Best Dog Pen

A dog playpen may not seem like an essential purchase to you when you have the luxury of spending every minute with your pet. However, if you often leave the house for a long period of time or even go to another room and don’t want your dog to destroy the house or hurt himself while you’re gone, a dog pen is exactly what you need.

Top Dog Pens

There are several features that make the ESK Collection dog playpen the best choice for most dog owners. It’s a portable pen, which means you can carry it around the house or even take it outside — the mesh will limit the exposure to sunlight. The fabric of the playpen is waterproof and can be easily cleaned.

The collapsible construction of the ESK Collection playpen for dogs allows you to store the pen even in limited space and take it everywhere with you. The pen is secure enough even for dogs who are prone to escaping. You can choose from several color options.

A good dog play pen doesn’t have to cost a fortune, which is beautifully demonstrated by the IRIS pen. This plastic dog playpen offers 8 square feet of play space to your furry friend, which should be more than enough for most dogs. Plus, you can increase the size of the playpen with extra add-on panels.

The design of the IRIS dog pen allows you to fold it in just a couple of seconds and store it even in the narrowest space. It is also portable and can be used not just as a standard playpen, but also as a dog fence or an outside play gate.

If you are a proud owner of a large dog, a standard dog or puppy playpen will probably seem too restrictive for your pet and won’t give him enough space for movement. Made from sturdy, durable materials, this dog pen can be used both indoors and outdoors without the risk of your pup breaking away.

One of the biggest benefits of the BestPet dog playpen is that it can be assembled, disassembled, and changed in size and shape without any additional tools. It may not be as portable as some other dog pens on our list, but it’s one of the best pet playpens for home use designed for large breeds.

There are many situations where you will want to not only use the playpen at home, but also take the dog pen with you. When you travel often, visit your friends and family members, go camping, or simply have a hyperactive dog who cannot be left alone even for 1 minute, portable dog pens really come in handy

The JESPET portable dog pen comes with its own bag and can be packed and unpacked in a matter of seconds. The waterproof fabric and the mesh windows and roof provide for a very comfortable stay in the pen. Available in three sizes and four color options, this playpen gives you a new level of freedom of traveling with your pup.

Indoor dog pens, most importantly, need to be comfortable and practical. Indoor dog pens are often used for several hours straight — for example, when you go to work — which is why you should be especially careful when choosing one for your pup.

The HORING indoor puppy enclosure is an excellent choice for millions of dogs and their owners. It provides lots of ventilation and is nearly impossible to get out of. The top and bottom of the pen are waterproof, and the playpen itself is made from the durable and easily washable EVA material. Even though it is primarily designed for indoor use, it is still easily collapsible and portable.

Puppies are still learning the ins and outs of good dog behavior, which is why a safe and practical playpen is nearly a necessity for all puppy owners. The ABO Gear is possibly the best puppy playpen we have seen lately. It is spacious enough for most puppies and dogs and allows you to customize the place with as many toys and blankets as needed.

This is also a collapsible dog pen, which means you can quickly fold it and then equally quickly unfold it when necessary. The waterproof bottom of the playpen and the mesh windows ad top panel add to the pup’s comfort while you can watch your youngest member of the dog pack grow and develop.

So why would you need a heavy duty playpen anyway? If your dog belongs to large breeds and can always find his way out of every enclosure, you may want something a little more heavy-duty than a standard dog pen, and this is exactly what you’ll get with the ALEKO playpen.

Designed with both safety and comfort in mind, this is probably the best dog playpen for large and active dogs. It is sturdy enough to be used for all kinds of dogs and for long periods of time. Plus, despite its tough construction, it’s actually very conveniently stored and transported.

Dog Playpen Buying Guide

A dog pen is not the most obvious purchase on your list of things to get for your beloved pet, which is why you may feel slightly lost when trying to find the best option. The variety of dog pens is not as endless as it is with some other pet products, but there are still enough features to confuse first-time buyers.

Ideally, the dog pen you buy for your pup should be safe, durable, and convenient to use both for you and the dog. It’s also a good idea to find a versatile pen that can be used for different life situations. Here is everything you need to know about choosing a good dog playpen.

Why should I buy a dog play pen?

In some cases, buying a dog pen can be optional. However, there are situations where you and your dog will benefit greatly from this purchase or where a playpen is an absolute necessity. Here are some reasons why you need a playpen for your dog.

Going to work

Most of us have to go to work for 8+ hours a day 5 days a week, but it doesn’t mean you can’t adopt a dog that will keep you happy. Still, leaving the pup at home for long periods of time can be both bad for your house and unsafe for the pup. When left alone, the dog can hurt itself, damage the furniture and appliances, and cause all kinds of calamities. A playpen is a simple and affordable solution to this problem.

Alone time

As a responsible and affectionate dog owner, you probably want to spend every minute of your time with your pup. And even if you don’t need to go to work and don’t leave the house too often, you may still want some time away from your dog. Whether you want to take a bath, thoroughly clean the house, or go to the kitchen without the pup following you around, you can use a dog pen to temporarily get some privacy.

Puppy training

While your puppy is still learning how to be a good dog, you can create a safe learning space for him in a playpen. With most puppies, a playpen can be used for everything: sleeping, eating, playing, and even house training  — that way, you can minimize the amount of mess a young puppy creates. Plus, dogs who stay in pens from a young age, train to use them without any stress or unwanted behavior.

Traveling

Dog owners and their dogs should not be confined to their houses or dog parks. A portable playpen allows you to safely take your dog anywhere without worrying about him getting in trouble. Now you can visit your friends or family members, go on vacations, or even spend weekends in the woods or by the lake while keeping your pup protected and enjoying your stay even more.

Types of dog pens

The range of dog playpens available in the market today can satisfy the needs of most dog owners and their furry friends. Today, most dog pens belong to one of the four following categories:

Indoor

Indoor dog playpens are probably the most popular type you can get today. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including puppy training and leaving your dog at home while you go to work. These pens can be made from all kinds of materials, but they need to be secure and durable.

Outdoor

Outdoor playpens are a great option for owners who have a spacious backyard but don’t want their pup to run around all the time. If you want to let your dog enjoy the fresh air without creating a huge mess, look for an outdoor pen. It needs to be made from materials that are resistant to rust and decay if you want it to last for a long time.

Versatile/convertible

A versatile dog pen can be used in a variety of situations both indoors and outdoors. Most importantly, it can often be converted into a dog fence, gate, or room divider, which gives you even more opportunities for using your playpen.

Portable

If you are a dog owner who doesn’t like to stay in one place and want to be able to travel while ensuring the safety of your pup and everyone around, you will need a portable dog playpen. This dog pen can be effortlessly packed and taken to another location. Plus, you can conveniently store a portable playpen even in a limited space when you are not using it.

Features to consider when choosing dog pens

Choosing the best playpen for your dog does not have to be a challenge — here are the most important features to look for when you’re shopping for a dog pen:

• Size

With small and medium breeds, the size of the dog pen is usually not an issue, since they can comfortably fit in most indoor playpens. However, if you have a large dog, you will either need to pick an extra big playpen or purchase several additional panels to increase the size of a regular pen.

• Weight

The choice of weight depends on the size and activity level of your dog. If you’re an owner of a large breed who is also very strong, it’s best to choose a heavier playpen that is not very easy to break out of. With small dogs and puppies, you can usually get away with a lightweight playpen.

• Material

Right now, you can find dog pens from three popular materials: mesh, plastic, and metal. Again, the choice here depends on the size and activity level of your pup. A plastic or mesh playpen will be the perfect choice for small dogs and puppies with medium activity needs. With large breeds, it is advisable to go for a metal playpen, since it is harder to destroy.

• Assembly

Unless you plan to leave your playpen assembled 100% of the time, you need to consider the assembly process. The best option here is a playpen that can be assembled within minutes by one individual without the use of any specialized tools.

• Convertability

This is not a mandatory feature, but it can help make your playpen more versatile. Typically, a standard dog pen can be converted into a doggy fence or gate, or turned into an exercise pen with an addition of extra panels.

• Portability

If you travel often or visit your friends and family members together with your pup, a portable playpen will help you and your dog feel safe and confident no matter where you’re going. Some of the most portable playpens even come with their own transportation bags.

Frequently Asked Questions