Hamster

Collecting blood from rodents: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

The question was asked: "In your own experience, what is the least disturbing technique - from the subject's point of view! - of blood collection for rodents?" In summary, it is fair to conclude the clinical and ethical concerns outweigh...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Luzzi, M., Skoumbourdis, E., Baumans, V. et al. 2005. Collecting blood from rodents: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 4, 99-102.

An ethological approach to housing requirements of golden hamsters, Mongolian gerbils and fat sand rats in the laboratory ? A review

When housing hamsters and gerbils little has been done to identify the preferences of these species. The solitary nature of fat sand rats and hamsters is often discordant with housing practices in animal laboratories. This article provides a comparison of...

Year Published: 2005Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Gerbil, Hamster, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Sorensen, D. B., Krohn, T., Hansen, H. N. et al. 2005. An ethological approach to housing requirements of golden hamsters, Mongolian gerbils and fat sand rats in the laboratory ? A review . Applied Animal Behaviour Science 93, 181-195.

Running wheel choice by Syrian hamsters

The hamsters did not express a preference when offered a choice of a running surface made of metal rods spaced 9 mm apart and a similar running surface covered with plastic mesh to prevent the possible stippage between the rods....

Year Published: 2005Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Reebs, S. G., St-Onge, P. 2005. Running wheel choice by Syrian hamsters. Laboratory Animals 4, 442-451.

Preparation of animals for research — Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits

This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and acclimation. This allotment of time...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical Review, Relocation & Transport, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., Brown, M. J. 2006. Preparation of animals for research -- Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR Journal 47(4), 283-293.

The influence of bedding depth on behaviour in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Hamsters kept with 10 cm deep bedding showed significantly more wire-gnawing and a higher running wheel activity than the hamsters in the other groups. In 80 cm deep bedding wire-gnawing was never observed.... All hamsters in 40 and 80 cm...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Hauzenberger, A. R., Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., Steiger, A. 2006. The influence of bedding depth on behaviour in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 100(3-4), 280-294.

Preference for bedding material in Syrian hamsters

In a first experiment, 26 male hamsters had access to two connected cages, each cage containing a different bedding material (either pine shavings, aspen shavings, corn cob or wood pellets). In a second experiment, 14 male hamsters had access to...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Lanteigne, M., Reebs, S. G. 2006. Preference for bedding material in Syrian hamsters. Laboratory Animals 40(4), 410-418.

Housing condition alters immunological and reproductive responses to day length in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

During winter, increased thermoregulatory demands coincide with limited food availability necessitating physiological tradeoffs among expensive physiological processes resulting in seasonal breeding among small mammals. In the laboratory, short winter-like day lengths induce regression of the reproductive tract, but also enhance...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Weil ZM, Workman JL, Nelson RJ. 2007. Housing condition alters immunological and reproductive responses to day length in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Hormones and Behav. 52;261-266.

Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cages

The welfare of pet golden hamsters in cages with a minimal ground floor area of 10,000 sqcm seemed to be enhanced compared with smaller cages.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Fischer, K., Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., Steiger, A. 2007. Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cages. Animal Welfare 16, 85-93.

Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cage sizes

Hamsters spent most of their active time inside the running-wheel (58% in 1,800 cm2, 74% in 2,500 cm2, 63% in 5,000 cm2 and 70% in 10,000 cm2). Although hamsters displayed wire-gnawing in all cage sizes, hamsters in small cages performed...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Fisher, K., Gebhardt-Heinrich, S. G., Steiger, A. 2007. Behaviour of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) kept in four different cage sizes. Animal Welfare 16(1), 53-62.

Environmental enrichment: Shelter and nesting material for rodents and rabbits; bedding for rodents

The needs for a shelter and nesting material of mice and rats are quite different. Building their own nests is almost a must for mice, and the nest will then also be used as a retreat. For rats, access to...

Year Published: 2007Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum] 2007. Environmental enrichment:Shelter and nesting material for rodents and rabbits; bedding for rodents. In: Making Lives Easier for Animals in Research Labs: Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Baumans, V., Coke, C., Green, J., Moreau, E., Morton, D., Patterson-Kane, E., Reinhardt, A., Reinhardt, V., Van Loo, P. (eds), 74-79. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.