CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 



kittens can walk about, but retaining the ledge 

 already referred to, which will keep them from 

 ground draughts to a great extent. A nice little 

 box with run attached is the best house for a 

 cat and kittens ; but as these cost about 253. 

 each, a number of them become costly and 

 beyond the means of some breeders. The 

 bed described is the next best thing, far better 

 for shy queens than a box or basket used in 

 the ordinary way. An empty drawer makes a 

 good place, but the kit- 

 tens should be moved out 

 of it as soon as they can 

 see, as it is rather too 

 dark and close after the 

 blind period is past. 



A cat should sleep 

 in whatever bed is ar- 

 ranged for her for at 

 least a week before the 

 kittens are expected, and 

 when that day arrives 

 the queen should be 

 carefully watched, as 

 some cats will have their 

 kittens anywhere if not 

 looked after. For the 

 sake of those new to the 

 fancy, it may be as well 

 to remark that cats 

 become very restless, 

 walking about some- 

 times purring loudly, and 

 looking in cupboards and dark corners, while 

 occasionally the first noticeable indication that 

 the event is about to come off is that the fur 

 behind is wet, and if this should be the case 

 no time should be lost in carrying the cat most 

 carefully to her bed, as the kittens may then 

 be expected any moment. Some animals like 

 to be left entirely alone while giving birth to 

 their young ; others, especially pets, prefer 

 to have their owners near to them ; but if 

 there is any uncertainty it is better to leave 

 her to herself. 



Experienced breeders will know that should 

 the labour be dry or very prolonged it is a 

 great help to a cat to pass the hand firmly 



MRS. HARDY'S NEUTER " PHARAOH 



(Photo : Schutk's Photographic Galleries.) 



and slowly down the side during an expulsive 

 pain, as the pressure will help the mother and 

 hasten the birth of the kittens. 



After the first is born, the rest come compara- 

 tively easily. Very occasionally there is a cross 

 presentation ; but as only those really com- 

 petent should attempt to do anything in this 

 case, no time should be lost in sending for the 

 nearest cat doctor or veterinary. After the 

 first kitten~has arrived the birth of which is 

 usually heralded by a 

 loud cry of pain from 

 the mother some milk 

 should be made hot, and 

 as soon as the new baby 

 has been cleaned the 

 mother will gladly drink 

 this ; but on no account 

 should cold or even luke- 

 warm milk be given the 

 same day, or, indeed, for 

 two or three days. Nov- 

 ices are sometimes start- 

 led at seeing the cat eat- 

 ing a lump of something 

 which they fear may be 

 a kitten ; but there is 

 no occasion for alarm, 

 as it is merely the after- 

 birth, the consumption 

 of which is probably 

 Nature's provision for 

 affording sustenance to 

 the mother," as an animal in a wild state 

 could get no food for at least several hours 

 after the birth of its offspring. If a cat is 

 wild or shy, it is better to leave her alone (with 

 the exception of offering hot milk from time 

 to time) until all the kittens are born, and 

 they should not be examined or handled for 

 some days. 



With a gentle queen the first kitten may 

 be taken away when the second is born, 

 well wrapped up in warm flannel and put 

 by the fire, and so on, always leaving one 

 kitten until the last is warm and dry, when 

 the others should be returned to the mother. 

 This plan is most necessary in cold weather 



