Oct 9, 2026
Custom Veterinary Cages: Sizes, Layouts and OEM Options
How custom veterinary cages are specified: standard size ranges, modular and banked layouts, mixed-size runs, OEM branding and the information a manufacturer needs to quote accurately.
Standard cage sizes suit standard rooms. Most veterinary hospitals are neither, which is why custom cages are one of the most common requests we receive. This guide explains what can be changed, what should not be, and what to send a manufacturer so the quotation is accurate the first time.
What can be customised
- Dimensions. Width, depth and height can usually be adjusted independently within sensible limits.
- Compartment split. A bank can mix small, medium and large compartments rather than repeating one size.
- Layout. Single units, stacked runs, banked configurations and island layouts are all buildable.
- Doors and hardware. Sliding or hinged doors, latch type and locking arrangements.
- Fittings. Utility panels, sockets, oxygen points, IV hangers and accessory rails.
- Branding. OEM and private-label options for distributors.
What should stay standard
Some elements are better left alone. Door hardware, latch mechanisms and gas struts are usually proven components, and redesigning them adds cost without adding value. The same applies to material grade: 304 stainless steel should remain the specification for clinical contact surfaces regardless of how much else is customised.
Common cage size ranges
Exact dimensions vary by model, but veterinary cage banks generally fall into three practical bands:
- Small compartments for cats, small dogs and recovery cases.
- Medium compartments for standard canine inpatients.
- Large compartments for large-breed dogs, or for patients that need to stand and turn comfortably.
Decide the split before you decide the total width, because the split drives the internal partitions and therefore the overall length of the bank.
Layout options
Stacked runs
The most space-efficient option where floor area is limited. Upper tiers should be reachable without a step ladder for routine work.
Banked configurations
Cages arranged at working height along a wall run. Easier for daily care, but consumes more wall length.
Mixed-size banks
A single run containing different compartment sizes. Usually the best fit for real patient populations, and a common reason buyers choose custom veterinary equipment over standard units.
Mobile sections
Caster-mounted sections let a room be reconfigured, which is useful in multi-purpose spaces.
Information needed for an accurate quote
- Usable wall length and height, plus door swings and any fixed obstructions.
- Expected patient mix, with approximate compartment size split.
- Required fittings: sockets, oxygen, IV hangers, storage.
- Whether the bank must be mobile or fixed.
- Destination country, so packing and delivery terms can be quoted together with the equipment.
Photographs of the room are often more useful than a written description, and a simple sketch marking the wall run is usually enough to begin.
OEM and private label
Distributors frequently ask for their own branding on equipment sold under their name. OEM arrangements are normally subject to minimum order quantity and depend on the type of branding required. Discuss this at quotation stage rather than after the order, because branding can affect production lead time.
Lead time and verification
Custom work always takes longer than standard stock. Ask for a written production schedule, and for first orders consider a single sample unit before committing to a full bank. Confirm packing dimensions early, since oversized crates change freight cost significantly.
To start a custom cage project, send your room dimensions, patient mix and required quantities through our contact form or review the standard range on the veterinary cages page.