Environmental Enrichment

Housing conditions affect self-administration of anxiolytic by laboratory mice

Standard cages for laboratory rodents may induce greater anxiety than enriched cages. Enriched mice drank significantly less of the midazolam solution than the non-enriched mice, suggesting that the combined effect of more space and enrichment made the animals less anxious.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M., Olsson, I. A. S. 2004. Housing conditions affect self-administration of anxiolytic by laboratory mice. Animal Welfare 13, 33-38.

Mirrors as potential environmental enrichment for individually housed laboratory mice

The present study examined the influence of a mirror on the behaviour individually housed laboratory mice. Sixteen mice were placed into apparatus comprised of preference cages connected by a tunnel. A mirror was placed in one of the preference (mirror)...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M. 2004. Mirrors as potential environmental enrichment for individually housed laboratory mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 87, 95-103.

Environmental enrichment: room for reduction? Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA) 32(Supplement 2), 69-71

Environmental enrichment strategies are usually regarded as refinement. However, when the welfare of animals is enhanced through successful enrichment programmes, a reduction in the number of animals needed can be expected, because fewer animals might be lost during the course...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General, Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van de Weerd, H. A., Van Loo, P. L., Baumans. V. 2004. Environmental enrichment: room for reduction? Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA) 32(Supplement 2), 69-71.

African Green nonhuman primate enrichment

An enrichment program consisting of pair housing, exercise caging, food treats, and manpulanda was implemented. The most challenging and rewarding component .. is pair housing. Selected pairs are housed with plexi-panels between them for at least one week. At the...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Dansie, C., Galvao, A. V., McKain, J. et al. 2004. African Green nonhuman primate enrichment. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 129 (Abstract).

Abnormal behaviour in laboratory monkeys

The success of inanimate environmental enrichment in controlling severe behaviour disorders [such as self-injurious behaviour] has been limited, although a few studies suggest some benefits. Providing tactile social contact is comparatively more successful in reducing abnormal behaviour in some monkeys...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Crockett, C. M. 2004. Abnormal behaviour in laboratory monkeys. Folia Primatologica 75(Supplement 1), 130-131. (Primate Meeting Abstract)

Cage enrichment and mouse behaviour

Mice housed in standard cages show impaired brain development, abnormal repetitive behaviours (stereotypies) and an anxious behavioural profile, all of which can be lessened by making the cage environment more stimulating. But concerns have been raised that enriched housing might...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wolfer, D. P., Litvin, O., Morf, S. et al. 2004. Cage enrichment and mouse behaviour. Nature 432, 821-822.

The influence of toys on the behaviour and welfare of kenneled dogs

Enrichment through the provision of typs may have a positive effect upon the welfare of sheltered dogs, helping to reduce boredom. ... The dogs' interest in the toys waned over time, but the speed of habituation to the Nylabone chew...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wells, D. L. 2004. The influence of toys on the behaviour and welfare of kenneled dogs. Animal Welfare 13, 367-373.

A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris

Two types of general enrichment method are discussed, namely animate (i.e. enrichment through the provision of social contacts with conspecifics and humans) and inanimate (i.e. enrichment through the provision of toys, cage furniture, auditory and olfactory stimulation). The benefits and,...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wells, D. L. 2004. A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 85, 307-317.

Rabbit enrichment? Keeping it simple

A 'hanging hay manger' allows rabbits to exhibit their natural foraging instinct. .. a plastic chain and a shower curtain ring can provide endless hours of fun. No data are included in this article.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Weaver, L. E. 2004. Rabbit enrichment ? Keeping it simple. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 9(2), 1-2.

Preference for social contact versus environmental enrichment in male laboratory mice

Results indicated that when other conditions were similar, male mice preferred to sleep in close proximity to their familiar cage mate. Furthermore, the need to engage in active social behaviour increased with age. Tissues were used to a large extent...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van Loo, P. L. P., Van de Weerd, H. A., Van Zutphen, L. F. M. et al. 2004. Preference for social contact versus environmental enrichment in male laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 38, 178-188.