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Dog grass toilets solve a specific problem — giving your dog a designated indoor or balcony spot to relieve themselves when going outside isn’t always practical. They’re popular with apartment owners, puppy trainers, owners of senior dogs, and anyone whose dog needs an accessible toilet option close to home.
We tested a real grass toilet ourselves, so here’s an honest breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and which option is right for your situation.
📋 In This Guide
- Who Actually Needs a Dog Grass Toilet? — the situations where they make sense
- Real Grass vs Artificial Grass — honest pros, cons, and costs
- Dog Grass Toilets Available in Australia — what to buy
- Will Your Dog Actually Use It? — our 25-minute experience
- How to Clean a Dog Grass Toilet — the part most articles skip
- Alternatives to Grass Toilets — including a DIY option from Bunnings
- FAQs
Who Actually Needs a Dog Grass Toilet?
Dogs don’t need grass to go to the toilet — but many are trained to prefer it, which makes a grass toilet a natural transition. Here are the situations where they genuinely make sense:
📌 Common Situations Where Dog Grass Toilets Help
Apartment & Balcony Living
The most common use case. If you live in an apartment without yard access, a grass toilet on the balcony gives your dog a consistent, familiar spot to go — particularly useful overnight, in bad weather, or when you can’t get outside quickly. Pairs well with the broader challenge of keeping dogs in apartments.
Puppy Toilet Training
Grass training pads give puppies a designated spot that mimics outdoor grass — helping build the association between grass and going to the toilet before they have full bladder control. More natural for dogs than standard puppy pads, and easier to transition outdoors later.
Injury or Recovery
If your dog is recovering from surgery or an injury and can’t manage stairs or long walks, an indoor grass toilet provides an accessible option close to where they’re resting.
Senior Dogs
Older dogs with limited mobility, arthritis, or incontinence benefit from having a toilet option very close to where they spend their time — particularly overnight when going outside isn’t practical.
Large dog grass toilet from Fresh Patch
Real Grass vs Artificial Grass: The Honest Comparison
This is the core decision — and the right answer genuinely depends on your dog’s size and your budget.
📊 Real Grass vs Artificial Grass at a Glance
| Real Grass | Artificial Grass | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low ($34–$65) | Low–Moderate ($30–$80) |
| Ongoing cost | High — replace every 1–2 weeks | Low — clean and reuse |
| Odour | Low initially, builds after 3–4 days | Can be stronger — requires regular cleaning |
| Dog acceptance | Generally easier — feels like real grass | Some dogs need encouragement |
| Best for | Small dogs, puppies | Any size dog, long-term use |
| Maintenance | Minimal — just replace | Regular rinse and occasional deep clean |
✅ Real Grass — Pros & Cons
Pros
- More natural feel — most dogs take to it immediately
- Lower odour than artificial grass, at least initially
- Subscription services (like Fresh Patch) make replacement easy
- No cleaning required — just replace the grass
- Good for puppies learning to associate grass with toileting
Cons
- Ongoing cost adds up — especially for medium or large dogs who need a bigger patch
- Not entirely odourless — we noticed urine smell within 4 days in SE Queensland summer heat
- Large patches are heavy and bulky to dispose of
- Not sustainable as a long-term solution for bigger dogs
💡 Our Honest Verdict on Real Grass Toilets
Real grass toilets are genuinely great for puppies and small dogs — if the recurring cost of $35–65 per fortnight isn’t a concern. For medium or large dogs, the cost and disposal logistics make it hard to recommend as an ongoing solution. The artificial grass or mulch alternative makes more sense at that size.
Dog Grass Toilets Available in Australia
BEST REAL GRASS OPTION
Fresh Patch
The most popular real grass dog toilet in Australia. Hydroponically grown grass delivered to your door on a subscription — no soil, less mess. Available in Mini (suits small dogs and puppies) through to Large (suits medium dogs). Replace every 1–2 weeks depending on your dog’s size and usage.
From $34 (Mini) — $65 (Large)
BEST ARTIFICIAL GRASS OPTION
Artificial Grass Dog Toilet Tray
A reusable tray system with artificial grass insert and drainage tray underneath. One-time purchase, rinse and reuse. Better long-term value than real grass for medium and large dogs. Available in multiple sizes. Also available at Bunnings and Kmart when in stock.
From ~$30–$80 on Amazon AU
Will Your Dog Actually Use It?
This was our biggest question before trying it. Our dog was already potty-trained when we introduced a real grass toilet — so we weren’t starting from scratch.
After unpacking, his first response was to use it as a cooling mat and snack on the grass. Not ideal. But we only had to say “go potty” while pointing at it a couple of times before he got it. From unpacking to first use: 25 minutes. Genuinely easier than expected.
✅ Tips for Getting Your Dog to Use a Grass Toilet
- Place it in a consistent spot — dogs rely on location cues for toileting
- Lead them to it and use your regular toilet command (“go potty”, “go wee” etc.)
- Reward immediately when they use it correctly — positive reinforcement works fast
- For a dog switching from outdoor-only toileting, a small amount of used grass from outside placed on the patch can help them understand what it’s for
- If your dog isn’t yet toilet trained, start there first — ask your vet or read our guide on how to get your puppy to use a pad
- Be patient with artificial grass — some dogs need a few days to accept a synthetic surface
How to Clean a Dog Grass Toilet
This is the section most product pages skip — but it’s the difference between a grass toilet that works long-term and one that becomes unusable within a week.
🧹 Cleaning Guide by Type
Real Grass Toilet
- Remove solid waste daily with a bag or scooper
- The grass naturally absorbs urine — no rinsing required during the replacement cycle
- Replace the grass every 1–2 weeks (or sooner in hot weather — we noticed odour within 4 days in Queensland summer)
- Rinse the tray with water and mild disinfectant between replacements
- In hot climates, place in a shaded spot to slow odour development
Artificial Grass Toilet
- Remove solid waste immediately — don’t let it sit
- Rinse the grass insert with a hose daily if possible, or every other day at minimum
- Empty and rinse the drainage tray at the same time
- Weekly deep clean: soak the grass insert in a diluted pet-safe disinfectant for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly
- Allow to dry in the sun — UV light helps kill bacteria and reduce odour
- Replace the grass insert every 3–6 months depending on use
Alternatives to Dog Grass Toilets
If a grass toilet isn’t quite right for your situation, there are a few alternatives worth considering:
🔄 Dog Grass Toilet Alternatives
Puppy Pads
Cheaper and more convenient than grass toilets, though less natural for dogs already trained on grass. Good for puppies or as a backup option. We’ve got a full guide to puppy pads in Australia if you want to compare.
Bark Mulch DIY (Bunnings)
A genuine budget alternative that many dog owners swear by. Buy pine bark mulch from Bunnings, fill a plastic tray (the same type used for grass toilets), and you’ve got a low-cost, refillable option. Many owners find it smells less than grass toilets when kept in a sunny spot, and it’s easy to scoop and top up. Just make sure your dog won’t eat the mulch — some types can be toxic depending on ingredients. The Richgro Pine Bark Mulch from Bunnings is a commonly used option.
Image: Bunnings
Dog Walker
If the main issue is your dog needing a toilet break during long work days, a midday dog walker solves the problem without any indoor toilet setup. Often a more practical solution for medium and large dogs.
Dog Nappies
For senior dogs or dogs recovering from injury, nappies can be a practical short-term solution alongside or instead of an indoor toilet. We’ve got a full guide to dog nappies in Australia if this is relevant to your situation.
❓ Dog Grass Toilet FAQs
Are dog grass toilets worth it?
For small dogs, puppies, and apartment dwellers — yes, genuinely. The convenience is real and the cost is manageable at small sizes. For medium or large dogs, the ongoing cost of real grass makes it harder to justify. An artificial grass toilet or the bark mulch DIY alternative is a better long-term option at larger sizes.
How often do you replace a dog grass toilet?
Real grass needs replacing every 1–2 weeks — sooner in hot weather or with heavier use. We noticed odour within 4 days during SE Queensland summer. Artificial grass inserts last 3–6 months with regular cleaning and don’t need full replacement unless damaged.
Do dog grass toilets smell?
They can. Real grass is lower odour than artificial initially, but starts to smell after a few days — especially in warm weather. Artificial grass has stronger odour potential but is manageable with daily rinsing and weekly deep cleaning. Both benefit from being kept in a shaded spot and cleaned consistently.
Can I use a dog grass toilet on a balcony?
Yes — balcony placement is one of the most common uses. Make sure the tray has a drainage system and that liquid can’t pool or overflow onto the balcony floor. Place in a shaded spot to reduce odour in hot weather. If you’re in a strata building, check your by-laws first — some buildings have restrictions on what can be kept on balconies.
Will my dog use an artificial grass toilet if they’re used to real grass?
Most dogs adapt within a few days. Use your regular toilet command, reward immediately when they use it correctly, and be patient. A small amount of used real grass placed on the artificial surface can help with the initial introduction — the familiar scent helps them understand what the surface is for.
The Bottom Line
Dog grass toilets are genuinely useful — for the right dog and the right situation. Small dogs and puppies in apartments: real grass is excellent. Medium and large dogs, or anyone wanting a long-term solution: artificial grass or the bark mulch DIY is the smarter call. Whatever you choose, consistency with cleaning makes the difference between a solution that works and one that becomes a problem.
