Size of cat crate?

I just looked at my crate and the front holes are certainly big enough for her feet to fit through, if she chose to do that.  However, the airline didn't have a problem with it.  I flew Virgin and I don't recall that being a restriction that was mentioned in the paperwork I had to go by.

I am getting ready to buy my cat crates so that they have lots of time to get used to them before we fly out.  Continental Airlines says that the animals must have at least 3 inches of clearance.  I measured my cats, from floor to ear tips, while they were sitting down and I would need a 21" high crate!  That would mean I'd have to buy a Sky Kennel #300!  Which according to this site (http://www.futurepets.com/Vari-Kennels.htm) is the size for springer spaniels and border collies. 

Do you remember what size kennel you used for shipping your cats?  I don't want them to be uncomfortable during the long trip, but larger cages are more difficult to handle. 

Thanks.

Well, I haven't lown _yet_ but the kennels/carriers I got are:
for my small cats (they each have one) 24 L x 16.25 W x 14.5 H (bought at petco for waaaay more than the larger one below)
for my large cat, the maine coon who is very large: 27.75 L x 20 W x 21 H (bought at petsmart for 36.00 plus tax and is IATA approved)

*as best I can figure from Virgin atlantics online info, and the info that their cargo office emailed me, these all meet the requirements. Just in case my fiancee and I will be going to the airport more than the 3 hours in advance so that we can gt them to double check the crates sizing. I'm hoping they're fine, but if not then at least we'll have a few hours to search Newark NJ for a pet shop....*fingers crossed*

I have never had anyone mention about the size of the holes. It may be a certain airline requirement and you could find out what the airline suggests doing if you think the holes are too big.

Listed in the first post of the PETS for Dummies Part 2 is the Clipper Cayman 3-Blue kennel. Does anyone have any experience with this one versus the Sky Kennels?

The Cayman is almost half the price.....but it looks nicer and easy to disassemble....

Comments? 

Would this kennel work just as well?

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441775460&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302033465&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1165355720071&itemNo=1&Ntt=kennel&In=All&previousText=kennel&N=2

you need a crate that has metal screws for most airlines.  Vari at Pet Smart carries some.

What about this one with the turn locks?

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441779609&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032113

My cats flew over in a Petmate Vari-Kennel with turn-locks and nobody said a word about it (I flew with BA).  As long as the carrier/crate is IATA-approved, you'll be fine - shippers and airlines are MUCH more concerned with the size of the crate (and therefore how much room your pet has to move around) than the construction details.  My cats are 11 and 14 pounds and I bought two of the Medium (or was it the Intermediate?  I can't recall) Vari-Kennels from this page.  They look like this. 

They're a bit on the expensive side and they looked huge when I bought them, but I am REALLY glad I did - once my cats were ensconced inside with a fuzzy bed and a toy, they had enough room to stand up and stretch fully and to sleep, curled up in a ball OR stretched out from tip to tail.  I couldn't imagine confining them to a space any smaller than what they ultimately spent the next eighteen or so hours in - and the crates were big enough that when we picked them up from the airport, we were able to disassemble one crate and stack the other inside in the backseat and let the boys snuggle together for the six-hour drive home.

We've currently got the crates disassembled and stacked in a cupboard here in our flat - when it comes time to take the boys into the vet for their shots next March, we'll be able to pull out two halves and reassemble one carrier and just use one instead of lugging two carriers around, and there's no way they'll ever outgrow these carriers, even if they gain ten pounds each!

I purchased a PetMate Sky Kennel Dog Crate medium for my 9 lb. cat from dog.com. She had tons of room. I probably could have gotten away with a smaller crate but she was able to move around in it and I think it helped her weather the journey. She came through with no problems.

In fact, I purchased two and only used one (one of my cats didn't come over.) If anyone is interested in buying it from me, I'll sell it cheap!

My cats crate's were huge but im glad. cause that meant my cats had alot of room to do what ever they needed or wanted to do in the crate without any problems. cause like Meg said they were going to be in there crates for a long time. so I wanted them to be comfortable & not all cramped up. 1 of my cats weighed easily 14 pounds the other 1 weighed 10 pounds. Im thinking my cat crates were bigger than what Meg's kennel looked like, probably the size up from what Meg has.

Is there any issue with crates that have a door on top?

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441779609&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032113

I dont know about that. but I personally wud safer knowing that my cat's crate top couldnt be crushed in on my cat. if something heavy was put near my cat an it accidently fell on top of my cat crate. I wud think might severly frighten my cat while it is in the crate. then next time if my cat has to go onto the crate it will remember, what happened an wont want to get into the crate again for fear it wud happen again. But thats just my opinion though.

I went ahead and went with this crate....it's called the Travel Aire....

The cats are finding them quite exciting so far

That is simillar to what my cat's crates look like. we still use them whenever we need to go to the vet. my cats run whenever they see the carriers in the house. the carriers are normally in the garage out of the way.