Read the size label, not the litres
Choosing a pet urn is one of the most personal decisions you'll make after losing a companion. Among the style, material and personalisation choices, one purely practical question trips families up: will the urn actually fit?
We've made that as simple as we can. Rather than asking you to convert your pet's weight into millilitres and then match that to a product spec, our sizes are named after the pet weight they hold. A size labelled M · 39 lb holds a complete set of ashes for a dog up to 39 lb. That's the whole system.
The maths behind it is below, in case your crematory gives you a volume instead of a weight — but you don't need it to order.
Full sizing chart by pet weight
| Your pet's weight | LovaPaws size to choose | Common pets in this range |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 lb (up to 2.3 kg) |
KeepsakeS · 10 lbS · 11 lb | Kitten, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, ferret, Chihuahua, teacup Yorkie, toy Poodle |
| 6–15 lb (2.7–6.8 kg) |
Any catS · 11 lbB/C · 14 lbUp to 20 lb | Most cats (Domestic Shorthair, Siamese, Persian, Russian Blue), Yorkie, Maltese, Pomeranian |
| 16–25 lb (7.3–11.3 kg) |
Up to 20 lbD · 23 lbS · 27 lb | Larger cats (Maine Coon, Ragdoll), Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer |
| 26–35 lb (11.8–15.9 kg) |
S · 27 lbLarge · 29 lbL · 30 lbM · 39 lb | French Bulldog, Corgi, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Shetland Sheepdog |
| 36–50 lb (16.3–22.7 kg) |
M · 39 lbM · 42 lbL · 63 lb | Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, English Bulldog, smaller Husky |
| 51–75 lb (23.1–34 kg) |
L · 63 lbL · 81 lbL · 88 lb | Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Boxer, Standard Poodle |
| 76–88 lb (34.5–39.9 kg) |
L · 81 lbL · 88 lb | Rottweiler (smaller), Doberman, Golden Retriever (large male), Bernese Mountain Dog |
| Over 88 lb (39.9 kg+) |
Not covered by our current sizes | Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, English Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound, Alaskan Malamute |
If your crematory gave you a volume instead
Some providers report the ashes in cubic inches or millilitres rather than pointing you back at your pet's weight. The conversion is straightforward.
Cremation produces roughly 1 cubic inch of ashes per pound of body weight — the benchmark used by the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) and most professional providers. And 1 cubic inch = 16.39 ml.
So a 30 lb dog produces about 30 cubic inches, roughly 490 ml. On top of that we build in a 15–25% margin when we set our size labels, because ashes usually come back in a sealed bag that takes up more room than loose ashes would. That margin is already included in the weight on the label — you don't need to add anything yourself.
Sizing by pet: dog & cat guides
Looking for breed-specific advice? These companion guides go deeper.
Dog urn sizing
Size and style guide for dogs — toy breeds through to large breeds, with a weight breakdown.
Read the dog urn guide →Cat urn sizing
How to choose a personalised cat urn, and which sizes suit which cats.
Read the cat urn guide →Types of urns
Ceramic, photo, box and keepsake urns explained — which format fits your family.
Compare urn types →If they don't fit
What to do when the ashes won't go in — and why you shouldn't force the lid.
Read the guide →Shop by size
Every size below is a real option on the product page — the weight in the label is the weight it holds. You can also browse the full pet cremation urn collection.
Cats and small dogs — up to about 20 lb
Small to medium dogs — up to about 40 lb
Large dogs — up to 88 lb
5 practical tips before you order
-
1Use your pet's weight before cremation. Our size labels are built around live body weight, not the weight of the ashes — ashes are far lighter.
-
2If you're between two sizes, take the larger one. An urn slightly too big is invisible. An urn that won't close is a problem you have to solve on the worst possible day.
-
3The sealed bag is already accounted for. Most providers return ashes in a sealed bag, which takes up more room than loose ashes. Our 15–25% margin is built into the weight on the label, so you don't need to add extra.
-
4Ask your provider for the volume if you want to double-check. Many will give you cubic inches or millilitres before you collect. Divide millilitres by 16.39 and read the result as pounds.
-
5Consider a keepsake alongside the main urn. Many families keep the full-size urn at home and a smaller keepsake for another relative, or for a shelf that meant something.
Frequently asked questions
What size urn do I need for my dog?
Match your dog's weight to the size label. A small dog under 11 lb fits an S size, a medium dog around 30–40 lb fits an M · 39 lb, and a large dog up to 88 lb fits our L · 88 lb. If your dog is near the top of a size, choose the next one up.
What size urn do I need for my cat?
Most cats are 8–12 lb, and our cat sizes are labelled for it — a size marked "Any cat" holds a complete set for a domestic cat with room to spare, and "Cats to 11 lb" tells you its ceiling.
What's the largest dog these urns fit?
Up to 88 lb. Several styles reach a full urn at that size, and others top out at 81 lb, 63 lb or 42 lb. For a giant breed above 88 lb, message us before ordering — a single urn here won't hold a complete set.
How do I convert a volume in millilitres to a size?
Divide the millilitres by 16.39 to get cubic inches, then read that number as pounds. 500 ml ÷ 16.39 ≈ 30 cubic inches ≈ a 30 lb pet, so choose a size labelled 30 lb or above.
Is the urn sized by my pet's weight before or after cremation?
Before. The one-cubic-inch-per-pound rule our labels are built on uses live body weight, not the weight of the ashes.
Should I size up or down if my pet is between two sizes?
Always size up. Ashes come back in a sealed bag that takes up more room than loose ashes, and an urn that won't close is far more upsetting than one with a little extra space.
What does a keepsake size hold?
A keepsake holds a portion rather than a complete set — a spoonful to a small handful. Families often pair one with a full-size urn when ashes are being shared or partly scattered.
Find the right size for your pet
Every LovaPaws urn is made to order and personalised with your pet's name, portrait, or photo — and labelled with the weight it holds, so you can order with confidence.
Browse pet cremation urns
