Evening star., 1898-11-05
Rules for the Preservation of Their
Comfort and Health.
WHEN and how DOGS SHOULD Be FED
Cats Demand More Attention Than
They Usually Get.
FEATHERED STER S

wholly doubtful temper that skulks and
snarls at the heels of the intimdated Wis
itor when he or she enters or leaves the
| house, and that heeds neither coaxing nor
commands from master or mistress.
No family that desires TO enjoy the es-
TEEN of it's friends should be guilty of
| maintaining such nuisance, and no fam
| lily need, for if dog is properly fed and
| cared for the chances are 80 to l that it
will be good-tempered and at least fairly
| obedient. A few simple facts are to be
borne in mind.
| originally, of course, dogs were flesh eat
| ers, but domestication has somewhat
| changed their requirements Meat is still
an essential but it is a mistake to restrict
| them to it simply because 1t is easy to
| procure and can be fed without prenara-
ton. Vegetables, grains and milk, with a
| little meat now and then, is the ideal diet
| When one wishes good temper, good looks
| and good health for their pets
| Men who make a business of breeding
nne dogs say that puppy should be fed
| -FOUR times day until it is four months
olo. FROM the fourth on to the seventh
| MONTH three meals a day sufficient,
| and after that two. The first meal should
| be of warm milk. Into this put part of a
| dog biscuit broken in small bits, or bet
Ter sull, grated fine on a nutmeg crater.
| Before 1t is added to the milk it should be
| scalded
The second meal should consist of milk
| alone; the third of oatmeal and milk and
| Tor the fourth beef broth and bread. This
diet may be varied by substituting indian
| for the oatmeal, while mashed potatoes or
| similar vegetables may be used
After the third month little beef
may be given three or four times a week
Over-feeding should be carefully guarded
against
| A Deal of Care.
All this suggests great deal of care; but
unless one is prepared to bestow it one has
| no business to keep a dog Many people
| feed old dogs but once a day and when
| the animal is limited to a fiat or apartment
| In the city and has no yard in which to run
| it is quite enough. Where it has a large
yard and can take the necessary amount of
exercise, 1t should be fed morning and even
ing, the last meal being the heavier 1t
Will thrive on Indian or oatmeal and milk,
with meat once a day. This can be varied
py using bread with the milk or potatoes
and vegetables with the meat There are
also numerous makes of dog biscuits on the
market that can be given from time to time
II is a questionable practice however to
depend on them exclusively
Dogs are very rarely free from insects
and there is scarcely fancier in the coun-
! try who has not an exterminator either
powder or a wash of his own devising,
that ne recommends as sure thing"
Caroollc soap, the stronger sort that
Is especially prepared for animals, will If
properly applied. destroy feas or other par
asites One must bear in mind however
mat the composition is more or less poison
GUS Ihe bath must be brief as possible
and 1t should always be Immediately fol-
lowed by one of fresh water.
Clean kennels and frequent ordinary
oaths.ln word. cleanliness, will do much
toward preventing the appearance of pests
OF this sort. If the dog is to sleep on rug
or pianket IN the house. disinfectant OF
insect powder may occasionally be sprin-
killed. upon it with good results
Care of Cats.
Cats are supposed to require less care
than almost any other domestic animal
Ihis Is in measure so, but it is not saying
that they are any the better off for being
neglected. They probably suffer more than
all the other pets Of a household put to-
gether.
one OF the most common fallacies regard
Ing cats is that they never require water.
1t is true they drink less water in propor-
tion than do dogs for instance, but the ut
tie they use they need quite as much as
the dog does the greater quantity he con-
Sumes.
Cats should be fed principally on milk;
bread may be mixed with it or oatmeal A
little raw liver cooked fish two or three
times week is all the meat they need or
should have. They should never be allowed
to eat the rats or mice they catch and
their interest in the determination of these
pests will be in no way diminished if they
are not permitted to.
one of the very common practices-and
1t is true of people who would vigorously
resent the suggestion that they are not
humane-is when the summer comes, with
It's exodus to mountain or seashore, to close
the town house and leave the cat to shift
for itself as best 1t may, or to be dependent
on the uncertain charity of the caretaker
Canaries Need Warmth.
Canaries want warmth, and it is certain
that, except in confinement. they could not
live in our northern states. They require
a varied diet. The bird seeds" as they
are called-hemp, rape and canary-can be
bought properly mixed. They should al
ways be used in connection with bread and
milk fruits.
The floor of the cage should he kent Gov
cred with clean sand for the birds to neck |
at or, If for any reason this cannot be |
had, the best substitute is a preparation |
known fish bone. The cage should be |
kept scrupulously clean.
When canaries show hoarseness one of |
the best remedies is Spanish licorice This |
will bring back the voice quicker than sny-
thing else.
For any ailment that passes your bird |
craft seek bird doctor with greater knowl- |
edge, or, If the services Of an expert are |
out of the question, a warm bath NAV be |
found eff1cacious; for this, heat the water |
to a temperature of about 96 degrees The |
bath should last not above a minute, when |
the bird should be placed in the sunshine |
or near the fire to dry.
Rules for Mockfng Birds.
Another beautiful native songster is the |
mocking bird. 1t Is a question, though, If |
it is not a mistake to seek to domesticate |
this bird, as, for every one that lives in |
confinement, two die from their longing for |
freedom.
If one is determined to have a mocking |
bird at any cost there are two rules, that, |
If observed, will increase the chances Of |
keeping it alive They are cleanliness and |
a wide range In the matter Of diet. Fresh |
meat should figure frequently in the bill Of |
fare, or, better still, earth worms. At best, |
however, the mocking bird Is imprisoned |
and not domesticated.
Squirrels. dormice, white mice and other |
little creatures are rare as pets that |
their care need scarcely be considered. |
Their cages should be kept sweet and |
clean, and the revolving wheel that is usu- |
ally part Of the fittings of a squirrels cage |
should be banished from the homes of the |
captives, who realize in them only ipgeni- |
GUS torture.
Wouldn't Stand TrihinS.
Ero, Deal