Publications

Rat boredom-like behaviour in a monotonous versus a varied foraging task: Effects of sensory variation

Evidence increasingly reveals that non-human animals in monotonous situations can show boredom-like states, distinctively manifesting as increases in both arousal-seeking, restless behaviour and low arousal, drowsy behaviour. However, task related boredom has been little investigated in animals, but could have...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burn, C. C., Ng, K. H. T., Parker, M. O. 2025. Rat boredom-like behaviour in a monotonous versus a varied foraging task: Effects of sensory variation. Animal Cognition 28(1), 57.

Physiological and behavioral responses of stabled horses (Equus caballus) to three types of environmental enrichment

Small stalls and regulated feedings restrict horses’ natural foraging and locomotion, increasing risks to welfare. Environmental enrichment may promote more naturalistic behavioral time budgets, yet little is known about how enrichment type or timing affects physiology and behavior. This study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Brauns, M., Ali, A., Berger, J. et al. 2025. Physiological and behavioral responses of stabled horses (Equus caballus) to three types of environmental enrichment. Animals 15(19), 2779.

Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the sedation quality and cardiorespiratory and behavioral effects of detomidine administered intravenously, either in intermittent boluses or as a continuous rate infusion, with butorphanol in horses pre-medicated with acepromazine for odontoplasty procedures.MethodsA prospective clinical study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Arantes, J. de A., Rabelo, I. P., Bermudes, L. et al. 2025. Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Tracking epidermal cortisol and oxytocin in managed bottlenose dolphins as potential non-invasive physiological welfare indicators

Growing concern over cetacean welfare has highlighted the need for rigorous, science-based assessment methods. Within this context, epidermal cortisol (ECC) and oxytocin (EOC) concentrations have emerged as potentially valuable physiological indicators. In this study, we first validated the analytical measurement...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marine Mammal

Citation: Agustí, C., Talló-Parra, O., Tejero-Caballo, E. et al. 2025. Tracking epidermal cortisol and oxytocin in managed bottlenose dolphins as potential non-invasive physiological welfare indicators. Animals 15(17), 2628.

Evaluation of the effects of enlarged housing on social play and reward seeking in rats

The legal minimum dimensions for laboratory rat housing prevent rats from fully performing their behavioural repertoire. In the regular cages, rats cannot run, climb, or even stand upright. The need to house rats in larger cages has been recognized internationally...

Year Published: 2025Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Achterberg, E. J. M., Baars, A.-M. J. M., van Hal, D. A. et al. 2025. Evaluation of the effects of enlarged housing on social play and reward seeking in rats. Animals 15(18), 2757.

A study into viable wooden enrichment objects for Syrian Hamsters

It is known that due to the continual growth of their teeth, hamsters require a means by which to wear down their teeth and satisfy their natural desire to chew. Due to their foraging behaviour hamsters use their cheek pouches...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Watson, H. 2020. A study into viable wooden enrichment objects for Syrian Hamsters. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(1), 86–88.

Alternative handling techniques to reduce anxiety in laboratory mice

The most common and widely used method to capture and transfer mice from cage to cage is to pick up and restrain the mouse by its tail. Recent studies at Liverpool University, however, have indicated that handling mice by their...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Thorpe, E. 2020. Alternative handling techniques to reduce anxiety in laboratory mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(1), 76–78.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

When mice are grouped together for the first time it is a novel experience filled with new sights and smells which will stress the animal too much and may cause aggression. It has been proven that mice can see a...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Reading, P., Reading, R., Branstone, C. 2020. Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(1), 98–100.

Confronting crunching: A refinement for the care of mice with the desire to crunch

‘Crunching’ is the term often used to describe the abnormal behaviour of mice that habitually crunch their pelleted diet, causing substrate levels to rise as the crumbs settle on the cage floor ultimately burying the nest. The aim was to...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Oralman, T. 2020. Confronting crunching: A refinement for the care of mice with the desire to crunch. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(1), 89–91.

Refinements to health monitoring

Green, Amber, Red monitoring system: If a mouse shows any of the listed amber signs, then monitoring is increased to either once or twice weekly (green HC). Mice with 3 amber signs should be on red HC (daily check). Mice...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Jones, H., King, R. 2020. Refinements to health monitoring. Animal Technology and Welfare, 19(2), 153–154.