What’s the Difference Between Dog Diapers and Dog Belly Bands?
Updated: February 20, 2024You’ve been led to believe that dog is man’s best friend (and that’s true!). But, thanks to dog diapers and belly bands’ ability to help keep your house free from messy accidents, it turns out these products might just be your BFFs as well!
Common Questions: Diapers for Dogs and Belly Bands for Dogs
If you’ve never used a dog diaper or belly band for dogs before, you may be wondering what the difference between the two is and how should you use them. This article is here to help you discover which option will work best for you and your dog.
We’ll discuss common questions like: What is a dog diaper? What is a belly band for dogs? How are belly bands for dogs different from dog diapers? Are belly bands for male dogs only? And how can each product benefit both you & your furbaby? Let’s dive in so that you can start finding the right fit!
"Dog diapers look and work very similar to human diapers. They are able to keep both pee and poop inside effectively."
What Is a Dog Diaper?
A dog diaper is basically exactly what it sounds like, a diaper that can be worn by both male and female dogs that is specifically made to fit your pup. Dog diapers look and work very similar to human diapers. They are able to keep both pee and poop inside effectively and secure around the dog’s waist. The main difference from human diapers is that there is a hole to accommodate your furbaby's tail.
There are many reasons your dog might need a dog diaper. These reasons can be the following:
Even with diapers, it’s still very important that you are able to train your furbaby to take their business outside or to potty on a designated area.
Types of Dog Diapers
When it comes to the type of dog diaper that’s right for your dog, you have a few different options:
Disposable Dog Diapers
Disposable dog diapers are generally sold in packs of 12 or 30 count. The pros of disposable dog diapers are the ease of dispose of. Take them off and simply toss them into the trash. The cons, however, is that if your dog must wear diapers for an extended period of time, this can get very costly. Not to mention they will all end up in the landfill, so they are not the most eco-friendly dog diaper option. Also, like human diapers, some disposable doggie diapers for males or females may contain harmful chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin.
Reusable (Washable) Dog Diapers
Washable dog diapers, like Pet Parents® Washable Dog Diapers, are waterproof dog diapers that you wash and reuse over and over again. While they may seem to cost a little more in the beginning, compared to a single pack of disposable diapers, you’ll save a ton of money with reusable dog diapers over time.
This is an especially great option for those pet parents who have dogs with permanent incontinence or paralysis and will be needing diapers for the rest of their lives. Additionally, you can keep these on hand for female dogs in heat. Plus, it is a much better for the environment, since washable dog diapers can be reused over and over again. As also mentioned by Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, cloth diapers can cost more initially but are reusable. Disposable diapers are easy to get rid of but end up in the landfill, and costs add up over time.
Washable dog diapers from Pet Parents® come in a pack of three so that you can have one on hand while one is in the wash and one is on your dog. So, you can always have one diaper ready to put on at a friend’s house, while traveling, or when out and about.
Human Baby Diapers Adapted for a Dog
Some pet parents go the route of using human baby diapers for their dog, which entails adding a hole for the tail. This may work for some pet parents who have small dogs who aren’t very active. But more often than not, we’ve heard from people that the tabs don’t stick together on the dog’s waist and getting a proper fit is not always easy. If you decide to have it this way and you have a larger breed dog, you may find the need to use human adult diapers to get a good fit for your furbaby.
Whichever type of diaper you choose to go use for your dog, it’s important that you keep your dog comfy and clean. You will want to change your dog’s diaper when necessary, as no dog should have to sit in a wet or dirty diaper all day. If you don’t change the diaper frequently enough and don’t clean your dog’s bottom area thoroughly, it may result in diaper rash and urine burns. This can then lead to redness, itchiness, and inflammation, as well as bacterial infections.
What Is a Belly Band for Dogs?
What are belly bands for dogs? If you have a male dog who is either marking your house or is experiencing urine incontinence (but not fecal), then they should only be required to wear a dog belly band instead of a full dog diaper. A belly band for dogs can act very similar to dog diapers for a male dog, but covers a smaller area.
Why Use a Belly Band for Dogs?
A dog belly band offers many of the same benefits as a diaper with more specific use cases. If you own a male dog experiencing only urinary problems, you may find a belly band for dogs to be easier to put on and easier for your dog to adjust to. Due to location of their private areas, you should only use belly bands for male dogs. Belly bands for female dogs will not cover the female’s private parts and will therefore not be effective. A dog belly band is effective for urinary issues in male dogs and is a great alternative to a diaper. However, a dog belly band will not stop fecal accidents or work on female dogs
Washable Dog Belly Bands
Dog belly bands, like Pet Parents® Washable Belly Bands, are relatively new products in the market that were designed to help pet parents deal with their male furbabies who are having some marking and peeing accident concerns. At Pet Parents®, we only provide the best belly bands for dogs, which is why we include important features. This pet product has an outer waterproof shell that wraps around your dog’s midsection, thereby covering only their private part. The outer shell of a belly band for dogs contains an absorbent inner liner that can be easily changed when wet.
Belly bands are great to be used for potty training, urinary incontinence, and territorial marking. A belly band for dogs can also prove easier to put on for wiggly furbabies.
In addition, a belly band for dogs can also be used as a post-surgery coverup. You may use belly bands to cover your dogs's wound or incision site, preventing them from licking, pawing, or scratching the area. Dog belly bands can be a great solution and alternative to e-collar or dog cone.
Ensure the Right Fit For Dog Belly Bands or Dog Diapers
With dog diapers and belly bands, it’s a must that you ensure the proper fit. If your dog’s diaper or belly band is not the right fit, it won’t stay in place and will not be able to solve your problem. Most dog diapers and belly bands for male dogs have an elastic gathering for a tailored fit, but you’ll still need to measure your dog’s waist properly to determine the right size.
When measuring your dog’s size for a dog belly band or dog diaper, it’s important you include your dog’s private parts, so the diaper or belly band won’t be too tight and cause chaffing. Should you find your dog to be in between sizes, go with the smaller size and use Extendrs® to make it the right fit for your dog. Our Extendrs® are made particularly for furbabies who are caught in two sizes of our diapers and bands. These will ensure that the belly bands for male dogs are the perfect fit for your pup. Made with the same high quality and waterproof materials as our washable dog diapers and belly bands, Extendrs® were created to help extend the sizing of our current diapers and bands so that a truer, more comfortable fit could be possible for your furbaby.
Should you have any questions about sizing, please see our sizing guide or get in touch with us. We make our dog diapers and belly bands for dogs specifically to help pet parents and their best friends live happy and healthy lives. Both dog belly bands and doggie diapers for males can be effective solutions for your male dog. Our products come in a variety of sizes and colors, so you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.
"Our Extendrs® are made particularly for furbabies who are caught in two sizes of our diapers and bands."
Now that you know the difference between dog diapers and belly bands for male dogs, you can make the best choice for your furbaby. Washable dog diapers can be used for both male and female dogs you should use belly bands for male dogs only. Both a belly band for dogs and a diaper for dogs can be highly effective and helpful in keeping your home clean and your furbaby comfortable. If you have any other questions about which will work best for your dog, we are here to help! Don’t hesitate to contact us, we would be more than happy to help you find the right products for your furbaby.
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Micka Virtudazo is a full-time content creator at Pet Parents® who lives with thirteen adorable American Bullies and a Shih Tzu-Maltese mix named Gretel. She especially enjoys writing how-to articles as she feels through this she can connect to other pet parents on a more personal level.
The Veterinarian Reviewed Badge indicates that an article has been reviewed and approved by a licensed vet in the United States. Vet reviewed articles will include this badge at the top of the page. To meet our vets and learn more about our approval process, click here.
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