Georgia Health Sciences University

Laboratory Animal Services

Standard Operating Procedures
Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Updated on: November 10, 2011

Page: 1 of 13

Addendum to: NHP 03 9/2/2008 & LAS15 7/24/2008

Reviewed by: Nancy A. Rodriguez & Dr. Williams-Fritze

Definitions:
1. Animal Use Proposal (AUP): a detailed written description of the procedures
involving the use of animals in research project.
2. Enrichment: a method of providing animals with the opportunity to behave as they do
in the wild: playing, foraging, grooming, and interacting in various ways with each
other.
3. Principal Investigator (PI): the scientist who plans and coordinates all phases of the
research work and the research protocol.
Purpose:
This SOP describes the methods for environmental enrichment of animals used for research and
teaching purposes. These methods are intended to improve the well-being of these animals by
increasing species-specific behaviors and reducing maladaptive behaviors. This enrichment
program helps meet the requirements of the National Research Council, Guide for the Care and
Use of Laboratory Animals (http://www,nap.edu/readingroom/books/labrats!) and the Animal
Welfare Act and Regulations: Public Law 99-198- The Improved Standards for Laboratory
Animal Act (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awicllegislatlawa.htm).
Standards:
1. Items that may be used for enrichment need to be evaluated for use by taking into
account the following:
a. The species of animal.
i. Animal(s) needs
ii. Habits
iii. Capabilities
b. The type of enrichment device.
i. Treat
ii. Exercise
iii. Toys
c. The utility of the device.
i. Ability to stimulate the animal(s) interest.
d. The safety of the device
i. Not injurious to the animal

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LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

2.

3.
4.
5.

6.
7.

8.

ii. Sanitation for future use

e. The nature of the research being done.
i. Ensure that research will not be compromised due to the placement of
the enrichment device
The enrichment program is carried out by Laboratory Animal Services (LAS) veterinary
and animal care staff. Specific needs and requirements should be communicated to the
veterinary technical staff.
Enrichment is an integral part of daily husbandry and care of animals.
Positive non-husbandry interaction with humans should be offered as applicable.
For social species, housing compatible co-specifics offers a high level of enrichment.
Every effort should be made to socially house animals as the enrichment techniques of
first choice.
For burrowing rodent species, housing in a solid bottomed cage with a loose bedding
substrate is a preferred enrichment technique.
The Animal Care Staff will record on the Animal Room Log and NHP room log when
enrichment is provided. These logs will be filed by the Vet Techs in the enrichment
binder (NHP logs will be filed in separate NHP binder).
If an enrichment exemption is instituted by the veterinarian due to health concerns the
justification and duration for exemption shall be documented in the animal health
records (AHR) for any USDA covered species.

Procedures:
1. Animals will be provided with at least one enrichment item (unless exempt by
protocol) from the following options. Other enrichment may be provided on a trial
basis, but must be pre-approved by the LAS Veterinary Staff. Notations of
behaviors observed should be made on the Observations of Novel EE Devices form.
Social housing for social species is required unless exempt in an IACUC approved
protocol, caging will not allow for such housing, or a medical condition precludes group
housing.
a. Mice_ (Mus musculus)
i. Nesting material (Nestlets, Enviro-dri, paper towels, etc) is required
for all mice.
ii. Food treats mixed with bedding (e.g., 1 dry-roasted, unsalted
peanut/mouse/week; 3-4 unsalted sunflower seeds/ animal/ week)
iii. Paper tubes (purpose made paper tube from specialty paper
manufacturers)
iv. Nylabones
v. Mouse houses (paper or plastic)
vi. Any animal(s) not provided with bedding material must be provided at
least 1 enrichment item.

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

b. SCID/Nude mice- or others in which sterile technique is utilized

i. ALL ENRICHMENT MATERIALS MUST BE AUTOCLAVED. THIS
MAY BE DONE AT THE TIME OF THE CAGE UNIT SET-UPS OR
AUTOLAVED IN BULK AND STORED IN THE ANIMAL ROOM.
ii. Food treats mixed with bedding ( e.g., 1 dry-roasted, unsalted peanut
/mouse/week; 3-4 unsalted sunflower seeds/animal/week)
iii. Nesting material (Enviro-dri [preferred for nude mice], Nestlets, paper
towels, etc)
iv. Nylabones
v. Mouse houses ( paper or plastic)
c. Rats ( Rattus norvegicus)
i. Nesting material is required for all rats (Enviro-dri [preferred], paper
towels, Nestlets, etc)
ii. Paper or plastic tube of appropriates size
iii. Food treats ( e.g. 2 dry roasted, unsalted peanuts/rat/week; 6-8 unsalted
sunflower seeds/rat/week)
iv. Nyalbones
d. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
i. Reference Enrichment Items for Rabbits at the end of the SOP.
ii. Hay in cage (autoclaved or irradiated) offered twice a week.
iii. Large mouse cage containing 1 inch of corncob bedding offered once a
week.
e. Dogs: (Canis Familliaris)
i. Reference Enrichment Items for Dogs at the end of the SOP.
ii. Group housing to allow visual, auditory and olfactory contact with
animals
iii. Leash walks on occasion
iv. Supervised group playtime on occasion
v. Soothing music may be provided via CD player
vi. DAP pheromone analogue diffusers in housing areas
f. Frogs (Xenopus spp.)
i. Housed in compatible groups
ii. PVC tubes of appropriate size
iii. Hides and shelters
g. Fish (Danio spp.)
i. House: in compatible groups
ii. PVC tubes of appropriate size
h. Non-Human Primates (Macaca spp.)
i. Daily Enrichment
1. Reference Food Enrichment for NHPs and Non-food nondevice enrichment for NHPs at the end of the SOP.

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

ii. Each animal will have visual auditory and olfactory contact with animals
similarly housed in the room. Animals may be pair housed when
appropriate with prior authorization of the Principal Investigator. All
animals will be observed/ evaluated by LAS Staff for compatibility.
Animal showing signs of distress including weight loss, fighting, and
depression will be separated and evaluated by the LAS Veterinary Staff.
iii. An assortment of fresh fruits, nuts, or seeds is offered to each animal
daily not to exceed 10% of total diet to be determined by the veterinarian
and quantitated (calories and or portion size) for the LAS staff. All
produce must be rinsed prior to feeding.
1. All food items stored in any LAS maintained food storage facility
must be properly stored to prevent contamination or infestation of
enrichment food items.
2. Refrigeration should be utilized for fruits, vegetables, seeds, or
commercial foods specifying refrigeration as the proper storage
method.
3. Freezers should be utilized for popsicles and other foods
specifying freezing as the proper storage method.
4. Food items that are not stored in a refrigerator or freezer must be
placed in containers that have an airtight seal to prevent
contamination or infestations. All secondary containers used
for food storage must be marked with an expiration date and
name of item.
5. If dry fruits or dry nutritive (nuts and cereals) items are used with
a sell by date or best by date this will be considered the
expiration date of the item. One month past the sell by date or
best by date is acceptable.
iv. Television/Radio
1. Television programs and/or movies are played daily. Programs
should include a variety (nature, childrens shows, history
channel, etc).
2. Radio is played through intercom system occasionally in place of
television Radio should include a variety (classical, pop, jazz,
holiday, etc...).
v. Foraging enrichment devices are offered on weekends and during the
week as studies allow.
vi. Enrichment activities are recorded on a log sheet. Activities are listed on
the bottom of the log, choose from the following:
1. Category A: Foraging: puzzle feeders, foraging boards, and other
items.

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LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

2. Category B: manipulanda: perches, plastic chain, PVC ring.

Kong toys, other toys.
3. Category C: miscellaneous: hammock, radio, swimming pool,
and other items.
vii. For NHPs housed at the Gracewood Facility, animals may be released in
compatible groups into the exterior exercise pens.
1. Pens contain swings, hiding tunnels, hammocks, perches
2. Opportunities for play activity with water; including provision of
wading pool or pail with frozen water is offered on occasion
when housed in the exercise pens.
viii. For NHPs housed on the main campus, animals may be released into an
enrichment cage on a rotating basis as the AUP allows.
1. Enrichment cage contains a vertical spinning pole for climbing.
2. Opportunities for play activity with water, including provision of
a pail with water or ice is offered on occasion when housed in the
enrichment cage.
i. Pig (Sus scrofa):
i. Reference Enrichment Items for Pigs at the end of the SOP.
ii. House in compatible groups as AUP allows.
iii. Hand feed food treats
iv. Large rodent cage filled with water
1. Float fruits and vegetables in water.
j. Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus):
i. House in compatible groups as AUP allows
ii. Provide hiding device ( plastic tube or paper hut)
iii. Hay in cage ( autoclaved or irradiated ) daily
iv. Fruits and vegetables ( washed) on occasion
2. Records: The Animal Care Staff will check-off daily on the room log when
environmental enrichment items or techniques are provided. Animals exempt from
enrichment for health reasons and or IACUC approved experimental reasons will be
identified by signage. The justification and duration for exemption for health reasons
will be documented in the animal health record. (AHR) and exemption for IACUC
approved experimental reasons will be justified with duration in the AUP and noted in
the AHR.
3. All toys will be inspected, and toys showing destruction will be removed.

References:
National Research Council, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Animal Welfare Act and Regulations: Public Law 99-198- The Improved Standards for
Laboratory Animal Act (http://www.nalusdagov/awicllegislatlawahtm).

Enrichment items for rabbits

Approved

Unapproved

Birch, Maple, other hard wood chunks

Nobbly-wobbly

Hard rubber/plastic ball

Whiffle ball

Metal bell hung on cage door2

Cereals (wheat, oats, other grains)

Jingle ball 1

Chocolate

Nylabone bones, dumbbells or teething rings

Seeds

Plastic chains (hung on cage door)

Breads

Plastic tubes/soda bottles (remove label and

rinse)

Beans

Polycarbonate huts1

Nuts

Rabbit relaxer2

Sugar (refined)

Stainless Steel rattles1, 2

Peas

Bunny Blocks1

Corn

Fruity-Gems1

Peanut butter (unless for medication)

Timothy hay (loose or cubes)

Veggie Bites1
NutraBlocks1
Supreme Mini-Treats1
Fruit Crunchies1
Rabbit Stix1
Skinny Minis1
Apple (remove core & seeds)
Banana
Blueberries

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Brussel sprouts
Cantaloupe
Carrots (and tops)
Celery
Cucumber
Grapes
Greens (spinach, kale, watercress, cilantro,
parsley, mustard, lettuce)
Honeydew
Yogurt
Papaya
Peach
Pineapple
Plum
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon
White potatoes
Yams
Applesauce
1

Bioserv

Otto Environmental

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Enrichment items for dogs

Approved

Unapproved

Conditionally approved1

Nylabones

Whiffle balls

Tennis balls (under direct

supervision only)

Kongchewtoys

Rope/string toys

Large rawhide bones (must

be approved by PI)

Large blue hard plastic balls (Best balls2)

Bones (i.e. chicken bones)

Busy buddy footballs2

Dental Star2
DNA flexer2
Plastic dumbbells
Flexi keys2
Havaballs2
Jumpn Jacks2
HolEE-MolEE2
Rhinos2
Squeeze n toss footballs2
Taz ball2
Soothing music
Dog treats (i.e. granulated/crushed rawhide
sticks, milk bones, beggn strips)
DAP pheromone analogue diffusers
1

Needs to be approved on a per-animal basis

Bio-Serv

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Food enrichment items for NHPs

Approved

Peanut butter

Raisins

Crystal light

Peanuts

Cilantro

KoolAid(sugarfree)

Pistachios

Clementines

Prang

Popcorn

Coconut

Juice boxes (100% juice)

Prima-treats/tabs1

Collard greens

Almonds

Pumpkin seeds

Corn on the cob (under

supervision only)

Applesauce

Pumpkin, canned/fresh

Cranberries

Canned fruit

Sunflower seeds

Craisins
1

Cereal (avoid sweetened/sugary)

Supreme mini-treats

Cucumber

Certified fruit & nut foraging

mix1

Veggie bites1

Dandelion greens

Cinnamon

Yogurt

Eggplant

Apple

Edible flowers

Apricots (no pits)

Garlic

Dehydrated fruits

Artichoke

Grapes

Dill pickles

Asparagus

Grapefruit

Fleece foraging crumbles1

Banana

Green beans

Fluff (in small amounts)

Basil

Honeydew melon

Bean sprouts

Kale

Fruit crunchies

Beets with greens

Kiwi

Fruity-gems/bites1

Blueberries

Lemon

Hard boiled eggs (with shell on)

Bok choy

Lettuce

Honey

Broccoli/broccolini

Lime

Ice cream cones

Brussel sprouts

Mango (no pits)

Jelly/jam

Cabbage

Mint

Coconut
Crumble disk (CDs)

Freeze-dried meal worms

1

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Monkey jumble2

Cantaloupe

Mushrooms

Monkey morsels2

Carrots with greens

Nectarines/peaches (no pits)

Nutty monkey treats1

Cauliflower

Orange

Oatmeal

Celery

Parsley

Pasta, dry or cooked

Cherries (no pits)

Pears

Bio-Serv

Purina

Peas
Pineapple
Plums(nopits)
Pomegranites
Potatoes
Pumellos
Pumpkin
Radishes
Raspberries
Red lettuce
Peppers
Rhubarb
Spinach
Strawberries
Squash
Sweet potatoes
Tangelos
Tangerines
Tomatoes
Turnips
Ugli fruit

10

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Watermelon
Zucchini
Ensure

Miscellaneous non-food enrichment items for NHPs

Approved

Unapproved

Conditionally approved1

Egg cartons

Glass containers

Fleece (other than polar

fleece)

FingerPasteforPrimates2

Plastic containers other than

recycle code #1 or #2

Stuffed animals

Paper towel rolls

Paper towels
Brown paper bags
Shredded paper
Packing peanuts (starch-based only)
Glove boxes
Cereal/food boxes
Phone books
Plastic food containers: #1 (polyethylene
terephthalate, PETE) and #2 (High density
polyethylene, HDPE) only
Polar fleece
Wood (hardwoods, must be
autoclaved/washed first)
Solo cups
1

Needs to be approved on a per-animal basis

Bio-Serv

11

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Enrichment items for pigs

Approved

Approved

Unapproved

Large nylabones

Apple

Whiffle balls

Kongchewtoys

Banana

Rope/string toys

Large blue hard plastic balls (Best

balls1)

Broccoli

Bones (i.e. chicken bones)

DNA flexer1

Carrots

Tennis balls

Plastic dumbbells
1

Cantaloupe

Jumpn Jacks

Cauliflower

HolEE-MolEE1

Celery

Rhinos1

Coconut

Taz ball

Cucumber

Basketballs

Green beans

Traffic cones

Honeydew melon

Bowling balls

Lettuce

Hang empty milk jugs

Peaches (no pits)

Hang fire hose

Pears

Hang plastic chain

Pineapple

Large rodent cage filled with water

Raspberries

Big red apple1

Strawberries

Havaball1
Jingle ball1
Stainless steel mirrors/rattles
Swine scratcher
Soothing music

12

Number:

LAS 91

Subject:

Environmental Enrichment for Animals used in Research and Teaching

Observations of novel EE
devices

Date

PI

Animal
ID#

Enrichment offered

13

Observations