Pet Playpen – For Small Darling Pets

The pet playpen provides safe play and exercise,  a great alternative to the outdoors, when weather or other factors limit an animal’s time outdoors. If your dog is expecting puppies, now is the time to buy the play pen, before things get wild and crazy. A pet containment device can help your house remain calm, and help prevent having to chase little buddies all over the house.

All sizes of animals can have play areas indoors.

It can protect small animal pets such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and others from larger pets like cats and dogs.  It also provides a great way to interact with and monitor animals that are just being weaned or need frequent care. This type of product comes in a variety of shapes and sized. Farms and dairies have even used them for infant livestock like calves, piglets, foals and kids, particularly when frequent bottle feeding is necessary. This type of device can be washed easily with soap and water.

Smaller animal pens for very small pets are usually made of powder coated wire, with pieces that snap or hook together.  They can come in a multitude of colors.  Many are designed without bottoms or tops. They are designed simply to provide additional space for exercise.  Very small pets such as gerbils, rats, mice and hamsters may still be able to climb up the sides or walls, so they should still be monitored.  Because the devices often don’t come with a bottom, newspaper, an old sheet or some other protection can be used on the floor beneath the structures.  A sheet may also be used as a top, if you must leave the small pets alone for a few minutes.  Many can climb quickly and can chew through fabric in a matter of seconds.

Other quality pet play pens are made of nylon mesh and include a bottom and/or top.  They are used for puppies, kittens, rabbits and other animals of similar size.  They are easier to set up and many simply pop up like the newer tents.  Some contain floors and sit on the ground, while others are raised and resemble infant playpens. Those devices that come with vinyl covers can offer pets protection from the sun’s rays on a hot day. Playpens of this material can be stored in their own carrying case or pouch, much like camping gear, for easy transport.

There are devices available for puppies and dogs, kittens and cats, rabbits, ferrets and other small pet animals, that resemble a cage or kennel.  These devices are made of wire and require a bit more assembly.  They come with wire tops and include plastic or metal trays on the bottom, to allow for easy cleanup of pet waste.  They are used for temporary housing, indoor pet training and to keep pets visible, yet out of the way of guests or small children.  These devices can be washed or sprayed down with a hose or bucket of water, when not in use. They are completely enclosed and  have large doors that allow easy access for feeding and watering pets.

Another type of device is made of hard, molded plastic.  These devices are suitable for cats and dogs. The open weave on the sides is too large for smaller pets.  They snap together like a child’s playhouse or other hard plastic outdoor toy and have a door with a spring loaded latch.  They do not come with bottoms or tops and are most suitable for outdoor use.  They can also be easily hosed off or wiped down when they need cleaning.  There are many options available.  The type of pet and specific use should help you determine which is the appropriate model of pet playpen to purchase.