Environmental Enrichment

Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Rodents

Survey data on current enrichment practices in a large multi-institutional organization are presented, and practical aspects requiring consideration when devising a rodent enrichment program are discussed.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rodent

Citation: Hutchinson, E., Avery, A., Van de Woude, S. 2009. Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Rodents. Enrichment Record (online publication) 1.

Environmental enrichment enhances spatial cognition in rats by reducing thigmotaxis (wall hugging) during testing

Rats, Rattus norvegicus, housed with environmental enrichment do better in tests of spatial cognition than rats housed in barren cages. The leading hypothesis is that exposure to social and inanimate complexity leads to better cognitive-processing abilities, which directly enhances performance...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Harris, A. P., D'Eath, R. B., Healy, S. D. 2009. Environmental enrichment enhances spatial cognition in rats by reducing thigmotaxis (wall hugging) during testing . Animal Behaviour 77, 1459-1464.

Impact of Environmental Factors and Enrichment on Beagle Dogs (Canis familiaris)

Based on behavioral observations and cortisol levels, it is apparent that there are some notable differences between males and females. The females apparently preferred a social companion, whether enrichment was provided or not. Because there was evidence of stress when...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Garofalo, A. E., Ogbin, J. M., Shulder, L. et al. 2009. Impact of Environmental Factors and Enrichment on Beagle Dogs (Canis familiaris). Enrichment Record (online publication) 1.

Addressing the Environmental Enrichment Needs of Mice: Thinking Outside the Cage

The challenge of providing effective enrichment to mice is to ensure that it allows for normal behavioral opportunities. Studies are ongoing to further identify the behavioral needs of mice in the laboratory environment. Many innovative choices of environmental enrichment devices...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Froberg-Fejko, K. M. 2009. Addressing the Environmental Enrichment Needs of Mice: Thinking Outside the Cage. Enrichment Record (online publication) 1.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT – Practical strategies for improving feline welfare

For an environmental intervention to be considered enriching, the changes it produces (whether behavioural, psychological, physical orphysiological) must be linked to an improvement in the welfare of the animal.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Ellis, S. 2009. ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT - Practical strategies forimproving feline welfare. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 11, 901-912.

From operant learning to cognitive enrichment in farm animal housing: bases and applicability

This study has its basis in recent findings by our own and other laboratories and proposes a type of rewarded operant learning that seeks the detection of discriminatory cues as a cognitive enrichment in intensive husbandry systems. This type of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Manteuffel, G., Langbein, J., Puppe, B. 2009. From operant learning to cognitive enrichment in farm animal housing: bases and applicability. Animal Welfare 18, 87-95.

Lab toys – How does cage enrichment affect rodents?

Excellent review of practical questions pertaining to environmental enrichment for rats and mice.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Katsnelson, A. 2009. Lab toys - How does cage enrichment affect rodents? The Scientist 23(10), 30.

Key issues concerning environmental enrichment for laboratory-held fish species

An improved knowledge and understanding of the fundamental biological requirements is needed for many of the species of fish held in captivity and, without this knowledge it is difficult to determine the optimal conditions for laboratory culture. The aim of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish

Citation: Williams, T. D., Readman, G. D., Owen, S. F. 2009. Key issues concerning environmental enrichment for laboratory-held fish species . Lab Animal 43, 107-120.

Environmental enrichment techniques for laboratory swine: A comparative analysis of four cost-effective enrichment methods

Rubber hose, puzzle feeder, frozen food and frozen swine pelleted diet were tested as enrichment options for pigs.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Wicklund, A., Westmoreland, L., Rincon, L. et al. 2009. Environmental enrichment techniques for laboratory swine: A comparative analysis of four cost-effective enrichment methods. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 117-118 (Abstract).

Effects of cage size and enrichment on reproductive performance and behavior in C57BL/6Tac mice

While cage size did not affect reproductive performance, enrichment (regardless of cage size) did signficicantly benefit reproductive performance; pups from non-enriched cages weighed less and fewer survived to weaning age than pups from enriched cages.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Whitaker, J., Moy, S. S., Godfrey, V. et al. 2009. Effects of cage size and enrichment on reproductive performance and behavior in C57BL/6Tac mice. Lab Animal 38(1), 24-34.