Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following feeding methods is least preferred for rats?

1. Ad libitum

2. Scheduled feeding

3. Forced feeding

4. Group feeding

The correct answer is: Forced feeding

The least preferred feeding method for rats is forced feeding. This method involves the manual administration of food to the animal, which can be stressful and harmful to the rat. Forced feeding can lead to physical and psychological stress, as it interferes with the animal's natural feeding behaviors and instincts. This stress can have negative impacts on the overall health and well-being of the rats and may affect research outcomes. In contrast, ad libitum feeding, which allows rats to eat freely as they wish, aligns with their natural behavior and promotes overall welfare. Scheduled feeding helps control the diet and can be useful in research scenarios that require specific feeding regimens. Group feeding supports social interactions among rats, which is beneficial for their well-being in a laboratory setting. Thus, while the other methods can be appropriate in certain circumstances, forced feeding is least favored due to its potential negative implications for the animals.