Summary: Viellette & Reebs (2010)

Syrian hamsters (Misocricetus auratus) are used extensitvely in biomedical and behavioural research, but many aspects of hamster welfare remain open to study. Replacing soiled bedding is standard animal husbandry practice, but the how often this should be done is still questionable, as cage cleaning can induce stress. Veillette & Reebs (2010) tested whether Syrian hamsters prefer new bedding in contrast to soiled, lived-in bedding for nesting and they also assessed the relative value of shelters. They used 15 male and 15 female animals, none of which have previous experience with shelters. Most male and female hamsters favoured the old cage over the new, regardless of the presence of a shelter, and the majority of male hamsters (and some females) never nested in the new cage. Their results suggest that nesting hamsters show low motivation for a cage with new bedding and they value shelters. Veillette & Reebs (2010) indicate that the standard husbandry practice of weekly cleaning may only be justified on the basis of sanitary and health considerations.