The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Housing and Husbandry
The Guide requires that housing of laboratory animals meets the following standards:
- Allow for the normal physiologic and behavioral needs of the animals, including urination and defecation, maintenance of body
temperature, normal movement and postural adjustments, and, where indicated, reproduction.
- Allow social interaction and development of hierarchies within or between enclosures.
- Make it possible for the animals to remain clean and dry (as consistent with the requirements of the species).
- Allow adequate ventilation.
- Allow the animals access to food and water and permit easy filling, refilling, changing, servicing, and cleaning of food and water
utensils.
- Provides the animal a safe and secure environment.
- Insures cages are free of sharp edges or projections that could cause injury to the animals.
- Allow observation of the animals with minimal disturbance of them.
In addition to the basic housing considerations, the facilities must provide for the social environment and physical activities of the species, as appropriate to the research. The principal elements of husbandry are the provision of:
- ventilation and air temperature and humidity
- illumination and noise control
- wholesome and palatable food
- water
- bedding
- sanitation
- pest control
Definite standards for each of these considerations is discussed in The Guide.
