Background: A behavioural animal model of faecal continence and/or incontinence would be of value in experimental studies of the mechanisms by which sacral neuromodulation can effect continence mechanisms in humans.
Aim: The aim of this behavioural study was to establish whether the rat, an obligate coprophagic species, exhibits patterns of faecal continence.
Methods: Standard rat cages were modified to consist of a food and drink area, a nesting area and an empty latrine area.