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Behavioural Effects of Cage Enrichment in Single-Caged Adult Cats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

M de Monte  and
G Le Pape
M de Monte*
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de virologie, 3 rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
G Le Pape
Affiliation:
ANASTAT, 4 rue Louis Apffel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
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Abstract

The behaviour of 10 adult individually-caged male cats was measured either in their normal cage or with additional objects, a log and a ball. Each cat was observed during five days in each condition. Results show an important novelty effect at the beginning of observations, especially for rubbing and paddling behaviour. Introduction of objects in the cages resulted in a decrease in inactivity and self-play activities, and an increase in sniffing objects and play behaviours with objects. This was particularly important with the ball. Whereas these modifications decreased over days with the log, a high level of activity was maintained with the ball. The importance of the movement and of the function of the object is discussed. An improved way of rearing isolated cats is suggested.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourcatsenrichmentobjects
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , February 1997 , pp. 53 - 66
Copyright
© 1997 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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