222 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



Of course kittens, when weaned, should be fed at least 

 three or four times a day ; porridge, bread and milk, a 

 little finely-minced meat. Ridge's food made as for children, 

 are all good materials, changed as the animals are found 

 to get tired of any one kind. 



Milk should always be boiled, whether given alone or 

 mixed with other things, as otherwise it is thought liable 

 to cause worms, and they are very troublesome, and 

 probably bring about the deaths of more kittens and 

 puppies than any other cause. 



If a number of cats are kept it is best to have a 

 room, or building, entirely for their occupation, and if an 

 outside run can be provided, wired in and protected at 

 the top from the weather, it will be all the better for the 

 health of the inmates, which can be let out there alone, or 

 not, as their sexes and tempers will permit. If an aspect 

 can be chosen, the south-east is preferred to any other, 

 cats being fond of a sunny situation. 



Means should be provided for heating the building 

 in severe weather, either by hot air or water, or by some 

 kind of stove, not enough to make the place hot and 

 stufiy, and there should be plenty of ventilation round the 

 upper parts of the building, but protected from draughts, 

 frost and damp, which are very injurious to kittens and 

 adults. 



I have found cheese boxes make excellent sleeping 

 places, and prefer oat straw to any other material for 

 bedding, with some disinfected sawdust sprinkled on the 

 bottom of the box beneath it, changed as often as 

 required. 



