title: The use of fecal markers to facilitate sample collection in group-housed cats.
abstract: The provision of proper social housing is a priority when designing an experiment using domestic cats as laboratory animals. When animals are group-housed, studies requiring analysis of stool samples from individual subjects pose difficulty in sample collection and identification. In this study, commercially available concentrated food colorings (known as bakers  pastes) were used as fecal markers in group-housed cats. Cats readily consumed 0.5 ml of bakers  paste food coloring once daily in canned cat food. Colorings served as fecal markers by imparting a distinct color to each cat s feces, allowing identification in the litter box. In addition, colored glitter (1/8 teaspoon in canned food) was fed to cats and found to be a reliable fecal marker. Long-term feeding of colorings and glitter was found to be safe and effective at yielding readily identifiable stools.
authors.affiliation: Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama 36841, USA.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007206:Individuality; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D010969:Plastics