Ferrets can make absolutely amazing pets—they’re fun, hilarious, super cute, and love to play. Since they’re so active, it’s vital they get the opportunity to run around often. However, you’ll quickly realize that letting them run free can be a recipe for disaster. That’s where the ferret playpen comes in.
Ferret playpens offer your pet the opportunity to do what they do best in a contained, safe environment. Choosing a suitable playpen can be challenging, particularly when you consider that ferrets are tiny escape artists capable of getting out of the most secure places! Knowing what to look for and reading reviews of playpens are two of the best things you can do when you’re looking to purchase a ferret playpen. Let’s take a quick peek at ten of the best on the market, plus factors you should consider when purchasing a playpen for your pets.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Zampa Pet Folding Soft-sided Playpen
Completely enclosed to keep ferrets from escaping
Made from water-resistant material
Reinforced to prevent pets from chewing through
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Best Value
Kaytee Pet-N-Playpen Small Animal Pen
Best value
Simple to put together
Can connect to other enclosures, tunnels, etc. you may have
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Premium Choice
Outback Jack Kitty Compound Playpen
Ferret owners stated their pets couldn’t chew through the mesh
Huge amount of space
Easy to put up
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Frisco Soft-Sided Small Pet Exercise Playpen
Five different sizes
Completely enclosed
Indoor/outdoor
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Ware Universal Small Animal Playpen
Simple
Can connect to certain cages
Connect one or more playpens for a larger area
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The 10 Best Ferret Playpens
Though the Zampa Pet Playpen has “dog & cat” in the name, this playpen is great for small and medium-sized pets. In fact, we think it’s the best overall playpen for ferrets as you can use it indoors or the great outdoors, and it offers lots of room where your ferrets can play! Not only that, but it’s made to be super safe with an attached floor, corners that have been reinforced, and seams that are protected. The protected seams, in particular, make it more difficult for your ferrets to chew through the pen. And, if you’re using it outdoors, you can use the four included ground stakes to make sure the pen doesn’t go anywhere.
Dimensions: 61 x 61 x 30 in
Weight: 8 lbs
Material: Polyester, mesh
Features: Collapsible, ground stakes, carry bag, pet door, pockets, water-resistant
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You won’t have to worry about your pets going hungry or thirsty as the Zampa playpen features a side pocket on the outside you can fill with treats, plus a water dispenser hole and place for a water bottle.
This playpen is collapsible, so it’s simple to put away or carry around.
Completely enclosed to keep ferrets from escaping
Reinforced to prevent pets from chewing through
Made from water-resistant material
- Completely enclosed to keep ferrets from escaping
- Reinforced to prevent pets from chewing through
- Made from water-resistant material
People had trouble collapsing playpen back down to put away
Some intelligent animals figured out how to open zippers
- People had trouble collapsing playpen back down to put away
- Some intelligent animals figured out how to open zippers
Shopping on a budget? Then you’ll find the Kaytee Pet-N-Playpen Small Animal Pen to be the best value ferret playpen! Connectable panels allow for up to 9 feet of play area, while the locking cap and built-in passageway connector offer the opportunity to expand even more by adding other enclosures or passages. This playpen also comes with a plastic mat that you can put down to avoid messy floors. While this playpen doesn’t have a top, other ferret owners commented that it was taller than it looked in product pictures, and their ferrets had yet to escape.
Dimensions: 75 x 30 x 19.75 in
Weight: 55 lbs
Material: Plastic
Features: Passageway connecter
Putting it up and taking it down is a breeze, with no tools needed!
Best value
Simple to put together
Can connect to other enclosures, tunnels, etc. you may have
- Best value
- Simple to put together
- Can connect to other enclosures, tunnels, etc. you may have
No top, so there’s a chance ferrets might escape
Rare reports of ferret chewing through mat to escape
- No top, so there’s a chance ferrets might escape
- Rare reports of ferret chewing through mat to escape
When you want a premium playpen for your ferrets, we recommend this one by Outback Jack. Technically an outdoor playpen for cats, it’s big enough to provide fun for any small animal (especially since it comes with a tunnel your ferrets will love!). And, while it’s made for the outdoors, if your home is large enough, you could certainly set it up inside as well. The tent provides around 30 square feet of space for your pets to run and play, while the tunnel is 62 inches long. The tunnel contains doors with zippers at either end, so your ferrets won’t get loose.
Dimensions: 74 x 63 x 36 in
Weight: 7 lbs
Material: Polyester, mesh
Features: Collapsible, ground stakes, carry bag, pet door
No tools are required to set this playpen up—just undo the ties and the tunnel automatically pops open! And, if you do use this playpen outside, it comes with stakes so you can anchor it to the ground.
Ferret owners stated their pets couldn’t chew through the mesh
Huge amount of space
Easy to put up
- Ferret owners stated their pets couldn’t chew through the mesh
- Huge amount of space
- Easy to put up
Few reports of zippers breaking off
If used outdoors, bugs can get trapped inside
- Few reports of zippers breaking off
- If used outdoors, bugs can get trapped inside
4. Frisco Soft-Sided Dog, Cat & Small Pet Exercise Playpen
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Dimensions: 62 x 62 x 32 in
Weight: 56 lbs
Material: Polyester, mesh
Features: Carrying bag, pocket, water bottle holder, ground stakes
Lightweight and soft, this playpen by Frisco comes with mesh windows, a zip-top that comes on and off, and two zippered doors, so your ferrets will stay safe inside while still having lots of airflow. It can be used indoors or outdoors; the pen comes with four stakes to anchor it to the ground. There’s also space to connect a water bottle, so no one goes thirsty, as well as a pocket for storing treats or toys.
If 62 inches is too large, this playpen also comes in 36 inches, 42 inches, 45 inches, and 48 inches. With all those options, you’ll be able to find the perfect size for your needs. Set-up is easy as it just pops out, and you can refold it to store or transport.
Five different sizes
Indoor/outdoor
Completely enclosed
- Five different sizes
- Indoor/outdoor
- Completely enclosed
People had trouble folding it back up
Rare reports of smart animals figuring out the zippers
- People had trouble folding it back up
- Rare reports of smart animals figuring out the zippers
5. Ware Universal Small Animal Playpen
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Dimensions: 43 x 43 x 29 in
Weight: 5 lbs
Material: Plastic
Features: Can connect to cage by Clean Living
If you’re looking for a playpen that’s simple, this one by Ware should do the trick. If you have a cage by Clean Living, you can attach this pen to it to expand your pet’s living area. If not, you can use this as a free-standing playpen. Want a larger space? Connect more than one of these playpens to create a bigger area!
Just keep an eye on your ferrets in this one. One ferret owner said her pets figured out how to escape and that she had to tweak the playpen by adding chicken wire to contain them.
Simple
Can connect to certain cages
Connect one or more playpens for a larger area
- Simple
- Can connect to certain cages
- Connect one or more playpens for a larger area
Ferrets might escape
Might be able to be knocked askew
- Ferrets might escape
- Might be able to be knocked askew
Another playpen that’s technically for larger animals, the Jespet playpen should work equally well for your ferrets. Coming in three sizes (36 in, 45 in, and 61 in) and four colors (pink, brown, shale green, and blue), this playpen offers your ferrets an ample, safe space they can run and play within. Seams are protected, and corners are reinforced to make the playpen as stable as possible. Ferrets can enter through one of two zippered doors. The top is also zippered, so you can remove it whenever you want. This playpen also contains three pockets to store water bottles, toys, and treats!
Dimensions: 61 x 61 x 30 in
Weight: 8 lbs
Material: Polyester
Features: Collapsible, ground stakes, carry bag, pet door, pockets, removable cover
When your pets are done playing, just fold this playpen back up and stick it in its bag to store!
Three sizes
Completely enclosed
Made from bite-resistant material
- Three sizes
- Completely enclosed
- Made from bite-resistant material
Some people had trouble with the zippers
Bottom isn’t water-resistant
- Some people had trouble with the zippers
- Bottom isn’t water-resistant
7. Tespo Pet Playpen, Portable Large Plastic Yard Fence Small Animals
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Dimensions: 63 x 60.63 x 28.35 in
Weight: 75 lbs
Material: Plastic, metal
Features: Cable ties, anti-slip
With this easy to assemble Tesco playpen, your ferrets can be safely contained and playing in no time! Simply put together the see-through panels, with the included mallet, by following the illustrated instructions. You can shape it any way you desire! If you want to make your playpen area larger, this comes with cable ties so you can make ramps and doors (and reinforce the playpen for added safety). The Tesco playpen also comes with an anti-slip mat designed to prevent the bottom of the pen from sliding around or scratching floors. Many ferret owners said this worked great in containing their pets, particularly with the added cable ties.
Easy to set-up
Includes cable ties to reinforce or build on
Comes with an anti-slip mat
- Easy to set-up
- Includes cable ties to reinforce or build on
- Comes with an anti-slip mat
Some people said materials were flimsy
Rare reports of pieces not fitting together well
- Some people said materials were flimsy
- Rare reports of pieces not fitting together well
8. PETMAKER Portable Pop Up Pet Playpen
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Dimensions: 38 x 38 x 24 in
Weight: 98 lbs
Material: Polyester, mesh
Features: Carry bag, pockets, removable roof
Another pop-up and go playpen, this one by PETMAKER comes in two sizes—medium and large—so you can choose the space you need. Available in pink or blue, this playpen is fabulous for indoor or outdoor use and only takes minutes to set up. It’s water-resistant, so any accidents your ferrets have shouldn’t cause damage to the material. The removable roof offers both shade and sun protection (or just a top so ferrets can’t escape if you’re inside). If using outside, you can secure the playpen with the four ground stakes that are included. And, there are two pockets to hold toys or treat, plus a place for a water bottle!
When it comes time to clean this playpen, just wipe it down with mild soap and a damp cloth, then let air dry.
Easy to clean
Enclosed
Water-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Enclosed
- Water-resistant
Some said it wasn’t as easy to clean as advertised
Occasional reports of zippers breaking off
Some reports of mesh being ripped when the product arrived
- Some said it wasn’t as easy to clean as advertised
- Occasional reports of zippers breaking off
- Some reports of mesh being ripped when the product arrived
9. Marshall Small Animal PlayPen
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Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 29 in
Weight: 17 lbs
Material: Metal
Features: Accessories sold separately
Ferret owners seem to love this playpen for small animals as it retains any escape artists exceptionally well (apparently, it can also double as a ferret-proof gate!). The playpen is simple to put together, with no tools required. It offers approximately 9 square feet of area for your pets to play in and can be rigged to connect to your ferret’s cage. You can use it outside, as well, for when you want to let your little ones have some fun in the sun.
The downside to this one is that all accessories—mat, carrying case, and 3-in-1 cover—are sold separately.
Ferret owners say this works to contain pets
Easy to put together
- Ferret owners say this works to contain pets
- Easy to put together
Accessories sold separately
Some people received incorrect product
Rare reports of product breaking in a short time
- Accessories sold separately
- Some people received incorrect product
- Rare reports of product breaking in a short time
10. DINMO C&C Cage, Small Animal Playpen
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Dimensions: 4 x 25.4 x 16.4 in
Weight: 59 lbs
Material: Plastic
Features: Play-holes, non-slip mat
This adorable playpen can be set up with separate areas, so you can create different play areas or a play area plus a bed area or whatever combination you want. Plus, it comes with holes so your ferrets can tunnel back and forth between areas for added fun! Because it’s plastic, you can see in, and your ferret can see out; this way, no one is left out of the excitement. You can also set this playpen up in various shapes and expand upon it with multiple products.
Both assembling and disassembling are easy, and the needed tools are included. You can also reinforce it with cable ties, so it’s extra sturdy.
Added play-holes for extra fun
Totally transparent, so you can watch ferrets play
Can expand upon
- Added play-holes for extra fun
- Totally transparent, so you can watch ferrets play
- Can expand upon
A few people had difficulty assembling
Need to stick to floor with included stickers
- A few people had difficulty assembling
- Need to stick to floor with included stickers
Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose a Ferret Playpen
Why Buy Your Ferrets A Playpen?
A ferret playpen offers your pets both safety and fun!
Safety
Probably the biggest reason to buy a playpen for your ferrets is to ensure their safety. Ferrets love to run around, and they are exceptional escape artists. Giving them an enclosed area they can’t escape lets them run around as much as they want without you needing to worry about them getting into something they shouldn’t and getting hurt. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t supervise your ferrets as they play, though; accidents can happen in the best of scenarios. However, a playpen will make life much safer for your ferrets.
You can also use a ferret playpen to safely get your pets outside for a bit of sun and fresh air (provided you purchase one that’s for use outdoors).
Fun
Ferrets love to play and run about and tunnel—all sorts of things! They’re incredibly active creatures. A playpen (especially a large one) lets your pets do all of that while still confining them to a certain area where it’s easier to keep an eye on them. Plus, because playpens are usually portable, you can move your ferrets to new areas of the house or outdoors, so they have new places to explore and won’t get bored! Just be sure to toss some toys inside to give them lots to do.
- See Also: How To Clean Ferret Ears (3 Simple Steps)
What To Look For In A Ferret Playpen
Picking the best playpen for your ferrets can be difficult, but there are a few factors you should consider ensuring a safe, fun place for your pets.
Safety is essential when considering a playpen for your ferret. To locate a playpen that’s safe for your pet, consider how they play and what kind of escape artists they are. Are they climbers who can scale any material available? Are they diggers and tunnelers who can find a way beneath anything? If a playpen has bars, will they try to slip through those? After you’ve thought through that, find a playpen that meets your needs. If you have climbers, consider a playpen that’s totally enclosed (or a playpen you can add a top to if not). If you have diggers or tunnelers, think about how close to the floor a playpen will be and whether it comes with something like a mat to make up any difference between the bottom of the pen and your floor. If you have ferrets who will try to slip through bars, consider a playpen made of mesh or some other material.
Also, check playpens to ensure they don’t have small parts that could be a choking hazard.
Materials
You’ll find most playpens for small animals, such as ferrets, are made from plastic, cloth, metal, steel, or mesh. While metal and steel will offer the most chew-proof options, they may be lacking in other ways. And while most playpens made from other materials are made to be durable enough so pets can’t chew through, that doesn’t necessarily mean an ambitious ferret won’t be up to the job. Consider how much your ferrets like to chew on things and pick the most appropriate materials that will hold up.
Escape Possibilities
Ferrets may be the Houdini’s of the animal world. That’s why it’s vital you find a playpen they can’t escape from. This can be a difficult task (see: Houdini), but looking at how your ferrets try to escape from things can help—buying a playpen that has high walls can prevent climbing, while pens that have bottoms on them can prevent burrowing. If a pen has bars, look for one that has only vertical bars, as even a single horizontal bar can give your pet the leverage they need to climb or jump over.
Size
The size of the playpen is important and will be partially dependent upon just how many ferrets you have. The more room your ferrets have to run and play, the better. You’ll find playpens in a variety of sizes, from small to extra-large. Typically, the more panels or sections a pen has, the more they’ll be entertained. If you find one that doesn’t have sections, though, you can make mini-sections within. You might also consider a playpen that connects directly to their cage, so they can go from a medium space to a larger space when they want.
Location
Going along with size is the question of where are you putting this playpen? Measure the area you’re looking at having your ferret’s pen and check dimensions before purchasing to make sure it will fit.
Are you planning to use this playpen indoors or outdoors? Most playpens will be for either, but if you want to use it outdoors, be sure it has a bottom to prevent digging and stakes to anchor it securely to the ground. Will you be traveling with this pen? In that case, look for a playpen that is easy to assemble but can also be quickly disassembled (such as one that folds).
Price
Ferret playpens come in a wide range of prices dependent upon size, materials, how elaborate they are, and what features they offer. Always check prices carefully, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth!
Reviews
Reading reviews from other pet owners is essential, especially for playpens. Many playpens aren’t specifically for ferrets, just for small animals, so checking reviews means you can find other ferret owners who have used the product to see what their experiences were.
Conclusion
When you want the best overall ferret playpen, we recommend the Zampa Pet Playpen as it offers plenty of room, is reinforced for safety and has an easy set-up. For the best value, our pick is the Kaytee Pet-n-Playpen for its low price and 9 feet of play area. Finally, if your ferrets deserve something a little fancier, our premium choice ferret playpen is the Outback Jack, as it’s huge and comes with a tunnel for added fun!
See also:
- 10 Best Ferret Hammocks – Reviews & Top Picks!
- 8 DIY Ferret Playpen and Playground Plans You Can Build Today
- 10 DIY Ferret Cage Plans You Can Build Today
Featured Image Credit: Couperfield, Shutterstock
