36 CATS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



first days of their motherhood. They will show their dis- 

 pleasure by carrying off their kittens and hiding them. I 

 have just heard of a case where the kits mysteriously dis- 

 appeared from their basket, and after diligent search the 

 litter of four was found carefully packed away in one of the 

 boots belonging to the gentlemen of the house ! It is best 

 to place the bed in some secluded and dark corner, and not 

 to trouble the family with frequent visits. 



It is a bad habit to feed your puss in her hamper when 

 she is nursing her kittens. She may be averse to coming 

 out and leaving the precious family, but it is best for her to 

 stretch her legs, and cleaner and nicer in every way. 



It is after the first week or ten days that a nursing mother 

 begins to feel a large family trying. There is really no 

 immediate necessity for a foster when the mites are only a 

 day or two old. 



Don't distress yourself if your mother pussy refuses her 

 usual saucer of milk when she is nursing a family. The in- 

 stinct in animals, even in mere cats, is wonderful, and if puss 

 prefers water TO milk, be sure she has her reasons, which are 

 unknown to the human mind. 



When a cat is nursing let her have plenty of hot milk. 

 This will be a great assistance to her in providing sufficient 

 nourishment for her family. Warm Bovril or Kreochyle 

 is also very sustaining, to which I find cats are very partial. 



Sleep is almost as essential as food to young kittens, so 

 when you see them cuddled up comfortably, do not disturb 

 them and always avoid handling them. Perhaps through 

 some disaster or because your puss deserts her kits, she 

 is left with a lot of milk, It is best to give her a dose 

 of castor oil and rub her breasts gently and frequently wiih 

 camphorated spirit or eau de Cologne, diluted with a little 

 warm water. In about three or four days the milk will dry 

 up. It is very seldom that cats suffer from milk fever. 



Don't let your Persian queens bring up more than four 



