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Animal enrichment

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Abstract

Enrichment is directly associated with attempts to improve animal welfare. There are six key forms of enrichment: social, environmental, feeding, exercise, training and play. This chapter details the provision of different types of enrichment for a wide range of species and offers guidance on balancing enrichment with practical requirements in clinical settings.

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Figures

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4.1 Puppies benefit from engaging in play with well socialized adult dogs. (Reproduced from the )
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4.2 This puzzle feeder provides physical and mental stimulation to the dog using it. (Shutterstock.com/Ryan Brix)
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4.3 Examples of muzzles. (a) Closed basket type. (b) Closed plastic type. (c) Semi-closed leather type. (d) Open-ended fabric type. (Reproduced from the ) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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4.4 Cat trees are an efficient way to provide meaningful enrichment with a small area of floor space. (Shutterstock.com/Africa Studio)
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4.5 An automated feeder can be used to offer a cat small meals during the day when the owner is absent. When rolled, the white plastic container delivers the daily dry food ration through cut-out holes – this is a form of feeding enrichment and requires the cat to spend more time eating.
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4.6 Indoor rabbit environment. Note the hide areas and tunnels, puzzle feeders and toys with food rewards.
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4.7 Outdoor rabbit environment that has been enclosed to prevent predation. Note the provision of both tunnels and hides, enough space to allow normal mobility and growing weeds to encourage foraging behaviour.
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4.8 Rabbit playing with a puzzle feeder.
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4.9 Typical guinea pig housing. Cardboard boxes facilitate gnawing and multiple sources of food and water are available.
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4.10 Enriched hamster play area including toys, hides and tunnels, along with areas of different textures to add interest. The saucer style wheel allows the hamster to run without arching its back.
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4.11 Indoor hamster space. Note the box full of bedding to encourage burrowing.
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4.12 This environment includes lots of different levels, textures and cage furniture to encourage mobility and interaction with the environment. The wheel provided is large enough for the hamster to run comfortably and has a solid back and sides.
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4.13 An enriched rat cage spread over many levels to encourage climbing and exploration. A variety of textures and substrates are available as well as hide areas.
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4.14 Rats huddled together in a hammock. Rats prefer to sleep in suspended hammocks and the presence of conspecifics can contribute to social enrichment.
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4.15 Basic ferret unit with sleeping quarters (upstairs) and a play area.
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4.16 Arboreal environment for a lizard. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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4.17 Bearded dragon. This enclosure is somewhat naturalistic, with the use of sand and hides, but also contains ornamentation for the owner’s enjoyment and a tennis ball as a play item. (Shutterstock.com/Brett Upshaw)
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4.18 A leopard gecko. This species will make good use of logs as climbing frames. (Shutterstock.com/Nyvlt-art)
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4.19 Clinical environment: plastic or glass vivarium with a hide box and newspaper as substrate. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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4.20 Semiaquatic environment for a terrapin. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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4.21 A red-eyed tree frog. Arboreal frogs will utilize vertical space if it is populated with branches for them to climb. (Shutterstock.com/Rosa Jay)
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4.22 A naturalistic vivarium suitable for anurans. The moss and other plants maintain a good moisture level throughout and provide opportunities for hiding and climbing. (Shutterstock.com/Dirk Ercken)
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4.23 Pair of eclectus parrots (male on the right). Pair housing is a practical way to provide social enrichment in this species.
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4.24 A ‘three-thirds’ aviary set-up provides birds with the security of an indoor area and the option to spend time in an outside flight. While in the outside flight, occupants can shelter under the roofed area from hot sun or heavy rain or snow, but may choose to stay in the open area in fine weather or light showers. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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