Pet Urn Size Guide: How to Select the Right Cremation Urn for Your Beloved Pet

Losing a beloved pet is a heart-wrenching experience, and choosing a pet urn to hold their ashes is a deeply personal way to honor their memory. With countless options available, from dog urns to cat urns, selecting the right cremation urn can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive pet urn size guide provides everything you need to know about choosing the perfect urn, including size calculations, breed-specific recommendations, types, materials, and storage options. Whether you’re memorializing a Labrador Retriever or a Siamese cat, this guide will help you make an informed and heartfelt decision.

*Our design - Shiba Memorial Urn with Plaid Collar

Why Choose a Pet Urn?

A pet urn is more than a container; it’s a lasting tribute to the joy and companionship your pet brought into your life. Whether you’re seeking a pet cremation urn for home display, a keepsake to share with family, or an eco-friendly option for scattering, the right urn should reflect your bond and meet practical needs. This guide focuses on ensuring you select the correct size while exploring the variety of pet urns for ashes available.

Understanding Pet Urn Sizes

The size of a pet urn is measured in cubic inches, representing the volume needed to hold your pet’s ashes. The industry-standard guideline is that 1 pound of your pet’s body weight requires approximately 1 cubic inch of urn space. For example:

• A 20-pound dog needs an urn with at least 20 cubic inches.

• A 10-pound cat requires at least 10 cubic inches.

To ensure all ashes fit comfortably, it’s recommended to add 10-20% extra capacity. For a 20-pound pet, an urn with 25-30 cubic inches is ideal. This accounts for variations in bone density or cremation processes, as noted by sources like Oaktree Memorials. If you’re unsure of your pet’s weight, consult your veterinarian or use breed averages as a guide.

Pet Urn Size Guide by Breed

To simplify your decision, below is a table of popular dog and cat breeds, their average weight ranges, and recommended urn capacities. These figures are based on reliable data and serve as a general guide. Always use your pet’s actual weight for precision, as individual pets may differ from breed norms.

 

For Dogs

Breed	Average Weight Range (lbs)	Recommended Urn Capacity (Cubic Inches)
Labrador Retriever	65-80	65-80
German Shepherd	75-95	75-95
Yorkshire Terrier	Less than 7	5-7
Golden Retriever	65-75	65-75
Beagle	18-30	18-30
Boxer	50-75	50-75
Bulldog	40-50	40-50
Dachshund (Mini)	8-10	8-10
Poodle (Mini)	11-17	11-17
Shih Tzu	8-16	8-16

For Cats

Breed	Average Weight Range (lbs)	Recommended Urn Capacity (Cubic Inches)
Domestic Cat	8-10	8-10
Persian	7-12	7-12
Siamese	5-10	5-10
Maine Coon	10-25	10-25

 

Note: If your pet’s weight is near the upper limit of a range, opt for a slightly larger urn to avoid a tight fit. For example, a Maine Coon cat weighing 25 pounds should have an urn with 30-35 cubic inches.

Types of Pet Urns

Pet urns come in various types to suit different memorial preferences. Understanding these options can help you choose one that aligns with your emotional and practical needs:

• Standard Urns: Designed to hold all of your pet’s ashes, these are ideal for home display or storage in a columbarium. Available in materials like wood, metal, or ceramic, they suit pets of all sizes, from a 5-pound Siamese to a 95-pound German Shepherd.
• Keepsake Urns: Smaller urns (2-10 cubic inches) that hold a portion of the ashes, perfect for sharing among family members or keeping a small amount while scattering the rest.
• Biodegradable Urns: Made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo or recycled paper, these urns naturally decompose, making them suitable for burial or water scattering ceremonies.
• Personalized Urns: Customizable with engravings (e.g., pet’s name, dates, or a message), photos, or breed-specific designs like paw prints. These add a personal touch, as noted by Cremation Solutions.
• Jewelry Urns: Wearable keepsakes, such as necklaces or keychains, that hold a tiny amount of ashes (less than 1 cubic inch). They offer a discreet way to keep your pet close.

Materials and Design

The material and design of a pet urn influence its durability, appearance, and suitability for your intended use. Common materials include:

• Wood: Warm and natural, ideal for indoor display on a mantel or shelf.
• Metal: Durable and weather-resistant, suitable for burial or outdoor memorials.
• Ceramic: Offers artistic designs and vibrant colours, perfect for showcasing your pet’s personality.
• Glass: Modern and transparent, often used for display purposes.
• Biodegradable Materials: Such as bamboo or paper, designed for eco-friendly memorials

Designs range from simple to elaborate, with options like paw prints, breed silhouettes, or photo frames. Personalised urns can include engravings or mementoes like a collar, enhancing their sentimental value.

Where to Buy Pet Urns

Pet urns are available from multiple sources, each offering different levels of variety and customization:

• Veterinary Offices: Provide basic and mid-range urns, often convenient during cremation arrangements.

• Online retailer: such as Wayhome urn, Amazon, Etsy, and Chewy, offer extensive selections, ranging from budget-friendly to artisanal designs.

• Speciality Memorial Websites: Sites like Wayhome urn, Amazon, Etsy, and Chewy specialize in pet memorials, offering detailed guides and customisation.

• Local Artisans: Commissioning a local craftsman can result in a unique, handcrafted urn tailored to your pet’s memory.

FAQ

1. How do I know what size urn to get for my pet?
   Use the guideline of 1 cubic inch per pound of your pet’s weight, and add 10-20% extra space for comfort.

2. Where can I buy a pet urn?
   Purchase from veterinary offices, online retailers like Wayhome urn, Amazon or Etsy, speciality memorial websites, or local artisans.

3. What if I want to split my pet’s ashes among family members?
   Use smaller keepsake urns for each family member, ensuring the total capacity matches your pet’s weight.

Conclusion

Selecting the right pet urn is a heartfelt way to honour your pet’s memory. By understanding size requirements—1 cubic inch per pound, plus extra space—you can ensure a proper fit. Explore urn types, materials, and storage options to find one that reflects your bond. Whether you choose a standard urn for home display, a keepsake urn for sharing, or a biodegradable urn for scattering, take your time to make a decision that feels right. Your pet’s memory will live on through the love and care you put into this choice.

For more information, don't hesitate to talk with us online.