Pets need their exercise and play, both of which they get in an animal exercise pen. Exercise pens offer a safe, enclosed environment in which your pet can freely roam. They vary in size, materials and construction, depending on the size and type of pet for which they are suited. Pens can accommodate large and small dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and pocket pets like hamsters and rats.
Materials and Design
One type of animal pen consists of panels you fit together to create a fenced-in area. The pen has an open top but is generally high enough to prevent escape if you pick the appropriate size for your type of pet. Materials include varying sizes of wire, metal and plastic. Pens generally come in panels that you assemble yourself, although the lighter, plastic pens can come as a single, attached units. Many fold down for easy transport and storage when not in use.
Features
Pens generally come with a panel that has a swinging doorway, secure latches for the door, bolts to connect the panels, rounded corners for safety and a finish that resists water and sun for indoor or outdoor use. Smaller pens can include a fabric cover that protects pets from outdoor sun and doubles as a mat for indoor use to protect floors. The fabric attaches to the top or bottom of the wire panels, depending on its use. Larger pens can also have an optional fabric cover. Pens can include anchors to secure the panels into the ground,
Size
Small animals such as rats, hamsters and gerbils require pens with openings no larger than 5/16th inch between the bars. A circular, small animal pen that measures 36 inches in diameter comes with panels measuring 13 inches wide by 9 inches high. A medium pen, suitable for ferrets, rabbits, toy dog breeds, puppies and kittens, measure 3 by 3 feet and comes with panels measuring 18 inches wide by 29 inches high. Larger pens that measure up to 4 by 4 feet have panels measuring 24 inches wide and 42 inches high.
Buying and Considerations
Animal exercise pens are available at pet retailers and general merchandise stores. Prices depend on size, materials and features and range from $38 to more than $100, as of April 2011. Although larger animals, like dogs, can remain in a sturdy pen unsupervised, you should never leave small animals such as rats, rabbits and ferrets unattended in a pen.
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