Cephalopods are increasingly used in neuroscience research due to their complex nervous systems. Their welfare protection in laboratory settings has recently been strengthened in Europe following sentience recognition.
Cephalopods used in neuroscience research face welfare challenges from confinement in barren aquarium conditions, handling stress, and research procedures. As highly active predatory animals requiring large territories in the wild, small laboratory tanks cause behavioral restriction that may constitute welfare harm. Enrichment for laboratory cephalopods — prey items, den structures, varied substrates — addresses some behavioral needs. The regulatory extension of laboratory animal protection to cephalopods in Europe represents a significant welfare advance driven by the scientific evidence for their sentience.