Bringing a puppy home is lovely for about two hours. Then you need to make a cup of tea, or answer the door, and you realise you can't take your eyes off them for a second. That's usually when a playpen goes on the shopping list. These are the questions we hear most, with straight answers.
1. What's a playpen actually for?
It gives your puppy a safe patch of floor for the moments you can't watch them closely. Inside, they can play, nap and chew their own toys rather than your shoes or a phone charger. It isn't a punishment, and it works best when it's a nice place to be.
2. Do I need a playpen or a crate?
They do different jobs. A crate is a small den for sleeping and resting. A playpen is a larger space for awake time, with room to move around.
Plenty of owners use both. They set a crate inside the pen with its door left open, so the puppy has a bed at one end and space to play at the other. It's a simple setup, and it helps with toilet training too.
3. What height should I get?
Our metal pens come in several heights, from around 60cm up to about 91cm. A 60cm pen suits small breeds and young puppies. For medium breeds, or dogs that like to jump and climb, go taller.
A good rule is to pick a height your dog can't reach standing on their back legs. Think about their adult size too, not just how big they are now.
4. How much space does it need?
Enough for a bed, a water bowl, a couple of toys and a toilet area well away from the bed. Puppies generally don't like to toilet where they sleep, so that separation matters.
Eight-panel pens can be shaped into an octagon, a rectangle, or an open run against a wall. If you need more room later, two pens can usually be joined together.
5. Metal or fabric?
For a young puppy, metal is usually the better choice. It stands up to chewing, it's easy to wipe down, and it works indoors and out.
Fabric pens are light and fold down small, which makes them great for visiting family or holidays. They suit calm dogs, kittens and small pets. A puppy who's teething will likely chew through the mesh.
6. Will it slide on laminate or wooden floors?
It can. Put a rug or a non-slip mat underneath, or set one side against a wall or heavy furniture. A washable mat also saves your floor from the odd accident, which will happen.
7. What should go inside?
Keep it simple:
- A comfy bed
- A water bowl that won't tip easily
- Two or three safe chew toys
- Puppy pads or a toilet tray at the far end
Too many toys can make it harder for a puppy to settle.
8. How long can my puppy stay in it?
Start with short spells while you're in the room. Build up gradually, and make the pen a good place with meals and treats inside. Puppies need frequent toilet trips, plenty of play and lots of sleep, so a pen is a helpful tool, not a stand-in for company. Your vet or a qualified trainer can give advice based on your puppy's age.
9. Can I use it in the garden?
Metal pens work well for supervised time on the lawn. Make sure there's shade and water, and keep an eye out for digging under the panels. Don't leave a puppy out there unattended, and bring fabric pens in if it turns wet or windy.
10. Is it only for puppies?
Not at all. People use pens for kittens, rabbits and guinea pigs, often with our DIY panel kits, which can be built into any shape. They're also useful when a vet has advised limited movement for an older dog.
And come December, a pen around the Christmas tree has saved more than a few baubles.
Bonus: pen or stair gate?
A gate closes off a doorway or a staircase. A pen creates a space in the middle of a room, which is handy in open-plan homes where there's no door to close. Many homes end up with both. Our guide to which pet gate suits which spot covers gates in more detail.
Our suggested setup
A metal pen at a height to suit the adult dog. A crate or bed at one end and a toilet area at the other. Water, a couple of toys and a mat underneath.
Browse our pet playpens, or see dog crates if you're setting up a den as well.
Delivery and returns
Delivery is free on every order to UK mainland addresses, and orders arrive within 3 to 5 working days. There are no hidden fees, so the price at checkout is the price you pay. If you change your mind, you're welcome to send your order back, though return postage on no-fault or change-of-mind returns is paid by the customer. If anything arrives faulty or damaged, get in touch and we'll put it right.
