This Petmate Sky Kennel Review Covers Sizing, Features, and Travel Use

By Chris Bennett
Updated on September 18, 2026 09:23 PM

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read ourdisclosure policy

This Petmate Sky Kennel Review Covers Sizing, Features, and Travel Use

Finding a secure carrier for a medium-sized pet can take some careful comparison, particularly when air travel is part of your plans. The Petmate Sky Dog & Cat Kennel, Gray, 32-in is designed for pets weighing roughly 30 to 50 pounds and combines a heavy-duty plastic shell with steel-wire ventilation and a secure wire door.

Its 32-inch exterior size gives your pet room to stand, turn, and rest when properly fitted. If you need an airline approved pet carrier for upcoming travel, this kennel deserves a closer look.

Petmate states that the Sky Kennel complies with applicable IATA Live Animals Regulation standards and meets most airline cargo specifications. Airline policies can differ, though, so confirming requirements directly with your carrier before departure remains necessary.

Petmate Sky Dog & Cat Kennel, Gray, 32-in: Key Details

The 32-inch model is classified for pets weighing 30 to 50 pounds. Its exterior measures 32 inches long, 22.5 inches wide, and 24 inches high. Inside, you get approximately 29.5 inches of length, 19.75 inches of width, and 23.5 inches of height.

The kennel itself weighs about 16 pounds. Those measurements make this 32 inch dog kennel suitable for many medium-sized pets, provided your individual pet fits correctly.

Product Specifications

  • Exterior dimensions: 32 x 22.5 x 24 inches
  • Interior dimensions: 29.5 x 19.75 x 23.5 inches
  • Recommended pet weight: 30–50 pounds
  • Kennel weight: 16 pounds
  • Color: Light gray
  • Primary construction: Heavy-duty plastic
  • Door: Steel-wire door
  • Ventilation: Four-way ventilation
  • Handle: No handle included with the 32-inch model
  • Manufacturing: Made in the USA
  • Plastic content: Minimum 90% pre-consumer recycled material
  • Warranty: One-year limited warranty

What Do You Get With the Sky Kennel?

Petmate includes several travel accessories with the kennel. These additions can reduce the number of separate items you need to prepare before a flight. Included items are:

  • Two “LIVE ANIMAL” stickers
  • Food and water cup
  • Identification stickers
  • Absorbent material
  • Plastic wing nuts
  • Steel-wire door and ventilation sections

One detail worth knowing before buying is that the 32-inch model does not include a carrying handle. Petmate states that handles are included only with the 21-inch and 28-inch versions.

How Durable Is the Kennel?

Durability matters when your pet will spend time in a cargo hold, vehicle, or busy transport area. The kennel uses a heavy-duty plastic shell paired with steel-wire components.

Non-corrosive plastic wing nuts connect the sections, while the wire door creates a secure front barrier. This construction gives you a heavy duty pet kennel designed specifically with transportation in mind.

The plastic shell is also easier to wipe clean than fabric carriers after accidents or extended trips. Chewy customer feedback currently gives the product a 4.4-out-of-5 overall rating.

Its category ratings include 4.4 for durability, 4.3 for ventilation, 4.3 for size and space, and 4.2 for ease of cleaning. Customer ratings can change as new reviews are submitted.

Is the Ventilation Good for Travel?

Ventilation comes from openings on four sides of the kennel. This layout helps maintain airflow around your pet while the wire sections provide visibility.

Petmate states that the current Sky Kennel design complies with ventilation requirements specified by the 2025 edition of the IATA Live Animals Regulation. That makes ventilation one of the practical strengths of this plastic pet travel crate, especially compared with enclosed carriers that have fewer ventilation points.

Can You Use It for Airline Travel?

Air travel is one of the primary reasons shoppers look at the Sky Kennel. Petmate states that the kennel meets most airline cargo specifications and complies with applicable IATA standards for live-animal transport. Still, buying an IATA compliant pet kennel does not automatically guarantee acceptance on every flight. Airlines can set their own rules concerning kennel hardware, pet size, ventilation, documentation, food and water containers, and other travel requirements.

Before your flight, check:

  • Your airline's current kennel-size rules
  • Required fasteners and hardware
  • Pet documentation requirements
  • Food and water requirements
  • Temperature restrictions
  • Breed restrictions
  • Check-in procedures
  • International destination requirements

Confirming these points directly with your airline can help prevent problems at check-in.

How Do You Know If the 32-Inch Size Fits Your Pet?

Weight gives you a useful starting point, yet body measurements matter too. A 35-pound dog with long legs may need a different kennel size than a compact 45-pound dog.

Petmate recommends measuring your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while standing. You should also measure from the top of the head to the floor while your pet is sitting or standing.

The company recommends allowing approximately three to four additional inches so your pet can stand, turn around, sit, and lie down comfortably.

For the 32-inch model, compare your pet's measurements with its interior space:

  • Interior length: 29.5 inches
  • Interior width: 19.75 inches
  • Interior height: 23.5 inches
  • Suggested weight range: 30–50 pounds

Do not select the kennel based on weight alone. Proper physical clearance is especially important during long-distance transportation.

Where Can You Use This Kennel?

Although air transportation is a major use case, the kennel can serve as a pet carrier for air travel and ground transportation. You may find it useful for:

  • Airline cargo transportation
  • Long-distance road trips
  • Trips to the veterinarian
  • Temporary containment during travel
  • Hotel stays
  • Relocation with a pet

At 16 pounds before adding your pet, the 32-inch model can become fairly heavy during transport. Since this size lacks a top handle, you may need assistance moving it once your pet is inside.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

  • Heavy-duty plastic construction
  • Four-way ventilation
  • Steel-wire door and ventilation sections
  • Designed around current live-animal transportation standards
  • Food and water cup included
  • Identification and live-animal stickers included
  • Absorbent material included
  • Suitable for many pets in the 30–50-pound range
  • Interior moat can help keep your pet away from spilled liquids
  • Made with at least 90% pre-consumer recycled plastic
  • Made in the USA

Limitations

  • 32-inch version has no carrying handle
  • 16-pound empty weight can make transportation harder after your pet is inside
  • Proper fit requires physical measurements rather than relying only on weight
  • Airline acceptance still needs confirmation before travel
  • Hard-shell construction takes significant storage space

Is the Petmate Sky Kennel Easy to Clean?

The plastic shell keeps routine cleaning fairly straightforward. Chewy recommends wiping the kennel clean with a damp cloth.

The interior moat is another useful feature during longer trips. It helps separate your pet from spilled water or other moisture inside the kennel.

This can make cleanup easier after transportation. For regular use, remove bedding and travel accessories before cleaning.

Make sure every surface is completely dry before placing your pet back inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size pet can use the 32-inch Petmate Sky Kennel?

Petmate lists the 32-inch version for pets weighing approximately 30 to 50 pounds. Proper fit still depends on your pet's length and height.

What are its interior dimensions?

The usable interior measures approximately 29.5 inches long, 19.75 inches wide, and 23.5 inches high.

Does the 32-inch kennel have a handle?

No. Petmate states that only its 21-inch and 28-inch Sky Kennels include handles.

Is it suitable for cats?

Yes. It is marketed as a dog and cat kennel. Size your cat according to physical measurements and travel requirements rather than relying solely on the listed weight range.

Is it accepted by every airline?

Acceptance is not guaranteed. Petmate says the Sky Kennel meets most airline cargo specifications, while individual airlines can impose additional requirements. Contact your airline before purchasing or traveling.

Is the Petmate Sky Dog & Cat Kennel Worth Buying?

The Petmate Sky Dog & Cat Kennel makes the strongest case for buyers who need a hard-sided carrier designed around air and ground transportation. Its heavy-duty plastic body, four-way ventilation, steel-wire components, travel accessories, and 30-to-50-pound recommended range give you a practical setup for many medium-sized pets.

The main points to check before buying are fit and airline requirements. Measure your pet carefully against the 29.5 x 19.75 x 23.5-inch interior and confirm the latest carrier rules directly with your airline.

If both checks line up, the 32-inch Sky Kennel can be a practical option for planned pet transportation.