The Ultimate Pet Size Guide for Choosing the Right Pet Urn - 2023

The Ultimate Pet Size Guide for Choosing the Right Pet Urn - 2023

Selecting the Perfect Pet Urn for Ashes.

Pet urns come in a variety of styles, which is great for pet owners looking for something symbolic to hold pet ashes. But how do you know what size of pet urn you need? Dog urns and cat urns are crafted to accommodate pets of various sizes, and there’s a simple calculation you can make to estimate how big the pet urn should be.

Pet Urn Size Guide – Calculate by Weight and Size of Your Pet

Picture a Chihuahua standing next to a Mastiff – these dogs have different needs! Likewise, not every urn can accommodate all pets. When shopping for pet cremation urns, you’ll notice that each urn will list its volume or capacity in cubic inches. Depending on the size of the animal, you may need a smaller or larger cremation urn to hold the ashes.

Dog Memorial Urns for Ashes - Model PAW - Pulvis Art Urns

The general rule of thumb is that you’ll need at least 1 cubic inch for each pound that the animal weighs. For example, a dog that weighs 20 pounds will need an urn with a capacity of at least 20 cubic inches.

Here is a simple table that will ease you significantly:

Pet Animal  Weight (lbs) Weight (kgs)  Needed urn volume
Hamster < 1 lbs < 0.4 kg 1-2 cu.in
Gerbil  < 1 lbs < 0.4 kg 1-2 cu.in
Guinea Pig 1 - 2.5 lbs 0.5 to 1 kg 1-5 cu.in
Birds <1 lb to 3 lbs 0.4 - 5 kg 5 cu.in.
Small lizard < 1 lbs < 0.4  kg 1-5 cu.in
Large lizard 10-20 lbs ~5-10 kg 20-30 cu.in
Ferret 2.5 lbs ~1 kg 5-10 cu.in
Small house cat 10 lbs 4 kg 20 cu.in
Large house cat up to 20 lbs up to 8 kg 30 cu.in.
Small dog up to 25 lbs up to 10 kg 35 cu.in.
Medium sized dog 50-75 lbs 10 kg 85 cu.in.
Large dog 75-100 lbs 34-45 kg 120 cu.in.
Extra large dog 100-150 lbs 45-68 kg 110-160 cu.in

 

Weights of Popular Dog & Cat Breeds
     
Breed Weight in lbs* Cubic Inches
     
For Dogs    
Labrador Retriever 65-80 lbs. 65 – 80
German Shepherd Dog 75-95 lbs. 75 – 95
Yorkshire Terrier Less than 7 lbs. 5.юли
Golden Retriever 65-75 lbs. 65 – 75
Beagle 18-30 lbs. 18 – 30
Boxers 50-75 lbs. 50 – 75
Bulldogs 40-50 lbs. 40 – 50
Dachshunds Mini: 8-10 lbs. Mini: 8 – 10
Poodles Mini: 11-17 lbs. Mini: 11 – 17
Shih tzus 8-16 lbs. 8 – 16
     
For Cats    
Domestic Cat 8-10 lbs. 8 – 10
Persian 7-12 lbs. 7 – 12
Siamese 5-10 lbs. 5 – 10
Maine Coon 10-25 lbs. 10 – 25

Size table of the 100 most popular dog breeds - at the end of this article

 

However, it is strongly recommended to have extra space in the urn – just to err on the side of caution and make sure the ashes are contained properly. Adding 10 cubic inches more is a good way to be sure that the pet urn will be large enough to hold the animal’s ashes. Thus, if your dog weighs 20 pounds, shop for dog urns with 30 cubic inches of capacity or more.

Note that if the pet's ashes provide to be more that the capacity of the pet urn you choose, some pet parents choose to scatter some of the ashes.

Not sure how much your dog or cat weighs? Here are a few average weight ranges by breed and their approximate urn capacity needs.

  • German Shepherd (50-80 lbs.) > Urns with 60-90 cubic inches
  • Pug (14-18 lbs.) > Urns with 24-28 cubic inches
  • Beagle (20-25 lbs.) > Urns with 30-35 cubic inches
  • Golden Retriever (55-75 lbs.) > Urns with 65-85 cubic inches
  • British Shorthair Cat (7-12 lbs.) > Urns with 17-22 cubic inches
  • Siamese Cat (8-15 lbs.) > Urns with 18-25 cubic inches
  • Maine Coon (10-25 lbs.) > Urns with 20-35 cubic inches

This is a general guideline. It’s best to know the exact weight of your dog or cat when shopping for pet urns.

Cat Urns for Ashes by Pulvis Art Urns

If a pet cat was 8 lbs or less before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 8 cubic inches. Siamese cats are typically in the 6-8 lbs range.

If your cat was 12 lbs before cremation, they would need a memorial urn with a capacity of at least 12 cubic inches. 

If a large cat, like a Maine Coon cat, was 20 to 25 lbs before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 20 to 25 cubic inches. So, again 1 lb prior cremation equals 1 cubic inch of ashes after cremation.

How to Choose the Right Size for the Pet Urn?

Plan Ahead – Is the Urn for 1 or More Pets?

Some pet owners prefer to have a single urn shared between multiple pets. This is popular for those with 2 or 3 dogs (or multiple cats) who were very close to each other during their lives, or perhaps from the same litter. In this case, be sure to shop for large pet urns that can accommodate the total weight capacity of all the animals.

Splitting Pet's Ashes between Family Members

If a cat or dog was beloved by more than one person in the family, it can be a great idea to split the ashes so each person has their own special pet keepsake.

Pet Urns for Ashes by Pulvis Art Urns. Neko model for cat

 

In this case, you’ll divide the total capacity by the number of people receiving an urn. You’ll then shop for several smaller pet urns.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Pet Cremation Urn

Saying goodbye to a pet is heartbreaking. Pet memorials provide the chance to keep their memory alive long after they’ve passed. If you’re looking for a special pet keepsake, consider choosing a handcrafted cremation urn. With unique styles, meaningful designs, and exceptional quality, artisan pet urns are a great choice for those who want something extra-special for their pet.

If you are planning to purchase some of our pet memorials, use the coupon PETLOVE5 at checkout to receive 5% discount.

 

It's important to note that these size categories are general guidelines and may vary based on the specific breed and size of your pet. If you're unsure about the appropriate urn size, it's recommended to consult with the urn provider or a pet crematorium to ensure you select the right size for your pet's ashes.

Other factors to consider when choosing a pet urn include the material, design, and personal preferences. You can find a wide variety of pet cremation urns made from materials like wood and ceramic. Remember to select an urn that resonates with your feelings and helps you cherish the memories of your beloved pet.

Size table of the 100 most popular breeds:

Top 100 Dog Breeds (A to Z)
Afghan hounds 58–65 58 – 65
Airedale terriers 40–65 40 – 65
Akitas 75–115 75 – 115
Alaskan malamutes 70–95 70 – 95
Staffordshire terriers 55–65 55 – 65
Australian cattle dogs 30–35 30 – 35
Australian shepherds 40–65 40 – 65
Basenjis 20–25 20 – 25
Basset hounds 45–65 45 – 65
Beagles 18–30 18 – 30
Belgian Malinois 55–75 55 – 75
Bernese mountain dogs 85–110 85 – 110
Bichon frises 7–12 7 – 12
Bloodhounds 80–110 80 – 110
Border collies 27–45 27 – 45
Border terriers 11–15 11 – 15
Borzois 60–100 60 – 100
Boston terriers 10–25 10 – 25
Bouviers des Flandres 95–120 95 – 120
Boxers 50–75 50 – 75
Brittany spaniels 30–40 30 – 40
Brussels griffons 6–12 6 – 12
Bull terriers Miniature: 24–32; Miniature: 24–32;
Standard: 45–80 Standard: 45 – 80
Bulldogs 40–50 40 – 50
Bullmastiffs 100–130 100 – 130
Cairn terriers 13–18 13 – 18
Cardigan Welsh corgis 25–30 25 – 30
Cavalier King Charles spaniels 10–18 10 – 18
Chesapeake Bay retrievers 55–80 55 – 80
Chihuahuas 4–6 4 – 6
Chinese crested Less than 10 Less than 10 – 10
Chinese Shar-Pei 45–60 45 – 60
Chow Chows 45–70 45 – 70
Cocker spaniels 23–28 23 – 28
Collies 50–70 50 – 70
Dachshunds Mini: 8–10; Mini: 8–10;
Standard: 10–12 Standard: 10 – 12
Dalmatians 50–55 50 – 55
Doberman pinschers 65–90 65 – 90
English cocker spaniels 26–34 26 – 34
English setters 45–80 45 – 80
English springer spaniels 40–50 40 – 50
Flat-Coated retrievers 60–70 60 – 70
French bulldogs 19-28 19 – 28
German shepherds 75–95 75 – 95
German shorthaired pointers 45–70 45 – 70
German wirehaired pointers 60–70 60 – 70
Giant schnauzers 55–80 55 – 80
Golden retrievers 65–75 65 – 75
Gordon setters 45–80 45 – 80
Great Danes 110–180 110 – 180
Great Pyrenees 85–100 85 – 100
Greater Swiss mountain dogs 130–135 130 – 135
Havanese 7–12 7 – 12
Irish setters 55–75 55 – 75
Irish wolfhounds 90–150 90 – 150
Italian greyhounds 6–10 6–10
Japanese Chin 4–15 4 – 15
Keeshond  35–45 and 55–65 35–45 and 55 – 65
Labrador retrievers 65–80 65 – 80
Lhasa Apsos 13–15 13 – 15
Maltese 4–6 4 – 6
Mastiffs 150–160 150 – 160
Miniature pinschers 8–10 8 – 10
Miniature schnauzers 12–20 12-20
Newfoundlands 100–150 100 – 150
Norwegian elkhounds 40–60 40 – 60
Norwich terriers 10–12 10 – 12
Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers 37–50 37 – 50
Old English sheepdogs 60–100 60 – 100
Papillons 7–10 7 – 10
Jack Russell terriers 14–18 14 – 18
Pekingese Sleeve: less than 6; Sleeve: less than 6;
Mini: 6–8; Mini: 6–8;
Standard: 8–10 Standard: 8 – 10
Pembroke Welsh corgis 23–27 23 – 27
Pomeranians 4–7 4 – 7
Poodles Mini: 11–17; Mini: 11–17;
Standard 45–65 Standard 45 – 65
Portuguese water dogs 35–55 35 – 55
Pugs 13–18 13 – 18
Rhodesian ridgebacks 65–90 65 – 90
Rottweilers 70–135 70 – 135
Samoyeds 35–65 35 – 65
Schipperkes 12–18 12 – 18
Scottish terriers 18–21 18 – 21
Shetland sheepdogs 18–20 18 – 20
Shiba Inu 15–25 15 – 25
Shih Tzu 8–16 8 – 16
Siberian huskies 35–60 35 – 60
Silky terriers 8–11 8 – 11
Soft-Coated Wheaten terriers 30–45 30 – 45
Saint Bernards 110–200 110 – 200
Staffordshire bull terriers 23–38 23 – 38
Standard schnauzers 30–45 30 – 45
Tibetan terriers 18–30 18 – 30
Toy fox terriers 4–7 4 – 7
Vizsla 45–60 45 – 60
Weimaraners 50–70 50 – 70
Welsh terriers 20–21 20 – 21
West Highland white terriers 13–21 13 – 21
Whippets 25–45 25 – 45
Wirehaired fox terriers 13–20 13 – 20
Yorkshire terriers Less than 7 Less than 7 – 7

 

 When it comes to storing a pet urn with ashes, there are several options depending on personal preferences and circumstances. Here are the two most common choices:


Home Display: Many pet owners choose to keep the pet urn with ashes in their homes as a way to honor and remember their beloved companion. You can display the urn on a shelf, mantelpiece, or in a dedicated memorial area. Some people create a small memorial with a photo, a collar, or other mementos alongside the urn.

Columbarium or Memorial Garden: Many pet crematoriums and cemeteries offer columbariums or memorial gardens specifically designed for pet urns. These spaces provide a dedicated area where urns can be stored, and often include markers or plaques to commemorate each pet.

Remember, the choice of where to store the pet urn is a personal decision that should reflect your connection with your pet and what feels most meaningful to you.

In a Nutshell:

  • Choosing the right size urn for your beloved pet is an important decision. When considering a keepsake urn for your pet's ashes, you will need to take into account the weight of your pet. Typically, one pound of your pet's weight will require one cubic inch of space in the urn for ashes.
  • There are a variety of pet urns for ashes available, including dog urns and urns for cat. It's essential to choose an urn that not only fits the size of the urn but also honors your pet's memory.
  • Keepsake urns are a popular choice for pet owners looking to cremate their dog or cat. These unique pet cremation urns come in various sizes and styles, allowing you to select the perfect urn for your pet.
  • In addition to traditional pet urns for ashes, there are also pet cremation jewelry options available for those who wish to keep a small portion of their pet's cremains close to their heart.
  • When choosing the right pet urn, take the time to consider a keepsake urn to honor your pet's memoryscatter the ashes or keep the urn for pet's ashes in your home, it's essential that the cremation urns for pets you choose reflect the love and bond you shared with your beloved pet.

 

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2 comments
  • Thank you for pointing out how you may want to use the same urn for multiple pets. I hadn’t thought about this when looking at urns for our dog. It seems like it could be a good idea, so I’ll start looking into it. https://bluecreekpetcremation.com/services/

    Olivia Smart on
  • Dear pulvisurns.com administrator, Keep up the good work, admin!

    Judith Deane on

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