Choosing the Right Veterinary ICU Cages for Your Hospital

A Guide to Buying ICU Cages for Veterinary Hospitals

When it comes to stabilizing critical patients, few investments matter more than your ICU cages.

These are life-saving environments where patients recover from surgery, trauma, illness, and other critical medical conditions.

It’s their safe space. Their home away from home.

Veterinary ICU cages are essential for several critical care functions, like:

• Oxygen therapy and respiratory support

• Post-operative recovery monitoring

• Neurologic or immobile patient housing

• Infectious disease isolation (with appropriate containment features)

• Pain management and reduced handling for high-stress or critical patients

• Nutritional support and fluid therapy in debilitated patients

They support both patient safety and treatment efficiency in emergency, surgical, and specialty care settings.

Choosing the proper ICU cage setup can significantly improve patient outcomes and convey a strong message to clients that their pets are receiving top-tier care.

Whether you’re building a new hospital or upgrading your treatment area, here’s what to look for when investing in veterinary ICU cages.

1. Temperature and Humidity Control

Critically ill patients often can’t regulate their body temperature, especially neonates, small exotics, or patients recovering from anesthesia. That’s where heated ICU cages come in.

Look for cages that allow precise control over temperature and humidity, ensuring you can support thermal needs without relying on external warming devices.

In some systems, built-in environmental monitoring allows you to adjust conditions in real-time—a game-changer for fragile post-operative or hypothermic patients.

2. Oxygen Delivery and Isolation Capabilities

Patients in respiratory distress need immediate oxygen support, and having the right cage system can mean the difference between scrambling with makeshift setups and delivering seamless care.

What to look for:

• Built-in oxygen ports or sealed enclosures

• Adjustable airflow to prevent CO₂ buildup

• Compatibility with nebulizers or humidifiers

• Doors with clear viewing panels for constant monitoring

Let’s look at Cammie, a 6-year-old feline with congestive heart failure, who presents in respiratory crisis. A sealed ICU cage with integrated oxygen delivery provides your team with a quiet, stress-free way to stabilize her while reducing handling and maintaining vital signs under control.

3. Easy Access and Smart Layout

Time matters when managing critical cases. ICU cages should allow for easy access to patients, effortless cleaning, and secure door latching.

Features like pull-out trays, built-in lighting, and stackable configurations also make a big difference in fast-paced environments.

Pro tip: Choose configurations that allow your team to work comfortably without having to reposition patients unnecessarily, critical in cases of fractures or neurologic deficits.

4. Size and Species Considerations

Your ICU suite should reflect the species and case types that your clinic handles most frequently.

A general practice might need a mix of small and medium enclosures, while an exotic or referral hospital may require custom sizing for birds, rabbits, or ferrets.

To help with planning, please carefully measure your space and consider your typical caseload before committing to a setup. Adjustable or modular cage systems offer flexibility as your hospital grows.

5. Durability, Cleanability, and Infection Control

ICU cages must withstand heavy use while being easy to sanitize.

Stainless steel remains the gold standard for its longevity and resistance to bacteria and odors, but acrylic or polycarbonate doors are increasingly popular for their visibility and containment properties.

Look for features like:

• Smooth, sealed surfaces

• Minimal crevices for biofilm buildup

• Removable floor grates and trays

• Integrated UV or HEPA options (for high-risk areas)

• Set Your Patients—and Team—Up for Success

When evaluating new veterinary ICU cages, consider the needs of the species, available space, and expected caseload. Other considerations, such as modularity and stackability, enable the potential for future expansion support.

ICU cages aren’t just a piece of equipment; they’re an extension of your patient care philosophy. When thoughtfully chosen, they help your team work efficiently, improve patient comfort and safety, and enhance client confidence in your facility.

If you're outfitting a new hospital or upgrading your treatment area, explore our high-quality veterinary ICU cage systems, x-ray equipment, dental units, and more to support your hospital’s growth.