Give Your Pet a Space to Relax in With the Best Dog Playpen
Dog playpens are an essential purchase for any pet parent. They enable your dog to have the space to play freely while also ensuring they are safe and secure.
Although dogs have this natural inclination to roam freely and explore their area, it is not always practical, and there are many reasons behind it. However, the most accepted dog playpen means they won’t be locked up in a small space for a prolonged period but still give you the freedom to do whatever you have to do and keep them away from any danger lurking.
Many different dog pens are available specifically designed to meet different needs. For you to make the best decision, let’s take a look at all the designs you can find on the market now.
Finest Dog Playpen Buying Guide
When buying the best dog playpen for your dog, you must consider a few factors to make the best decision. When selecting, these playpens come in different sizes and materials that you need to be careful about: which is why we have everything listed down for you, so you know the dos and don’ts of everything!
Features to Consider Before Buying an Indoor Playpen
Size
When it comes to getting a playpen for your pet, it is crucial to make sure that it does fit your pet. Otherwise, it will be a waste. Your dog should be comfortable inside the pen and have enough room to play or exercise. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the pen isn’t too cramped. As a rule of thumb, you should always get a playpen that is big enough for your pet to run around, lie down if it wants to, and still have space for its food and water bowls. However, this can get a bit tricky with larger dogs which is when most pet parents end up getting something that makes the dogs feel cramped, and they hardly ever want to be in the playpen. Fortunately, many manufacturers have realized that different dogs have different needs, which is why you can now get different-sized playpens to suit your dog the best.
If you have a tiny puppy that is expected to grow larger every month, then the best option for you would be to buy something that can add additional panels to make it larger as your puppy grows.
Material
Of course, size is not the only thing that should worry you. A playpen can be twice as big as your dog, giving them all the space they need but made from a lightweight material which means your dog will be able to bring it down with just one jump. So when you are looking for a playpen, make sure that you choose one that is tough and sturdy so that it can stay in its place while your pup is active inside. While puppies like wire and fabric playpens, more giant breeds usually do well in plastic or metal pens as they are heavier and more durable. Of course, if you have a dog that is well-behaved and sits quietly in its playpen, then you won’t care about the material being sturdy, so in the end, it all depends on your and your dog’s needs.
Versatility
Pet parents usually get playpens that keep their pets restricted to one area, so they don’t end up in someplace they’re not supposed to be. However, it would be a good idea and provide you with more value for money if you opt for a large and well-made playpen so it can grow with your pooch and eventually act as a dog gate.
You may also feel the need for a playpen that can work great outdoors, so you don’t have to worry about letting your dog out in the fresh air as they might wander off somewhere.
If you usually travel with your dog, then a portable and easily foldable pen will be your best bet as this will ensure your pet always has a safe place of its own even when it is away from home.
Ease of storage
Usually, pet parents and dogs don’t use the playpens a lot which means they don’t want their pet pens to be mounted at all times, taking up a lot of space in their home for no reason. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a playpen that you can easily disassemble and assemble, so you won’t have to stress about setting it up when the need arises. You can also have it up and running for your pet in a matter of minutes, rather than grabbing a bunch of tools and wasting the whole day trying to get it up only to have it taken down again the next day when you no longer need it. And unless you have a mansion all to yourself, you probably don’t want your dog’s stuff and toys to dominate your home, so having an easily foldable playpen is a good idea for various reasons.
Top Dog Playpens in 2024 Reviewed
Zampa Dog Playpen
– Best Overall
The Zampa Playpen for Dogs is the perfect way to keep your furry friends safe from harm and contained. This playpen is foldable and lightweight, making it easy to transport or store when not in use. The versatile design allows for indoor or outdoor use and acts as a pet carrier for when you are on the go.
This playpen comes with a carrying bag for convenient storage that is also durable enough to take a bit of wear and tear, so you don’t have to worry about lugging around a bulky item. It is also equipped with mesh windows for ventilation and extra UV protection, so you can be sure your pets are safe in the sun. The playpen also features an innovative no-scratch zipper bottom to ensure your pet stays inside and won’t chew through the fabric, making it the best overall on this list.
- Easily portable
- Lightweight design
- Easy to store
- Not the most durable
MidWest Foldable Dog Pen
– Durable Build
This dog pen by MidWest is convenient as it can be folded and stored away easily when you don’t need it or have to take it with you while traveling. This exercise playpen provides your dog with 16 square feet of enclosed area, ample space for them to stretch and play around with their toys. It also comes with eight ground anchors and four thumb-snaps that make it easier to assemble this playpen outdoors. It features a durable black e-coat finish on the playpen that provides long-lasting protection against outdoor elements like rust, etc. Moreover, this playpen is easy to set up and requires no tools to set it up. It is perfect for pet parents who need their pets to get that exercise while staying safe and secure in a place they can keep their eyes on them.
- Foldable, which makes for convenient storage
- Offers 16 square feet of enclosed space
- Comes with ground anchors for outdoor setup
- Black e-coat finish protects from rust
- Might move around for an active pet
MYPET North States Petyard
– Large Area
With a cute little doggy door, this petyard is an excellent fit for indoor and outdoor use. You can easily keep your pet contained while you get work done around your home or clean, needing a few hours for your pet to stay in its playpen. It features a door that one can simply lock when required and is made of durable and robust plastic in a lovely espresso brown finish that is bound to go with every house’s decor. Although it initially contains 8 panels, you can easily make it smaller by removing 2 panels at a time if you have a smaller dog or just want to create a smaller play area for your dog to sleep or relax in. It also features durable skid-resistant pads that will ensure your playpen stays in its place and doesn’t damage or scratch up your flooring.
- Easily portable
- Scratch-proof and durable skid-resistant pads
- You can configure it to a smaller playpen
- Convenient locking pet door
- It doesn’t come with a playpen cover
Amazon Basics Foldable Dog Playpen
– Honorable Mention
This Amazon Basics dog playpen is the ideal option for your dog if you want portable and can be perfect for use both indoors and outdoors. You can just easily fold it up and take it anywhere you want to or keep it stored inside. It is a 24-inch exercise and playpen with a door for your dog to easily enter and exit. It is made of durable iron metal, featuring a rust-proof black finish and a step-through door access with two slide bolts secure locking latches so your dog can be safe inside. The assembly time of this product is seconds; all you need to do is unfold, shape, and connect. It doesn’t need any tools for assembly and comes with 8 ground anchors for when you need to use it outdoors. It is explicitly recommended for small dogs; it comes with 8 connected panels, giving your dog ample space to exercise or play in.
- Portable and foldable
- Made of durable rust-proof iron
- It is easy to set up
- Includes ground anchors for outdoor use
- Not suitable for larger dogs
IRIS USA Dog Playpen
– Also Consider
Less like a playpen and more like your puppy’s own mansion, this playpen includes four panels with a door used for entering and exiting. This playpen is easily portable and can provide 8 square feet of play space for your dog, which means it is ideal for smaller breeds. The dog is made of durable molded plastic, making the whole structure safe and sound for your pup. You can add more panels to create an enormous pet playpen if you need more space. Moreover, this playpen is available in two color options: an attractive dark brown and a sophisticated white, two very neutral colors that are bound to fit any home aesthetic, giving you a little something for everyone.
- It is portable
- Made of durable molded plastic
- Add on panels create a larger playpen
- Two attractive and neutral color options
- It doesn’t come with a cover
People Also Asked
A: It is never recommended to leave a puppy alone for an extended period, even if it’s in a playpen. You should make sure that puppies are never alone for longer than 2 hours at a time, and even during these 2 hours, they have food and water available to them.
A: Usually, people get confused since they are both made from joined panels. However, a dog crate is closed from all sides, including the bottom and top, while a playpen only has panels to restrict your pup with usually no top or bottom coverage.
A: Usually, cheaper models don’t come with a gate or door. However, this usually is not a problem for most dogs as you can just lift them in and out of the pen which means they can stay in there for as long as you want since they need your help to get out.