. HQ4US, for example, sizes its trays by the distance from nose to the base of the tail. Large breeds need a large tray or a full outdoor system. A guide from Oodle Life suggests real grass for dogs that are picky about texture.
Male dogs that lift a leg are harder. Females and dogs that squat take to a flat patch more readily, while leg-lifters often aim past it. A splash wall along one side, or a post like the Porch Potty's hydrant, gives them a target. On a balcony, check your building's rules before you start, and make sure no runoff can drip onto the unit below.
Teaching A Dog To Use It
No dog knows a grass tray is a toilet. You have to teach it, the same way you'd house-train a puppy. Humane World for Animals advises taking a puppy to its spot at least every two hours, and especially after it wakes, plays, eats or drinks. Feeding at the same times each day makes potty times easier to predict. Wait until the dog has finished, then praise or treat right away.
Scent helps. When you clean up an accident elsewhere, put the soiled paper towel on the grass so the dog links the smell with the right place, and rinse the patch less hard during the first days. Expect misses at first, and give some dogs a week or more.
A potty patch is a backup, not a substitute for walks. It covers the late-night break, a storm, a long workday or an older dog that can't manage the stairs, but dogs still need time outside to exercise and sniff (The Dog Clinic).
How we researched this
We compared 22 porch potties and grass pads, from hose-drained outdoor systems to real-grass patches, read the makers' size charts and product pages for the nine finalists, analyzed owner feedback on odor, shedding and training, and checked every brand against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database. We found no independent lab tests of dog grass potties.
Sources (9)
Frequently asked questions
Will my dog use a porch potty right away?
Usually not. Dogs have to be taught to use a grass patch. Take the dog to it often, especially after meals, naps and play, praise it as soon as it goes, and put a little of its scent on the grass. Many dogs catch on within days; some take longer.
Is real grass or synthetic turf better for a dog potty?
Real grass absorbs more, smells less and needs no washing, but it has to be replaced every few weeks. Synthetic turf lasts much longer but needs daily rinsing and a tray that gets emptied, and the mat eventually needs replacing.
What is a good alternative to a Porch Potty?
A synthetic grass tray with a grate or pad layer does the same job for much less and is easy to move. A real grass patch is the low-maintenance option. Some owners build their own from artificial turf over a shallow tray, which works as long as the tray holds the runoff.
Can a large dog use a porch potty?
Yes, if the tray is big enough for the dog to stand, turn and squat with all four paws on the grass. Size by the dog's length, not its weight, and add a wall or post for males that lift a leg.
How do I keep a balcony potty from leaking onto the neighbors?
Use a model with a tray or a drain hose, never a bare mat. Empty the tray daily, rinse the grass, and point any hose to a real drain or gutter, away from the edge of the balcony.
