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Welcome to Pet sacular, where we review the best products to make your pet’s life easier and more enjoyable. Today, we’re diving into the Petmate Sky Kennel, an airline-compliant dog crate designed to provide your pet with safe, secure, and comfortable travel. This kennel is made to fit pets weighing between 20-30 pounds, like Pomeranians, and offers a sturdy and spacious option for your furry friend during air travel.
The Petmate Sky Kennel is a durable and practical solution for pet owners who frequently travel by air. Built to meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards, it’s designed to ensure that your pet is transported safely and securely. The kennel has several standout features: 360-degree ventilation, which promotes air circulation and ensures your pet stays comfortable throughout the journey, and tie-down strap holes that help secure the crate for transport. In terms of space, it provides a spacious interior with dimensions of 24.25″ L x 18.25″ W x 19.5″ H, giving pets enough room to walk and rest comfortably. It also comes with essentials like two “LIVE ANIMAL” stickers, an absorbent pad, ID stickers, and a food and water cup, ensuring your pet’s basic needs are met during the journey.
After testing the Petmate Sky Kennel for several air travel scenarios, I can confidently say that this kennel performs well in real-world usage. Setting it up was straightforward, and I found the crate easy to carry, thanks to its folding top handle. The easy-squeeze latch door with interlocks provided a secure closure, so there was no worry about the kennel opening during transit. The ventilation holes are plentiful, ensuring your pet has enough airflow throughout the trip. The spacious interior also lived up to its promise, giving the dog ample room to lie down and move around. On the downside, the kennel is on the heavier side, which may be a bit cumbersome for some owners, especially when lifting it with a pet inside.
The pros of this crate include its solid build quality, meeting all the airline requirements for live animal transport, and the thoughtful inclusion of essential accessories like the food and water cup and absorbent pad. The well-ventilated design helps your pet stay cool, and the materials used—EcoTEC plastic with recycled content—show that Petmate is thinking about the environment too. However, the main con I found is the weight of the crate. While it’s certainly sturdy and durable, it can be quite heavy to carry around, especially when your pet is inside. Also, for some pets, the kennel might feel a bit too enclosed, but this is a common trade-off for airline-compliant crates.
When it comes to value for money, the Petmate Sky Kennel is priced in the mid-range for airline-approved pet crates. Given its solid construction, thoughtful features, and environmental focus, it offers good value if you’re looking for a reliable travel crate that meets airline regulations. However, there are cheaper alternatives that offer basic functionality but might not come with the same build quality or thoughtful features, like the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate.
In terms of build quality, the Sky Kennel is made in the USA from EcoTEC plastic, which is a great move in terms of durability and sustainability. The latch mechanism works well, and the overall construction is solid—this kennel is built to last. However, while it seems sturdy, the long-term reliability will depend on how often it’s used and how rough the transport conditions are.
Customer support for Petmate is well-regarded, with the brand being known for its commitment to quality and care for pets. Though I didn’t need to interact with customer service directly, Petmate has a solid reputation in the industry, so you can trust that any issues will likely be resolved promptly.
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, there are a few alternatives to consider. The Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel is a slightly cheaper option that offers a similar design but with fewer accessories. The MidWest iCrate is another affordable option, though it doesn’t offer as much ventilation or as many included features as the Sky Kennel.
In conclusion, the Petmate Sky Kennel is a durable, spacious, and secure travel crate for pets. While it may be a bit heavy, its build quality and thoughtful design make it a solid choice for frequent travelers. It’s best suited for pet owners who need a reliable, airline-approved crate and are willing to invest in something built to last.
If this review helped you out, be sure to like, subscribe, and click the bell icon so other pet parents can find this video too. Thanks for watching, and if you have any questions or thoughts about the Sky Kennel, drop them in the comments below. You can find the link to get your hands on one in the description box. Until next time, keep your pets safe and sound on every journey!
Available to buy here:
