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Petmate 21100 Check price on Amazon

Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel for Small Dogs (Durable, Heavy Duty Dog Travel Crate, Made with Recycled Materials, 21 in. Long) up to 15 lbs, Made in USA Review

By Marcus Bell · Dog nutrition editor · Published 2026-06-03 · Updated 2026-06-24

4.2 (313) Amazon rating$64.4250+ bought last month

Our verdict

The Petmate Ultra Vari 21100 is a compact, durable travel kennel built for small dogs up to 15 lbs, and its made-in-USA construction from recycled materials gives it an edge over typical budget crates.

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Best for

Owners of small dogs under 15 lbs who need a sturdy, portable kennel for travel, vet visits, or short-term confinement.

Skip if

You have a dog approaching or over 15 lbs, since this 21-inch size is built specifically for small breeds.

Our scorecard

4.2/5 overall
  • Owner rating4.2/5

    4.2 average across 313 owner ratings

  • Popularity2.1/5

    313 owner reviews, fewer than most models here

The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog and cat food, health, gear and grooming we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.

Overview

["The Petmate Ultra Vari 21100 is sized for small dogs up to 15 lbs, with a 21-inch length that keeps it compact enough for a car back seat, a corner of an apartment, or travel. Petmate markets it as a durable, heavy duty travel crate rather than a flimsy budget carrier, and it's built in the USA using recycled materials, a detail that sets it apart from most crates in this price range.", 'At $64.42, it sits in the middle of the crate market, priced above bare-bones wire crates but well below premium extra-large travel kennels. With 313 reviews and a 4.2 star average, it has a solid track record without the massive review count of the bestselling iCrate line, suggesting steady but more modest sales volume.', "Because Petmate designed this line around durability and travel use, it's a reasonable pick for owners who need one kennel that can double as both a home crate and a travel carrier, rather than buying separate products for each purpose."]

Pros

  • Compact 21-inch size fits small dogs up to 15 lbs without wasting floor space
  • Made in the USA with recycled materials
  • Marketed specifically for durability and travel use
  • 4.2 star rating across 313 reviews

Cons

  • Only suitable for dogs up to 15 lbs, so it won't work as your dog grows
  • Higher price than basic wire crates of similar size
  • Lower review count than the bestselling iCrate line, so less data on long-term durability

Performance notes

Petmate's Ultra Vari line is built around a heavy duty, travel-ready design rather than a simple fold-flat wire frame, which typically means a sturdier shell that holds up better to being knocked around in a car. The recycled-material construction and Made in USA label point to a company betting on durability and domestic manufacturing rather than the lowest possible price.

What buyers say

With 313 reviews and a 4.2 star average, this kennel has a respectable but modest review base, and roughly 50 bought in the past month is consistent with a steady niche seller rather than a runaway bestseller.

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Frequently asked questions

How much weight can the Petmate Ultra Vari 21100 hold?

It's built for small dogs up to 15 lbs, based on the 21-inch size listed for this model.

Is this kennel good for travel?

Petmate markets this as a durable, heavy duty travel crate, though it's worth checking any current airline or carrier requirements directly since specific policies vary.

Where is this kennel manufactured?

It's made in the USA using recycled materials, according to Petmate's own product listing.

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