Guideline #14

Housing Rodents on Wire Bottom Caging

1. References: Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition , IACUC Guidebook (ARENA)

2. Purpose/Scope: Establish standards for rodent housing.

3. Use of wire bottom caging is discouraged for rodents, especially in long-term studies or in larger or older animals. Rodents prefer solid bottom caging. However, the IACUC recognizes that justified uses of wire bottom caging is acceptable in some cases.

4. The use of wire bottom caging must be scientifically justified in the IACUC protocol and approved by the IACUC and:

4.1. The study design must require the use of such caging

4.2. Wire bottom caging must not compromise the scientific objectives of the study

4.3. Enrichment strategies should be provided whenever feasible by the study design

4.4. Close monitoring for evidence of health and welfare problems associated with wire caging (such as foot injury or skin irritation) is required.

 

LAST REVIEWED AND ADOPTED BY THE IACUC: September 17, 2020