ii8 FEEDING. 



sionally. When they cannot from various reasons be so 

 turned out, a box should be provided, partly filled with dry 

 earth, to which they may retire. This is always a requisite 

 when cats or kittens are valuable, and therefore obliged to be 

 kept within doors, especially in neighbourhoods where there 

 is a chance of their being lost or stolen. 



It should also be borne in mind, that the present and 

 future health of an animal, be it what it may, is subject 

 to many incidences, and not the least of these is good and 

 appropriate food, shelter, warmth, and cleanliness. It is best 

 to feed at regular intervals. In confinement, INIr. Bartlett, 

 the skilful and experienced manager of the Zoological 

 Society's Gardens, at Regent's Park, finds that one meal a 

 day is sufficient, and this is thought also to be the case 

 with a full-grown cat, more especially when it has the 

 opportunity of ranging and getting other food, such 

 as mice, and "such small deer;" but with "young 

 things " it is different, as it is deemed necessary to get as 

 much strength and growth as possible. I therefore advocate 

 several meals a day, at least three, with a variety of food, 

 such as raw shin of beef, cut very small ; bones to pick ; 

 fish of sorts, with all the bones taken out, or refuse parts ; 

 milk, with a little hot water ; boiled rice or oatmeal, with 

 milk or without it ; and grass, if possible ; if not, some boiled 

 vegetables, stalks of asparagus, cabbage, or even carrots. Let 

 the food be varied from time to time, but never omitting 

 the finely- cut raw beef every day. 1 am not in favour of liver, 

 or "lights," as it is called, either for cats or kittens. If 

 horse-flesh can be depended on, it is a very favourite and 

 strengthening food, and may be given. The kitten should 

 be kept warm and dry, and away from draughts. 



Also take especial care not in any way to frighten, tease, 

 or worry a young animal, but do everything possible to give 

 confidence and engender regard, fondness, or affection for 

 its owner ; always be gentle and yet firm in its training. Do 

 not allow it to do one day uncorrected, that for which it is 

 punished the next for the same kind of fault. If it is doing 

 wrong remove it, speaking gently, at the twie, and not wait 



