WASHING. 95 



to wash a cat properly, and requires an artist in that way 

 to do it. My plan is to prepare some liquid soap, by cutting 

 a piece into shreds, and putting it into cold water, and then 

 boiling it for an hour. I then have two clean tubs got 

 ready, one to wash, the other to rinse in. Have soft water 

 about blood heat, with a very small piece of soda in the 

 washing-tub, into which I place the cat, hind-quarters first, 

 having some one that it knows perfectly well, to hold and 

 talk to the cat while the washing is going on. I begin with 

 the tail, and thoroughly rubbing in the soap with my hands, 

 and getting by degrees over the body and shoulders up to 

 the ears, leaving the head until the cat is rinsed in the other 

 tub, which ought to be half filled with warm soft water, into 

 which I place the cat, and thoroughly rinse out all the soap, 

 when at the same time I wash the head, and I then sit in 

 front of the fire and dry with warm towels ; and if it is 

 done well and thoroughly, it is a good three hours' hard 

 work." 



I would add to the foregoing that I should use Naldire's 

 dog soap, which I have found excellent in all ways, and it 

 also destroys any insect life that may be present. 



Also in washing, be careful not to move the hands in 

 circles, or the hair will become entangled and knotty, and 

 very difficult to untwist or unravel. Take the hair in the 

 hands, and press the softened soap through and through the 

 interstices, and when rinsing do the same with the water, 

 using a large sponge for the purpose. After drying I should 

 put the cat in a box lightly, full of oat straw, and place it in 

 front of, or near a fire, at such distance as not to become 

 too warm, and only near enough to prevent a chill before 

 the cat is thoroughly dry. 



