Rat cage modification: Improving welfare (1999)

Dickson, C., Wrightson, D.

Abstract

Rat cages with grid floors are used extensively for safety assessment studies. ... In an attempt to compromise between the requirements of humans and animals, a nest box was added to the cages, solid inserts were designed to cover 50% of the cage floor, and vertical dividers with holes added interest and divided the gridded and non-gridded area. ... The rats seem to enjoy using the nest box and also spend a lot of time perched on the metal lip around the hole in the cage divider. Rats living on a grid floor tended to rest piled in heaps, but they spread out and relax more on the solid floors. ... The only problems so far seem to be practicalities, such as containing shavings.