THE CARE OF THE CAT 223 



haired almost invariably keep themselves in 

 perfect order, but to the long-haired this is a 

 herculean task. They require washing and 

 brushing. 



To bathe a cat is a delicate operation, and 

 requires tact. He is exceedingly nervous and 

 sensitive, and he shrinks from water. He 

 must be handled like a delicate child, with 

 slow and gentle movements, and the constant 

 encouragement of a voice he knows and trusts. 

 It is best to have a helper in the work, one to 

 talk to and pet the frightened creature, while 

 the other puts him slowly and carefully into 

 blood-warm suds, pressing but not rubbing the 

 long hairs, and rinsing in the same gentle way 

 in another tub. He must then be wrapped in 

 a blanket, and dried before a fire with warm 

 towels, and not be allowed on the floor until 

 thoroughly dry and glowing. 



If the long hair of one of these beauties gets 

 tangled or matted together, it should first be 

 moistened with oil, or soft-soap and a little 

 water, and then separated with the fingers, 

 pulling the hairs out of the tangle one by one, 

 after which must follow the washing. The 

 peculiar wavy beauty of the hair and its nat- 



