Can You Re-Use Dog Diapers?

It’s definitely no fun coming home and finding a big pee stain on your carpet.

What about walking on your beautiful floors with socks, then stepping in a puddle you didn’t notice?

Dog diapers are a great solution for a senior dog that has developed urinary incontinence, is suffering from dementia and forgotten his housetraining, or even recovering from surgery and isn’t able to get out.

But constantly buying dog diapers can be expensive, so you may be wondering if you can re-use the diapers.

Yes you can re-use dog diapers if they are the type that can be washed and worn again.

UPDATED: May 31, 2023

While the re-usable ones may cost a bit more than disposables initially, they will be much more cost effective in the long run.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please don’t use diapers in place of housetraining.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we participate in). As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Can you use female dog diapers on a male dog?

While there are brands that sell diapers specifically for males and females, plenty can be used interchangeably.

Another option to a diaper for a male is something called a belly band.

It wraps around your dog’s stomach covering his private parts so it catches the urine.

If your dog likes to mark in the house, a belly band could be the help you’re looking for.

Some people cut a Kotex pad and fit it into the belly band for extra absorbency.

How to choose the right size reusable dog diaper

Sizing is important.

Too small will be uncomfortable and may not adequately cover your dog. Too big will fall off or leave gaps, not holding what it needs to hold.

Manufacturers usually include sizing charts to help you decide but here’s a tip to help as well.

Measure your dog’s waist in front of his or her back legs.

If your dog is in between two sizes, use weight to help you decide.

For example, if your dog is relatively thin go down a size, if he’s heavier go up one.

I noticed how much sizes vary by brand, so be sure and check the sizing chart of each brand.

A medium in one may be very different to a medium in another.

Pet Magasin Washable Belly Nappies/Diapers for Male Dogs

Size	Waist Girth
Small	7″-13″
Medium	14″-22″
Large	19″-27″

Pet Parents Washable Dog Diapers

Size	Waist Girth
XSmall	4″-10″
Small	9″-15″
Medium	14″-20″
Large	19″-27″
XLarge	26″-35″

What features to look for in a dog diaper

Here are some tips on things to consider when looking for a dog diaper.

♦ Be sure to get the one designed for the sex of your dog

♦ Absorbency will vary, so if your dog is peeing rather than just dribbling urine, absorbency is an important factor. A sanitary pad added to the diaper can also help with that. Poise is the brand many people use

♦ Fast drying mesh can help keep moisture away from your dog’s skin

♦ You may want an odor control layer

♦ Some diapers change color when they’re wet so you can easily tell when it needs to be changed

♦ Velcro fasteners make it easy to put on, and some say specifically it won’t get stuck to the fur

♦ They come in plenty of colors and designs for the fashion conscious!

♦

How to keep dog diapers on

There are some super easy-going dogs out there that will put up with a lot, and that includes wearing a diaper.

What about those that aren’t as accommodating? How do you get a dog that’s just not into it to keep a diaper on?

♦ The first tip is to get the right size as we talked about earlier

♦ Dog body suits have been designed to keep the diaper in place, or try a baby onesie. If you try the onesie be sure to cut a hole in the back for your dog’s tail, and do it when it’s not on the dog. You don’t want to risk him moving around and getting hurt.

♦ Diaper suspenders are another great option, and work well for dogs that are active.

♦ I’ve read little boy’s underwear in a size slightly smaller than your dog’s waist measurement could do the trick. I don’t know why I haven’t read anything about using girl’s underwear, maybe because of the difference in design. It might be worth trying.

♦ If somehow your dog manages to loosen the tabs, a bit of masking tape should prevent that from happening.

How long can a dog wear a diaper?

As soon as a diaper has been soiled it should be changed. I would check every 3 hours or so to be sure.

Leaving a dog in a wet diaper can quickly lead to rash and other skin irritations.

Wash the area with a mild dog shampoo or doggie wipe, and dry thoroughly.

A dog friendly ointment or cream should help clear the rash, but please do not use a baby diaper rash cream. The ingredients could be toxic.

Speak to your vet about the type he recommends and keep some on hand.

How to wash a reusable dog diaper

The brand you buy will come with washing instructions, and instructions will vary.

You’ll usually see suggestions to fasten the Velcro, turn the diaper inside out, pre-soak, then machine wash using regular detergent.

Some brands recommend warm water, others cold.

Some are okay drying on a low heat, others say hang to dry. Bleach or fabric softener don’t seem to ever be advisable.

Again, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

What brand of reusable dog diapers should I buy?

I know of a lot of senior dog parents who use diapers for their old dogs.

A few of the most commonly mentioned brands are listed below (click the blue text to buy).

Reusable dog diapers:

Wegreeco (my personal favorite) male wraps or female diapers
Pet Magasin male belly manner band or female dog diapers
Pet Parents Premium male belly bands or female diapers
Teamoy male wraps with removable pads or female diapers with removable pads

Disposable dog diapers:

Vet’s Best Comfort-Fit Wrap disposable male dog diapers or female diapers

Reusable belly bands and dog diapers on this list can be washed and, typically, used hundreds of times, which is better on the wallet and for the planet in the long run.

I used belly bands for my male Dachshund for 3 years and, although I washed his reusable male wraps very often, each lasted at least a couple of years.

However, since you may desire a more convenient option when traveling away from the home, so you don’t have to transport a pee-soaked dog diaper home with you to wash, I listed my favorite disposable option.

Can you use baby diapers on your dog?

I do know a few people who use baby diapers, like the Target brand, on their dogs.

However, there are a few things to consider:

Cloth baby diapers typically have to be fastened on with safety pins, which could be dangerous for your dog, or placed in a cover, which would likely make the diaper very cumbersome for your dog to wear, so you would be stuck using only disposable ones.
Baby diapers may not be the right size for your dog. Diapers designed for humans don’t always fit dogs well, which might lead to leaks or discomfort for your pet. Dogs also come in a wide range of sizes, from tiny toy breeds to large dogs, so it can be a challenge to find the right baby diaper size for your dog.
Baby diapers aren’t designed to accommodate a dog’s tail. You would have to modify the diaper by cutting a hole for the tail. But this could also cause leaking.

So, in short, yes, you could try using baby diapers on your dog but it’s probably not the best option.