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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Using Clicker Training and Social Observation to Teach Rats to Voluntarily Change Cages
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Analysis of IVC Microenvironments During an Extended Cage-Change Interval in Rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Selena Guerrero-Martin1, Joanna N Copio2, Kerith R Luchins2

  • 11College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; and.

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS
|June 23, 2026
PubMed
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Extended rat caging intervals of 14- and 21-days, using paper pulp cellulose (PPC) bedding, reduce ammonia and latrine size. This offers evidence-based husbandry recommendations and cost savings for research settings.

Area of Science:

  • Laboratory animal science
  • Animal husbandry
  • Research methodology

Background:

  • Current rat caging sanitation frequencies rely on general guidelines and mouse study extrapolations.
  • There is a need for evidence-based recommendations specific to rat husbandry practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the impact of paper pulp cellulose (PPC) and corncob (CC) bedding on rat IVC microenvironments.
  • To evaluate ammonia levels, latrine size, and animal health across 7-, 14-, and 21-day cage-change intervals.
  • To conduct a cost-savings analysis of different bedding types and cage-change frequencies.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized individually ventilated cages (IVCs) for rat housing.
  • Monitored ammonia levels and measured urine latrine sizes at 7, 14, and 21 days.
Keywords:
CC, corncobFTE, full-time equivalentPPC, paper pulp cellulosePPC-IS, paper pulp cellulose–institutional standard

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  • Assessed overall animal health throughout the study duration.
  • Performed a cost-savings analysis including labor and bedding costs.

    • Main Results:

    • Ammonia levels increased with extended intervals for both PPC and CC bedding, with CC generally showing lower levels initially but higher levels at 21 days compared to PPC.
    • Latrine size significantly increased with extended intervals for both bedding types, with CC consistently producing larger latrines than PPC.
    • Cost analysis indicated that 14- and 21-day cage-change intervals and switching from CC to PPC bedding result in cost savings.

    Conclusions:

    • Extended cage-change intervals (14- and 21-days) are feasible with PPC bedding, maintaining acceptable microenvironmental conditions.
    • Switching from corncob to paper pulp cellulose bedding and extending cage-change intervals can lead to significant cost savings in rat research facilities.
    • These findings provide evidence-based data to inform updated rat husbandry and sanitation protocols.