The difference between a thin pad and a thick one shows itself at the moment a large dog actually uses one: a thin pad floods, spreads sideways and runs off the edge onto the floor you were trying to protect. These are built up in multiple quilted layers, so there is far more room for liquid to be drawn in and turned to gel before it has anywhere else to go.

Turning liquid into gel is the whole mechanism, and it is what separates a good pad from a wet sheet of tissue. Once absorbed, the liquid cannot be squeezed back out, so a pad that has been stood on does not put anything back onto the floor or onto a paw, while the odour-control layer holds the smell in rather than releasing it across the room. A waterproof backing sheet closes off the underside.

• Multi-layer quilted construction
• Absorbs liquid and turns it to gel to stop spreading
• Odour-control layer
• Waterproof backing to protect floors and carpets
• Four sizes: S, M, L and XL
• Suits crate lining, car journeys and indoor toileting

On sizes and quantities. One practical note as well: incontinence that starts suddenly in an older pet is a veterinary matter rather than a pad matter, so get it looked at rather than simply absorbing it.

Who it's for: Households with a larger dog, a senior pet or a recovering patient where a standard thin pad has already let them down.