6 THE CAT 



construction, and have the roof either slated or 

 tiled upon wood, corrugated iron being too hot in 

 summer, and too cold in winter. The floor of the 

 house should be of boards, with a shelf or bench 

 for the cat to sleep upon, whilst the floor of the 

 run may be either of concrete, gravel, wood, or 

 grass, etc. ; but in any case it should be freely 

 sprinkled with moss, litter or some other absorbent. 



There should also be a shelf fitted up in the run 

 for the cat to bask upon during the day. 



The whole structure should have a couple of 

 coats of anti-corrosion paint. The place must be 

 absolutely damp-proof. 



Bedding. 



During the summer no bedding is necessary. 

 For warmth and cleanliness fine oat straw is the 

 best of all, a layer of which should be upon the 

 shelf or sleeping board. 



Shavings or brake-fern can be substituted. 



Sleeping on cushions, etc., is usual, but is cer- 

 tainly not equal to straw for keeping a cat's fur 

 clean. 



Change the bedding every two or three weeks. 



Washing. 



If cats are kept clean by regular grooming and 

 in a clean house, they will seldom require washing, 



