CHAPTER III 
THE CARE OF PETS 
THE care of pet animals must depend very largely 
on the species of animal, and on the location as to 
whether in the city or country. In the country pets 
are very much more easily cared for and much less 
lable to disease and injury, on account of the freedom, 
variety of food, exercise and free surroundings. In 
choosing pets, it is good policy to select pure-bred 
animals of excellent individuality, as it costs no more 
to keep a good individual than a poor one, and the in- 
creased satisfaction that results is ample compensation. 
In choosing pets two points should be taken into con- 
sideration: (1) Docility, as it is much easier to care 
for quiet animals than for uneasy and nervous ones; 
(2) as a rule, medium-sized, short-haired animals are 
most easily cared for. In some cases, as in Angora 
cats, the long hair is a leading attraction; and these 
instances, therefore, are exceptions to the rule. If 
possible, one should select pets that can be kept for 
use as well as for pleasure. 
In those animals in which the beauty and interest 
he largely in the coat, extra care and precaution must 
be taken to keep it in prime condition. Light-cclored 
animals require more attention than dark ones. 
In caring for pets it is important that the natural 
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