Do you have a wandering kitty? If you are having trouble keeping your cat or kitten in a particular area, you might need a cat playpen. 

A cat playpen is a safe and really easy way to keep your cat contained to a particular area. You might even be looking to use one to discipline or train your cat. 

Alternatively, you could look to install a playpen for outdoors or even attempt to build one yourself. 

In this article, you’ll find the best playpens available for you and your kitty. You’ll learn when and where to use them and how they can be a great asset to your home. 

Top Picks

Things To Consider When Buying An Indoor Cat Playpen

Before you consider buying a cat playpen, first you should figure out if you really need one and why. 

Cats don’t typically like being stuck in a small playpen for too long and would prefer to roam freely throughout your house. If you have a specific reason and know that you’ll get the intended use out of a cat playpen then there are a few things to consider. 

Location: 

You’ll want to scout where the playpen will be set up and make sure there is enough space to assemble the playpen without much trouble. 

If possible set it up in a place where your cat will be able to watch what’s going in or outside of the house. This will help them feel less anxious about being in a playpen. 

Design: 

The larger the better! Try and get the largest possible cat playpen that you can. Again this will help them feel at ease about being in a pen. The larger the playpen the less chance of them overheating. Remember, cats have no way of telling you they’re getting too hot, so it’s up to you to monitor them closely. 

Toys & Treats:

Give them plenty of toys and treats to amuse themselves inside their playpen. If you want a list of kitten toys, there is a good article on the best kitten toys here. 

The Best Indoor Cat Playpens

First on the list of indoor cat playpens is the Parkland Foldable Playpen. It’s typically advertised as a doggy playpen but that will be true through most playpens on this list as they’re indeed suited to both dogs and cats. 

Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen

The Parkland cat playpen is designed to fold flat, making it very easy to store when you’re not using it. When you do need to use it, it’s design will allow you to pop it open in seconds. 

Made from high quality Oxford coated 600- Denier material. Put simply it’s made from 600D grade polyester, the same stuff kids camping chairs are made from. It’s durable and made for heavy day to day use. 

It’s available in three different sizes: 

• Small: 27” L x  27” W x 17” H
• Medium: 36” L x 36” W x 24” H
• Large: 48” L x 48” W x 24” H

The pen has some inbuilt strap down points if you do decide to use it outdoors. It also features some zippered mesh and a removable top cover if you need any extra shade or easy access. The mesh windows allow for plenty of air flow and visibility for your pet. 

I really like the mesh windows, they feel thick and solid, not like the cheap stuff that you feel like could rip with one kitty swipe. 

The Parkland Pet Playpen comes with a carry case and pet bowl!

Finally, cleaning is really easy, just give it a wipe down with warm water and a soft brush. Rinse gently and do not use bleach or chemicals to clean. Hose it down and let it dry in an open space. 

• Keep your pets safe and secure both indoors and outdoors.
• Sets up in seconds and requires no assembly; folds back flat when not in use for easy carrying and storing.
• Very lightweight yet extra strong makes traveling and mobility very easy.
• Zipper off the top for easy access, also has a zippered front door so your pet can walk in and out.
• Great for indoors, outdoors, traveling, camping,and more

Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen + Carrying Case

The Ruff ‘n Ruffus cat playpen and the Parkland Pet Playpen are very similar. So similar I bet if you removed the branding you’d be hard pressed to pick them apart. 

The materials used are the same, mesh thickness equal and the overall quality is high. 

You also get a bonus carry case and water/food bowl with the Ruff ‘n Ruffus playpen as well as 4 pegs to secure it to the ground if using outdoors. 

A zippered entrance and roof make access very simple for both you and your pet. 

The Ruff ‘n ruffus cat playpen is available in three sizes, medium, large and extra large. The pen is actually 2 inches larger than the Parkland. 

Medium: 29” x 29” x 17”

Large: 36” x 36” x 23”

Extra Large: 48” x 48” x 23.5”

It’s really hard to split between the Parkland and the Ruff ‘n Ruffus other than colorways. Either way you can’t go wrong as these are my top two picks. 

SAFE AND SECURE – Keep your pet comfortable and secure in the Pet Playpen. Reinforced with an attached floor mat to ensure your pet’s safety. Spacious interior gives your pet room to play.

SUPERIOR DESIGN – Roomy 8-Panel design with protected seams and reinforced corners. Made from durable water-resistant materials. Zippered top can be easily removed for indoor use & closed for outdoor use to provide shade.

PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT – Great for Indoor and Outdoor use. Lightweight, yet strong makes this ideal for traveling, camping and easy mobility. Comes with a convenient carrying case.

NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, EASY STORAGE – Pops up in seconds with no need for any assembly. Folds flat when not in use for easy carrying and storing.

Zampa Portable Foldable Pet playpen Exercise Pen Kennel

Again, with the Zampa there isn’t much to list that separates it from the above. It does come with a pocket on the outside much like the other two cat playpens. 

The reviews are also positive with many people complimenting how sturdy and well made it is. Each window features velcro at the top to give you the option to roll up and secure the windows open. 

The one negative I’d have to point out is that the mesh windows are slightly sub par and could be scratched or torn by a very determined pet. 

Measurements:

Playpen size 36″ D, x 24″ H, Panel Size:13″ W x 24″ H, Door Size: 9″ x 14” H, Mesh Cover Diameter:26”, Carrying Case Size: 24″ x 15″.

Quality: Protected seams and reinforced corners to ensure your pet’s safety Made from Durable quality & water-resistant materials

Design: Our stylish 8-Panel Puppy play pen, is designed with spacious interior, with features as bottle holder from the outside and Exterior side pockets provide a handy place for personal items etc.

No Assembly Required: Pops up in seconds, no assembly needed, folds Flat, lightweight easy to carry,for your convenience we made a video for instructions how to fold

Things To Consider When Buying An Outdoor Cat Playpen

First and foremost, your cat’s safety is your number one priority.

You should never leave your cat unattended while outdoors in a cat enclosure, though they may not be able to leave, they are still susceptible to stress from the environment around them.

This is especially true for indoor cats, who will not be used to hearing noises, birds or other external factors.

You also want to be sure they aren’t left in direct sunlight for very long. Cats have no way of telling you that they’re overheating, so it’s better to be on the cautious side as far as exposure to the sun is concerned.

Secondly, the larger the enclosure the better. The freestanding enclosures featured in this article are all of a reasonable size, and should not make your cat feel like they are confined to a tiny space.

Use fun toys and treats to keep them entertained and show them that they’re in a safe environment. Familiar items such as stuffed toys or cat beds help them feel in control of the territory and will help in keeping them calm.

Best Outdoor Cat Playpens

ESK COLLECTION Blue 45″ Playpen Exercise Pen Kennel

The ESK Outdoor Cat Playpen is made from the same strong material your tent or camping chairs are made from. It comes in a range of colors including pink for those that are a little extra. 

It has rave reviews among pet owners who use it for both cats and dogs. It’s portable, lightweight and easy to carry. 

Setting the cat playpen up is a breeze and securing it to the ground is done via the 4 metal pegs provided. 

The mesh is good quality and thick enough to not worry about your pet scratching through it. Finally, it features a side pocket for storing treats and a pouch for a water bottle. 

IRIS 24” Exercise 4-Panel Pet Playpen with Door

Most of you would be familiar with the brand IRIS and should know they produce outstanding quality products. 

The panel design of this playpen gives your pets 8 square feet of space to play around in. 

It’s really easy to assemble using connecting rods, and the locking latches give you peace of mind that your pets are secure. 

With rubber feet the IRIS Playpen can also be used indoors however, most will use this outdoors. 

If you have a large area and you want to increase the size of the playpen you can simply purchase add-on panels from IRIS. 

I think this is a good option for a family who has a couple of kittens and a small to medium dog. Once they all get along it’s a great way to keep them in a specific area for a short period of time. 

IRIS Playpen Measurments:

35.6″W x 35.6″W x 23.6″H; each panel: 33.6”W x 1.5”D x 23.6”H

The IRIS 24” exercise 4-panel dog playpen with door can be used for dog play yards, play gate, small dog fence, and more.

It’s portable and provides 8 square feet of play space for pets.

Playpen with door is made of durable, economical repurposed raw material. BPA and acid free.

Add-on panels are available to create large pet playpen.

Midwest Cat Playpen – Includes 3 Adjustable Shelves

The Midwest Cat Playpen is fully adjustable and even folds down for easy storage. 

Easily big enough for large cats or a couple of small kittens with plenty of play areas. The Midwest Cat PLaypen even comes with a deluxe cat bed that securely attaches to one of the selected shelves inside. 

Featuring front facing double doors that swing open allowing for easy access. There are even swing open doors on top of the enclosure, making cleaning super easy. 

You can securely lock the doors using just one hand and they really are designed well. 

Moving the cat playpen is easy as it comes with roller casters that can lock the wheels in place once you have positioned it 

If your kitty does make a mess, the ABS plastic floor pan easily slides out to quickly clean up any mess. 

FUN & SECURE | Cat Playpen provides a large hangout area for your cat | Cat cage measures 36L x 23.5W x 50.50H Inches & is ideal for 1 to 3 cats

Cat Playpen includes a FREE cat bed, an easy to remove leak-proof plastic pan, 3 adjustable cat resting platforms & 4 locking wheel casters for easy positioning in your house

EASY ACCESS & CLEANING | Two large cabinet style front doors (top & bottom) w/ secure door latches provide easy access to your cat & maintenance of the cat’s litter box, plastic tray slides-out for cleaning

BUILT to LAST: Made w/ strong metal wire featuring a black E-coat finish to prevent rust | Wire gauge includes 3, 5, 12 w/ 1W x 5.5 inches wire spacing, weighs 40 lbs. when assembled.

The Cat playpen is designed to fully fold down for convenient storage & portability when not in use | Includes MidWest Quality Guarantee 1-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.

PawHut Large Wooden Outdoor Cat House with Large Run for Play

If you are looking to get your cat their very own apartment, then look no further. The PawHut is just that. 

Their 77” x 38” wooden cat enclosure comes with everything you need to securely keep you cat safe and warm outdoors. 

The cat playpen is built on a strong wooden frame that is sealed with a pet-friendly, non toxic sealant. It’s fully enclosed with durable wire mesh and will allow your pet to remain outside safely.

Also included is the paned window, sliding door and hinged door. The access ramp also comes with the PawHut however, it’s a little steep so older cats could struggle. I’d recommend adding an additional plank of wood to decrease the slope and also possibly covering the ramp in sisal rope. 

The food is flat and has been covered in an asphalt material to help further protection from the elements. With a large front door, access into the playpen is very easy. 

Specifications:

• Color: Natural Wood
• Material: Fir Wood, Wire Mesh
• Overall Dimensions: 76.75″ L x 37.25″ W x 68.75″ H
• Main House Size: 26.25″ L x 35.5″ W x 68.75″ H
• Enclosure Size: 48.25″ L x 35.5″ W x 68.75″ H
• Enclosure Door Size (Big): 20.25″ W x 44.25″ H
• Enclosure Door Size (Small): 11.75″ W x 14.5″ H
• Ramp Size: 47.25″ L x 8″ W
• Net Weight: 100.5 lbs
• Assembly Required

As mentioned you’ll need to assemble the PawHut but don’t worry it’s not as difficult as it might look. A cordless drill would come in handy if you have one and very basic knowledge is all you need.

DAPU 3 in 1 Compound Pet Play House

The DAPU comes with a tent, tunnel, and multi tier play area. What more could you want. 

It’s a fully folding enclosure, which means once you have finished with it you can pack it away for next summer. 

It comes with ground pegs to secure it safely so your cats won’t be able to escape and run for the hills. Visibility is great through the mesh and it features so many zippers access is a breeze. 

Build quality is not as good as the Parkland Playpen however, if you travel a lot this could be a great playpen for your cats. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do cats like outdoor enclosures?

Cats love to be outdoors and will relish in the moment. Remember they’re fantastic predators and leaving them unattended outdoors can result in them hunting wildlife. 

If you want your cat to enjoy the sun and some freedom with added safety consider installing a DIY cat fence.

Can cats live in an outdoor enclosure?

Of course! Provide them with access to food and water and a warm bed to sleep in at night and they’ll be just fine. Don’t forget to give them a bunch of toys and attention when possible. 

Can you keep a kitten in a playpen?

I’m sure you could but, why? Also if they are too small to jump the sides they might find some other way to get out like squeezing through the bars. If I want to keep my kittens in a certain area, I’ll usually pop them in the bathroom and put any cleaning chemicals in another room. 

Last update on 2023-10-04 at 14:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API