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Enrichment Products
Animal enrichment plays a crucial role in supporting natural behaviors, reducing stress, and promoting animal welfare in laboratory and preclinical research settings. Ludomed provides Aspen-based enrichment products designed for use in controlled research settings, with a primary focus on chewable and gnawing enrichment. Our enrichment solutions are developed to align with laboratory practices that prioritize consistency, material simplicity, and compatibility with study protocols.
What is Animal Enrichment in Research?
In laboratory environments, enrichment refers to the introduction of materials or structures that encourage species-appropriate behaviors without compromising research outcomes. Properly selected enrichment products can help support behavioral expression, reduce stress-related responses, and contribute to refinement strategies within animal care programs. In research settings, enrichment materials are typically selected for their safety profile, durability, and minimal impact on experimental conditions.
Types of Enrichment Used in Laboratory Settings
Animal enrichment may take several forms depending on species, housing, and study requirements. Common enrichment approaches include:
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Chewable and gnawing enrichment to support dental health and natural behavior.
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Structural enrichment that encourages exploration and activity.
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Material-based enrichment was selected for consistency and research compatibility.
Ludomed specializes in Aspen hardwood enrichment, a material widely used in laboratory environments for chewing and gnawing applications.
Aspen Wood as an Enrichment Material
Aspen wood is commonly selected for laboratory animal enrichment due to its favorable material properties. As a hardwood with low resin content, Aspen is often used in research environments where material neutrality and simplicity are important. Aspen-based enrichment products provide a natural chewing surface while maintaining durability and consistency across studies.
Species Considerations
While enrichment needs vary by species, rodents represent the most common application for chewable enrichment products in laboratory research. Aspen-based enrichment may also be suitable for other laboratory species, such as guinea pigs or certain non-human primates, when appropriate to housing conditions and study design. Species-specific behavior and protocol requirements should always guide enrichment selection.
Related pages
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