Environmental enrichment reporting guidelines checklist. The recommended use of this reporting form is to fill it out and include it as supplemental material for each of your laboratory’s environmental enrichment research publications. This document can also be used as a guide for including details of cage enrichment for studies using only standard laboratory housing. If there are difficulties using/adapting this form, please contact one of the corresponding authors to request a copy.
| Reporting item | Description |
|---|---|
| EE cage size (L × W × H) in cm | |
| Control cage size (L × W × H) in cm | |
| Material of EE cages | |
| Material of control cages | |
| Type of EE caging system (e.g., open top/individually ventilated) | |
| Type of control caging system (e.g., open top/individually ventilated) | |
| Number and sex of animals housed in each EE cage | |
| Number and sex of animals housed in each control cage | |
| Enrichment devices (e.g., toys, shelters, ramps, running wheels, perches, or different levels/shelves) in EE cages.What type of materials were the devices made of (e.g., wood, plastic, are they manufactured/artificial, or are the natural stimuli?). How many enrichment devices were typically in the cage? | |
| Enrichment devices (e.g., toys, shelters, ramps, running wheels, perches, or different levels/shelves) in control cages. What type of materials were the devices made of (e.g., wood, plastic, are they manufactured/artificial, or are the natural stimuli?). How many enrichment devices were typically in the cage? | |
| How frequently were enrichment devices changed in EE cages? | |
| How frequently were enrichment devices changed in control cages? | |
| Bedding type and other nesting materials in EE cages | |
| Bedding type and other nesting materials in control cages | |
| Age of animals when placed into EE housing | |
| Duration housed in EE cages | |
| Frequency of cage cleanings for EE animals | |
| Frequency of cage cleanings for control animals | |
| Were EE and control animals housed in the same room or in a different one? | |
| Specific number of EE and control animals used for each measure reported | |
| Other notes/comments (e.g., other types of enrichment given, for example, music/sounds in animal holding room, food treats) |