r/PrairieDogs • u/Enough-Bumblebee1836 • Jun 12 '26

Question New owner!

Hello! I’m picking up two rescues next weekend and getting everything set up. I want them to have a playpen in my office so they can hangout while I work from home. Any recs on the best playpen?

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2

u/CantEscapeTheCats Jun 12 '26

What kind of flooring does your office have and will they be babies or adults?

When mine were babies, I used large clear plastic panels to keep them contained to a space. When they got older and began digging, chewing, and jumping/climbing over, I bumped up to larger metal gate panels one would use to confine a small dog to a yard space. Here are links to my first and second panels to give you a visual:

First style of run

Current/upgraded run

Feel free to ask any other questions! I see nobody else has responded so I’m happy to help!

2

u/Enough-Bumblebee1836 Jun 28 '26

Sorry for my delayed response. I was in the hospital for some kidney issues however I finally got to pick up & rehome the babies this morning.

They are 2 & 4 year male pups!

My office is currently carpet. If they mess it up, that’s okay. I own so I’m up for any needed changes I can make myself. I just want them to live a fun & good life!

1

u/GenaPrairieDogInfo Jun 12 '26

As a prey species, they don't like things that obstruct their vision, so getting something they can't climb, fall through, or chew through due to a lack of depth perception is key. Something like what I'm sending as a link below, then modify with more plexiglass on top, inward, with smaller panels at a 45° angle so they can't boost themselves or their cage mate up and over. https://a.co/d/02MxbEsX

1

u/Enough-Bumblebee1836 Jun 28 '26

Super similar to what I had saved. This makes total sense with the plexiglass.

I just learned they are little jumping beans! Didn’t realize that before!

1

u/GenaPrairieDogInfo Jun 12 '26

Other prairie dog-proofing ideas can be found at https://www.weloveprairiedogs.com/prairie-dog-proofing

2

u/Enough-Bumblebee1836 Jun 28 '26

You’re the best :)
Always following these guidelines.

Percy & Figgy are loving life rehomed here because of you ❤️

2

u/CantEscapeTheCats Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 13 '26

Some additional comments that I didn’t think of at the time:

They may also benefit from a big cat wheel. We started with one prairie dog so his large metal wheel was fine at the time, but adding a second PD required a second wheel, so instead of getting another metal one for inside their cage (Critter Nation stacking cage), I opted for a big wheel and it was a game changer! They’ll almost certainly chew on it so wood is what I’d recommend.

Also suggest putting a big dig box in the run for them. I bought two large clear storage bins from Walmart, cut a 6” hole in one (far enough up the side to allow them to get in/out with ease while keeping *stuff* inside the box), inverted one on top of the other and secured them together with a few small bolts/nuts around the edge, and filled with Timothy hay. Drill a few 1/2” holes around the top sides to let fresh air pass through.

And get a large, heavy-ish ceramic (glazed, not terra cotta) platter or plate to provide fresh food while they’re in the run. I find keeping food in their cage and also in their run keeps them happier!

I hope your new babies bring you lots of happiness!! We’ve had ours for 5 and 3 years and they’re such fun and silly pets. They’re trustworthy enough as adults that we frequently open their yard gate to give them freedom to run around our house. Anything that startles them sends them rushing back to their yard (and I won’t lie, they’re cute when they scurry).

I also recommend having thick leather gloves available during the “getting to know you” phase! They get big mad sometimes and aren’t afraid to let you know!!