Incontinence is one of the quiet reasons older dogs get moved off the sofa and out of the bedroom, and it does not have to be. At 80x120cm this pad covers most of a dog bed, a crate floor or the end of a human bed, and takes the accident instead of the mattress underneath, which turns the night-time routine into a wash cycle rather than a rescue operation.

The quilted top layer pulls moisture down and away from the surface quickly, so your dog is not left lying in it, while a waterproof backing stops anything reaching what is beneath. The quilting matters more than it sounds: stitching through the layers keeps the absorbent core from migrating into a lump at one end after a few washes, which is exactly how cheaper pads fail. It goes through the machine as ordinary laundry and dries quickly.

• 80x120cm, large enough for most dog beds and crate bases
• Quilted absorbent top layer that wicks moisture off the surface
• Waterproof backing to protect mattresses, bedding and car boots
• Machine washable and reusable in place of disposables
• Suits senior dogs, puppies in training and post-surgery recovery
• Lies flat in beds, crates, boots and favourite corners

One thing worth knowing. A washable pad is a way of living with incontinence, not a fix for it. New leaking in a dog who was previously dry deserves a vet visit, because urinary infections and several hormonal causes respond well to treatment, and a pad will quietly hide the evidence while the cause goes unaddressed.

Who it's for: Households caring for a senior or recovering dog, puppy owners partway through house training, and anyone who has been buying disposable pads by the box.