Environmental enrichment for ferrets, guinea pigs and rabbits (2007)

LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum]

Abstract

You do not have to spend a lot of money to make ferrets happy. Empty bedding bags were a great hit! They also enjoyed rolling around small cat balls with bells in them, though they destroyed them rapidly and, hence, needed frequent replacements. They also enjoyed playing tug of war with a hanging rabbit carrot toy. A large hanging bird bell fascinated them quite a bit. They seemed to be particularly attracted to the ringing, as they would run over to you, if you jingled the bell. One of their favorite toys was a green gummabone. As soon as one of them would pick up the bone, the others would chase him and try to get it.Hay and tubes provide suitable enrichment for guinea pigs. To minimize the distress resulting from being alone, a guinea pig should always be housed in such a way that the isolated animal can keep vocal contact with conspecifics.Hay provides the perfect environmental enrichment for rabbits. Objects that the animals can push and that make some noise, while being moved around, can entertain rabbits for long periods of time. Regular positive interactions with humans provide optimal social enrichment for rabbits.