Measuring Your Dog for Safe, Stress-Free Travel
Accurately measuring your dog is an essential step in preparing them for their flight. It ensures their travel cabin is the perfect size for comfort, safety, and airline compliance – and it helps avoid any last-minute delays or unexpected costs.
Step-by-Step Guide: Measuring Your Dog for Flights and Relocation
Here’s how to get accurate measurements without stress:
- Position your dog correctly.
Find a flat surface or corner in your home or garden. Gently place your dog with their bottom against the wall and their side flat along it. This keeps them upright and steady. - Measure their length.
- Hold their head level.
- Using a pencil, mark on the wall where the tip of their nose ends.
- Ensure they aren’t arching their body, as this can shorten the measurement.
- Measure from the wall to this mark for their length (nose to bottom, excluding tail).
- Measure their height (standing and sitting).
- With their head level, mark the wall at the top of their head.
- If they have pointed ears, measure to the top of their ears.
- Repeat while your dog is sitting, as some breeds are taller in a sitting position.
- Record both heights – we only need the larger measurement.
- Measure the marks, not the dog!
Once your dog moves away, measure between the floor and your marks. This avoids the challenge of a wriggling pet and gives the most accurate result.
Why Are Accurate Measurements So Important?
At PetAir, we build bespoke crates designed for your dog’s exact needs.
Accurate measurements ensure:
✔️ Their crate is the right size.
A crate that’s too small isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s against strict airline rules. Airlines check crate sizes thoroughly and can refuse travel if the crate is deemed too small, causing delays and stress for you and your pet.
✔️ They travel safely and comfortably.
If a crate is rejected at check-in, we must urgently source a replacement, which is stressful for your dog and often leads to larger crates, increasing travel costs.
✔️ You get the best possible price.
Airlines charge based on crate size (volume). Providing exact measurements allows us to build the smallest crate your dog can travel safely in, keeping costs as low as possible.
Important:
Please do not add extra to your dog’s measurements. We use internationally approved sizing formulas to build crates that are safe, comfortable, and airline compliant.
Need help measuring your dog?
We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact our friendly team on
+44 (0)1725 551 124
+44 (0)2039 266 622
today to discuss your dog’s upcoming travel plans.
