The weighing of small animals presents some peculiar problems to those who must perform the task routinely.
1. The most obvious problem of course is that animals don’t stand still waiting to be weighed. They have to be coached onto or into the device and they move around constantly. It is difficult to get an accurate read of their weight when they are not still. This means that with analog scales, it takes a long time to get a stabilized reading; that is why a digital scale is best for this use.
At ArlynScales, we make our digital scales with highly durable and sensitive stainless steel load cells built into the platform of the scale. What this means is that, as soon as you place a small animal on it, it will start reading the different forces and distortion caused by the animal’s movement and average out all the unstable readings quickly to render a stable, accurate weight on the display with lightening fast speed. Your office’s weighing procedure overall will take much less time out of your day if you upgrade to a digital platform scale that can compensate for the animal’s movement.
2. Another problem that pet stores, veterinary offices and small animal farms deal with, is having to put up with liquids getting on to the scale platform. These liquids can be corrosive and damaging, so you need a scale that can stand up to that kind of abuse.
Our scales are of welded construction that can be easily washed down without fear that any substance will stain or corrode it. (We do have corrosive resistant scales if you need them for a different application however). Additionally, the load cells that we embed in the platform are made of stainless steel as well, which means that unlike the more common aluminum ones, ours will not become warped with consistent use over the life of your scale. This will also provide you with extra protection against any kind of permanent bending that often results when inferior load cells have to absorb the shock of the scale being overloaded.
3. A heavy duty scale is a sizeable investment for a pet store or vet’s office, so it is important that you buy precisely what you need, not more or less.
At ArlynScales, we make all kinds of specialized scales related to the weighing needs that different animals present, from small animals like dogs to huge livestock. The most important feature you need to remember is to buy a platform scale that has a maximum capacity of 500lbs. Industrial quality digital platform scales are made to be tough and last a long time. Therefore, one built to accommodate and take the punishment that a head of bison or cattle will subject it to is going to be much more expensive than one designed for dogs, birds and reptiles. Buy accordingly.
