Day: 22 October 2023

Laminate vs Stainless-Steel Cages: What Should I Choose for My Cat Area?

Posted on October 22, 2023 by - Product Articles

Abandoned sad cat in a veterinary cage

Trips to the vet or an overnight stay in a boarding facility can be scary and stressful for cats. Having large personalities and being introduced to new, unfamiliar environments often enhances stress levels in our feline friends. There are plenty of steps veterinary clinics and boarding facilities can take to ensure a safe and happy environment for cats, and having Laminate Cat Cages is a key first step.

Cat Cages: Comparing the Options

Here at Intriquip, we carry an array of different cages. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, how can you be sure you pick the best option for your space? Let’s talk about the cages Intriquip offers and compare which ones are best for cats.

  • Aristocrat Laminate Cages: These cages are one of the most basic models Intriquip carries. Being Laminate they are extremely cat friendly, can be cleaned easily, and come in different shapes and sizes to help fit in the space you have. These cages are also fairly inexpensive and can be a great way to help cut down on your equipment budget.

  • Aristo-Cat Laminate Kitty Suites: This line of cages are Intriquip s high-end cat cages. Offering virtually everything the Aristocrat Cages offer and more, these cages will make your cat feel right at home no matter where they are. Again, you can come up with any configuration you would like, our Kitty Suites even have the option to have built-in litter boxes and storage compartments.

  • Stainless-Steel Regal Cages: Another high-end line of cages Intriquip offers, Stainless-Steel Regal Cages are another great option for your space. Unlike the body of either the Aristocrat Laminate Cages or Aristo-Cat Laminate Kitty Suites, the Stainless-Steel cages have a body constructed of high-quality stainless steel. The Stainless-Steel Regal Cages are heavy-duty and work to house any type of animal.

Cage Comparison Chart:

Aristocrat Laminate Cages

Aristo-Cat Laminate Kitty Suites

Stainless-Steel Regal Cages

-Stainless-Steel Doors

✓

✓

✓

-12-Gauge Stainless-Steel Hinges

✓

✓

✓

-Stainless-Steel Latch

✓

✓

✓

-22-Gauge Type 304 Stainless-Steel Body

X

X

✓

-Water Resistant Plastic Laminate Body

✓

✓

X

-Fixed Resting Shelf

X

✓

X

-Rotating Black Acrylic Side Door

X

✓

X

What to Consider When Purchasing Cages for Your Cat Area

There are multiple things you should consider when you are in the market for new cages in your cat area. Whether you are a veterinary clinic or a boarding facility, having an environment where your patients or guests feel welcome is usually the top priority.

One thing to consider should be the size. Not all cats come in the same size, so neither should your cages. Some cats like a smaller space; some may enjoy the freedom to move around and stretch as needed. Having multiple cages of different sizes helps to elevate stress in cats.

Another aspect to think about when purchasing cages is the security it has and having the animal’s welfare in mind. Knowing if the cages are going to be sturdy enough to hold up any animal gives care providers a sense of ease. Cats are no strangers to having anxiety; knowing what materials they prefer over another can help relieve some of that tension. Cats are not very fond of stainless steel and if you have ever tried to get a scared cat into a stainless-steel cage, you may just agree.  When searching for new cages, be sure to look for Laminate options for feline areas.

Something else to contemplate is how easy the cages are to clean. Providing a safe space for cats especially is always going to be the main focus but making it easier on yourself is something everyone should be looking for. Having easy-to-clean or water-resistant cages can save care providers a lot of time and stress on themselves.

The last thing to consider when it comes to cat cages is how many windows and doors each cage has. We all know cats can be nosey and like to look around. Having multiple doors and windows allows the cats to look at what’s going on around them, see familiar faces, and even take the stress away from them as they can expect what’s coming around the corner.

Why Do Cats Prefer Laminate Cages?

Hand Petting Scared Cat in Cage

Many people already know cats can have large personalities. Some cats can be super shy while others are highly-strung, some get excited easily while some cats remain cool and calm in different environments. Having these large personalities, sometimes cats will veer away from stainless steel for a couple of reasons.

When close enough, reflections can be seen in stainless steel which can easily spook a cat. Stainless-Steel can also be cold to the touch depending on the environment or room around them. Cats thrive in warm areas, and being put in a cold cage may just be too far out of their comfort zone. Based on the grade of the stainless steel, it can also be a remarkably hard metal. For cats, this hard metal can not only be uncomfortable to lay on but can cause damage to their claws if they scratch it.

Recently, Laminate cages have become more popular for all the reasons Stainless-Steel cages are not when it comes to finding the best fit for cats. Many Laminate cages have a non-reflective surface because of the Laminate material they are constructed from. A non-reflective surface means there is no chance a cat would be able to see its reflection, leading to a less stressful environment for cats. Laminate is essentially plastic; plastic has a much lower thermal conductivity than metal, meaning it is not going to feel cold to the touch.

Lastly, because Laminate is just another form of plastic, it is not going to be as hard. It is going to be much more comfortable to lay on and if a cat happens to scratch the Laminate, they are less likely to cause any damage to their claws.

Fear Free

Laminate cages have also become very sought-after in recent years because of Fear Free. Fear Free is an online educational platform for veterinary professionals, pet owners, and anyone else who works with companion animals or in the veterinary industry. The educational content allows pet professionals to be in the know and on the front lines when it comes to keeping pets safe and happy in what is usually a stressful and scary environment.

Being a Fear Free clinic or boarding facility means you always have the animal’s welfare at heart. Making small adjustments like purchasing Laminate cat cages allows your clinic or boarding facility to be one step closer to being Fear Free and allows your patients or guests to have a much happier and healthier stay.

Select the Perfect Cat Cage with Intriquip

Whatever the personality, when a cat walks into a veterinary clinic or boarding facility the care providers always have their best interests at heart. Whether you are a vet clinic or a boarding facility, if you are Fear Free certified or are working your way to being certified, taking additional steps to make the animals and pets we care for feel safer is always going to be on the top of each care provider’s list. Visit Intriquip’s Cages and Kennels Page to find out more about what Cat Cages we offer, or contact one of our trusted Sales Associates.

What are the Differences Between New and Used Veterinary Equipment?

Posted on October 22, 2023 by - Product Articles

Veterinarian examining Labrador puppies during a health check-up

With the cost of living on the rise across the country, veterinary equipment is no
stranger to price increases. Many veterinarians have switched their focus and are inquiring about used equipment like never before. So, how do you know if used veterinary equipment is right for you and your clinic? Let’s talk about the differences between new and used, some of the common questions about used equipment, and some of the pros and cons of each.

What is New and Used Veterinary Equipment?

New veterinary equipment comes right from the supplier or manufacturer and is generally priced higher than used equipment. Just like purchasing anything new, new veterinary equipment comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, giving you the peace of mind that if something does go wrong, you do not have to dwell on the expenses. Purchasing new means you have the confidence that equipment is going to live a long and happy life in your clinic.

Used veterinary equipment is usually purchased from the original owner. Some veterinarians choose to sell their equipment privately, and others choose to sell it to a Dealer or Distributor for resale. Used equipment is normally much cheaper than new but may not be exactly what you are looking for. Used equipment can mean the machine is in good working condition and ready to be used in your clinic, or it could require a repair technician’s expertise before it is used.

Pros and Cons: New Veterinary Equipment

Pros

  • Warranty Period: As mentioned, when purchasing new veterinary equipment, it almost always comes with some form of warranty from the manufacturer. Warranty can vary from machine to machine, but it alleviates any worries you may have about your new equipment.
  • Lifespan: Purchasing new equipment will often mean investing in a longer lifespan. You can expect that equipment to work for plenty of years to come, not being worried about continuously looking for better machines to replace the ones you have. New equipment’s lifespan also depends on how well it is looked after, as veterinary equipment needs routine maintenance and inspections.
  • Newest and Latest Technologies: Many people choose to buy new, solely for the fact that it is up with the times. The newest and latest technology can be super exciting, especially for our young, up-and-coming veterinarians, which is why some choose to buy only new equipment. For others, these new technologies help them be better doctors, perform new procedures and even take veterinary medicine to places it’s never been to before.

Cons

  • Expensive: If you work in veterinary medicine, it is no shock as to how expensive some of the equipment can be, especially when you are buying brand new. When buying new equipment, you are paying for the newest technology, the machine with the best life span, you are even helping pay for your warranty period whether something goes wrong in that timeframe or not. Shipping costs as well as the manufacturing costs all add up, and in the end, the veterinarian purchasing the new equipment is going to feel that the hardest when buying new.
  • Lead Times: In recent years, almost everyone has experienced long lead times. We all know it can take days, weeks, or even months for simple household items to arrive and veterinary equipment is no different. Right now, lead times on new equipment can be anywhere from one to ten weeks, if not longer in some cases. Some clinics simply can not wait that long or might have to turn clients away while they wait for a new machine to arrive, making it hardly worth their while as they wait.
  • Depreciation: Just like purchasing a new car, veterinary equipment depreciates as soon as it has been used in your clinic. The older your equipment gets, the less value it holds. Regular maintenance and inspections will help your equipment depreciate slower.

Pros and Cons: Used Veterinary Equipment

Veterinary clinic

Pros

  • Cheaper: Used veterinary equipment is going to be cheaper than purchasing new equipment almost every time. Purchasing used is much more budget-friendly and can help you purchase multiple pieces for your clinic, not just one.
  • Lead Times: In most cases, whether you are buying used equipment from another veterinarian or a Distributor, normally they have the equipment sitting there ready to go. You may have to wait a day or two for shipping, but you can have the machine ordered, delivered, installed, and working in your clinic within a week of purchasing. There are no crazy lead times with used equipment, which means no need to turn away your clients.
  • Quality: Most used equipment is going to be a couple of years old, if not ten or more, and has most likely had a repair or two in its lifetime. When purchasing used equipment, especially from Distributors like Intriquip, we go through the entire machine before we sell it to make sure everything is in great working condition. A used machine may look old on the outside, but on the inside, it holds brand-new parts. The quality of the used machine is virtually the same as a new machine.

Cons

  • Research: Before buying any piece of used equipment, you should always do your research. This can be time-consuming, but well worth it in the end. Ask plenty of questions about the machine, whether you’re buying it from another veterinarian or a Distributor. Look at different websites, speak to different salespersons and veterinarians, and find out if that piece of used equipment is right for you and your clinic.
  • Lifespan: When buying used, there is never any guarantee of how long that specific piece of equipment is going to last. Knowing how old the equipment is might help you determine how many years of life it has left, but that is not always possible. To ensure you are getting a working piece of equipment, purchasing from someone you trust, or from a Distributor like us, who makes sure everything is running before it is ever in your hands.
  • Selection: You are not always going to find exactly what you are looking for when purchasing used veterinary equipment. Most used equipment comes from clinics that are closing or as trade-ins on new purchases. What one person used and loved for ten years may not be the right equipment for you.

Common Questions About Used Equipment

  1. What is your warranty period?

    Depending on where you are purchasing from, this answer could look different. Typically, if you purchase used equipment privately, you are going to have no warranty. If you are buying from a Distributor, often they will offer a warranty on used equipment but never to the full extent that you would receive on a new piece of equipment. Here at Intriquip, we are proud to offer a 90-Day Parts and Labor Warranty on all our used equipment.

  2. Do you sell parts for this machine?

    For Intriquip, normally we do. We take pride in our service department and the work they do here. Our trained technicians are continuously learning about different brand-name equipment and figuring out how to service them the best. Our rule of thumb is that we try our very best to only sell used equipment we can service, and that includes carrying or being able to get in parts.

  3. Do you test your used equipment before you sell it?

    Yes, we do! Normally, when a piece of used equipment comes in, one of our trained technicians will take a look at it and run a test cycle with it. Then, once they diagnose any repair work that needs to be done and complete it, they will run another test cycle before salespersons at Intriquip are even allowed to tell our customers about it.

Contact an Intriquip Salesperson Today

Whether you are purchasing new or used veterinary equipment, only you know what’s going to work for your situation and your clinic. As discussed, there are many pros and cons to each, as well as plenty of questions that come up when trying to decide if used or new veterinary equipment is right for you. Staying well-educated, doing your research, and asking plenty of questions will ensure you are finding the equipment that suits your needs. Take a look at Intriquip’s Used Equipment page to find out more or reach out to any one of our salespersons here, we would be happy to assist!