CATS Introduction 8.1. Cats are social animals and management practices should ensure regular contact with other cats and humans. As well as being important for animal welfare good social interactions encourage production of properly conditioned animals of suitable temperament for subsequent studies.
Cats are excellent climbers and choose to spend much of their time on shelves raised from the floor.
Pen design must take account of this strong behavioural instinct. As cats have wide thermoneutral zones, this species can normally be held at ambient temperatures in the UK without adverse effects. Suitable contingency plans should be prepared to deal with extremes of temperature seen occasionally during hot summers or cold winters, to ensure that cats are maintained in a comfortable environment. The optimum temperature range is considered to be 15-24 degrees C. Heating and cooling will be required if animals are held indoors for prolonged periods outside of this temperature range. Outdoor pens must provide shelter against adverse weather conditions.