I've never used the bark but it just seems like it would be a bigger pain. I use the carpet & the rug & it is SO easy. You can always see when they go to the bathroom or when they tip the water bowl or anything like that. They may not look as much like a natural environment but still, it make cleaning VERY easy. Once they are soiled, simply take one out, put in a clean piece & you are ready to go. Then you can just wash the dirty piece, let it air dry & you can continue to re-use. I have had Hissy for Almost two full months now (man it seems like a lot longer than that!) and I just keep recycling the same three pieces. I wouldn't even bother trying anything else, but that is just MHO.