The Best Cat Crates
We all know our cats love to explore far and wide. But if we need to leave them unattended, we might need to keep them contained for their own safety. But putting a cat under lock and key doesn't mean they have to suffer. Today's cat crates boast safe, comfortable, and entertaining accommodations for our feeling friends to enjoy.
What to Look For
While we searched for the best cat crates on the market, we had three questions in mind: Is it spacious enough for accessories and cat exercise? Is the construction secure, avoiding any possible escapes? Can the structure be easily transported or stored when not in use? We love the option from Amazon Basics for a minimal yet uncompromising design. This secure structure offers plenty of space for cat inhabitants to explore, with easy cleaning and little risk of breakouts. For a smaller crate that doubles as a travel solution, check out the Port-A-Crate from PetNation. Read on below to discover the rest of our top picks.
Amazon Basics 3-Tier Cat Playpen
Extra space and extra safe
If your cats love a climbing adventure, they’re sure to find hours of fun in this playpen from Amazon Basics. Three staggered shelves offer plenty of opportunities for jumping, playing, and resting. With an exterior frame constructed of durable coated steel wire, this pen is certain to keep your pets secure. A removable, leak-proof plastic pan at the bottom makes this pen equally suited to rooms with carpets or hard flooring.
Pros:
- Thanks to the wheels at the base, we found you can relocate this playpen with ease.
- Since there were minimal components, we thought the frame was exceptionally easy to construct out of the box.
- This could be an ideal option for indoor cats living in an apartment with a balcony, as the higher levels allow them to enjoy the view with no fear of falls.
Cons:
- When cleaning the plastic trays with some common pet disinfectants, we discovered that scrubbing too hard could eventually strip them of their color.
Eiiel Large Indoor Cat Playpen
The modular maze
For the creative DIY enthusiasts amongst us, Eiiel’s large cat playpen provides endless construction possibilities. The kit comes with a selection of wire panels, metal frames, doors, and platforms, encouraging you to design a shape to best suit your space and the needs of your pets. The adjustable platforms allow you to build a jumping maze for kittens or a resting platform for older cats. Each metal frame bears a weight of up to 30 lbs, making them secure for cats of all life stages.
Pros:
- We found that when the door components were placed at the top of the playpen, it was easy to reach your cats and feed them once inside.
- We think this is a great solution for housing multiple cats. You can even combine two sets to make one colossal pen.
- The spacious and secure platforms leave plenty of room to add your accessories inside.
Cons:
- The included zip locks might not create a sturdy enough support for large or energetic cats.
PetNation Port-A-Crate
Home away from home
PetNation’s cozy crate kills two birds with one stone. It serves as a snug indoor enclosure and a safe and spacious cat transport for trips out of the house. The thick mesh fabric panels are held securely in place by a sturdy and lightweight steel frame, ensuring your pet will stay safe inside. The mesh panels provide proper ventilation so that the conditions inside don’t become too stuffy. With three sizes available, you’re sure to find a great fit for your cat.
Pros:
- We love that the lightweight steel frame folds down to a compact size.
- Weighing in at less than 5 lbs, we found it was easy to carry this crate even with pets inside.
- The fabric cover is entirely removable, making cleaning quick and easy.
Cons:
- If your cat is a known escape artist, you might want to purchase an additional clip for the zippers as they could be drawn open by more mischievous felines.
Meow&Woof Cat Playpen
Eightfold elegance
This cute octagonal design from Meow&Woof could make a plush new snuggle spot for your favorite feline. The sturdy wooden inside frame avoids any potential nastiness from sharp metal edges. The breathable mesh fabric on the roof and surrounding walls keep this pen at a comfortable temperature. Plus, your cat will enjoy surveying their surroundings with the 360° view.
Pros:
- We were surprised by the spaciousness of this playpen, and we found that there was plenty of room inside.
- With a wealth of space and an easy-to-wash interior, we had no reservations about placing food, water, and treats in the playpen.
- We found that this playpen was easy to disassemble and store, making it a great option for travel.
Cons:
- Though sturdy once assembled, the wooden dowels of the frame can be a little fragile during construction. Take your time during assembly to avoid any breaks.
Yaheetech Collapsible Kitten Playpen
This 3-tier cage could be perfect for kittens or more energetic cats. With a maze of platforms, ramps, and a kitten-sized mesh hammock, there’s always room for adventure in this playpen. It’s easy to roll this cage thanks to the four wheels set on the base. Each wheel is attached with secure brake casters to hold your playpen in place when not on the move. And since it’s a cinch to assemble, you’ll have it up and ready to go in 30 minutes or less.
Pros:
- If you’re a Dr. Doolittle in the making, we think this playpen is also an excellent option for rats, ferrets, and other small mammals.
- We found that the doors on this cage opened very wide. It’s easy to reach pets and place objects inside without stooping over.
- The latches on these doors felt very secure. We didn’t have to worry about crafty cats working them open.
Cons:
- With a 2-inch clearance at the bottom of the cage, the smallest kittens might be able to squeeze their way out of this playpen. We found we could solve this by zip-locking a barrier onto this part of the wire frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I safely leave my cats unattended in a playpen?
Playpens provide a great solution to keep young or mischievous cats at bay while we’re out of the house. Some of the larger options can house food and other supplies to keep them going for a long absence. Cats are natural roamers and need space to explore, so a playpen should only be seen as temporary housing to avoid unattended expeditions. We wouldn’t recommend leaving your cats inside for more than 24 hours unattended.
Will smaller cat’s paws get stuck in wire-framed playpens?
You might be concerned that the wire constructions of some playpens could create a risk of entrapment if a kitty gets its paw stuck between bars. Generally, we didn’t find that cats were likely to fall into this conundrum. If you’re worried, you could try lining the inside of the wire frame with a piece of transparent, breathable fabric, so there’s no way they can get their paws between the bars.
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