38 The Care of Animals 



quarters for cats should be warm, sunny and dry. 

 A bed of clean straw is better than a pillow, be- 

 cause easily renewed, as it should be from time to 

 time. A pan with dry earth or sawdust should be 

 kept where the cat may have access to it. This 

 should be changed frequently, as cats are cleanly 

 animals. In feeding young cats, care must be exer- 

 cised that they do not eat too much, as indigestion 

 induced by this cause may bring on convulsions or 

 "fits." 



When a kitten has a convulsion it should be 

 wrapped in warm cloths and placed in quiet quarters; 

 after it recovers a half teaspoonful of mustard mixed 

 with a little tepid water may be given to induce vomit- 

 ing and thus to empty the stomach. This may be fol- 

 lowed with one -half to one teaspoonful of castor oil 

 administered with a little warm milk to purge the 

 bowels. Usually cats that can run out of doors will 

 eat grass or other green leaves that tend to cor- 

 rect digestive troubles. When cats are confined, bits 

 of celery may be given in the place of grass and 

 leaves. 



Caring for the coats of pet animals is important. 

 Cats and dogs can be washed frequently with some 

 mild soap and warm soft water ; the soap should 

 then be rinsed from the skin and the hair should 

 be laid in the proper direction before it dries; after 

 the body is dry the coat can be gone over with a soft 

 brush. Brushing the coat is much better than comb- 

 ing it. Some cats can become accustomed to washing 

 with water, but most of them resent it. A little 



