A couple years ago I fostered the sweetest adult lap cat named Bandit. (See the photo above.) I would have continued to foster more cats — and maybe somehow I will — but unfortunately one of our kitties was very unwelcoming to Bandit and we had to stop fostering.
One thing that I learned about the fostering process was that you had to separate the foster cat from the rest of the cats in the household for a certain amount of time so that no health issues get transmitted.
When Bandit came to stay with us, we just kept him in the bathroom. (I remember going in there and sitting on the bathroom floor reading a book while he sat peacefully on my lap.)
But I knew that if I were ever to continue taking in foster cats, I would want to get a playpen.
There are several other reasons that a cat playpen may come in handy, including:
- Allowing them to enjoy being outside while staying safe</li
- Making long car trips more comfortable
- Restricting movement for a kitty who is recovering from surgery
- Giving privacy and security to a mommy cat and her kitten
If you’re looking for a cat playpen for one of these reasons (or even another one that I haven’t mentioned), I’ve got you covered.
Below are some of the best cat playpens you can find, made from only the best and most durable materials, meaning you can rest easy and let your cat enjoy themselves and stay safe without any worries.
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Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen
Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen
The Parkland Playpen is a great playpens for cats. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s the perfect combination of lightweight, yet sturdy. The Parkland will keep your pets safe and out of trouble and can be used anywhere you like.
Getting the playpen set up is easy, and it pops up in seconds with no hassle. Once you’ve got it set up, just put your kitty inside and let them enjoy themselves.
It comes 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
This playpen can be used both indoors and outdoors, with strap-down points for safe outdoor use, meaning your cat can play to its heart’s content without toppling it over!
It also has mesh windows for ventilation and visibility and a removable top cover to shield your pet from the sun.
You can unzip the top, making it easy to take your kitties in and out of the pen and also to reach in and pet them. It also has a zippered front door so you arrange it for your cat to walk in and out as he pleases.
Cleaning is a breeze and only requires a wipe down with a damp cloth.
What I like about the Parkland is its easy portability. Fold it down, pop it in the included carry case, and you’re good to go.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Portable
- Great for indoor and outdoor use
- You can use it for traveling and camping
- Removable top cover
- It comes with a carry case, and pet bowl included
Cons:
- It can be hard to get the hang of folding the playpen
Coopupet Foldable & Portable Octagon Pet Tent
Coopupet Foldable & Portable Octagon Pet Tent
Another great playpen for pet owners on a budget is the Coopupet Pet Playpen. It comes in a variety of color combo, including beige and coffee (pictured above), beige and grey, red and black, and yellow and black.
It also comes in three size options:
• Small: 29” L x 29” W x 17” H
• Medium: 36” L x 36” W x 23” H
• Large: 45” L x 45” W x 23” H
The Coopupet is made from high-grade, durable mesh and scratch-resistant cloth materials, so even the feistiest of felines can enjoy themselves without the worry of damaging the playpen or injuring themselves.
Again, this playpen is easy to clean by wiping it with a wet towel or rag.
Like the Parkland, the Coopupet is portable and pops up quickly and easily. It can also be folded and packed away or transported in the handy travel case that is included.
The only downside to this playpen is the lack of tent legs, so you may find that it can be a bit flimsier when using it outdoors.
Pros:
- Portable
- Travel case and pet bowl included
- Scratch-resistant
- Various colorways available
- Various size options
Cons:
- No tent legs for outdoor use
Amazon Basics Large 3-Tier Indoor Kennel
Amazon Basics Large 3-Tier Kennel
If you’re looking for an indoor playpen with great versatility, the Amazon Basics Playpen may be your ideal choice.
While it may not be ideal for travel, it’s a great way to let your cats enjoy uninterrupted playtime without running amuck in your home.
Made of rust-resistant steel alloy and plastic shelves, this playpen gives your cats plenty of room to relax, perch, and play. The pen comes with three shelves at different heights to allow your cats to lounge around or practice their climbing skills.
There are two swing-open doors on the sides of the pen for easy access to your pets that can also latch securely from the outside to keep your pets safe.
Because of its size, the Amazon playpen is ideal for multiple cats to enjoy at once, and the removable shelves make it a breeze to clean.
The playpen’s dimensions are 36” L x 22” W x 51” H.
Portability isn’t this playpen’s main selling point, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. There are four wheels on the bottom of the pen for easy mobility. It can also fold down for storage and transport when you need to.
This is best for people who plan to use a playpen indoors or on a harder surface — it would be too unstable placed outdoors on your lawn. The pen can easily be set up indoors, on a patio, or even on a balcony.
Pros:
- Good for indoor use
- Ideal for multiple cats
- Rust-resistant
- Safe and secure
- Portable
Cons:
- Unstable if placed on softer surfaces like lawns
ITENT X-Large Portable Outdoor Cat Tunnel
ITENT X-Large Portable Outdoor Cat Tunnel
So, we’ve had a look at a playpen that works better indoors. But, if you have an indoor cat longing to play outdoors for a change, I suggest you check out the ITENT. It combines a play tent and a tunnel, giving your cat extra stimulation at playtime.
It’s kind of an outdoor cat playground, if you will.
The ITENT is quick and easy to set up and is lightweight and portable when packed up, making it ideal for travel. It also comes with two shoulder bags for the tent and the tunnel, so storing it is as simple as folding it down, popping it in the bag, and putting it away.
The breathable mesh of the tent and tunnel is easy to clean and has great ventilation. The ITENT comes with a ball that can be hung inside the tent or at the entrance of the tunnel, making it fun and exciting for your cat to explore its new pen.
You can also arrange the tent however you’d like because the dimensions of the tent (74″ L x 74″ W x 36″ H) give you over 32 square feet of activity space for your beloved kitty. That’s enough room for toys, a litter box, and even a bed. (If you have kids, they may even get inside and play with the cats.)
The tunnel connects to the tent with a zipper on the back end, while the other end can be used as an entranceway for your pet. The tunnel is also easily detachable from the tent so that you can use the tunnel and tent separately.
You can use the playpen indoors, but you’d need quite a bit of open space as it can take up a lot of room when using the tent and tunnel together. Personally, I’d recommend using this playpen as an outdoor-only play area.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Lightweight and portable
- Shoulder bags included
- Can be used separately or as a unit
- Spacious
Cons:
- Difficult to set up and use indoors
Zampa Foldable Outdoor Cat Playpen with Carrying Case
Zampa Portable Foldable Pet playpen Exercise Pen with Carrying Case
If you have more than one precious fluffball, it can be hard finding a playpen that can contain them all. The Zampa Pet Playpen is on this list of favorites because of its ability to do exactly that.
The Zampa has four different size options available, making it the ideal choice for any cat owner who needs some extra room.
The sizes include:
- Extra-small: 29” L x 29” W x 17” H
- Small: 36” L x 36” W x 24” H
- Medium: 45” L x 45” W x 24” H
- Large: 61” L x 61” W x 30” H
Having several cats in a playpen could result in some rough playtime, but the Zampa is water-resistant, durable, and comes with protected seams and reinforced corners for even the sharpest of claws.
And, if you’re the proud pet-mom to one or two cats, you can easily opt for a smaller and more budget-friendly option.
It also has a few exterior pockets, making it ideal for traveling with or even to use for extra toys or treats!
The mesh top is removable for better visibility, and the pen comes with four metallic spikes to keep the playpen safe and secure outdoors without the worry of it toppling over.
There is no assembly required for this easy-to-use pen and can be folded flat for portability when packed into the carrying case.
Pros:
- Good for multiple cats
- Various size options are available
- Durable and safe
- Exterior pockets
- Great for indoor and outdoor play
- Carrying case included
Cons:
- It can be difficult to get the hang of folding
KingCamp Portable Cat Playpen
Do you love camping and enjoying the fresh outdoors, but wish you could bring your cats along? Well, now you can!
The KingCamp playpen has been designed specifically for taking your pets with you while you travel or go camping. It is one of the hardier playpens we’ve found and is water-resistant, making it a fantastic choice for using outdoors in different elements.
It is made of high-quality materials like 100% polyester 600S Oxford and PVC anti-tear netting for durability and escape prevention. It is also breathable with transparent mesh windows and a mesh top. The top is removable and can be zipped open or closed for easy access to your cat.
Unlike some other portable playpens, the KingCamp is spacious and measures a whopping 50” L x 50” W x 24” H.
What makes it great for traveling is its ability to fold down in a matter of seconds and easily be stored in the carrying case it comes with.
There is also an outer pocket to store necessities like a portable and foldable pet bowl, treats, or even your kitty’s favorite toy.
Pros:
- Spacious
- Good for camping
- Made of high-quality materials
- Exterior pocket
- Water-resistant
- Durable
Cons:
- Relatively pricey in comparison to similar products
The Pet Kastle Foldable Indoor Pet Playpen & Carrying Case
The Pet Kastle Portable Foldable Pet Playpen & Carrying Case
Like we already mentioned, playpens aren’t only to allow your cat a safe space to relax and play. They can also be used for containing sick or elderly pets or even training young kittens.
The Pet Kastle comes with protected seams and reinforced corners to survive even the most mischievous kitten’s biting or clawing.
It is also portable and lightweight and requires no assembly. The Pet Kastle pops up in seconds and is just as easy to fold down and store inside of the included carrying case.
A big complaint with young kittens and sick or elderly pets is the constant accidents. We know they can’t help it but cleaning a soiled carpet or rug can be time-consuming and difficult. The Kastle is water-resistant for just that reason and even comes with twenty-four handy training pads to lay down.
The pen is also big enough for your cat to roam around, but still compact enough to fit comfortably inside any home or apartment.
The dimensions of the playpen are 19” L x 13” W x 4” H. While this may be ideal for cats struggling with mobility, a young kitten, or a cat that needs to be confined for medical purposes, you may want to opt for a different playpen if you have a larger cat.
The Kastle isn’t ideal for everyday use for larger cats or outdoor use. Instead, this playpen should only be used where space is limited, for short periods of time, for ailing pets, or for training young kittens.
Pros:
- Protected seams and reinforced corners
- Waterproof
- Compact
- Portable and lightweight
- Training pads and carrier case included
Cons:
- Not ideal for everyday use
- Not ideal for outdoor use
IRIS USA R-CI-604 4-Panel Indoor Pet Pen
IRIS USA R-CI-604 4-Panel Indoor Pet Pen
This indoor playpen is made of sturdy plastic. It measures 35 by 35 by 23 inches, and provides 8 square feet of play space.
It has locking latches so the doors stay securely closed and non-skid rubber feet on the bottom to protect your floors.
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to assemble
- Collapsible & easy to store
<liAffordable
Cons:
- No roof or cover, so pets could jump out of it
- Complaints of the assembly instructions being poorly written