7 Best Dog Playpens for Puppies, Seniors, and Travel

What’s the easiest way to keep puppies away from household hazards, give seniors a safe space to chill, and make traveling and daily life with dogs less stressful? A playpen! But with so many to choose from, how do you know which ones are worth the cost? 

To clear things up, we’ve made a list of the best dog playpens for puppies, seniors, travel, and more, with picks that prioritize portability, security, and comfort. Before we get into our favorites, let’s take a look at the different types and benefits of doggie playpens, as well as some size and safety top tips. 

If you wanna create a fun space for your pup, remember to take a look at our list of the best indestructible dog toys, too.

Types and Benefits of Dog Playpens

Dog playpens are the ultimate aid – and they’re often overlooked! With more freedom than crates, not only can they help with early basics like potty training, separation training, and socialization, but they can also supplement supervision for rambunctious, recovering, or vulnerable pups when you’re busy at home. 

Playpens can also make awesome enrichment spaces your dog can think of as their own, and when you’re done, you can just pack them away until until next time. They come in several types, including metal, plastic, and fabric playpens, plus folding and modular designs, and each one suits different needs. 

Those made from sturdier, more durable, or water-resistant materials are best for keeping big and boisterous dogs secure, outdoor use, and training, whereas plastic and mesh pens are better-suited to lightweight indoor use, recovery, and play. Pop-up pens are perfect for storage and travel, and modular designs are great for unusual spaces and mulitple dogs. 

Choosing The Right Size

You should choose a playpen that allows your dog to stand up, turn around, stretch out, and play comfortably, then size up if you’re housing more than one. 

Each pet should have enough space to relax without crowding, and height matters – especially for jumpers and climbers! Make sure it’s tall enough to prevent escape, with enough weight and panel strength to prevent tipping and breakouts. 

What Else To Think About

Besides size, here’s what you need to think about when shopping for the perfect playpen.

• Construction strength 
• Safe, comfortable, and chew-proof materials 
• Indoor vs outdoor use, e.g., non-slip base, weatherproof
• Secure latches and rounded edges 
• Ventilation, visibility, and easy access 
• Waterproof interiors for puppies and seniors
• Fold-up designs for storage and travel 
• Modular designs for multiple dogs
• Ease of assembly and cleaning 
• Extra features like pockets or carry handles 
• Style – if you’re making it a permanent fixture! 

Enrichment Ideas

As a side note, if you want to make your dog’s playpen a fun enrichment space or just a nice place to chill out, here are a few ideas of what to put in there. (Not for aggressive chewers!) 

• Bed or blanket
• Comfort toys or chew toys 
• Interactive or solo-play toys 
• Licky mat with frozen peanut butter or yogurt 
• Fresh water in a spill-proof bowl
• Something with a familiar scent 
• Puppy pads (if needed) 

Safety Top Tips

• Always supervise your pup at first
• Place the pen on a flat surface 
• Avoid stairs, heaters, and electrical cords
• Secure it properly, especially outdoors 
• Remove collars and harnesses if there’s a risk of snagging
• Don’t leave your pup in their pen for more than a couple of hours
• Don’t leave a destructive dog alone in an unsecure playpen, especially with toys
• Never use it as a punishment!

Now that’s out of the way – let’s get into our top picks! 

Top Picks

• Best Overall – MidWest Exercise Pen 
• Best For Seniors – North States™ Petyard 8 Panel Pet Pen
• Best Travel Pick – Pet Gear Travel Lite Octagon Pet Pen
• Best Outdoor Pick – ADAVIN Tall Garden Fence
• Best Puppy Pick – Onebird Puppy Playpen
• Best For Small Breeds – TRIXIE Soft-Sided Mobile Small Pet Play Pen
• Best For Large Breeds – IRIS USA 34″ 8-Panel Dog Playpen

Best Overall: MidWest Exercise Pen 

The MidWest Exercise Pen is our top overall pick, with a simple but sturdy black steel design, including a secure, easy-access door lock. 

Key features:

• 16 square foot enclosure 
• Can be latched onto crates
• Secure door locks
• No tools required 

What we like: It comes in three sizes, 24 x 30 inches, 24 x 48 inches, and 30 x 48 inches. All offer a 16 square ft independent enclosure, but with a means to latch it onto the door of your dog’s crate, as well. This gives dogs the option of crated relaxation and secure playtime all in one, and it’s super easy to set up, with no tools required. 

The criss-cross bars also give them 360-degree visibility and ventilation, and it comes with ground stakes for outdoor use.  

What to consider: Although it comes with ground stakes, it’s better suited to being indoors for every day use. 

Best For Seniors: North States™ Petyard 8 Panel Pet Pen

Our top pick for seniors is the North States™ Petyard 8 Panel Pet Pen, but it’s also a great pick for any dog who needs their own space to relax and de-stress. 

Key features:

• 35 x 26 inches and 34 square feet 
• Brown eight-panel diamond design 
• Swinging door with an option to lock 
• Folds up for easy moving and put-away

What we like: The swinging door allows well-trained dogs to come and go as they please, with the option to lock it to keep them secure if you need to. With a stylish diamond criss-cross design, it’s also ideal for permenant set up, but you can fold it up to pack it away at any time. 

What to consider: The door is 8 x 11 inches, which is too small for some breeds. 

Best Travel Pick: Pet Gear Travel Lite Octagon Pet Pen

The Pet Gear Travel Lite Octagon Pet Pen is our top pick for travel, with an ultra-lightweight and portable design that folds completely flat. 

Key features:

• Lightweight, fold-up, water-resistant design 
• Front-zip door and removable top 
• Provides shade and ventilation 
• Handy side pockets for supplies

What we like: It comes in two sizes, 36 x 36 x 21 inches and 46 x 46 x 28 inches, with a cute octagonal black and sage design, featuring a front-zip door and a removable top. The top also provides shade should you use it outside, and it’s fully ventilated on all sides to keep your dog cool. 

It’s made from 600 denier nylon with a water-resistant interior in case of spills or accidents, and it has handy side pockets for travel essentials and toys! 

What to consider: It’s not the sturdiest or most durable design, so it’s not meant for boisterous dogs or escape artists. 

Best Outdoor Pick: ADAVIN Tall Garden Fence

The ADAVIN Tall Garden Fence is our top outdoor pick, with a wide variety of sizes and panel amounts to choose from, and totally flexible set up, whether you want to border your yard, fence off a specific part of it, or create an outdoor playpen. 

Key features:

• Range of sizes and panel amounts
• Premium-quality rust-proof iron 
• Use as a fence or playpen 
• Tool-free assembly  

What we like: The panels are made from premium-quality iron with a Japanese rust-proof coating and a simple black finish to blend in seamlessly with your yard. As mentioned above, you can set them up in a bunch of different ways with no tools necessary, just a few connecting parts and ground stakes. 

As a playpen, it’s super secure, with small wire spacing that keeps your pup safe yet visible at all times. The entryway also has a flat, no-trip design for your own safety, and you can change how you use it at any time, or even take it camping, with a convenient carry handle and edges that won’t scratch your car. 

What to consider: It’s pretty expensive, but they have a fantastic after-sales service, should you run into any problems. 

Best Puppy Pick: Onebird Puppy Playpen

Our top pick for puppies is the Onebird Puppy Playpen, with a square, 43 x 43 inch, blue and white paw-print design, and a secure gate that rolls-up, velcros, and zips.

Key features:

• Cute design with secure gate
• No roof for instant access
• Skin-safe fabric and accident-proof interior 
• Camera holder and storage pocket 

What we like: It’s made from high-quality, thickened 600 denier Oxford fabric, which is super soft and safe on delicate skin. The mesh windows give pups 360-degree visibility, and there is no roof for instant, easy access, so it’s perfect for young pups and even nursing mothers and their litters. 

It’s also very lightweight for easy setup, but nice and sturdy, with a stainless steel frame. The waterproof interior protects it against accidents, and the suction cup base stops it from sliding around on hard floors. It also comes complete with a storage pocket for puppy essentials, and a camera holder for security and capturing cute moments! 

What to consider: Some assembly is required, but it’s pretty straightforward.

Best For Small Breeds: TRIXIE Soft-Sided Mobile Small Pet Play Pen

The blue and grey TRIXIE Soft-Sided Mobile Small Pet Play Pen is our top pick for small breeds, at 51 x 51 inches. 

Key features:

• Can be used indoors or outdoors
• Removable net cover and non-slip base
• Pockets and a water bottle holder
• Machine washable 

What we like: It’s made from water-resistant nylon, with a rubber-coated, metal-rimmed non-slip base, and comes with a removable net cover. It can be used indoors or outdoors, it’s fully collapsible for portability, and it comes with a handy storage bag, plus ground anchors. 

It also comes complete with two side pockets and a water bottle holder, and it’s machine washable for hassle-free maintenance. 

What to consider: The brand warns it can expose you to formaldehyde, but it comes with a one-year warranty if you’re not happy. 

Best For Large Breeds: IRIS USA 34″ 8-Panel Dog Playpen

The IRIS USA 34″ 8-Panel Dog Playpen is our top pick for large breeds at 63 x 63 x 34 inches, with an 8-panelled design that can be customized and expanded for personalized fun and multi-pet homes. 

Key features:

• Customizable and expandable panels
• Durable and heavy-duty molded plastic
• Pet-proof locking door 
• For indoor and outdoor use 

What we like: It’s super easy to put together, with panels that simply snap into place, including a door with a pet-proof lock. The panels are made from durable, heavy-duty molded plastic, which is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and it’s easy to wipe down between play sessions. 

It has non-skid rubber feet on the bottom for security on hard floors, and folds down for quick put-away in-between uses. It’s also made in the USA, so you know it’s great quality, and it comes in black and white. 

What to consider: You may need to buy extra panels for giant breeds! 

FAQs

How to train a dog to like their playpen?

To get a wary dog used to their new playpen, introduce spending time in it slowly and make it a comfortable and rewarding space with treats, toys, and praise. 

Can I use a dog playpen for separation anxiety?

You can use a playpen as part of separation training, but not if they’re anxiously destructive, and especially not with toys or items that can be destroyed or cause your dog harm.  

How long can I leave my dog in their playpen? 

Most adult dogs can stay in a playpen for a few hours at a time, provided they have access to water and a toy or two! That said, puppies and high-energy dogs need more frequent breaks.

Can you leave a dog in a playpen overnight?

If your dog is settled and comfortable in their playpen, it’s absolutely fine to leave them in it overnight. 

Can dogs be left home alone in a playpen?

Yes, most dogs can be left home alone in a playpen for a couple of hours if they’re accustomed to it. 

Are playpens better than crates?

It depends on your needs. A playpen offers more freedom than a crate, but they’re not suitable for dogs that aren’t house trained or suffer from destructive anxiety. They’re best for calm, well-trained dogs – and a lot more fun! 

Final Thoughts 

The best dog playpens for puppies, seniors, and travel combine practicality with playtime, and your dog is in safe paws with our top picks! Let us know which one you’re going for in the comments down below, and if you’re taking your pen on the road, don’t forget to check out our list of the best dog car seats for safe and comfortable travel.