Environmentally Enriched Housing for Cats When Housed Singly
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1995 |
Authors: |
G.G. Loveridge, L.J. Horrocks, A.J. Hawthorne |
Publication/Journal: |
Animal Welfare |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, cats, companion animals, environmental enrichment, housed singly, human-animal contact |
Abstract:
It is generally accepted that to carry out certain trials or procedures, particularly metabolism or digestibility studies, it is necessary to house animals singly, often in sterile metal cages which differ greatly from the animal’s normal living accommodation. The lack of choice, mental and physical stimulation and general ‘creature comforts’ increases the stress of isolation.
The design of the buildings at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition aim to ameliorate these unsatisfactory conditions and provide environmental enrichment, freedom of choice and mental and physical stimulation, in housing as similar as possible to the normal housing of domestic pets.