Evaluation of objects and food for environmental enrichment of NZW rabbits

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals states that both struc tural and social environments should be considered when addressing the husb andry needs of laboratory animals. The purpose of this study was to investi gate environmental enrichment strategies that could potentially enhance the well-being of rabbits. Male and female 6-week old New Zealand White rabbit s were divided into three groups: food-enriched (Bunny Stix, Bunny Blocks, or celery), non-food enriched (Jingle Ball, Kong toy, or Nylabone), and not enriched. Animals were given a particular enrichment for 1 h daily for 15 days. Home cages were fitted with specially designed plexiglass doors, whic h allowed the animals' interactions with the objects to be videotaped. The amount of time the animal interacted with each object and the total activit y during the I-h taped session were recorded for each rabbit. Rabbits were weighed weekly. Rabbits spent significantly more time interacting with the Bunny Stir than any other food item or non-food object. In addition, total activity time was significantly greater for all rabbits enriched with food versus any of the non-food items. Weight gains after 15 days did not differ significantly, but there was a trend towards increased weight gains in foo d-enriched rabbits. In this study, food was a stronger, more sustained enri chment device than were non-food objects.