Enrichment for Small Mammals and Exotic Pets

ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT A marked difference noted when comparing small mammals and exotic pets to their wild counterparts is the degree of complexity and interaction that exists in nature and the frequent lack of complexity and interaction in pet environments. While laboratories, zoos, and large-scale animal breeding facilities are encouraged or required to provide enrichment programs for their animals, the notion is unknown or only marginally accepted with pets. Many pets spend entire lives locked into sterile environments with little or no ability to express many behaviors natural to their species. Environmental enrichment is designed to modify the captive environment of an animal to promote natural behaviors and increase the general well being, while reducing stress and abnormal behaviors. Environmental enrichment programs require a basic understanding of the natural history and behavioral biology of a species. Enrichment programs should be capable of modification to meet specific needs of individual animals.