Traveling with my two small dogs is always an adventure. On longer trips, an overnight stay at a hotel is usually part of the itinerary. Now finding pet friendly hotels is not usually a problem. What is a problem is that these members of the family think they are at home. Before you can say get down, they are on the bed and other furniture in the room. Worrying that your canine friends may decide to rearrange the room while you are asleep may mean no sleep at all.

We discovered a simple and effective solution in the pet playpen. Very portable and easy to assemble, the playpen was a great alternative to constantly chasing the dogs from the bed. Stocked with toys and big enough for two small dogs, the playpen provided our precious pups with a place to chill while we got our beauty rest.

Great for small breed dogs, the pet playpen is proving to a real live saver for folks with other small pets. From rabbits and ferrets to pot bellied pigs, there are several styles of playpens that may be just right for your particular pet. One model we looked at was very similar in design to the playpen crib combination we bought for our granddaughter. The construction was sturdy and even had a matching ditty bag for holding toys and other items.

Now animal pens are not a new idea. It is not uncommon for many dog owners to cage their pets indoors during the day. This is not an ideal situation for the dog since the cages are often small and I have a basic objection to locking up a family member. The central idea behind the pet playpens is to provide your pet with room to play in a safe and sturdy environment. The playpens also can give animals a chance to interact with others, including their humans.

Some animals are particularly adept at getting free from some types of enclosures. The designers of some brands of pet playpens have taken that problem into account. Rabbits are often kept in small cages that do not allow them space to stretch their legs. If you are lucky enough to have a rabbit that is yard or house trained, letting the run loose may not be problem.

However, even the most well trained animal is prone to escape the confines of a yard or have a less than hospitable encounter with another family pet. In this example, the playpen allows the rabbit to move about in relative safety. The average house if full of traps and hazards that can pose a problem for small animals. Electrical cords are particularly dangerous if your pet decides to nibble on them. Pet playpens take the worry out of letting your small pet roam.

The two basic designs include the baby playpen variety I previously described. Portable and rather stylish, they can be pricey. A second design consists of sections of wire panels linked together forming a pen. These pet playpens are less expensive and available in sizes larger than the bassinet variety. The wire panel models I looked at come with ground covers or mats. If keeping your pet out of the sun is a consideration, the playpens can be covered partially or completely to create a nice shaded environment.

So whether you travel with your furry friends or are just looking for a safe area for their next play date, a pet playpen makes sense. More and more brick and mortar pet stores are offering pet playpens and there are many online outlets that have them for sale.