Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/170

 PETS 150 THE FEEDIMG AMD CA OF CAT^ A Daily Menu for Cats — Animal Hospitals— Cats as '* Paying Patients ** — The Training of a Cat F cats are properly treated and cared for from their early kitten- hood they become as human in their companionship and' as keenly intelligent in their ways as the most intelligent dog. But, from hereditary reasons — they being of the tiger tribe — it takes a trifle longer, and requires a little more patience to humanise them. A well-known authority on this subject — the matron of the Cats' Hospital — declares that for healthy, happy cats the same three essentials are required that are given to the healthy human baby — namely, warmth, fresh air, and cleanliness. The two former demand no elaboration, but in connection with cleanliness it is essential that cats should be carefully brushed every day. This is particularly necessary when they are changing their coats, as they are otherwise liable, by getting the loose hairs into their mouths, to contract a painful cats' disease known as "hair-balls." The best cure for this is to give the cat a teaspoonful of olive-oil — indeed, olive-oil acts as an excellent general preservative, and if the animal will take it, its mistress ought to give it a teaspoonful or half a teaspoonful every day. Pussy should always [have access to fresh water. Milk is by no means sufficient for her to drink, and the fact that the cat cannot obtain clear drink- ing water often leads to illness. But it is in the matter of pussy's diet that her masters and mistresses make perhaps the gravest mistakes. The following is, there- fore, commended as an " ideal " diet both for the animal's health and for the appearance of its coat. Of course, it is understood that a cat's personal taste is to be consulted just like a child's, and food that it does not like should not be forced '.upon it. A SUGGESTED DAILY MENU Here is the day's menu : For breakfast, a small quantity of boiled rice and milk. Rice is much better for the animal than bread. For dinner, about an ounce of raw, fresh, lean beef, or, as a change, fish — but never salt fish. Another alternative, and one specially good for the pet, is fried or boiled liver, which acts as an aperient! If pussy expresses dissatisfaction — and very often she does at a dinner of liver — she may have some sardines, which must, however, be preserved in oil, and not on any account in vmegar. In the middle of the day the pet's lunch ought to consist of some green vegetable. Modern veterinary surgery: setting a broken leg Photo C. J andyk breadcrumbs, and gravy. Cat's-meat is not advisable, and should not be given. ANIMAL HOSPITALS When pussy shows signs of a cold she ought to get instant attention, and be isolated, both for her own sake and because nothing spreads infection, particularly amongst children, so quickly as a cat. Pussy can be at once taken, when she shows signs of illness, to one of the many " private nursing homes." The cat will be received at the Sanatorium, Beddington Lane, Surrey, or at Althorpe Road, Bridge Road, West Battersea. Or the owner can apply by telephone to the Matron of the Animals' Hospital, who will give other addresses. Or, on the other hand, she can be attended, like any human mortal, at her own home by a specially trained cats' nurse, and be daily visited by the veterinary surgeon. The Animals' Hospital at No. i, Hugh Street, Pimlico, S.W., owned by "Our Dumb Friends' League," has special wards for cats, where pussies suffering from every kind of disease are treated. This famous hospital, which is supported only by voluntary contributions, exists for the treatment of the animals of the poor, and has no paying department, but the matron can recommend homes for paying patients. If cats are to be " humanised," they must be frequently spoken to and noticed by their owners, and they must also have plenty of playthings, etc., to keep them bright and lively. To train a cat never to leave the house, by no means injures it or makes it unhappy, provid- ing that it is allowed plenty of fresh air and plenty of room. The making, in fact, of a perfect race of cats resembles closel}'- the neces- sary proceedings for the making of a perfect race of babies. Cat owners should remember that when it is absolutely necessary to punish pussy this ought to be done immediately after the fault is com- mitted. Do not whip or strike to punish immediately an offence has been committed, but take the cat and press the hand on the back of the neck firmly enough to hold the animal with head down on the ground. Hold it steadily for some five minutes, talking to it and scolding it gently all the time. If the fault is repeated, bump the nose gently several times. - This is quite sufficient to teach any ordinary cat all that is necessary. Cats are passionately fond of the taste and smell of aniseed, a fact that can be utilised in training them either to cleanly habits or to the performance of homely tricks. A cat that is taught by kindness to sit up and beg for some special dainty enjoys it all the more, and the education is good for it.