Abstract
Environmental enrichment is critical for alleviating stress in laboratory felines. However, there is a paucity of information about suitable enrichment for cats. This study aimed to determine preferred enrichment options of individually-housed, castrated male domestic short hair cats (Felis catus) used in a longitudinal study of the effects of chronic feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, and to determine if the FIV status of the cats affected enrichment preferences. Preference testing was performed with two types of grooming brushes, three different interactive play options, including a laser, ball, and petting interaction with a familiar investigator, and two types of toenail conditioning objects. We found that cats elected to be brushed, preferred social interaction and play with the laser to the ball, and preferred to scratch on an inclined-box toenail conditioning object compared to a horizontal, circular toenail conditioning object. There were individual preferences for enrichment opportunities. There were no differences in preferences between FIV-infected and sham-infected cats. These enrichment preferences may be used to advise laboratory animal facilities and researchers about how to best accommodate the behavioral needs of laboratory cats.
Highlights
In laboratory animal facilities, efforts are made by researchers, veterinarians, and caretakers to enrich the lives of animals in captivity beyond basic biological needs, such as housing, food, water, and resting sites
All cats participated in a series of reward-based cognitive-motor tests on a prescribed schedule, the enrichment preference testing described here was conducted during a time when cats were not undergoing cognitive-motor testing
As behavioral scoring is inherently subjective, a future refinement would include videotaping sessions and independent scoring of preferences from video. Both feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive and FIV negative cats showed a clear preference for specific enrichment items, reflected in either simultaneous presentation or higher ratings of intensity of interaction
Summary
Efforts are made by researchers, veterinarians, and caretakers to enrich the lives of animals in captivity beyond basic biological needs, such as housing, food, water, and resting sites. Many laboratory animal facilities are mandated to provide environmental enrichment for residents [1]. Environmental enrichment provides enhancements in order to meet animals’ behavioral needs, providing stimulation and reducing undesirable behaviors and stress [2]. The goal of enrichment is to allow animals to express natural species-specific behaviors, such as running, jumping, climbing, play, predatory simulation (when appropriate), and positive social interactions in order to reduce stress [3] and improve their overall well-being [4]. Enrichment comes in various forms, including contact with conspecifics, toys, human interaction, caging type and furnishings, and auditory or olfactory stimulation [4,5].
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