Why do people lift laboratory rats in different ways?

Laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) are lifted using a wide range of methods that may differentially affect rat welfare and handler needs. Here, we analyse the free-text comments offered by laboratory rat handlers within an anonymous international questionnaire, to offer new insights into handlers' reasons and concerns regarding how best to lift rats. This may help identify barriers to adopting potential best practice and elucidate what information is needed to develop future guidance on how to handle rats. A conventional qualitative content analysis approach was taken to analyse the data, and three key concepts were identified. The first was 'a lack of consensus on what is best for the rat', which highlighted a need to account for individual physical and behavioural differences between rats and between handlers, uncertainty about how to tell which methods are best for the rat, short- vs long-term implications, and lack of evidence. Secondly, 'job-related influences' included time pressure, influence of the procedures or purpose, and avoidance of being bitten by rats. Finally, a 'strong anti-tail lifting sentiment' was noted, with concerns about the effects of lifting rats by the tail in terms of rat welfare and research validity. The insights offered here suggest that, although the most harmful or impractical handling methods should be avoided, a range of different recommended handling methods may be needed. This would help safeguard rat welfare, feasibility and research validity whilst also accounting for individual differences between rats, handlers, and the varied purposes of the handling itself.