Many rats and mice kept as companion animals, including those rehomed from laboratory environments, have complex emotional and cognitive needs that have historically been underestimated. This protocol promotes enriched environments that support social interaction, exploratory behavior, nesting, foraging, and cognitive stimulation.
Key recommendations include avoiding social isolation in naturally social species, providing three-dimensional structures, tunnels, shelters, nesting material, manipulable enrichment, and regular opportunities for exploration and food-searching behavior. Gentle habituation to human interaction should be encouraged while avoiding abrupt or stressful handling.
The protocol also promotes careful monitoring for signs of fear, repetitive behavior, aggression, social withdrawal, or reduced exploratory activity. The objective is to support emotional recovery, behavioral expression, and long-term psychological welfare in these highly intelligent and sensitive animals.