How to Use the Petmate Kennel Airline Travel Kit Step by Step

Quick answer

Use the Petmate Kennel Airline Travel Kit in this order: inventory the parts, assemble the kennel with the correct bolts and washers, attach the food and water cup, line the kennel with the absorbent pad, label the kennel with the Live Animals stickers and ID tag, then secure the door with zip ties only after the airline inspects it. The kit gives you the hardware and labels, but it does not replace the airline's own size, health, and check-in rules, so confirm those before travel day.

Step-by-step: using the Petmate Kennel Airline Travel Kit

1. Step 1: Inventory the kit against your kennel: Empty the kit onto a table and separate the 12 one-and-a-quarter-inch bolts, five one-and-three-quarter-inch bolts, five one-inch bolts, 12 washers, 12 nuts, and 12 zip ties. Match each bolt length to the panel joints on your specific kennel before you tighten anything. Common mistake: assuming all bolts are interchangeable. Using a bolt that is too long can crack a panel; too short and it will not seat.
2. Step 2: Assemble and tighten the kennel panels: Insert each bolt through the panel holes, add a washer, and hand-tighten the nut. Work around the kennel in a circle rather than tightening one side fully at once, so the panels stay aligned. Check that the door latches freely after tightening. Checkpoint: push gently on each panel. Any flex means a bolt is loose or the wrong length.
3. Step 3: Fit the food and water cup: Attach the spill-resistant cup to the inside of the kennel door using the mounting points on your carrier. Fill it only partway for the first test fit so you can confirm it stays level when the kennel is lifted. Common mistake: filling the cup before the kennel is in its final position. A cup that looks level on the floor can tip once the kennel is carried.
4. Step 4: Place the absorbent kennel pad: Lay the pad flat on the kennel floor and trim it only if it bunches at the edges. A bunched pad can shift and leave a corner of the floor exposed. Checkpoint: the pad should lie flat with no folds before your pet goes in.
5. Step 5: Add the ID tag and stickers: Write your destination phone number on the temporary Pet ID tag and attach it to the kennel handle or door. Place the two Live Animals stickers on the top and one side, and fill out the shipping identification sticker with your name, destination address, and a reachable phone number. Common mistake: using only your home phone number. A destination number helps if the kennel is delayed.
6. Step 6: Secure the door with zip ties after inspection: Wait until the airline agent has inspected the kennel and your pet is inside. Then thread the 12 zip ties through the door frame and kennel body at multiple points, pulling each snug but not so tight that it cracks the plastic. Checkpoint: the door should not rattle or open more than a fraction of an inch when you tug it gently.
7. Step 7: Do a final pre-check-in walkaround: Confirm the bolts are tight, the cup is secure, the pad is flat, the stickers are visible, and the zip ties are in place. Keep the unused bolts, nuts, and washers in a small bag in your carry-on in case a tie or bolt needs replacing at the gate. Common mistake: packing the spare hardware in checked luggage. Keep it with you until your pet is accepted.

Product facts

• Petmate Kennel Airline Travel Kit: The Petmate Kennel Airline Travel Kit includes a spill-resistant food and water cup, an absorbent kennel pad, two Live Animals stickers, a temporary Pet ID tag, a shipping identification sticker, 12 zip ties, 12 one-and-a-quarter-inch bolts, five one-and-three-quarter-inch bolts, five one-inch bolts, 12 washers, and 12 nuts. Having the right bolts, washers, and labels in one pack means you are not hunting for hardware the night before a flight, and the three bolt lengths let you match the kit to different kennel panel joints.
• Petmate Soft Sided Kennel Cab: The Petmate Soft Sided Kennel Cab is a soft-sided carrier with a two-door design for top and front loading, mesh walls, a carrying handle, a shoulder strap, an exterior rear pocket, and PVC-backed durable material. If you are flying in-cabin, this carrier's soft sides and dual doors change how you use the kit: you will rely more on the pad, cup, and labels than on the bolts and zip ties.
• Petmate All Purpose Kennels- Pet Porter: The Petmate All Purpose Kennel - Pet Porter has a quick-latching system, side vents, built-in compartment covers, and comes in 19-inch, 23-inch, 24-inch, and 26-inch sizes. A hard-sided kennel with a latching door is the better match for the kit's zip-tie and bolt hardware, and the built-in storage keeps small items like the ID tag from getting lost in transit.