Exercise Pen

[Paws4Chins]

We just got our 2 chins tonight. I would like to get an exercise pen for them so that it is safer for them to be out during playtime. Do any of you use these? If so where did you get it and what brand?

 

[broderp]

I'm no expert, but you can find those at most pet stores. I know our local PetsMart carries two versions, a 4' and a 5' diameter pen.

We are contemplating one, but in reality, I kind of like the benifits of allow them to roam free. It allows them to interact with us more (we become a "climb toy" and it helps in the bonding process.)

Our cage is plenty big for them to move around and roam, but to run and jump we chinchilla-proof the room and let them go at it.

My sig shows ours during thier play time last night. I'm not sure they would have the same amount of fun in a round pen, as opposed to our bedroom, jumping on the bed and onto chairs, on us etc..

 

[Stackie]

I have this pen: http://www.ferret.com/item/marshall-ferret-playpen-11-panel/650889/

It is big enough for you to sit in there with them and there's quite a bit of room. I now just break apart the fence pieces and block off the areas I don't want them going. You can also buy the cover that you can either use as a lid (to keep them from jumping out), or as a floor for quick clean up. You can also buy panel add ons, but they only make lids for the 8 and 11 panels.

 

[Sandi]

I use the large Ware pop-up playpen, it comes with the bottom piece that velcroves off and a zipper top. You can fit inside of it as well. I've had mine for almost 2 years now. I purchased mine at petco but other members have found better prices online, which can range from $50-100.

stock photo

 

[Paws4Chins]

I like the Ware Pop-Up Pen. I am undecided as to if I will get them a pen at this point. Thought it was a good idea as there are some places they can get under that I don't want them to in the room they have exercise time. Right know I have it blocked off but I have to move a lot of stuff around. Maybe just some sections to put in front of the furniture would work too and not look so bad. Thanks for the input.

 

[Pikaia]

I like that playpen, Sandi! I don't need one now, but I definitely would have considered that one before!

 

[SamiJami]

Thanks for posting this! I knew something like the Ware pop up existed, but I couldn't Google the right combination to find it. Sandi, thanks!!!

 

[Jenn]

I have this pen: http://www.ferret.com/item/marshall-ferret-playpen-11-panel/650889/

It is big enough for you to sit in there with them and there's quite a bit of room. I now just break apart the fence pieces and block off the areas I don't want them going. You can also buy the cover that you can either use as a lid (to keep them from jumping out), or as a floor for quick clean up. You can also buy panel add ons, but they only make lids for the 8 and 11 panels.

I have the same pen, I just have 2 sets connected together to make for a larger area. And I can squeeze inside and sit with my chin...I have a large maze for her and it takes up a lot of room between that and her other toys, lol. My chin isn't a jumper and the walls are sufficiently high enough to use without a top, but if you have a jumper, they could easily get over it.

 

[sheri7]

I have the same one as Stackie and Jenn and its great for just blocking off an area that you don't want them to get to. I keep my chins in a really small office where my computer is. They have free run of half the room and the other half where the desk and all the computer wires are is blocked off with the pen. Its the exact height of my desk too so it fits perfectly. I just move the gate when I want to get to the computer - very easy. Before I got this I tried to baracade the desk with large sheets of cardboard which they were drawn to and constantly destroyed. As long as I don't put anything to close to it that they could use as a jumping pad they never try to get over it.

 

[Michelle43]

Question about those Ware Pop Up Pens, how easy are they to get up and down? Also has anyone's chins chewed on them? My Chin has a knack for ruining zippers in no time flat. He has done it on a few sweatshirts of mine. It is like one good bite and the zipper no longer zips.

I like the idea of a pen so he can play in the living room with us.

 

[Andrea]

I have this playpen: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Pet-Folding-Play-Pen/dp/B002ABO2IS

It's awesome. It's waterproof, it has a zipper top and it's pop up...pretty much exactly like the Ware playpen but way cheaper. I really love it, as do my girls.

 

[Paws4Chins]

Triofluff do you know what the squre footage of the pen is? This looks like a great pen and the price is good too.

 

[Andrea]

I'm not sure...the dimensions are on the product information page, but it does not list square footage. I'll take a picture to show the size of it tomorrow. It is big, definitely spacious enough for my girls.

 

[Jazicat]

We have the pop up play pen and the boys love it. We had to replace the velcro with snaps because Edgar discovered he could pull the bottom up but he's our escape artist. They don't seem interested in chewing on it much but we go in it with them so we don't let them if they try. All of them seem mostly interested in bouncing off the sides.

We just got Jackie and last night the little guy came out and practically jumped into the play pen on his own. It was very cute since it's his second play time.