Canadian Council on Animal Care , Gilman, J. 1984. Chapter VIII: Cats. In : Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, Volume 2 . Canadian Council on Animal Care , Gilman, J. (ed). Canadian Council on Animal Care, Ottawa, Canada.

Valuable guidelines for the cat-adequate housing and handling in the research laboratory setting. Individual cages must be large enough to provide for normal posturing, allowing the cat the opportunity to stretch fully both horizontally and vertically. Resting boards are necessary, particularly where wire mesh floors are utilized in the cage. Scratching posts or boards should be supplied. Cats, being somewhat fastidious in their habits, should be provided with a litter box which should be located as remotely from the resting area as possible. Cats appear to become psychologically stressed if forced to sit amongst their own excrements. .. Territorial defense is strong in cats and has been modified only slightly by domestication; therefore, some care should be taken when establishing group pens to watch out for subjugation, fighting and rejection of members. These problems can be minimized by providing at least three to four square feet per cat. This affords the individual with the opportunity to identify with its own private mini territory . Nesting boxes, benches, shelves and cat trees are essential for a peaceful, healthy coexistence. The resting boards should be placed at varying heights or incorporated in an artificial tree. There should be at least one shelf or perch per cat. .. Cats are naturally nervous, cautious animals, suspicious of strange people and strange surroundings. They will, however, usually respond to a quiet, gentle approach by people who like cats. They are particularly sensitive to changes in routine and environment and, if changes are necessary, sufficient time should be allowed for the cat to adjust prior to involving it in further studies.