CATS AND THEIR CARE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20233, 17 February 1934, Page 20 (Supplement)

CATS AND THEIR CARE.

Many people keep cats but they do not give them much attention, and the “harmless, necessary cat” does not have a very exciting existence in the average home. Yet cats, like most other things, arc worth spending time and trouble on. The cared-for, well-fed cat is a contented animal with a sleek, glossy coat, and perfect manners. Cats can be very wellmannered, and a nicely brought-up cat is most fussy about cleanliness. Cats appreciate clean food served on clean dishes at regular meal times. They do not thrive on any odd bits given them at any old time. Milk or bread and milk, fish, clean meat scraps, should make up their ordinary diet. If you want to give your cat a great treat, give him sardines. Most cats adore sardines. Then, too, your cat will want a proper bed, such as an old rug or a cushion placed in a basket or box or in some special spot that your cat knows is his. The bed needs making and shaking every day, and it must never be allowed to get dirty. The bed should be placed out of draught, but not in too stuffy a corner. Cats need fresh air and outdoor exercise as much as anyone. Let your cat have access to grass if possible, as eating grass will clear his stomach of swallowed hair. Give him a bowl of fresh drinking water every day. Brush your cat regularly, dry him when he is very wet, and he will repay you by his beautiful appearance. If you want to keep your cat young, give him a little soft ball and play with him occasionally. Don’t overfeed your cat, but just give him sufficient food to keep him healthy and contented, otherwise he will never catch mice. TO CORRESPONDENTS. PRESERVING TOMATOES. A correspondent asks for a recipe fot preserving tomatoes. This recipe was published in the ‘‘Star” some years ago and we have had repeated requests for it. It is very simple and the method is a 6 follows.: Scald the fruit and remove the skin£. Cut up the fruit and put in a stew pan and boil for three or five minutes. Have preserving jars hot and fill with the pulp to overflowing; screw down immediately and they will keep for years. Add nothing, neither salt, water nor seasoning. By this means you can enjoy fried tomatoes or tomato soup all the year round. REDUCING THE BUST. A slimming diet will assist in reducing the bust and the skipping exercise is said by many to be quite good. Skipping should be done in a loose wrapper without anything tight, such as a brassiere on the body. The breasts can be firmed by massage under a specialist. Skilful massage can either take off or put on fat.