Even though a dog is a man’s best friend, not all humans trust their dogs blindly because of its changeable temperament and excitement levels. Many pooches jump on couches, scuff up floors, destroy indoor plants and lick plates clean in the presence or the absence of any family member. In unfavorable weather conditions like rain, storm, and death cold it is not realistic to send the canines outside to play.
An indoor playpen is the best solution for not only controlling the dog’s movement but also giving its own space to roam, play, eat, and sleep in the daytime amidst people. This article will provide complete insights into indoor playpens, selection criteria, and will also review the best playpen products that are trending in the market.
What is An Indoor Dog Playpen?
An indoor dog playpen is an enclosed space for the canines to play safely. A playpen helps a homemaker to set the dog boundary and continue with his or her daily chores with minimal supervision of the pet. It also plays a pivotal role for dog owners that leave their dog behind when they go out for work or short purchases.
An indoor pet playpen offers 8-16 square feet of area for your dog to play and relax in. To make the pooches habituate to indoors these pens are kept small.
What is The Difference Between Dog Playpens and Crates? Which Should one Choose?
This section compares a playpen and a crate. Provide the benefits and disadvantages of each of them in detail.
Playpen | Crate |
The playpen is not intimate and does not provide a den-like environment. | A crate provides a safe and intimate den-like environment. |
They are safe to play areas for pets. | More controlled environment. |
Extra spacious and roomy. | Less spacious |
Not recommended for young puppies and non-crate trained dogs. | |
Successful potty training takes more time and patience and the use of pads are mandatory. | Potty training is comparatively an easier process here |
Puppies are less likely to whine or cry when left aloof. | Best suitable for puppies. |
Two dogs can be accommodated in a single playpen. | Can accommodate one or more depending on size. |
Playpens are quite useful for leaving dogs aloof when out of the house. | Not suitable for long period lockups. |
One can choose a crate, or a play pen based on one’s requirements. But experts recommend choosing a crate attached to a playpen for more benefits.
Who Should Invest in An Indoor Playpen?
Any pet parent that does not want their dogs of any size, breed, or age to run wild in the home can invest in a playpen. A playpen is the best investment for new pet parents to help with the training process.
This gadget aids in instilling into the pet that there is a time and place to run free minimizes accidents around the house and is one central hub for all the pet’s food, water, toys, and bed.
People who are out of the house for work or frequently leave the home should invest in a dog or puppy indoor playpen. A playpen is portable and travel-friendly, it aids in keeping one’s pet safely contained in a dog or puppy indoor playpen in a friend’s place or a new area.
7 Best Indoor Dog Playpens
#1. MidWest Homes for Pets Exercise Pen
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MidWest Homes for Pets Exercise Pen comes with a secure double latch step-through door access that is sized for dogs between 26 to 40 pounds. The step-through door features two secure slide-bolt latches and provides convenient and easy entry and exit for the dog as well as the pet parent for filling water and food bowls. This exercise pen folds flat for convenient storage and provides six square feet of enclosed area (1.5 meters).
The playpen includes eight ground anchors for outdoor use, eight corner stabilizers not only add to the rigidity but also aid to maintain the pen’s configuration and the four thumb snaps make the installation hassle-free. One needs to simply unfold the panels and clip them together with the included clips to configure it in a round or square shape in seconds.
The black E coat finish enhances the durability of the product by providing long-lasting protection and for added security and protection, optional exercise pen tops wire mesh or sunscreen top are sold separately.An add on feature of this exercise pen is that they can be easily connected to crates to create a personal den-like space with room for easy movement.
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#2: Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen
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Ruff ‘n Ruffus Pet Playpen keeps the pet safe, comfortable, and secure as the pen is reinforced with an attached floor mat. The roomy interior gives the fido more space to play and roam around. The eight-Panel superior design is built with durable 600D Nylon water-resistant materials, protected seams, and reinforced corners.
The removable zippered top can be easily removed and closed for indoor or outdoor use. The zippered door is seen to provide easy pet entry/ exit access and can be closed for pet safety. This playpen is a great option for indoor and outdoor use as it is weightless and is yet sturdy making it ideal for traveling, camping, and easy mobility.
The exercise pen can be assembled quickly without the aid of any tools and folds flat when not in use for easy carrying and storing. The add-on of the playpen is that it comes with a convenient carry case and a collapsible 16 oz. food bowl.
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#3. Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Pet Exercise and Playpen
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The AmazonBasics foldable metal playpen includes three metal thumb clips, eight ground anchors for outdoor use, and is also backed by an AmazonBasics limited one-year warranty.
The playpen is built of durable iron metal that makes it sturdy to pet hold the playpen shape. The sleek black finish provides rustproof performance and protection against outdoor elements thereby enhancing its durability.
The pen can be installed hassle-free without the aid of any tools. Its eight metal panels come pre-connected with welded metal hinges that aid in creating one long piece which unfolds according to the style. The pen can be arranged into any shape of choice: circle, square, rectangle, or other shapes and needs to be clipped at the two end panels together using the four metal thumb clips.
The panels also are pivotal to corner off a section of the room or to keep canines away from off-limit areas. The AmazonBasics can be stored flat for easy transport and compact storage.
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#4. New World Pet Products Foldable Metal Exercise Pen & Pet Playpen
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The New World Pet Playpen has eight connected panels which are ideal for dogs from 16 to 48 inches tall. The portable pen is a great choice for indoor as well as outdoor use. A black rust-proof coating protects the dog playpen from extreme elements and the included ground stakes aid in keeping the pen anchored to the ground.
The crate can be installed quickly without the aid of any tools. One only needs to simply unfold, shape, and connect the playpen and can also be folded easily for storage or travel.
A puppy playpen includes four ground stakes, four secure locking thumb snaps, and an add on is it also can be used in conjunction with a metal dog crate to expand the pooch’s living area.
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#5. IRIS 34” Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen
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The IRIS 34” Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen with Door, is perfect for dog breeds from small to large. They can be utilized indoors or outdoors and are built up of durable, heavy-duty molded plastic. The playpen affords 21 square feet of the play area a lot more than the average indoor dog playpen. They come with double steel latches for extra safety.
The pen is easy to install without the need for any tools. All one needs to do is to interlock the panels securely with full-length connecting rods.
The pens can be positioned in different shapes that suit the needs of one’s pets. Each panel features a non-skid rubber foot to protect the home flooring. The pen is available in nine vibrant colors: white, blue, black, brown, pink, chrome, dark gray, green, and red to choose from
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#6. BestPet Pet Playpen Dog Fence
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The BestPet Playpen is spacious, safe, and perfect for escape artists as the sides of the pen are tall enough. One can connect more than one pet playpen to cover a larger area. The playpen can be set up in multiple shape configurations such as the shape of rectangle, square, or octagon.
It is constructed from sturdy heavy-duty rust-resistant metal which not only enhances the playpens firmness but is also hard to be damaged by small pets. The solid latches enhance the safety of she pooches. The playpen can be installed within minutes without the aid of any tools and can be folded and stored when traveling or for storage. The exercise pen can be both used indoor as well as outdoor as a play area and a barrier too.
The puppy playpen not only keeps the pets contained but also provides ample visibility for the owner to easily keep an eye on their pets.
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#7. Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen
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Richell’s Pet Playpen is stylish and multi-functional. It converts into a pet gate and room divider for enhanced pet safety. They are built up of blow-molded durable plastic. Because of the playpens specially designed waterproof arrows, it can be used both outdoors as well as indoors.
The specially designed caps lock the panel in its place at any angle for extra stability. The customizable panels are available in four or six panels. The panel is designed to allow for variant size configurations
The lockable gate door is seen to provide extra pet security and easy mobility. A convertible floor tray needs to be purchased separately and is designed to be used indoors with the four or six-panel playpens.
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What size Does One Need for The Dog Indoor Playpen?
The size of an indoor pen is determined by the dog’s age, weight, and size. There is no issue in getting a bigger pen for a dog, but one needs to shell out more money on them. The table below provides the size selection criteria of playpens for a canine based on its weight.
Dog weight (lbs) | Pen dimensions |
11 – 25 | 24″H x 24″W |
26 – 40 | 30″H x 24″W |
41 – 70 | 36″H x 24″W |
71 – 90 | 42″H x 24″W |
91 – 110 | 48″H x 24″W |
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How to choose the right indoor dog playpen?
Choosing the right dog indoor playpen is tedious and requires technical knowledge. This section will provide complete insights into every factor that one will need to consider before investing in the perfect indoor playpen.
Size: Sizing is not a big issue in an indoor playpen selection as it is not related to the size of the dog breed. Generally, it is difficult to find the right indoor playpens for large breeds like the Afghan Hound or English Mastiff due to space constraints. So, the smaller the canine, the easier it is to zero on an indoor playpen to safely contain it.
For small to medium-sized dogs playpen needs to be selected based on the free indoor space availability and the placement of the playpen inside the home. This information aids one to not only choose the perfect size and shape of the playpen but also helps in choosing the color based on the home decor.
Robustness: Choose an indoor pen that is sturdy enough to hold up against constant chewing, pawing, or anything else one would expect stubborn fidos to do, as many escape artists find all possible ways to fled out. Ideally, a durable dog playpen should have a heavy mesh and strong support on its sidewalls and should be constructed of a long-lasting material.
Material: Dog pens come in three primary materials: metal, plastic, and nylon. Each has its own distinct merits and demerits. Metal pens are the strongest, but also are on the heavier side and hence require one to anchor them, they also on the expensive side in terms of budget. Plastic is a bit weaker but is suitable for soft dogs. Mesh or nylon with a higher Denier rating is the bested suited material for playpen construction as it is not destructive, cheaper, and lighter, sturdy, portable, and waterproof as well.
Denier is the nylon thickness. Higher the Denier rating, the thicker and sturdier an indoor playpen would be. Playpens available in the market are constructed mostly with nylon having a Denier rating of 500 to 1200D.
Transportability: Zero on a playpen that is portable and can be easily moved and placed in the wide-open door in the summer to expose one’s pets to some wind gusts or in the winters, one can place it at a proximity warm fireplace. This also aids in bringing the pen along with oneself to keep an eye on the pooch while one cooks or relaxes in the living room.
Most of the playpens available are portable and often collapsible, allowing one to fold them flat and carry them along.
Weight: The ideal weight for an indoor dog playpen depends on the purpose of its use. If one is looking to restrict a high energy escape artist, they need to invest in a playpen that is made of a heavier material, like metal. For restricting a new puppy’s boundary, a lightweight synthetic material like plastic or mesh will do the trick.
Accessories: Playpens also come with extra accessories like bells and whistles, carrying cases, travel water bowls, and removable roofs and floors. Having these accessories in a playpen will make traveling and relocation a gamechanger.
Easy installation: Choose indoor playpens that are easy to assemble and disassemble during relocation. Playpens that are trending in the market require no assembling at all. All one needs to do is just pull them out of the package and pop them open for use. This is perfect for playpens made of fabric. One needs to research the assembling technique process for the ones that do not come assembled and zero one that has fewer hassles in assembling based on one’s budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When should one use an indoor dog playpen?
A. An indoor dog playpen is used to provide the dog with a safe, cordoned-off space to play. Dog owners often buy indoor playpens for dogs so they can keep an eye on them while they go about their daily chores like cooking or relaxing in the living room. They also use these playpens for keeping their dogs confined to a specific part of the house while they are out for work or shopping.
Q. How to train a dog to use an indoor playpen?
A. Train a dog to use an indoor playpen by keeping it confined inside the pen for an hour every day. Refrain from leaving the dog inside for too long as this might strain and worry the dog. The best method of training is positive reinforcement along with ample time and space.
Most of the dog’s love to stay in a confined area so, they easily get adjusted to stay in an indoor playpen with practice. But some pooches do not like to stay confined as they feel scared or suffer from anxiety separation hence they will find all ways to escape out of them. If your dog belongs to the latter category plan to be a step ahead and leave no way for the canine to escape out.
Q. Are playpens better for puppies than crate?
A. No, playpens are not better for puppies than crates as the purpose of usage of both these items is different. Pet parents use playpens to provide their pups a safe space to play, exercise, and improve growth. On the other hand, crates are a den-like structure where the puppies sleep safely as the bedding allows them to burrow. Both can be used individually based on the need or can be used in combination for potty training puppies.
Q. Can one use an indoor dog playpen outside?
A. No, it is not advised to use an indoor pen outside as they are not built with strong rust or water-proof materials for harsh weather conditions. Some playpens are manufactured for both indoor as well as outdoors such pens can be used outdoors.
Q. How can one keep an indoor playpen from moving ?
A. Most of the pens come with rubber stoppers at the bottom of the panels for restricting the sliding of the pen. If not separate stoppers need to be purchased.
Final thoughts
Playpens are the best method to confine dogs indoors for pet parents that stay outside the home most of the day. This also lessens the burdens of new pet parents as they can hassle freely take care of pups by minimizing the mishaps that can occur.