Petmate Vari Kennel Sizing Guide for Air and Car Travel
By Petmate | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Buying Guides
Use interior dimensions and your pet's standing height to choose a Vari Kennel, then confirm your airline's rules before flying.
Quick answer
Choose a Vari Kennel by interior size, not by your dog's weight alone. Your dog must stand without crouching, turn around, and lie down with room to spare. The Petmate Fashion All Purpose Vari Kennel is a good match for puppies, small dogs, and cats in its two small sizes, but airline approval depends on your specific carrier's rules and the kennel size you pick.
Measure your pet before you compare sizes
Stand your dog or cat against a wall and measure three things: height from floor to the top of the head or ears, length from the base of the tail to the tip of the nose, and width across the shoulders. Add 2 to 4 inches to the height and length so your pet can stand naturally and turn around. If your pet is still growing, size up to the next kennel rather than buying a tight fit.
- Height: floor to top of head or ears, plus 2-4 inches
- Length: base of tail to nose, plus 2-4 inches
- Width: shoulder to shoulder, plus room to turn
Match the kennel to the trip, not just the pet
A car ride and a flight put different demands on a kennel. For car travel, the kennel needs to sit flat on the seat or cargo area without sliding, and your pet needs enough airflow to stay calm. For air travel, the kennel must meet the airline's checked or in-cabin size limits, and the door and latches must be secure. The Petmate Fashion All Purpose Vari Kennel is designed for training and traveling, with an easy-open squeeze latch door, 360-degree air flow ventilation, and an interior moat to keep pets dry. Those features help in both settings, but they do not replace checking your airline's current size and weight rules.
Use weight as a starting point, not the final answer
Weight charts are a rough filter because two dogs of the same weight can have very different heights and lengths. A 15-pound dachshund and a 15-pound terrier will not fit the same kennel. Use weight to narrow the options, then confirm with the interior dimensions and your measurements. If the kennel feels tight when your pet stands, go up a size. The Vari Kennel comes in two small sizes that suit puppies, small dogs, or cats, so it is a practical starting point for smaller travelers.
Check the door, latch, and replacement parts before you travel
A kennel is only as safe as its hardware. Before any trip, inspect the door, latches, and screws. If a latch is cracked or loose, replace it rather than traveling with a weak point. The Long Replacement Latch is made for Petmate Kennel Cab, Petmate Pet Taxi, Petmate Vari Kennel, Aspen Pet Pet Porter, and RuffMaxx kennels in sizes up to 26 inches. Matching the latch to your kennel size is important for a proper fit. If you use a Replendish Waterer on the road, the Replendish Replacement Filter Cap fits the x-small 1/2-gallon and small 1-gallon sizes, so you can keep the waterer working without buying a whole new system.
Decision rules for choosing a Vari Kennel size
- If your pet is still growing: Buy the next size up from the current fit, because a tight kennel will be uncomfortable within weeks. Re-measure every month until growth stops.
- If you are flying: Check your airline's current kennel size and weight limits before buying. Airline rules change, and a kennel that fits your dog may not fit the cabin or checked baggage limits. Confirm with the airline in writing before travel day.
- If you are driving: Prioritize a kennel that sits flat and stable on the seat or cargo area, with enough ventilation for the trip length. Test the kennel in your car before the first long drive.
- If your pet is between sizes: Choose the larger kennel if your pet cannot stand, turn, and lie down without touching the sides. A kennel that is too small is a safety and comfort problem, not just a tight fit.
Product facts that affect sizing and travel
- Petmate Fashion All Purpose Vari Kennel: Available in two small sizes that are ideal for puppies, small dogs, or cats, with an easy-open squeeze latch door, 360-degree air flow ventilation, and an interior moat to keep pets dry. This kennel suits small pets and short trips, but larger dogs will need a different size or model. The ventilation and moat help with comfort and mess control during car rides.
- Long Replacement Latch for Plastic kennels: Designed for Petmate Kennel Cab, Petmate Pet Taxi, Petmate Vari Kennel, Aspen Pet Pet Porter, and RuffMaxx kennels in sizes up to 26 inches. If your Vari Kennel latch breaks, this replacement part can restore a secure door without replacing the whole kennel. Match the latch to your kennel size for a proper fit.
- Petmate Replendish Replacement Filter Cap / Lid X-Small & Small: Black replacement cap designed for the Replendish Waterer system in x-small (1/2 gal.) and small (1 gal.) sizes. On longer drives or flights, a working waterer keeps your pet hydrated. This cap fits only those two sizes, so check your waterer before ordering.
Who the Petmate Fashion Vari Kennel fits
Best for
- Puppies and small dogs in the two small sizes offered
- Cats that need a secure carrier for car rides or short trips
- Owners who want a kennel with ventilation and an interior moat for mess control
Not for
- Medium or large dogs that need a larger kennel size
- Owners who need a specific airline-approved kennel without checking carrier rules
- Pets that cannot stand and turn comfortably in a small-size kennel
