What’s Inside Your Pet’s Pen?

A pet pen is more than four walls. What you put inside can make the difference between a space your pet simply stays in and one where they can genuinely relax. The best setup does not need to be complicated. In fact, keeping things simple often gives your pet more usable room.

Here are a few things worth considering.

A Comfortable Place to Rest

Start with a bed, mat, or favorite blanket that gives your pet a defined place to settle. Choose something appropriately sized so it does not take over the entire enclosure. Your pet should still have room to move around the bed rather than have every inch of the pen covered with bedding.

Fresh Water

Your pet should have easy access to fresh water whenever appropriate. Place the bowl where it is unlikely to be knocked over or stepped in. An elevated feeder may also be more comfortable for some larger, older, or mobility-limited dogs, although most healthy dogs do not require one. 

A Few Favorite Toys

You do not need the entire toy box.  One or two familiar toys can make the space feel comfortable without creating clutter. Rotating toys can also keep things interesting while preserving open floor space. 

Something to Do

Depending on your pet, that might mean a safe chew, puzzle toy, lick mat, or another enrichment activity. A little enrichment can help turn quiet pen time into something positive. Always choose items appropriate for your individual pet and supervise when necessary.

Open Space

This one is easy to overlook. Not every square foot needs to contain something. Dogs and other pets need room to stand, stretch, turn around, change positions, and simply lie somewhere other than their bed. If the pen is packed edge-to-edge with furniture and supplies, the enclosure may technically be large while offering surprisingly little usable space. Sometimes the best thing you can add to a pet pen is nothing at all.

Room to Grow

If your pet's enclosure feels almost right but could use a little more room, you may not need to move up to a completely different pen size. A 1-Foot Extension Kit can add meaningful floor space when placed along the longer side of a Clearly Loved Pets pen. Depending on your configuration, that can mean up to 4, 6, or even 8 additional square feet. Below we show a few ways to add a 1-foot Universal Kit to a medium pen.

What seems like a small amount of space to you can mean a lot more space for them.

If space allows, a 2-Foot Universal Kit will increase your pen by a full size (small becomes medium, medium becomes large, etc.).

Keep It Comfortable, Not Crowded

A good pen setup usually comes down to a few basics: A place to sleep, water, something enjoyable to do, and enough open room to move.

Note: puppies may need a designated place to go to the bedroom. The 2-foot Universal Kit is ideal for creating an adjoined square potty area.

Everything else is optional. Your pet needs a space that feels safe, comfortable, and theirs. And when you can give them a little extra room...We think it is usually worth it.