The best vet gloves will give you the protection and comfort that you need to carry out your job. But how do you know which veterinary gloves are right for you, with so many different varieties to choose from? Here we explore your options, including Nitrile and Latex, and discuss their benefits and drawbacks.
Why Do You Need Veterinary Gloves?
Whether it’s a routine everyday examination of a small fluffy animal, tending to a severe abscess, administering a routine vaccination or completing a complex surgery procedure, there are several vital reasons why vets need to be armed with the right hand protection:
- Protect against harmful diseases – these can be passed through skin-to-skin contact between an animal and human
- Protection against injury – sharp nails and teeth are a common occurrence in the veterinary world
- Prevent skin irritation – some animals and medicines can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier and can lead to itching and soreness
- Cleanliness – generally, they help keep unwanted animal substances from touching your skin, including faeces, urine and saliva
Ultimately, if you know you’re protected, it will allow you to be more confident in performing your role. It also gives a visual reminder to the owners of the animals you’re handling that you take the welfare of their animals seriously.
The Best Veterinary Gloves
The number one recommended vet glove is made from Nitrile – a synthetic rubber material. But why are Nitrile gloves the best veterinary gloves for your practice?
- Liquid resistant – meaning that liquid, such as blood, saliva, grease, oil, chemicals, and so on, cannot get through the gloves and onto your hands to cause damage or infection
- High-puncture resistance – they are extremely tough and durable vet gloves, protecting you from potentially harmful animal scratches and bites
- Sterile – no matter how well or frequently you wash your hands, yuor hands will still carry and transmit bacteria. Some nitrile gloves are sterile, which means they come out of the packet without any harmful germs on them (make sure you check the product description as not all are sterile)
- Comfortable – Nitrile gloves are flexible and move with your body, making them a comfortable fit for performing even the most intricate tasks
- Textured grip – allows for high dexterity for performing delicate procedures
- Thickness levels – you can choose from a range of thickness levels, depending on the support and protection that you need
- Different colourways – if you prefer to colour code your gloves, depending on the task they will be used for, there are several colours available, such as black, orange and white
A firm second choice is atex gloves. They offer some of the benefits of Nitrile gloves, with some slight differences:
- Micro-textured – for enhanced sensitivity and accuracy, allowing you to perform delicate tasks
- Protective barrier – provides a barrier between you and the animal you’re examining or treating to help prevent the spread of bacteria. However, they are not as resistant to punctures or chemicals as Nitrile vet gloves
- Comfortable – they offer excellent elasticity to ensure a snug fit
- Biodegrabale – once you’ve used the product and thrown it away, the natural rubber will degrade over time. This makes them more eco-friendly than synthetic options
Note that some humans and animals can also be allergic to the proteins found in Latex, making Nitrile a safer alternative.
See below for our like-for-like comparison on Nitrile versus Latex veterinary gloves.
Important Advice When Wearing Vet Gloves
- It’s not only about protecting you from the animals but a good-quality vet glove also protects the animal from anything harmful that may be on your skin, too
- All gloves should be single-use to prevent contamination. They must be changed between patients and tasks
- When removing your gloves, peel them back from the wrist and fold the glove in on itself to prevent contamination
- For lengthy procedures, it’s still important to check that no holes or tears have appeared in the glove. Practice changing them periodically to prevent issues
- Gloves do not protect against needles, so do not rely on them to protect you against needle mishaps
- Store your gloves in a cool, dry place to maintain the longevity of the product and to stop them from degrading
- Don’t overwear your gloves, especially in hot weather, as the sweat from your skin can cause skin irritation
- Remember that you must still wash your hands before and after wearing gloves
- Don’t store your vet gloves near strong solvents/disinfectants as it may accelerate the degrading process
- Measure the width of your hand to ensure the best fit. If the veterinary glove is too big, it could fall off; too small and it reduces your dexterity. See our handy size guide below
Do You Need Both Nitrile and Latex Gloves?
It’s a good idea to carry both Nitrile and Latex gloves at your practice. This means that you have options if any of your staff have a Latex allergy. Plus, a thicker Nitrile glove may not be needed for low-risk tasks.
With prices starting from just £2.25 (ex. VAT) for a pack of 100 Nitrile gloves and £3.45 (ex. VAT) for a pack of 100 Latex gloves, you can browse the range of vet gloves here.
If you’re still not sure if Nitrile or Latex is right for you, drop us an email and we’ll be happy to assist: sales@easygloves.co.uk
