14 MAMMALS 



Cats are essentially carnivorous and it is natural that 

 much of their food should consist of meat, either raw or 

 cooked. It is not necessary that this be of the finest quality, 

 but neither should it be of the vile sort sold by butchers as 

 "cat meat." Fish makes an acceptable variation. Many 

 sorts of vegetables and cereals, such as potatoes, rice, oat- 

 meal, etc., are relished by most cats, particularly if mixed 

 with meat broth or milk. Bread and milk is a staple and 

 few cats refuse it. Milk, of course, is the proverbial bev- 

 erage, but cats should never be kept without water. Kittens 

 should be fed chiefly on milk and cereals, the amount of 

 meat in the diet being increased with advancing age. 



The cat is an uncommonly clean animal and easily trained 

 to make use of a box filled with some fine, dry material, 

 which should be changed frequently. Sand is much the 

 best for this purpose, as ashes and sawdust are easily blown 

 and tracked about. If a sleeping-box in a comfortable 

 corner is provided, the animal will quickly realize that this 

 is its allotted place. 



The practice of turning the cat out of doors at night is 

 as cruel as it is unnecessary. No animal is fonder of warmth 

 and comfort, and the pet's happiness certainly is not in- 

 creased by a night spent in cold and dampness. If as much 

 energy were exhausted in keeping the cat indoors as too 

 commonly is expended in putting her out, how great would 

 be the boon to human nerves and unfortunate wild things! 

 All felines are normally nocturnal and it is at night, if ever, 

 that a curb on their activities is needed. 



The device of hanging a bell on the neck, and that of 

 arranging a wire, on which slips a ring with pussy's 

 cord attached, will keep her out of mischief, especially 

 during the spring, when young birds are about. 



The period of gestation in the cat is nine weeks. The 

 kittens' eyes are closed at birth but open about the tenth 



