Burbidge, C., Beresford, Z., Serrano-Galleg, V. 2023. Validating in-cage mouse enrichment. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(1), 63–67.

There is a wide variety of different types of mouse enrichment currently available, some items of which are more practical than others. Validating items used for providing enrichment can be time consuming and costly, nevertheless it is important to ensure that any objects being provided for this purpose are truly offering enrichment opportunities for the animals. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how a quick and simple cage side assessment can be undertaken to identify which items are most effective as enrichments and whether they offer short- or long-term solutions. The study compared four different types of enrichment, all of which are easily available, in fi ve cages of pair housed 6-monthold CD1 mice. Through this approach, we found that the mice preferred items suspended from the cage lid. Using this information, we have identifi ed a practical and cost-effective solution and confi rmed that it maintains novelty over longer periods. This validated enrichment is now being used routinely in the Biomedical Services Unit at the University of Birmingham.