The Best Portable Dog Pens For Small Dogs

The energetic nature of dogs makes them lovable. It also makes them hard to handle at times. Smaller dogs tend to be much more energetic. This makes them even harder to handle. They can scurry around your house and get into all sorts of mischief. This is why portable dog pens for small dogs are becoming popular items amongst pet parents. They make your life easier by keeping you from worrying about what your dog is up to. As their name suggests, ​pens provide an enclosed space in which you can leave your dog. These pens come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re commonly used for keeping puppies in check. However, people have started using them for smaller dogs as well.

Today, we’re going to be looking at portable ​pens in great detail. We’re going to figure out how to use them and exactly what sort of dog pen will suit you the most. Before we get into reviewing some awesome ​pens, let’s start by talking about what these pens exactly are.

What is a Dog Pen?

When dog owners hear about ​pens, they immediately think about dog crates. This leads to the question that are these the same as a dog pen? And if not, then what’s the difference between dog pens and dog crates? While both accessories provide enclosures for dogs, there are a few vital differences between the two. A dog pen is essentially a collapsible enclosure made up of several walls. These walls are usually made of metal/plastic bars, and you can set them up wherever you want to.

A dog pen is designed to create a safe enclosed space for your dog. They can be set up indoors or outdoors. They also provide more area to move around than a dog crate. They’re a great option for pet parents who don’t have the time to monitor their dogs all the time. You can set up a ​pen, leave your dog in it with a few of its toys and go about your business. Also, ​pens keep a dog confined to a limited space without making them feel boxed in. Dogs that don’t like enclosed spaces tend to behave better in ​pens. Your dog will also feel less anxious as they will be able to see all around them.

How to Pick The Right Dog Pen?

Now, ​pens come in a variety of sizes. You can find a ton of them in the market. However, not every ​pen is worth buying. There are a handful of factors that you should worry about when looking for a ​pen. These factors will basically determine whether a ​pen is capable of doing what it’s made for or not.

The first thing that you should keep in mind is build quality. Even a small dog can have a pretty strong bite that can bend thinner wires. ​​Pens are made of plastic, fabric mesh, or metal. The first two materials are only recommended for pens that are used to hold puppies and smaller dogs. If you’re planning on placing an adult dog inside of a pen, you’re going to need one made of metal. The last thing that you want is your dog gnawing through its pen when you’re not looking.

Also, a ​pen should be safe for your dog. It shouldn’t be made of toxic materials, neither should it have any small parts. Dogs like to bite down on things a lot. A ​pen that breaks easily or has smaller removable parts could become a choking hazard for your pooch.

Easy assembly/disassembly is important as well. You shouldn’t have a hard time setting it up and packing it again when you’re done with it. Portability is a really important factor. An ideal ​pen should be easy to carry around with you. Whether you want to carry it to your backyard or take it with you on a trip, it shouldn’t give you a hard time.

Apart from focusing on a dog pen’s characteristics, you should also keep the occupant in mind — specifically, your dog’s size, level of restlessness, and their ability to escape. Larger dogs will require ​pens that are taller to keep them inside. Smaller dogs can be kept confined in small to medium height pens. Your dog’s energy levels matter as well. Some dogs are more restless than others and need more space to move around. If your dog is restless, then you should get a more spacious ​pen for them. Lastly, your dog’s escaping skills should be taken into account. Some ​pens come with doors that can be opened and closed. If your dog is more of a mastermind, it might try and open this door from the inside. Some dogs even try to climb out of their pens.

We’ve talked about what makes a ​pen great for long enough. Now let’s take a look at some great ​pens that you can buy right now.

The Best Portable Dog Pens For Small Dogs

IRIS Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen

Features

• Made with heavy-duty molded plastic. This ​pen can easily withstand a small dog’s bite. It’s designed for indoor and outdoor use.
• Its plastic construction keeps it lightweight enough to be carried easily. However, it’s heavy enough not to be pushed around by your dog. It even has rubberized feet that increase traction and prevent your floor from getting scratched.
• It comes with 8 interlocking panels that can be set up in various ways. You can subtract and add panels to adjust the size of the pen. Additional panels need to be bought separately.
• It has a height of 34 inches, making it very escape proof.

Pros

• This indoor ​pen is quite affordable and offers plenty of value.
• It’s sturdy without being too heavy to handle.
• The rubberized feet make this ​pen an indoor friendly option.
• It’s very easy to assemble and disassemble. When collapsed, it takes up very less space.

Cons

• The plastic caps on this ​pen can be removed easily. These can become choking hazards.
• The front door on this ​pen can be opened from the inside by a clever pooch.

MidWest ​Foldable Metal Exercise Pen

Features

• A simple looking dog exercise pen made of metal. This ​pen is ideal for smaller dogs and pups.
• It comes with 8 metal panels (2 feet wide) that can be set up in multiple ways. This pen lets you get creative with how you want to set it up.
• You can add and subtract panels to adjust the amount of space inside of the pen.

Pros

• Its simple and versatile design makes the pen practical.
• Its electro-coated panels are built to last. You can use this pen inside and outside without any trouble.
• When not in use, these panels are very compact and can be stored easily.
• You can add a sunscreen on top of them to protect your dog from the sun.

Cons

• This ​pen isn’t suitable for dogs with stronger bites.
• The clasps that are used to secure the panels together are quite small. They can be lost easily or turn into potential choking hazards.

BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen

Features

• This play pen is perfect for dogs that are destructive chewers. Its metal panels are heavy-duty and come with steel stakes to secure them into the ground.
• The front gate on this pen isn’t easy to open from the inside.
• This ​pen is pretty much a collapsible metal cage.

Pros

• You can arrange the 40-inch high steel panels in a variety of ways.
• The pen is easy to set up thanks to its drop in pin securing design.
• Incredibly durable, it’s a veritable fortress that will keep your pooch safe.

Cons

• Despite being well-built, its assembly rods are prone to being bent.
• The pen doesn’t offer a lot of moving space on the inside.

ESK COLLECTION Pet Puppy Dog Playpen

​Features

• If you own a docile dog or a puppy, then this is a great ​pen to have. It’s made of soft fabric and can be thought of like a dog pen and a mesh dog carrier.
• It can be setup incredibly fast and has a number of zippers that let you change its configuration.
• The fabric is well-ventilated, waterproof, and sturdy. However, you can’t use this ​pen for dogs that are destructive.

Pros

• Incredibly portable and easy to set up. It’s a great option for pet owners who travel a lot with their pets.
• You can use this pen for more than just dogs. Cats, bunnies, and other small pets can be placed inside of it as well.
• It’s made with 600d oxford cloth that is durable and won’t lose color.

Cons

• Not a good choice for people who have destructive and rowdy pets.
• Its zippers aren’t durable. They can break if handled roughly.

These are some great ​pens for people who own smaller dogs. We’ve covered pens that are suitable for different kinds of dogs. You can use these dog playpens indoors and outdoors, and they’re quite practical to use. They’re portable, can keep your dog in place, and most of all, they can keep your dog safe.

Investing in a ​puppy play pen can give you a major peace of mind. You can ensure that your dog is safe and sound without having to feel guilty about locking them up in a small cage.