Lift Table for Pets

Appearance and Types

• Manual, hydraulic and electric lift tables vary greatly in appearance, size and price. Most of the tables adjust to heights of 12 to 42 inches. Some of the hydraulic and electric lift tables will support up to 375 pounds. Portable lift tables, used predominately by groomers or pet show handlers and judges, are lightweight, fold into a compact size and are portable. Most lift tables sport an anti-skid plastic or rubber surface to prevent an animal's paws from slipping.

Hydraulic and Electric Lift Tables

• Groomers and veterinarians often choose hydraulic and electric lift tables that lower all the way to the ground. The pet can step on the table, and the groomer or veterinarian can restrain the animal and lift it upward. There is no reason for the groomer or the veterinarian staff to risk any injury by lifting the animal onto the table -- or to scare the pet by picking it up. Hydraulic and electric lift tables usually are operated by pedals. Groomers can use a table clamp-on grooming post to hold a dog in the correct position while it stands on the lift table.

Show Lift Tables

• During a dog show, the handler has to lift toy and small breed dogs onto the lift table so the judge can carefully examine each animal. The table holds the dog at the proper level for the judge to successfully view it without bending or kneeling on the ground. The lift table can often be adjusted to fit the judge's specific height. Judges and handlers also use lift tables at cat shows to bring the feline up to an acceptable level for observation.

Crematory Lift Table

• Some pet owners opt to have their beloved pets cremated. A lift table used in a crematory has wheels that allow the crematory staff to move a large animal from place to place. It can also lift the animal up high enough to successfully place it into the cremation chamber. Lift tables designed for a crematory often work with a conveyor belt. The staff lines the table up with the cremation chamber and turns on the conveyor belt to slide the pet into the opening.