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Environmentally Enriched Housing for Cats When Housed Singly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

G G Loveridge ,
L J Horrocks  and
A J Hawthorne
G G Loveridge
Affiliation:
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK
L J Horrocks
Affiliation:
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK
A J Hawthorne
Affiliation:
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK
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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.

Keywords

animal welfarecatshoused singlycompanion animalsenvironmental enrichmenthuman-animal contact
Type
Technical Contribution
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , May 1995 , pp. 135 - 141
Copyright
© 1995 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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References

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