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If you have decided to buy a playpen for your dog, it can get a bit confusing because there are literally dozens of different types of dog playpens out there. After going through this guide, choosing a playpen for your pet should be much easier.
There are different types of dog playpens on the market and whether you are choosing one for a puppy or a larger dog, there are lots of benefits attached.
In a hurry?
Here’s a quick overview of the best dog playpens in each category.
- – Best indoor dog playpen – IRIS Pet Playpen with Door
- – Best outdoor dog playpen – Midwest Exercise Pen/Pet Playpens
- – Best for large dogs – BestPet Black 40″ Heavy Duty Pet Playpen
- – Best for small dogs – Petyard Passage Small Puppy Pen
Top dog playpens of 2023
Below are some recommended playpens. They have been specially chosen to fit your lifestyle.
IRIS Pet Playpen with Door
Specifications
- Size: 35.25 x 35.25 x 23.63 inches
- Area: 8 square feet
- Material: Molded plastic
More about IRIS Pet Playpen
Made from durable heavy duty plastic, this playpen is a great indoor playpen for dogs. It can be used as a playpen or a fence to make a part of the house inaccessible to your pet. It is portable, so you can move it around, and really affordable. It is not a great option if you have a bruiser, but will work very well with a less heavy dog.
Pros
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Great for puppies and small dogs
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not escape proof
- Not suitable for large dogs
Midwest Exercise Pen/Pet Playpens
Specifications
- Size: 62 x 62 x 30 inches
- Area: 16 square feet
- Material: Metal
More about Midwest Exercise Pen/Pet Playpens
There are many reasons why you should consider an outdoor playpen for your dog or puppy. If you are outdoors a lot and your yard is not completely secure, a playpen will keep your pet safe. If you have a puppy, you will need one even more. The Midwest exercise pen is not just a playpen, but it gives ample space for your pet to exercise. It is sturdy and you can buy in different heights, with taller panels for dogs that love to jump out.
Pros
- The playpen is large and steady
- Easy to fold
- Ground anchors to secure the playpen outside
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
Petyard Passage Small Puppy Pen
Specifications
- Size: 35.25 x 10.3 x 26.5 inches
- Area: Up to 34.4 square feet
- Material: Plastic
More about Petyard Passage Small Puppy Pen
This is an indoor playpen that is great for small dogs. Let’s face it, there’s no point buying an ultra large playpen for that adorable little dachshund. If you later get another puppy, you can always buy additional panels to create a larger space. It is also a great option for traveling and comes with non-slip floor pads and a convenient carry handle.
Pros
- Great quality
- Very versatile
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not escape proof
BestPet Black Heavy Duty Pet Playpen
Specifications
- Size: 40 x 30 x 32 inches
- Area: Up to 26 square feet
- Material: Metal
More about BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen
If you need a heavy duty playpen that has no bells and whistles, then you might want to look into BestPet Black 40″ Heavy Duty Pet Playpen. Easy to set up and sturdy, this playpen is also versatile. It can be used indoors and outdoors and you can buy more than one set to make a larger play area.
Pros
- Robust and sturdy
- Good for camping
- Great for large dogs
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
- Expensive
ESK Collection Pet Puppy Dog Playpen
Specifications
- Size: 26 x 20 x 1.8 inches
- Area: 12 square feet
- Material: Mesh
More about ESK Collection Pet Puppy Dog Playpen
Whether you are going visiting for a couple of days or you are going camping, a good dog playpen can make the experience even more enjoyable for you and your pet and this playpen from ESK Collection is one that is receiving lots of rave reviews. Made from breathable cloth material, it is easy to set up and take down. It’s very light and easy to carry about. The only downside is that it isn’t for larger dogs. But your puppy or little dog will definitely love this!
Pros
- Easy to set up and take down
- Good for travel
- Great for puppies and small dogs
Cons
- It’s not that sturdy
Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen
Specifications
- Size: 63.8 x 33.1 x 36 inches
- Area: 23 square feet
- Material: Plastic
More about Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen
This playpen is great for both indoors and outdoors, but mostly for indoor use. Made with plastic, it converts into a gate and can be used as a room divider. It is easy to assemble and you can easily take it down or move it around, as the need arises.
Pros
- Made of durable plastic
- Can be used both as a playpen and a gate
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Not escape proof
Things to Consider When Choosing a Dog Playpen
When choosing a playpen for your dog, there are several things to consider, from the size of your dog to the material of the playpen and where you will be using it. Thinking about these factors will make it easier to make a decision when you are ready to buy your playpen.
1. The Size of Your Dog
The size of your dog is one of the most important factors when you’re about to buy a new dog playpen. While puppies are generally smaller than dogs, therefore needing less space, you should also bear in mind that they will grow and you need a playpen that will also grow with your puppy.
That said, a full grown Chihuahua for instance, will not need the same amount of space that a larger dog like a Bullmastiff will require.
2. Safety
The safety of your dog should be the most important factor when you are choosing a playpen for your dog. A playpen should be sturdy on the ground so that it does not fall over and injure your dog.
That said, there are some dogs that are very energetic and you might find the dog playpen moving around. If that happens, used some heavy objects like bricks and kettlebells to prevent that from happening.
3. The Material of the Playpen
There are different materials used in making dog playpens and it really depends on where you intend to set up the playpen as well as the type of dog you have. If you have a small dog and you are setting up outdoors, a solid plastic playpen will be suitable.
For a larger dog, consider getting one that is made from metal and if your dog is a regular Houdini, consider getting a covered playpen so that it wont escape from the enclosure.
If you have a dog that likes to chew on everything, you probably shouldn’t get a playpen that will be easy to chew or before long, you will be all chewed out (of the playpen).
Finally, decide if you want a playpen that is fixed in size or one that is collapsible. The advantage of collapsible playpens is that they usually come in panels so that you can easily increase the size as your puppy grows or if you need to house more than one dog.
4. The Price
Dog playpens come in different sizes and different prices. There are those that are top of the range and carry a heavy price tag, while there are others that are more affordable. It is important to decide beforehand, how much you are willing to spend on a playpen for your dog.
Outdoor Playpen or Indoor Playpen?
Indoor dog playpens are usually quite different from outdoor ones. Before you buy a playpen for your dog, you should think about where you will be using the playpen. Indoor playpens are great for those who need to confine their dogs while they are working in the house or if they step out.
Outdoor dog playpens are very helpful if you do not have a secure yard where your dog can play outdoors, or if you have a dog that loves to dig up flower beds.
While it is possible that you might never need an outdoor playpen or an indoor one, the fact is that there are times when you might need a playpen both indoors and outdoors. If that is the case, you don’t need to buy two different playpens, what you need is one that is versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
5. Versatile Playpens
A versatile playpen is one that can be used indoors and outdoors. It is also one that will grow with your puppy. So if you are buying a puppy playpen, keep in mind that the puppy will grow and will probably need lots of space. Unless you want to buy a new playpen when the puppy grows, you should probably buy one that he can grow into.
Accessories
Do you want your playpen to come with different accessories, and if you do, which accessories do you consider important? Some accessories you should consider are food and water areas so that your dog can feel at home in the playpen. Others include a rest area with a bed and toys.
FAQ about dog playpens
Here’s some of the most common questions we get about choosing the right playpen for a dog.
What type of playpen is best for my dog?
The type of playpen depends on what kind of dog breed you have. Usually smaller playpens like the IRIS Pet Playpen is enough for smaller dogs, while Midwest Exercise Pen is more suitable for larger dogs. But you also need to consider how energetic your dog is. Energetic dogs tends to get bored more easily and might try to escape the playpen. If that’s the case then you need buy a sturdy playpen with taller panels to prevent that from happening.
What’s the ideal size of a dog playpen?
An indoor dog playpen should be at least 20 inches long for small dogs, and 2.5 foot long for dog breeds weighing up to 40 pounds. Then about 3 foot long for dogs weighing up to 70 pounds.
What is the best dog playpen?
The best indoor playpen for small dogs and puppies is the IRIS Pet Playpen. The playpen is of good quality, easy to carry with you and fast to set up. If you have a larger dog we sugest that you go with the BestPet Black Heavy Duty Pet Playpen instead.
