All cats, previous to the time of having their kittens, should be well fed on two raw meat meals a day, larger than their usual meals, and no other diet given. Nine weeks elapses from date of mating before the kittens can be expected, and it is not unusual for a cat to be several days or even a week late, but nothing should be done unless the cat seems ill.

Should the kittens arrive before time, you will know that the cat has been injured in some way, probably while searching for a bed or fighting with other cats, etc.

If possible, the cat should be kept in one room for about a week beforehand, and be provided with a nice comfortable bed. Perhaps nothing makes a better bed than a borax soap box, taking off the lid and using two of the boards, nailing them above the back half of the box like a roof. Cut a piece out of one end of the box, so that the kittens, when they are old enough, can crawl out. This box should be painted inside and out, and will then make quite a nice bed. Paint a light colour inside, and dark out, any tint you may desire, according to the colour of the cats you breed.

These boxes are a little rough at first, but if painted over every year the wood becomes smooth. The idea of the boards being made in a pointed roof over the box is to form support for a canopy, made by throwing a blanket or curtain over the roof, and leaving just room for puss to go in and out, covering the "kitten" hole at the side. This covering makes it very private for the cat, and also dark, or partially so, for the kittens, as for the first two weeks they should not be exposed to the full light on account of their eyes. A good, healthy cat, as a rule, has no trouble having her kittens, unless she is undersized; but if they become delicate from poor feeding or over-breeding, some of the kittens are apt to be dead, or are so weak as to be killed at birth, and the cat is several days having her kittens, instead of a few hours.

In case a cat has been injured, and some of the kittens are dead, and the cat seems in great trouble, a quarter to half a teaspoonful of ergot of rye may be given in a little sweet milk, and repeat the dose after several hours, if you are sure there are more kittens to follow.

Do not give the medicine unless you feel sure the cat is unable to have her kittens without medical assistance.

Care should be taken as to the feeding for the first few days. As a rule, a cat has plenty of milk, but in the case of an old or unhealthy one, there might not be enough milk for the kittens. In such cases give the cat warm, condensed milk and egg, and if this is not successful it will be necessary to get another cat to raise the kittens.

As a rule, a cat is apt to have too much milk at first, and will need no liquid for the first week or ten days, except water, and no increase of food.

After the first week two good meat meals must be given, with condensed milk, egg and lime-water for the midday meal, though a third meat meal is even better, always leaving fresh water close to the bed.

In case of a large family, the kittens should be fed at four weeks of age; but no cat should nurse more than four kittens, and three will fare much better.

All bedding should be changed every few days; old blankets, shawls and bath-towels make good beds, also outing flannel. A bath-towel is best as a bed-covering, as this can be shaken every day and changed whenever soiled. The rough surface enables the kittens to get a better support for their little feet. Never use a smooth, flat surface, as their legs, constantly slipping away from under them, cause weakness and crooked legs.

The eyes should be carefully watched about the ninth day, when they should be open or nearly so; if not, they must be bathed and opened with the fingers very gently, and then the lids should be greased with lanolin. For further treatment, see chapters on the eyes, and kitten raising.