Stainless steel cages pose ‘excessive noise’ challenge, survey finds
A significant majority (75%) of veterinary professionals find 'excessive noise' to be a challenge with stainless steel clinical housing, according to a recent survey.
CASCO Pet surveyed more than 650 veterinary professionals at leading veterinary exhibitions and conferences in the UK and USA (London Vet Show, VMX, WVC).
Respondents – all of whom work in clinics that use stainless steel kennels – reported that the noise from the housing can be detrimental to animal patient health. Three quarters said excessive noise was an issue. Of these respondents:
- Almost nine in 10 said they had witnessed patient anxiety (89.43%).
- Nearly a quarter experienced instances of animal injury (24.18%).
- Over one in five noted that excessive noise resulted in extended recovery time for patients (22.35%).
Noise has a ripple effect within a clinic with ramifications for practice staff as well as pet patients. More than half (52.84%) of those who reported excessive noise as a challenge said it resulted in staff stress, and more than a quarter (26.42%) reported facing challenging working conditions. Additionally, almost one in five (19.30%) said they had suffered an injury as a result of noise challenges.
Reducing noise levels in clinics came out as one of the top priorities for professionals using stainless steel kennels; 84.64% declared it important to them. This was only narrowly beaten by patient comfort, by 0.3%.
Ease of cleaning (80.62%) and reducing patient stress levels (77.64%) also ranked highly, while temperature issues with stainless steel kennels were declared a challenge by over half of respondents (55.68%).
CASCO Pet CEO, Matthew Bubear, says: "These findings lay bare the true scale of stainless steel kennelling's excessive noise problem for pet patients and practice staff. Clanging, resonant and disruptive, stainless steel kennels can significantly exacerbate fear, stress and anxiety and impact recovery.
"It's clear that stainless steel is no longer suitable for today's animal housing. A 21st century solution is needed – one that truly puts patient wellbeing at the forefront."
Crafted from specialist glass, CASCO Pet's state-of-the-art WELLKennels mitigate noise for a quieter, calmer and more comfortable environment for patients and practice staff alike. The kennels are certified by the International Society of Feline Medicine and are a Fear Free Preferred Product.
Over 62% of the professionals surveyed said they believed WELLKennels would have a "significant" or "very significant" improvement on their practice – with 71% saying noise reduction was one of the most appealing features.
A separate consumer survey of cat and dog owners, conducted by CASCO Pet, reiterated the need for alternative animal housing material in clinical settings.
- A majority of pet owners (79.18%) said their pet experiences stress or anxiety when visiting the vet (514 respondents).
- When asked whether they would prefer their pet to be housed in a WELLKennel or a stainless steel cage, 70% chose WELLKennels (1,291 respondents).
- Additionally, three-quarters said they were willing to travel further to visit a veterinary clinic with WELLKennels, with 69.47% willing to pay more for this option (904 respondents).
