What to Do if Puppy Eats Pee Pad?

Some puppies decide to eat their pee pads because they’re teething, playing, stressed, or bored. You need to address the cause and resolve it, as this could be bad for the puppy. 

The absorbent substance inside the pee pad, along with the other chemicals inside it could cause some serious issues to a little puppy. 

The solution is often giving the puppy a chewy toy, taping the pad to the floor, and checking if the puppy has any emotional issues.  

So, what to do if the puppy eats a pee pad? When in doubt, it’s always recommended to check with the vet. 

What Happens if a Puppy Eats the Pee Pad? 

It’s not practical, or even possible, to monitor a puppy’s activities 24/7. That’s why it’s important to keep the little one in a safe environment. 

However, accidents can happen in the most efficiently puppy-proofed homes. For example, a puppy can eat a pee pad. 

Pee Pads Are Bad for the Puppy 

Pee pads are great absorbents that keep your house clean. They also assist your puppy in its transition to doing his business outside. 

These pads can be pretty dangerous though if the puppy ingests large parts of their material.  

Choking 

The puppy’s throat and windpipe are rather small, so the little one can choke on even a morsel of the pee pad. 

Immediate action is necessary if that happens. A quick trip to the veterinarian's clinic can save the pup’s life.  

Intestinal Blockage 

The absorbent material inside the pee pad swells to many times its dry volume when it meets any humidity. 

Thus, if the puppy eats some of that substance, it could expand in his intestines. The risk of bowel obstruction is quite serious, so you need to see a vet right away. 

Poisoning 

There are tons of chemicals in the pee pad, from enticing scents to disinfectants. If a puppy ingests these materials, he might easily get sick. 

A visit to the vet is also essential because of this possibility.  

It Would Affect the Puppy’s Housetraining 

Eating the pee pad would clearly disrupt training the puppy to use the pad properly. This would naturally delay his next stage of relieving himself outside. 

The issue becomes quite complicated, as the puppy needs to learn how to stop eating the pad first, then resume housetraining. 

The Spongy Pad Material Spreads Everywhere

The pee pad is a great way to keep the house clean, but not when the puppy makes his new chewy toy. 

The little one might not ingest the whole pee pad, but he could tear it up and spread the spongy material all over the room. So much for keeping the place tidy! 

Puppy Pee Puddles Need Cleaning Up

With a torn-apart pee pad, the puppy would necessarily pee somewhere else. This could be any nice spot in the room. 

As you come back home, you might be greeted by a bunch of pee puddles all around the place. 

Why Is Your Puppy Eating the Pee pad? 

There are lots of reasons why a puppy might exhibit an odd behavior like eating a pee pad! Fortunately, most of them can be addressed and resolved.

• The puppy has just started housetraining, so these glitches happen.
• Puppies normally explore new things by nibbling them. 
• The puppy might be teething, and chewing the pee pad soothes its irritated gums.
• The pee pad might appear like a new toy, and the puppy just starts chewing it. 
• The pad isn’t firmly glued in place. 
• The puppy is bored or seeks attention.
• The puppy is going through a stressful time. 
• The puppy might be feeling separation anxiety. 
• The puppy has a propensity for aggressive behavior.  
• The puppy might be hungry.   

How to Stop a Puppy From eating Pee Pads? 

If your puppy is intent on eating his pee pad, no need to feel frustrated. There are 7 tried and true ways you can use to curb that behavior. 

1. Use a Pee Pad With an Adhesive

This is the most effective remedy to stop a puppy from eating the pee pad. If the puppy can't get the tip of the pad off the floor, chances are it wouldn’t be able to nibble on it. 

You can find pee pads complete with adhesive borders, and these brands usually have high absorbance as well.  

Alternatively, you can use double-sided adhesive all around the pee pad and attach it firmly to the floor.  

2. Give Your Puppy a Chewy Toy 

Chewey toys are great for soothing a teething puppy’s irritation. These toys also provide entertainment and even warmth to the puppy. 

It’s best to choose a chewy toy that’s safe for teething. For example, toys that wouldn’t disintegrate into rough chunks, or sharp shards, as the puppy bites into them.  

3. Place the Pee Pad Outside 

Puppies are smart creatures. They can easily tell which areas are suitable for playing and which spots can be used for relieving themselves. 

You can take the puppy out at regular intervals to the pee pad, and never leave him around it too long. This way, the puppy would learn that a pee pad is so not a toy.  

4. Give Your Puppy Some Love

Puppies start tearing up objects or eating unusual substances when they get agitated. This is normal if they feel bored, stressed, anxious, or afraid. 

Additionally, some puppies might show early signs of aggression. Especially, if they aren’t properly socialized. 

Puppies could also seek your attention by doing some unruly things. Occasionally, it’s just the way they play. 

In all these cases, giving your puppy that much-needed affection could calm his temper.    

5. Use Firm Commands

Training and socializing your puppy necessarily includes using some powerful words like STOP, DROP IT, and simply NO. 

Whenever you catch your puppy in the act of nibbling on the pee pad, you should call out that behavior. This reaction should be firm and consistent. 

As soon as the puppy ‘drops’ the pad, it’s essential to reward him with a pat and a treat. 

6. Get Some Puppy Teething Gel

Teething puppies often sink their teeth into any object around them; pee pads included. Sometimes, easing the pain in their gums would decrease their chewing sprees. 

You would need to reapply the gel at regular intervals for best results.   

7. Spray the Pee Pas With Chew Repellant 

Chew repellants are sprays with unpleasant odors or tastes. Dogs aren’t too fond of strong smells or bitter-tasting substances, so they often steer clear of the deterrent. 

It’s best to use a chew repellant made from 100% organic materials, like the sprays made from grape skins. This should do the trick without harming the puppy at all. 

Paul S.

Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament.com readers with the best answers to their questions.