Best dog playpens according to redditors

Not OP, but I have the same one from amazon. Amazing buy!

IRIS 24'' 4-Panel Pet Playpen with Door https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00D5P846Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gAlRDbPQWCA6Q

What and adorable cutie!!! Congratulations! Such an adorable name too!

​

As a new bunny parent take a look at the little guide on care I assembled below https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Z_IvDuy5Fr-VOKwBVBSmZih0m1ATCIquIMhYyFl4aIw - it is a it long but quite thorough. I really tried to include all the info a new bunny parent might want into this guide...

Babies have diets that differ somewhat from adults - my guide has a section on baby bunny diet. :)

Some things to do and not to do:

1. Bunnies don't like to be picked up or held at all as prey animals! They are not cuddly lap animals, though they will come to you for pets once they trust you but it will take time and effort to build trust. Bunnies are very fragile and picking them incorrectly of chasing them will result in serious injury.
   
   1. Please avoid picking up and holding the bunny unless you must like for a vet trip.
      
   2. Do not ever chase him. Always let him come to you when he wants to. You need to respect him! Let him come to you on his own terms when he feels safe... If you chase him and pick him up he will develop very negative associations with you. He will think every time you are close he will get sprung into the air and chased and he will mostly hide and avoid you. You don't want that. :)
      
   3. Give him a hidy house - even a cardboard house and never chase him if he goes in there - this his safe spot.
      
      To build a bond with him: just be patient it takes time to build trust as prey animals they are very very timid and you just need to allow more time. Do the things below and I promise you will see progress.
      
      
2. When you approach is space get on the floor on all fours before you approach - you will feel much safer. Just spend lots of time on the floor with and let him always come to you. On the floor you feel much safer to him and he will explore you. They are very timid animals as prey animals, so it take them time to get comfortable in a new home. Just be patient and let him explore and also just spend time on the floor - even if you are doing you own thing like watching TV or working on your computer or eating - do it on the floor (don't share human food). You will become a part of his world and he will come to you herself and build safe positive memories if you. You will really notice her trust level start to build up!
   
3. Watch a couple videos below:
   
   
   1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3rlWno7B8g
      
   2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS9HcoC19h4
      
4. It's really about the amount of time you spend around and with your bunny on his level (the floor) - the more the better.. The food is not a way to bond, but something that initially helps lure him to you to learn more about you and what to expect from - this of it this way… To bond with the bunny, grab some treats (I suggest cilantro or small pieces of dried apple) and sit on the floor in the same room as the bunny. Spend lots of time on the ground with it in spaced out sessions. Just read or watch Netflix, and wait for the bun to come to you. Eventually, he will probably come up and sniff you all over. Sit still and let him do that, then he'll hop away. The next time he comes, offer him treats from your hand. Repeat several times, just sitting and waiting for him to come get treats. When he's comfortable with that, and maybe flopping or binkying in your presence and close to you, reach out and pet his head as he is eating a treat. Almost all rabbits love having their heads pet/massaged. If you're lucky, after a while He'll be coming to you and asking for it by putting his head near your hand.
   
   __________________________
   
   Try not to keep the bunny in a cage.. you need a bigger space. Bunnies are smart and like toys and space to explore. You need a LARGE space for your bunny! An XXL dog crate might work, but best to use an xpen. My guide linked below has advice and examples of how to set up their enclose.
   
   This is true during the night also and when you are sleeping. Rabbits are crepuscular - meaning most active at night and early mornings as prey animals, so they are quite active often when humans sleep...
   
   I totally understand the idea of having the bun in a more secure space when you are asleep but given the crepuscular schedule I mentioned above try to expand that space from just a cage. You can get an xpen or some NIC grids and attach them to the cage edges with some zipties such that the hutch door always leads to a larger but still more secure space for her.
   
   Kind of like in here or this picture or this or this.
   
   ______________________
   
   You will need an exotic pets vet (not just a cat and dog vet) which you should locate in advance. Bunny illnesses are nearly always emergencies.
   
   Also your bunny may have reached puberty or will have reached it by about 4 to 5 months! He will become hormonal teenager and that will make it harder to bond with him. He may have urges to pee to mark his territory and to hump... all this will be fixed by getting him neutered. Please the section on this in my guide.

Thank you so much! It’s actually a super lightweight x pen made out of plastic and metal that is joined together by little pieces. You can make them whatever shape you want, it’s very versatile! It comes with 12 panels total, you can make a rectangle or a square pen. Super cool.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details

This is the Tespo Dog PlayPen (Amazon). I used zipties to put it together, so it folds up flat. It was kind of pricey (I think around $45-50 when I got it off Amazon, free shipping), but it's really convenient and they can only escape by going over the top -- as you can see, lol.

When I first got my dog I found a pen to be much better than a crate. It was roomier, and more multifunctional – you can use it to block off part of a room, contain the dog, or undo the hinges in the corner to use them as barriers for a doorway or hallway. The one I have is similar to this one. It’s very sturdy, but I did end up using a loop of rope under my couch leg to make sure that my dog jumping on it didn’t allow it to slide around (I have hardwood floors.)

I found that the pen helped a lot with his anxiety, a friend of mine thinks it’s because the dog feels ‘responsible’ for the whole of the house when you’re gone, but only the pen when he’s penned. My dog quickly became very comfortable with the pen, I put his bed and food/water inside, and he now goes into it to relax and will also go inside on command if I walk to the door and call him.

Personally, I think that separation anxiety is something that gets better but is really hard to get rid of completely, much like anxiety in humans. Even though my dog has gotten much better over the past year, he still has episodes some times where he eats things that he knows he’s not supposed to.

I also think that traditional approaches to dealing with separation anxiety are kind of BS. For example giving a treat, going away for a short time and coming back to take the treat. People say the idea is to have the dog associate you coming back isn't always a good thing, but people who come home and yell/hit their dog accomplish this as well and everyone agrees that's not an effective approach. (I know people will argue it’s about negative rewards vs positive punishment, but the dog isn’t losing a reward for their own action so I think it still doesn’t make much sense.) In doing this, I feel you’re just conditioning your dog to want you to come back and give more treats – since you only give the treats when you leave.

What I did instead was give my dog his food before leaving. He’s not very food driven anyway, so his food isn’t something he gets excited about at all – I honestly think he views eating as more of a chore, unless it’s raw meats. I also always make sure I clearly tell my dog that I’m leaving, that way he understands that I’m not trying to sneak away (abandon him) or that I’ve mysteriously disappeared (been harmed or eaten.)

Another point is that if the dog is pooping only when you’re not around, it might be because of your negative reactions to their pooping. If you’ve punished them or otherwise reacted to seeing the dog using the house as their toilet, they may think that they’re not supposed to go in front of you – regardless of inside or outside. Try asking your roommate to walk them instead and seeing if the dog reacts the same way?

Smaller dogs need to go more often, it’s digestion isn’t a linear process so if the dog didn’t go now but does three hours later, it’s quite possible the dog simply didn’t feel the need to relieve themselves earlier if your dog is really small. You could try using a puppy pad in a container inside the pen, and then moving the pad to outside the pen, and ultimately moving the pad to outside your house. The idea here being for the dog to associate going to the bathroom with the pad’s container, which will eventually be outside and then removed.

The last thing I want to mention is that potty training and anxiety work both are things that regularly take months, sometimes upwards of a year. If you’re stressing over it now and need it to end now then it might be best to find another way for the dog to be cared for.

Some dogs love crates, some dogs hate them. I have both kinds. For my dog that loves his crate it would be cruel to deny him that space. For my dog who hates the crate it would be cruel to force her into one. There is dispute as to whether dogs think of them as dens or they just like having their own space where they can remove themselves from activity. For me the dog gets a say in the matter.

Rescues can be nuts. I would find another if it was forbidden to try crate training and using it for a dog who likes it. I you said you'd use a crate no matter the dogs comfort level I could see their point. A middle option is using an x-pen. It gives a dog more room if they don't like a crate, but gives you a chance to contain a dog who is destructive or not yet house trained. If the rescue has a dog you're interested in you can ask if they'd be fine with this compromise.

This is a x-pen.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F97RJH6/

To add a helpful suggestion, this x style pens from Amazon are both cheap are safe for rabbits: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IX6S8YI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get the 24 inch version, and go over to uhaul or johanns, better yet both, and get some uhaul moving fabric (recycled denim) and some fleece to put on top. Super cozy, and will protect from accidents.

And get a cheap 6 dollar open top litter box, and some pine litter. You'd be amazed how quickly they pee train themselves. :) Rabbits don't generally pee on the floor, but if you are still nervous, get some pond liner. It's thick plastic, and you can cut it to size underneath the fabric

/u/ruthbigsby is commenting on the fact that wire bottom cages cause sore hocks (word for rabbit feet) which is an infected inflamed foot. Super unpleasant for both you and the rabbit.

Cute babes!

Pet Playpen Animal Fence Cage - Tespo... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

It comes with lots of panels so you can set up a large area!

This rabbit can't be left in the wild, so good on you for rescuing it! Someone dumped it for sure.

If you're going to keep the rabbit, it can be housed in an x-pen. A rabbit this size can't be kept in a cage or hutch; that's too small and it might become aggressive.

x-pen:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Foldable-Metal-Exercise-Fence/dp/B0758CTVVR/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=x-pen&qid=1564975010&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE4U1FUMkhLREpMRVAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzNDk2MTgxQkVTVFlHUUhCNFBSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0ODg5NTUyN05CQklSNUVaVko2JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Rabbits must have hay at all times. You'll have to provide it with a constant, endless supply of high quality timothy hay. This is their main diet. The links I'm sending you are examples of course - you can source your hay from anywhere, it just has to be good stuff. This rabbit looks like it's old enough that it doesn't need alfalfa hay.

https://www.amazon.com/Small-Pet-Select-Cutting-Timothy/dp/B00WEJA7QC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=small%2Bpet%2Bselect%2Btimothy%2Bhay&qid=1564975102&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFIQUtTUTlNTVJJVUwmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMDM3MzYyQTRONFVWUjNZTVBZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNzU1NDIxQVJJUDgwVkZFMUJFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

It can drink water from a bowl. I got my rabbit just a regular, big heavy crock like for dogs.

Rabbits need a litter box. Not the triangle kind though. You put the hay in the litter box, and the rabbit will naturally pee and poop there. I use this for their litter because it's cheap:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb

Rabbit care is highly specialized! They are not easy maintenance pets but I happen to love 'em to bits, they have such funny little personalities.

Looks like the Iris Pen. My gals have the larger version since they have a second level to their box home.

We got ours at Target online because it sometimes goes on sale for the weirder colors. The pen is super nice because you can get additional panels for a modular setup.

I bought the same one, but in black. Here it is:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154M1VWE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Tespo-Playpen-Portable-Plastic-Transparent/dp/B06XTG94TH

It's modular and easy to assemble, I love it!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MU2F556/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's the only one that I've found on Amazon that has removable sections, a door, and is tall enough to prevent my buns from hopping over it. I got the 40" because my buns are cever and seem to be able top hop up on things that are 32".

OP delivers! https://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Animal-Playpen-Medium/dp/B013U2FIM4

I use a Tespo Pet Playpen ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/). I have been extemely happy with it for the last year and a half. It has held up very well and it was worth what I spent on it. There are others similar and a bit cheaper if you look around, as well.

A good cage is the biggest investment. I'd suggest a metal cage with bars that are spaced no wider than 1/2" apart. 7 to 8 cubic feet of interior space is a decent starting size for a pair of rats but bigger is always better. There are lots of cages on the market and they vary depending on your country. You could make a specific post to get cage suggestions. Avoid purchasing directly from pet stores as the selection isn't always very good, some of the cages they sell are downright inappropriate for rats, and online sources often have much better prices.

Not all vets see rats so you'll want to do some research on exotics vets in your area before getting rats. Vet care is often no cheaper for rats than it is for larger animals so be prepared to spend some money if/when your rats get sick. In my area, an exam (just to walk through the door) is $60-70 USD, with any medicine treatment in addition to that. I expect to spend around $300 per rat on vet care over the course of their short lives. Some rats may not need this much, others may require much more.

Food isn't too expensive, maybe $5-15 per rat per month. Toys and cage accessories can be dirt cheap/free. You definitely don't need to buy fancy huts and hammocks from the pet store when your rats will be just as happy with junk from the recycle bin or scraps of old clothes. General care costs can vary depending on your preferences. Between food, bedding, etc., you're maybe looking at $15 to $50 a month for a pair of rats.

You'll want to figure out some sort of out-of-cage play area for your rats. Rats are very curious and can get into everything. They can also be very destructive. Some people carefully rat-proof a room and others purchase or construct enclosed playpens for their rats. Keeping them and your home safe is something to consider before getting rats. I've had rats that have chewed holes in my couch, clothes, bedding, they've gnawed on furniture and woodwork, destroyed countless earbuds/charging cables, etc.

For anyone in the US whose interested in this, it's sold in America too :)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQ411ZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nR17CbPZS5WN3

Toys:


Jalousie 12 Pack Dog Squeaky Toys... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSG684C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

UEETEK Squeaky Dog Toys for Small... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZJBH52?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Marshall Ferret Sport Balls Asst, 2-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ENGOP8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_c8tyDbBXQWQ6M


Marshall Ferret Fun-N-Games Blanket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OE5H54?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Kaytee FerreTrail Flex-E... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ASBEK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Marshall Ferret Bed Bug Play Center https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MIU5HI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Marshall Ferret Krackle Sack,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARPSI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Marshall Ferret Octo-Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFV9YM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Marshall Pet Turtle Tunnel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VVY49M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_BLdeGqpB9Nl5j

KONG - Plush, Low Stuffing Squeak... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IVGBFY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

EocuSun Kids Ball Pit Large Pop... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KUHQZG0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Click N' Play Pack of 200... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYLU3GG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share x3

D.Y. TOY Weazel Ball - The Weasel Rolls with Ball https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PKFJKG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7.tyDb0YSNMVT

Bonka Bird Toys 1745 Chandelier... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015RSD7JA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide and... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X7FJAO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

ZippyPaws - Zippy Burrow Interactive Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy - Unicorns in Rainbow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8GCB7V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pjuyDbWY6CFSW

JW Pet Good Cuz Rubber Dog Toy (2... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113J85JO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

3Pack Molar Clean Teeth Rubber Toy, Bagvhandbagro Clean Teeth Rubber Pacifier Chew Toy, Bell Chewing Playing Training Toys, for Pet Puppy Dog Cat (Color Random) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJNGWMK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_okuyDbTBM8HB2

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Squeaking-Dog-Toy-Hamburger-or-Hot-Dog-Assorted/54273866

https://www.chewy.com/zippypaws-zippy-burrow-crayon-box/dp/206190?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=ZippyPaws&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwIPrBRCJARIsAFlVT8_JjfKpnKxdVtL4DtsY7-ld2qS-_7r6PVUG1k0afX9p0jvSthjMAbkaAknVEALw_wcB

just disclaimer some of these toys should only be played with under your supervision so use your best judgement. Check any rubber or stuffed/fabric toys daily for wear and if you see it starting to come apart throw it away as any loose pieces can be swallowed and cause a blockage. My ferrets aren’t chewers they just like to have toys to stash so I’m not as worried but everyone’s ferrets are different so be careful. Also you could make a dig box with rice (never instant) or dried pasta which is a lot of fun for them. They love tunnels, they love to dig, and they love to steal and stash small objects so the toys meet that criteria they’ll be happy lol

playpen

Maybe something like this in your living room so the pup can see you? Put puppy pad in the play pen area?

> Oh! What do ya'll think about using a doggie pen and adding on a bottom instead? Something like: http://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Indoor-Outdoor-Plastic-Panels/dp/B00D5P846Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1465253053&sr=1-2&keywords=dog+pen

I got one for my dogs to start out with but Draco uses it more. This one has a mesh top that zips on.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SFA8KBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482992471&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+playpens+indoor

Not OP, but I’ve eyed this on Amazon forever. I’m not sure if it’s the same one but it’s very similar.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hcD2CbPRDAYZT

We use this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XTG94TH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I'm in my 20's and also work from home with a puppy. I am a HUGE advocate of crate training for all the reasons /u/court67 said.

I keep his crate in my room. This is actually a good thing and it serves multiple purposes. That room smells most like you, so it helps to comfort the dog when he is left alone in there. That smell also helps him to build a bond with you. Also, if he has to go potty in the middle of the night, it is easier for you to hear him and get to him before he has an accident (they really don't want to go in their crates but puppies have tiny bladders).

We put the puppy in his crate at night (when we're asleep) and when we leave the house. This is because the crate is the place in the house (well, apartment for us) where he is safest. There is nothing he can eat or destroy in there, and nothing that can harm him in there (make sure to take off the dog's collar whenever crating).

When we are at home and cannot pay 100% of our attention to him (like when I'm working), we put in an exercise pen like this one. This gives him more room to move around and have fun, but still keeps him from getting into things that could hurt him or that he could destroy.

this is the exact playpen i used. the dimensions are perfect and each grid sits nicely on the metal bars of the detolf. i used a hammer to pull it apart into a 3-panel piece and a 1-panel piece

if you're not crafty like me and want a simpler lid than building a wood+wire mesh one, this is a super easy option!

They sell them at my local Petco. It was between this and the hammock shaped like an ape!

Here's the item on Amazon.

We made an enclosure out of foamcore boards and duct tape...they get chewed eventually, sure...but it worked better than this:

http://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Small-Pet-Deluxe-Play/dp/B0013TT2SS/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1322368051&sr=1-1

Also, I got wire covers for everything like this:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Terminal-SL500-100-2-Inch-Tubing/dp/B0017686ZC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1322368115&sr=8-6

For EVERYTHING...keeps the chewing down and keeps them from getting peed on. Also, every rat loves a buddy....

Gates I use for anyone interested .. I’d recommend at least two, especially if you want to sit in the gate with your chinchilla(s).

Con:

• bites hurt.
  
  
• they can take a while to warm up to you.
  
  
• they can have a wide variety of personalities and you're not quite sue what their personality is until they are comfortable with you.
  
  
• they can be bratty and spray you with urine for telling them playtime is over and they need to go back to their cage.
  
  
• you can't take them for walks.
  
  Pro:
  
  
• they are super soft.
  
  
• when they grace you with their affection, it is all worth it.
  
  
• watching them play happily is very peaceful and relaxing.
  
  
• dust bath time is so cute.
  
  I've had Poppy for 3 years now, she's always been the adventurous type who prefers people as things to jump on as opposed to beings who want to shower her with affection. It's taken until about this year for her to actually want pets and to ask for them. She can be a bratty little munchkin, but after 3 years, we've mostly worked out how to deal with it. I think the real joy of the relationship with the chinchilla blossoms after about 3 years (I think that's about how long it took with my first chin, Lilly). After that point, they get a lot more comfortable with you and are more willing to put up with snuggles and being held and will actually seek them out.
  
  As a chinchilla owner, the best supply purchase I made was a playpen. I put the front of her cage at the opening in the pen and then she has access back to her cage during playtime. This makes her a lot happier and relaxed during playtime and also keeps me from worrying about what she could be chewing or getting into.

It’s this one off Amazon! Definitely bought on sale though...

Xpen! Think something like this

The ones for large dogs are nice because they’re usually tall enough and big enough.

Edit: also in agreement with Dinka’s links

Could start by just containing them to a certain room at a certain area. We transitioned pretty early from a crate to one of these and then eventually just let our dog roam free and it all worked.

If you’re ever running out for like just an hour you could leave her and see how it works out. Build up confidence to leave her out for longer periods of time

I have a small and a large of these:

https://www.amazon.com/ESK-Collection-Playpen-Exercise-Kennel/dp/B00SFA8KBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=dog%2Bpen&qid=1564278473&s=gateway&sr=8-9&th=1&psc=1

Easy for travel too! They have zip tops, and fit into a slim carry bag. I’ve had them for 5 years now, and they’re as good as new if a bit dirtier!

There is some debate around the cruelty surrounding hamster balls. What I would suggest is getting a small foggy play pen and putting some chews, hides and a spinning saucer into it and letting them play. Just keep an eye on them when in there as it’s possible to chew through, but only my Syrian. Has ever tried.

Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel Dogs Cats Indoor/Outdoor Removable Mesh Shade Cover, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B37WUXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UjjpDbXKPR06H

I highly recommend this play pen: Parkland Pet Portable Foldable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E7PHYTI?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Is huge for him and thus provides space so he doesn’t feel confined. I got it for my little guy and he has his bed, a stuff toy bigger than him (recommended to reduce separation anxiety) and his bowls of water and food, along with one of these: Four Paws Wee-Wee Dog Grass Patch... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BV12XC?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

For when I have to go to the office and can’t come home to take him to do his business outside. Potty training him and crate training him has been tough because previous owners did a very bad job, but he is starting to get the hang of it.

i got it off of amazon. here’s the link!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sNf8CbN5XD4WT

Did you get your pen off of Amazon? Is it this one? Can you tell me if it’s any good? :)

This is the pen I've been looking at
Tespo Pet Playpen, Portable Large Plastic Yard Fence Small Animals, Puppy Kennel Crate Fence Tent (Transparent White 12 Panels, 60x60x28 Inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4jQNDbBVZ7DA0

It will be a while before I get it because my babies are too young for free range time yet. But that's the one I want once they are old enough

this is a great pen

Get a baby gate and place it in front of the door. Or get a plexiglass playpen. This is the one I own and I really enjoy it. They try to get out but never succeed. I have a fat boy and a small girl both ferrets. Hope this helps.

One of our girls is going to be 2 years old in a few months, and even though she loves to cuddle with us, she still darts away and hides when she's on the floor. Even our most brazen of ratties will hide sometimes. It's just in their nature to be cautious, especially in wide open spaces.

You haven't had him all that long, and if he is willing to be pet and eat fron your hands then it sounds like you guys are doing great with him. It will take him some time to understand that he's safe roaming around, but even so I'm sure he will still hide sometimes.

As for keeping him out of places he shouldn't be, we bought this playpen and not only is it awesome for constructing a play area, but the panels are great for blocking off doorways or areas the rats don't need to get into.

I love Kong brand. Kong has toys that are really tough to chew through, not to mention the original Kong you can stuff treats into is pretty much indestructible. My puppy had an abscessed tooth and she couldn't chew anything for a few weeks so Kongs saved our sanity, not to mention this licky mat. You can smear peanut butter on it, soft dog food, spray cheese etc. It was a lifesaver. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GJWCJST/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_j7WWDbZV9ASNZ

We got the Amazon basics crate and it works well. We also got an Amazon basics play pen that has worked wonders https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758CTVVR/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_j3WWDbSB2W7AJ

I don't have a brand name, but make sure you get dog beds where the cover zips off for easy cleaning. I did not do that, and it has been interesting trying to potty train with a bed you can't easily clean.

I got a pack of bully sticks on Amazon recently that have been wonderful. Bully sticks are a lifesaver when you just need your pup to sit down and stop bugging you for 15 mins so you can fold a load of laundry. Bully sticks are very expressive so these were a good deal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M93Q3CP/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_B-WWDb43SZH8P

I also recommend a martingale collar. My puppy was terrified of going outside when we first got her so she would pull out of her collar and run away. If was stressful. Martingale collars tighten as the dog pulls so they can't pull out of them

I hesitate to recommend a camera, because after the second week of using it, it was really more trouble than it was worth. Yeah, you can check on your puppy while you're at work, but if he's crying or whining you can't do anything about it but feel upset.. If you're interested, we used Wyze cams. You can get them on Amazon, they are super cheap and easy to use. I just recommend using them for the first few weeks only, otherwise your work will suffer like mine did.


Edit: I almost forgot to mention Nature's Miracle, the patron saint of carpet and floors! It eliminates the enzymes in urine so your dog doesn't keep peeing in a particular place in your house because it smells like pee. Buy stock in this company. It is that important.

Good luck!

I really like this one because it has a gate for getting in and out- great for getting in to play with your puppy, but not awkwardly stepping over while trying not to step on a puppy.

One thing my partner and I do for helping with the zommies when our puppy gets them is play what we call the Rufus game. We stand a distance apart from each other and take turns calling him over to us. He runs back and forth between the two of us getting pets and sometimes treats when he comes. It's a great way to use up excess energy fast & it keeps him from running where it's not safe. He just keeps a path back and forth between the two of us. We've also found it's really helpful for recall- coming when called is a game, not a chore.


Also, though- even if there are bigger dogs in the neighborhood, you should still take her out, just be a good protector. Always keep her on a 4-6ft nylon leash, walk on the other side of the street, take lots of high value treats, be prepared to scoop her up if she's in danger, maybe get a vest that says "in training" so that other people don't approach with their dogs. I don't know the full situation, but you definitely want to make sure she's well socialized to at least see big dogs and not be afraid. Also consider a 20+ft lead to use exclusively in large, open field areas. This gives her room to run and play, but keeps her safe because she's still on lead.

I got this for my corgi when it was a pup. Actually used potty pads in it too so he knew to only pee in there on the pads then eventually moved the pads to the door.

I think if you’re planning on keeping a play pen you’ll need to size up but that was for us for the first 3 months since corgis are smaller. It is big.

this

Might be better for later though

I work full time and also have a 4 month old Havanese. Something I found useful was setting up an exercise pen, which has plenty of room for play, potty (using puppy pads), and sleep. It also has a water bowl as well.
I also hired a dog walker through Rover, which I found to be the best, since I do 30 minute checkins, the focus is less on a long walk and more on play/human interaction.
Overall, routine has helped too. Chewy sleeps through the majority of the day, but expects playtime at night. And so I spend my whole evening playing with him and taking him on walks.
I also got an Adapdil Diffuser which emits a calming hormone that helps him stay calm, since that nervous energy can get destructive.
Puzzle toys are also helpful - anything that can distract him or keep him occupied.
So far, so good! When I come home, his ex pen is still tidy, and his disposition is positive. I would be happy to get more in detail if you need! Good luck!

yup! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SFA8KBS?psc=1

I think that's big enough for nights and unsupervised time. We have something like this that Novy used as a run when he was little. We got a second one and connected them together and that's what he uses when we're gone during the day now. He still goes up to his cage (2ftx5ft?) at night. When we're there he has roam of a few rooms and occasionally the upstairs.

We use cable wrap like this to cover ground cords. He's chewed on them a few times but there's no damage. As long as they're against the wall they'll be fine. For my computer desk I screwed a postal mail tube underneath it and split if length wise to stick the power strip in so it's up out of the way; as a bonus it looks better too!

For the bookshelf, we use gating that looks like the stuff from the pen I linked to above for temporary 'keep bun out' areas like that (in my case the entertainment center).

[Edit: Updated the cable wrap link, used the wrong one initially!]

Congrats on the new fluffbutt! <3 As a long term chinchilla owner they're wonderful lil guys, but like someone else on here already said, they do like to do stuff on their own terms (when they want to play/etc). I live in a condo now and unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of places that they run around freely (bc of electrical chords) so I got them (I have two currently) a play pen designed for puppies! They both really enjoy it and since it's pretty large/the zipper top and bottom are machine washable it works out really well. As long as they have a lot of toys in there to play with the little one should be fine! Since it's large enough for a person to sit comfortably inside it is also a great way for your fluff to get used to you at their own pace. (Also might I suggest rose hips as treat? They're very high in Vit C and are a much healthier treat than raisins)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0154M1VWE/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487798291&sr=sr-1&keywords=puppy+playpen

Ok so I have one of these for my Chihuahua puppy and it is AMAZING. It's flexible so I can take it with me, the bottom and top zip out so you can wash them or use it outside or whatever. I'm not sure how big your puppy is, but this thing is a great size! You can fit a pee pad in there plus food/water bowls, toys and bed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154M1VWE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel Dogs Cats Indoor/outdoor Removable Mesh Shade Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B37WUXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_11IWikdAe5l7M there is a top you can zip on so they can't jump out

this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01B37WUXI/ref=ya_st_dp_

That will be fine for containment when you are there to supervise but IMHO, any pup is going to quickly realize that he can chew right through it. It's not serious containment for when you are out of the house.

I'm slow in allowing my pups to have freedom when I'm not there. They start out in crates, then move on to wire x-pens (I have the 36" version of this: https://www.amazon.com/Homes-Pets-Foldable-Exercise-Pen/dp/B000H8YTJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497193537&sr=8-1&keywords=x-pen ), and then the gated kitchen and finally the whole house.

yeah, i would because the kitten i'm assuming is much smaller in size. I would only have them together at short intervals and gradually increase that time. As with the pouncing– I put my kitten in one of these that I had: https://www.amazon.com/Parkland-Pet-Portable-Foldable-Removable/dp/B01B37WUXI/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cat+tent&qid=1570908470&sr=8-5 with my cat outside and vice versa. This way their interaction was safer if the cat decided to swat the kitten. i also recommend watching "thecatdaddy"'s youtube video on cat introductions if you haven't already!

Is this what you have? crate

Tespo Pet Playpen, Portable Large Plastic Yard Fence Small Animals, Puppy Kennel Crate Fence Tent (Transparent White 12 Panels, 60x60x28 Inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_orYBDbYZ28J58

I've been looking at this

You could trim the grass, partially bury (maybe 1 inch) and create a play area for them. Looks like you could get multiple sets and link them together to create a large area.

I've got the same problem coming up. I'm planning on leaving for Thanksgiving for about a week and taking my bun to my friend's place to bunsit. I put down a large washable puppy pad and fleece on the floor at home to protect my floors and I'm planning on getting these as they are far lighter and easier to assemble than my metal pen at home.

You can use plastic play pens like these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQ411ZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RdsLDbSZEYX5G or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_besLDbY5Z9CB5
so it’s harder for them to climb or chew and you can build them however you like. Just make sure you have enough toys and stimulation for them and always supervise them.

I found this on Amazon. It's $50, the panels are plastic to help contain messes, and large enough. 12 panels can be shaped how you like.
Tespo Dog Playpen, Portable Large Plastic Yard Fence Small Animals, Popup Kennel Crate Fence Tent, Transparent White 12 Panels, 60"x60"X28'' (Transparent White) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XTG94TH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LLLXCb52CH9PF

I am so bummed no one answered this. Here's my extremely DIY suggestion that I do not have the opportunity to test myself.

Get this dog playpen.

Tie them together with zip-ties (I think they come with zip-ties now). Set it up, put some hides in, and cover the whole thing with some sort of fine netting. The netting should be loose enough that you fit under it, but it should stop your rats from getting out/ wild animals from getting in. I'm not sure what the best way to secure the netting would be, but you should be able to close the whole thing from the inside. I recommend a rat or cat carrier for transport in between, so you can let them out when the playpen is fully secured.

Let me know if you try it.

Nope, as others have said, cats and high quality items are not compatible. Until I get my dream home with my own sealed off man cave, I have my rig set up in my living room. I've had $30 large mouse pads get picked on. I've had cords get chewed through on my $50 mouse. My chair they will pick on the back. I had enough after buying my 3rd mouse pad. I bought this on amazon. I surrounded my desk and remove the front every sit down session and replace it before bed. Takes me an extra 10 secs a day but worth it to keep my little shit heads out of my expensive area. Also, I put a pillow on my chair and a blanket over my key board cause sometimes my super skinny, agile cat can make it over the gate but luckily she isn't the one that chews cords.

Haha no zippers (but that would be cool), but I did want see through plastic panels because this rabbit is quite the character and I like to capture his antics without disturbing him lol.

Tespo Pet Play Pen

I got it on amazon here! Suuuper easy to set up and can elongate it one more time if needed :)

I originally started out with cardboard too, but my girls are jumpers and I couldn't get it tall enough without making it too hard to easily fold or maneuver. I ended up with 2 sets of these plastic fence panels. They're two panels high so the rats can't jump or climb over. Corners are tied with zip ties so I can fold it up when needed and it's easy to wipe down.

That's a great idea! Dog exercise pens are usually a good choice. (Example Link). The ones sold for rabbits are usually too short.

Check this out: SONGMICS Pet Playpen,Fence Cage with Bottom for Small Animals Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Bunnies,Rabbits, Pet Exercise Run and Crate, Transparent Plastic Panels, ULPC02W https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQ411ZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SlXyDbC51RNAJ

Awesome!! It's the SONGMICS pet playpen??

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQ411ZH

It's this right here: link :)

We love it! It's perfect for holding our hedgehogs and our Shiba but terrible at holding our Husky, lmao. :p

My rats never got used to the wheel. Even the large one just didn’t seem to suit them well. My one boy used it as a hammock only 😂

I would think maybe a hedgehog wheel (think a plate on an angle) would be best to accommodate tail.

Other wise- you could create a play pen and let them out there for exercise.

I bought these clear wall things that will make any size box and tunnel and i let my guy out there and he goes back and forth a ton.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FQ411ZH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I love this playpen! Unsure if you can get it in the Netherlands. It is the only playpen my syrian can't climb out of! I liked it so much that I bought another and connect the two fences together to make a huge playpen that I can sit in with my ham :)

You should not use harnesses, they are not safe for guinea pigs. Their backs are very fragile so the force used to pull could be harmful and they could get tangled.

I suggest getting a small enclosure like this (or similar) and having them out of their cage but not just roaming free in the room. This way you don't have to worry about them running under any furniture or behind the couch etc. and they are easier to gather when it's time to go home. I have several of these type of wire pens, and I connect them to make one big area for my guinea pigs to explore. Be warned, these are sometimes not tall enough to prevent jumping, so stay in the room with them while they explore. As for them coming to you- you could train them with positive reinforcement (food) to come when called, but most guinea pigs are wary even if they know you very well.

Marshall Pet Products Pet Deluxe Play Pen, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013TT2SS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_esqlDb883PDS8

Marshall Ferret Small Animal Playpen Mat/Cover 11 18"-Panel, Colors Vary https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YHROE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3rqlDb8BQNCG4

https://www.google.com/search?q=ferret+11+panel+fencing&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS771US771&oq=ferret+11+panel+fencing&aqs=chrome..69i57.6895j0j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

u can do the math to find out the approximate diameter of a circle, of course it can be made into squares or shapes with concavity. i cant remember if i got mine off amazon or 1800petsupplies but the latter does 30 percent off and free shipping on orders over $70 i think so i do my semiannual food and toy hauls through them

Just an FYI, anything rubber MUST be kept away from them. They WILL try to eat it and there's a good chance it will do big damage or possibly even cause death.

Also, they will hide in your furniture--including recliners. ALWAYS have eyes on your ferret before sitting down. Also before walking anywhere for that matter. If you haven't got eyes on your ferret, try to walk by gently shuffling your feet in case they jump out under you.

I also solved my free-roam and amount of playtime issue by attaching a play pen to his cage so that I could just leave the cage door open. I stuck flattened cardboard boxes above the door of the cage and between the playpen and cage where he would attempt to climb. He's got free roam of his big pen area at all times when I am home, including overnight. He's never had a potty accident with his one litterbox inside his cage, and he's got free access to his water and food.

I think it's mostly a matter of personal opinion with a bit of common sense. My ferrets' playpen is defined by two of these playpen fences. Individually each one of those surrounds about 16 square feet; put together in one large area (as mine are) gives them about 60 square feet. Their cage, which has a footprint of 8 square feet, sits inside, but I've incorporated the cage as part of their play area (it's raised off the floor, and the bottom shelf has been turned into a ferret exploration area) so nothing was lost there. Therefore, I would say that a good open play area would be somewhere around 20-30 square feet, plus potentially more depending on your cage.

I use mine exclusively indoors. It has been jumped on but not body slammed. A door or a tall sturdy gate will be stronger, but xpens usually work okay. For the most part dogs don't try frantically to escape from them like they do crates because there's enough room to allow sleep/play and feel less restrictive. I usually use mine stretched out like a long zig zag fence between two rooms where there isn't a narrow doorway to shut off.

editing to add: I usually use the regular old Precision or Midwest wire xpens, but there are more sturdy ones available. one example. I haven't used that personally, just sharing that that sort of thing exists.

My chin can both slip through the bars and climb over standard exercise pens. This pen poses more of a challenge for him.

He has un-learned that it's nice to be clean. He needs to re-turn it, so you need to change your set up.

I always tell people to buy the tall Iris pet pen.Then get a mesh potty pad or fake grass pet potty - personal preference here, you just have to get something where they can't get to and shred the pad.

Put the crate in the back of the pen - start without bedding - and then put the potty thing right in front of it. Now we've created two clear zones - a comfy sleeping zone and a pee zone. By sleeping and peeing on both surfaces, their stupid little brain eventually is like "I can pee somewhere other than where I sleep. Huh. It's kind of nice not to sleep in my pee." They sometimes start to sleep on the potty thing, but don't worry about it, it's still part of the process. Eventually, when they seem to have the idea, try introducing a little bit of bedding back in and BE CRAZY ABOUT WASHING IT. If there is a drop of pee on the bed you can backslide. So wash wash wash so it stays clean and fresh (towels or sheets are a good/cheap way to start). Over time, you can introduce good bedding.

Remember, IGs have bladders the size of acorns, so they have to pee all the time, basically. A lot of people have success with the pen set up forever, and others can take them out enough to phase back into crates.

But right now, you need to give them the opportunity to re-learn how nice it is to be clean.

A side note, buying a dog from a good breeder who potty trains them - or at least you are 100% sure they're not raised to pee where they sleep - goes a long, long, long way in this.

I like this one for my one dwarf rabbit but also have this one at my partner's house when the bun is staying over there. I got the large for the second one, FYI - the others are a bit small.




Both are big enough for my bun to run laps, hop about and binky - the one without a bottom is more customizable but the other is easier to store and travel with.

If you can unplug the cords or block his access that would keep him safe. You can also try using a kitty [playpen] (https://www.amazon.com/Playpen-Crate-Fence-Kennel-Exercise/dp/B00IX6S8YI/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1468212846&sr=1-5&keywords=playpen) as a temporary solution if he's alone for periods of time.

Edit: Congrats on the new addition!

Wow, sounds like he's really nervous with the new addition in the house.

I have a pen like this one which came with metal clips to fasten the ends into the enclosure. You can use those to fasten each end of the pen to each side of the crate door instead, or you can use carabiners instead. If you're handy and can alter the walls, you might also put a screw a few eye hooks into the walls to make an indoor dog run by fastening the ends of the pen to the wall in a similar fashion.

More room to play and toys. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IX6S8YI/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1501376983&sr=8-8&keywords=playpen+pet

I bought this 24" Tall Playpen for my rabbit to keep her in a specific location or to keep her out of places (e.g. away from cat litterbox) and has worked well except when you are trying to keep her in. She has the strength to move the playpen. This works well as a gate as well, which is how I use it to keep my rabbit out of the cat's litter box.

Pet Exercise Pen Tube Gate w/ Door - (8 Panel Playpen) Heavy Duty Folding Metal Out-Door Fence - 40" Playpen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MU2F556/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e3S6CbMWJ5Q3S

It looks like it might be this one

Sure!

I buy practically everything on Amazon and these would be my top recommendations:

Hidey Hut - this is large enough to fit two grown gerbils and my first survived the chewing for close to 4 years.

Small Animal Pet Playpen/Exercise Pen - this is just tall enough for the jumpers. I've still had some be able to reach the top but it is a struggle and you'd be able to catch them in time. Really sturdy as well.

Kordon/Oasis (Novalek) SOA80304 Bell Bottle and Hold Guard Small Animal Value Set, 4-Ounce - this is by far my favorite recommendation of the bunch. I cannot tell you how many water bottles were just destroyed and I would come home to an empty bottle and a very wet gerbil. This thing is impenetrable!

Kaytee Hamster Silent Spinner, 6 1/2 inch Exercise Wheel - although I've had to buy a couple of these (they will chew the yellow part holding the bottom part to the wheel) I find that this is the sturdiest of them all. It becomes less silent the more they chew on it and push it around but it's never been loud enough to be considered especially annoying.

Great for cleaning cage and is safe

As far as dust baths go, I've tried several different kinds and find them all to be equivalent.

Would not recommend:

Ware Manufacturing Flying Saucer Exercise Wheel for Small Pet - the quality is fine here but if you are using carefresh, it gets buried and doesn't allow any give for it to spin.

Kaytee Woodland Get-A-Way Medium Hamster House - quality here is also fine and it's pretty thick so it would take a while to get them to chew. Since it is wood, it absorbs liquids. My gerbils would pee on it and it got to the point that it looked moldy and unhealthy so I just threw it out.

Alfie Pet by Petoga Couture - GARI Wood Hut for Small Animals like Dwarf Hamster and Mouse - Size: Large - this is the cutest little home I've ever seen. I had to eventually throw out though because the wood was so thin that the back wall collapsed due to their chewing and would no longer stand up.

Prevue Pet Products Multi-Color Small Pet Playpen 40090 - I think the quality is here too. It's just too short. My gerbils were easily able to escape this.

GreatChoice Water Bottle - chewed through in a week and Same

Feet biting is really common. It's basically what they can reach of you. Often times it's a way of instigating a play fight. They just want you to play. We don't wear shoes in the room with the ferrets because they just chew on them anyway. When it's our naked feet or sock feet they don't nip. The ONLY time I've been nipped on the foot before was my fault because I practically kicked the little guy and he thought I was playing XD

I would give a firm "no" and move them to play with something different. If you have something like this we like to "attack" our two with it to get them all riled up. A towel or blanket works well too. They attack the hell out of it and it gets their energy out haha.

My rats love the octoplay, although I primarily let them play with it outside of the cage and rarely leave it inside. When they play with it outside, they don't chew it up like their hammocks and I get more life out of each one that way.

You can see it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Pet-Products-FT-300-Octo-Play/dp/B000EFV9YM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372632748&sr=8-1&keywords=octoplay

They do like to spend as much time as possible out their cage, but you can also provide toys and enrichment in their cage to keep them stimulated. Your idea of bowls with bedding is a good one - most rats love to dig. They enjoy actual soil even more. You can fill planters with sterile soil and bury treats or seeds or cat grass (not catnip!). You can fill containers with shredded paper or pom poms and bury treats in that too. Simple dog or rabbit toys are good for rats, and you can keep them entertained with treats wrapped up in paper or inside toilet roll tubes. These can all be used in a play pen or in their cage.

For the actual play pen, you could try this one. It folds up for storage or travel and I've found it very compact and user-friendly when I travel with my rats. The bathroom or bathtub is also a good idea, but remember to put down towels/blankets and things for them to hide under - otherwise you're going to have them pooping and peeing from fright.

So, I use this thing in my living room. You can unattach the pieces and make a gate. I just attached one side to my wall, and stuff the other side behind a chair. It's 8 panels, each panel is 18" wide, so it should be plenty of width.

Get either the ferret nation 241 (?) or get a large playpen and a large piece of waterproofed canvas. I own both the big fancy cage and the playpen. In my opinion the playpen is pay more humane and allows them to feel more a part of the action. We keep ours in the corner of our living room.

I don't know why I've never seen anyone recommend a playpen before. Everyone always recommends the ferret nation cage, which is still excellent, but I feel like the playpen is more practical. It's huge and all of their stuff fits nicely. The canvas goes on the floor under the pen to keep any accident from leaking onto the hardwood floors.

I have this playpen

And I have this canvas mat . It comes in a ton of colors and works very well as a water resistant liner

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Pet-Products-Deluxe-Small/dp/B0013TT2SS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425405935&sr=8-1&keywords=marshall+playpen

And you can add additional panels to it to make it larger: http://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Ferret-Animal-Playpen-Expansion/dp/B000YK9RT6/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_img_z

It's 30-inches high which can be a little short if your rabbit is a jumper or an escape artist, but there are a lot of ways to modify it to prevent it.

Here's an image of how I currently have mine set up. I definitely recommend it.

There are several styles of small animal pens on Amazon, some of which you can expand by buying two or more sets. Like this one

Here is the mobile version of your link

Don’t know your budget but I got this one!

BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Exercise Pen Cat Fence B, 40-Inch, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XU3XE4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_U9q9ub1J7JTDN

This is ours and we love it! we have two buns and they don't escape and it's easy to add/remove sides to make bigger or smaller pen. It's also big enough that if we can't let them roam one evening they don't miss out on much.

We bought something really similar for our puppy to use in the house. It's available on Amazon.

Would you be able to gate her in a small room that doesn't have furniture, such as a powder room? Or would it help to use an indoor kennel that is more open than the crate but will still keep her out of the rest of the house? You could even combine confining her and using Benadryl.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003XU3XE4/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1493226680&sr=8-9&keywords=indoor+dog+kennel

Congrats!! If you've never had a puppy before, my #1 recommendation is to get a trainer who will come to your house and work with you. They are more for you than for the dog. We did that and while it was really expensive, it was a blessing!

One thing our trainer told us is to let the puppy have access to only a little bit of the house at a time. A crate helps with that, but we didn't want it to feel like punishment and we wanted to be able to let him play around just as a dog in a controlled area. So we bought this playpen and zip tied it to the crate. You can also get linoleum to put underneath the playpen area, but make sure it's all one sheet (otherwise he'll chew on the ends). That also helps clean up potty mistakes!

Speaking of potty, we got a little bell to put on the door. We made him nudge it with his nose or paw (basically picked him up) every time we went out. Then when we finally let him explore more, he knew how to let us know he had to go. Of course, he also used it just as an excuse to go outside, so there's that.

You mentioned you're good to go on crates--did you get one that is life stages and lets you adjust how much room is available? Not a huge deal if not, but if you did, make sure you use it. They don't need a whole lot of room in the crate because they'll just pee on one end and sleep on the other.

For grooming, you don't really need a lot for a puppy (at least in our experience, and our older dog grew up to be a HUGE fluffball). You're more likely to hurt him and turn him off. For our grown up guys, we use a pin brush, a rake brush, a de-matting comb, grooming scissors, and dremmel. We also do your normal ear cleaning solution (we get ours from the vet, so I don't remember the brand offhand, it's the same thing as online) and shampoo. This is what we used when they were puppies. Another essential is puppy wipes for pesky danglers and muddy paws.

For a puppy, though, I really wouldn't use all that stuff. We used a little kong brush to get him used to a brush on his fur, but we didn't even use that until his fur was a little longer (but still too short to use the other brushes). The big thing with grooming a puppy is getting him used to you touching him EVERYWHERE. Stick your fingers in his ears and mouth, rub all over his paws, make him lay down on his back in your lap, etc. Definitely start on nails asap--even if you don't actually trim them, just holding the dremmel up to their nails and getting them used to it helps A LOT. Also the ear cleaner is an essential for golden puppies. Our trainer and vet both told us to drop it in their ears, let them shake their heads, then use q-tips in all the nooks and crannies.

Other essential products are LOTS of toys. You'll figure out real quick what your guy likes. Our first dog was more of a casual chewer, so fabric toys worked, but our second dog LOVES to eat fabric so we had to go with hard toys only. I highly recommend toys by West Paw! As you know, golden puppies will chew on LITERALLY EVERYTHING so you need a backup distractor toy at all times to replace the flavor of the minute. Keep in mind that if you give up trying to stop them chewing on something (say, for example, your computer chair), they will think it's ok to chew on that for the rest of their life. :(

We also got a slow-feeder bowl because our guys gobble down their food like it will disappear if they don't. And if your guy is really annoying with the water bowl (i.e., repeatedly knocking it over), don't worry too much--he'll grow out of it. I recommend keeping a towel under it until he learns all he wants to know about water!

Have fun with your little guy!!!! I'll add anything else I can think of later but feel free to ask if there's anything else you're curious about!

I used this one and liked it a lot for what I was looking for:

https://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Exercise-8-Panel-Playpen-White/dp/B00D5P8450

Pros:

• plastic and has rubber nubs on the bottom so won't scratch floors.
  
  
• Each panel can be separated and you can buy additional panels in sets of 2 (or buy a whole second pen and connect them together).
  
  
• Has a door so you can let dog in/out easily without separating panels.
  
  Cons:
  
  
• Plastic, so if you have a chewer they might be able to get through it.
  
  
• Only 34" tall, so it'll depend on the height of your dog and if they like jumping.
  
  
• Not as thin as the wire ones, so takes up more space when storing.

I have this [bucket booster seat] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZJOKIU/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485473609&sr=sr-1&keywords=k.h+bucket+seat) for my pup, and she loves it. When visiting other people's houses, I take it out of my car and bring it inside and she uses it as a bed. I also have a [puppy playpen] (https://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Exercise-4-Panel-Playpen-White/dp/B00D5P846Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1485473676&sr=1-1&keywords=iris+plastic+puppy+and+dog+pet+playpen) that is super easy to disassemble and take with me.

*she haha

And I got it on amazon. Here's the link:

IRIS 24'' Exercise 4-Panel Pet Playpen with Door, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5P846Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sCzFybA966RVM

I bought her 2 of those and put them together.

hahah, that is awesome. How do you cope, will she lay in the same place after you move her?

These helped me while my dogs were smaller. It confined them to their own little area while they were being house broken. Good luck! Here's a link to the /r/Dogtraining/ sub.

Get him immunized. Avoid contact with other dogs, wash your hands before contact until he's in the clear. Better safe than sorry!

Buy vinyl flooring from Home Depot (one roll can be cut into two squares) and this to keep the puppy in one area to avoid getting accidents around the apartment. Don't let him get to the edges of the vinyl though, or he'll rip it up in no time. Gradually introduce him to other rooms of the apartment, making sure you enter first and show that it's YOUR territory. Helps tremendously in the future. Let him wander around but always return him to his pen area. within 15-30 minutes of when he might possibly have an accident, and then take him out when it's time. Praise him a TON when he pees/poops outside. Great re-enforcer.

Get earplugs. The first 3 weeks were terrible with barking at night. We did the cold treatment (ignoring his yelping in the crate overnight) for about a week before some other neighbors with doodles suggested knocking on the crate each time the dog barked. After two more nights, our puppy stopped barking at night, and as soon as he did a full week without barking we got a second crate for him to sleep in our bedroom with us.

Get some enzyme cleaners for the inevitable messes that'll occur.

Wouldn't hurt to also get a can of pumpkin in case your puppy has diarrhea at some point.

As soon as they're able to, start taking them to obedience classes. You really only need to do the first 2-3 courses for basic obedience, then keep reinforcing what you learned to the dog. They learn FAST. Also, expose them to lots of people so they're sociable. My house is a block away from an elementary school, we spent 2-3 days a week standing at the street corner letting kids and parents pet Boomer (after he was fully immunized) and now he loves people.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00F97RJH6/ref=psdcmw_3024198011_t1_B000H8YTJI

24 Tall Dog Playpen Crate Fence Pet Kennel Play Pen Exercise Cage -8 Panel Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IX6S8YI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_mzZ5wb9MM06C2
Something like this is easy to find and cheap.

We got a lab puppy not too long ago and ran into a lot of the same issues you're facing now. I'm not a dog expert by any means, but this is what we've found to be useful from experience and reading online.

1). When we first got our puppy, it was important for her to learn what she considers "home". Depending on how big your house is, you may want to partition off part of it for the puppy to get accustomed to. We got a large puppy fence (something like this https://www.amazon.com/Playpen-Crate-Kennel-Exercise-BestPet/dp/B00IX6S8YI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1479335753&sr=8-4&keywords=puppy+fence+indoor) and a crate for her, as well as puppy pads for her to pee and poop on. The crate and a bed is what she considers home. And the fenced in area around her crate is her play space. The puppy pads were placed furthest from her crate/bed. Dogs naturally like to keep their home and play area clean, and she quickly realized to relieve herself on the pads since it was furthest from her bed. Otherwise, your pup might start peeing and pooping in random corners of your house.

We slowly expanded her play area and moved her pads further away for her to become familiar with the rest of our house one step at a time. If the initial area was too big, she considered the living room (where her bed was set up) her home, and started peeing and pooping in the kitchen.

2). Like ananomalie said, do not let your pup bite you. He will start teething soon and it can be itchy/painful for him so he wants something to bite on to sooth his teeth. If you let him form a habit of biting you (even playfully), it will start to be annoying fast. Get some toys for him, and every time he starts to bite you, act like it hurts by saying OUCH really loudly in a high pitch, and give your pup a toy to chew on instead. This will teach him it hurts you, and toys are for biting instead. It will save you a lot of grief later to get these habits in check early.

3). Our pup actually never went up stairs because we didn't let her. We had her fence closed off at night and she slept in her crate, so this wasn't much of an issue. You can try blocking off the stairs with a baby gate or pet gate, or just block it with some boxes or any barrier you have around the house.

4). Our pup was actually pretty independent. We slept downstairs with her for the first 2-3 nights. Sometimes she'd yelp a little if she couldn't see us, and we just dropped a leg down off the couch. She was ok as long as she could curl up next to our leg. But in retrospect, it wasn't very necessary. We went back to sleeping upstairs after just a few nights.

5). There are a lot of do's and don'ts and guidebooks for new dog owners online. Spend a weekend looking through them, and you'll see a lot of patterns emerge in people's advice. My own personal advice is:

A). Try to keep a strict schedule. Dogs have great internal clocks, and try to keep your schedule the same from day to day. When to sleep, when to wake up, when to play, when to eat, etc. This will help set expectations clear.

B) Train them out of bad habits early. The biting, the crying, the need for attention. Crate training is useful for training them out of crying for attention. You can look it up online. Look up how to potty train them outdoors once they get all their vaccines.

C) It is important for them to socialize, especially at a young age. Since your pup is young, you can see if friends or neighbors have pets (must have all their vaccines), and you can have a puppy playdate with them. Have friends over, introduce them to your pup, give him treats. It's good for him to learn to trust other animals, pets, and people.

D) Find a good vet and get him on a vaccination schedule. Depending on your area (if you are in a more rural area or metropolitan area with greater chances of wildlife or diseases, I would not walk him until all his vaccines are done (~4months). If you live in a higher-income suburban area, this is less of a problem. However, most vets do not recommend letting them walk around outside until they've got all their shots. I'd say the main risks are drinking dirty ground water, eating random stuff, sniffing other dog and wildlife poop are the main risks.

Hope that helps! And as always, there are a wealth of resources online. Good luck!

I bought this.

They need to be watched while they are in there, or they may start chewing holes in it. Do not use the zippers on the side or they will be much more motivated to try chewing the mesh.

We got a 45” puppy playpen off Amazon for $40 when we took in a stray this past July. She’s only two months old so she’s smaller than yours but there’s plenty of room for all necessities and even a playmat with hanging toys. Your kitten is bigger .. ok I just did a little video so you can judge but maybe this will help.
It’s enclosed, the top is mesh that zips closed.

It is not the best situation, but if you get them a sun-lamp (sold as "SAD lights" on amazon) or "full spectrum light bulbs", that will help a LOT. If you get the sun lamp, be sure to protect the cord so they can't chew it. Also, you can get multi-vitamins from oxbow and those will help too.

You can also get a portable play pen to set up outside for a few hours every day so they can have sunlight. Make sure to get one with a top AND bottom so that they don't escape or get attacked by animals.

If you can get two kittens (are there others in the litter?) instead of one thats ideal, they will socialize one another and are less desctctive/annoying since they play together.

For a kitten this young, a pen or crate is an absolute must. The kitten would be a danger to itself & your belongings if left to roam unsupervised for hours. There's also no gaurentee it will find the litter box in a large house. You don't want to start developing bad habits right off the bat. A pen like the one I linked below is great, and cheap. I use it for all of my foster kittens. That way they are safe & contained and it helps with litter box training. Also make sure you are purchasing a short/small litter box because a kitten of five weeks old has stubby little legs and probably can't climb into an adult sized box.

If you put her in the bathroom make sure it's warm and has plenty of bedding & toys. I love giving my fosters little hideaway beds. Make sure you are feeding her 3-4x per day (as much as she will eat), kitten food only. I would check out Kittenlady.org for lots of additional information about neonatal care. As others have mentioned, a kitten of five weeks old is very young, some kittens are not yet weaned from the bottle at that age, bottle babies often have special needs as well.

https://smile.amazon.com/ESK-Collection-ESK48-Blue-Exercise-Kennel/dp/B00SFA8KBS/ref=sr_1_11?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1541690581&sr=1-11&keywords=dog+pen

Get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SFA8KBS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_4R93wbKYQBGCV
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SFA8KBS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_4R93wbKYQBGCV

I use them for my foster kittens and it works great. There's enough room for a bed, litter box, and scratcher.

You could also try a heating pad. The warmth is comforting to them.

"All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers." Lol I don't know why I thought of Sophia when I read this post, but that movie quote was my first thought 😂.

You've taken the cat to the vet to presumably rule out uti, kidney stones, etc that would cause your cat to pee, and I'm assuming he is spraying and not urinating.

The first thing to remember is that cat spraying is a normal behavior. Humans have been moderately successful at suppressing this so we can have indoor kitties, but sometimes the instinct is strong. Particularly in your boy's situation as a formerly outdoor kitty amongst other pets who had reason to avidly mark all of his territory. It is very difficult to get cats to stop spraying once they have started. Your cat will not instantly understand that he is now sole king of all the land he beholds in your house, and that he has no need to mark territory. You didn't mention whether you tried changing to a different litter brand.

I'm not sure how many homes this poor baby has gone to in his life, but he needs stability and to feel welcomed. You say he's only doing it when you're home. Can you keep him in the room with you when you're relaxing, and close the bedroom/ bathroom doors? Maybe get him a big playpen so he feels comfortable in a smaller space? I have this playpen I turned into a kitty fort that my brats love to play in. All of my cats started their introduction to my home in this playpen, and I give them more space slowly rather than throwing the whole house at them to explore at once. There's enough space in there for a bed and a litter box with plenty of room to play. You can line it with pee pads and save yourself clean up time.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013U2FIM4/ref=sxts_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495786504&sr=1

Run and Play Space. There's also different sizes.

We got [this] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0154M1VWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QQ0.zb1SB4TCM)
playpen for our Shiba pup before bringing him home at 9 weeks. We still use it when we leave the house and for meals etc. He's now 6 months.

We have it in our living room over carpet.it is super waterproof and washable.

He did escape a few times (after 2-3 months of use) by chewing/scratching a hole in the bottom, but we turned that side against a wall and that has worked since!

[Puppy tax and picture of the pen in use] (https://imgur.com/gallery/0Lwp3)

I use this one and have seen it on the subreddit quite a few times (which is why I got it). The panels aren't perfectly clear but you can still see what your bun is up to.

You can also just ziptie the panels together and make it more circular.

https://www.amazon.com/Tespo-Playpen-Portable-Plastic-Transparent/dp/B06XTG94TH

Also does anyone have the transparent panel play pens? Would you recommend it?

Foldable playpen

this was the second one i bought. it is a little less sturdy but as a puppy it is totally fine. my little guy slept in there while traveling. or id keep him outside in it in the day and he’d play inside. i got a large

Ruff 'n Ruffus Portable Foldable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BMNKXW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Lots of treats. My boys' favorites are raw nuts (walnuts in particular) and bits of fig bars. Climbing toys. You might also want to look into something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Unleashed-Collapsible-resistant-Removable-Available/dp/B072BMNKXW/ref=pd_ybh_a_11?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TKK5MZQRD3Z4TJ69YAHD
Which you can use to establish an outside play area.

The metal exercise pens like this are good for partitioning a room or fully enclosing.

I think the playpen you have linked will do the job. I, and other foster parents I know like this one . It has solid walls so kitties can not climb it and tall enough that kitties cannot jump over it. Make sure they have PLENTY of toys, but don’t keep any in there that they could get tangled up in or hurt themselves. I don’t like to keep the string toys in there with them. A litter box, access to a water bowl, I like to stick stuffed animals in there as well. Kittens this age, especially in a litter, are pretty good at entertaining themselves. Play time should still happen to burn out some energy. This is my favorite age! Good luck and enjoy the kittens! Also, if you’re on Facebook and are looking for more resources, join the page “Orphan Kitten Bottle Feeders and Fosters.” It’s full of very knowledgeable foster parents. Feel free to message me with any other detailed questions.

Edit: I realized you said you did already buy the playpen, which I think will work perfectly fine at this age. Same setup, pretty much. Just make sure they have some things to do, a place to go potty, and a water bowl.