The large number of long-haired cats that are to be seen all parts of the kingdom proves that they are becoming general favourites. The introduction of the Persian cat and the institution of cat shows have given a great impetus to cat culture, which is now extensively carried on as a hobby both for pleasure and profit. In their youth the long-haired cats are certainly not possessed of the nine lives usually allotted to the family. They are in many instances decidedly delicate, up to the age of six months requiring special attention. This, to some extent, is due to the artificial manner in which they are reared and kept. The majority of the cats of high pedigree are domiciled either in catteries made for the purpose, or in rooms indoors, specially fitted up for them. In but few instances are they allowed their freedom; to go in or out as they wish, or to become hardened by exposure to the weather.

Notwithstanding this, however, a Persian cat kept in the same as an ordinary cat will often prove ta is hardier and healthier, and the kittens will be more easily reared, than those on which so much care and money are expended. Many of the female Persian cats are excellent mothers, and rear their young without trouble. It is customary with most breeders of Persian cats not to allow their long haired female cats to rear all their kittens, but to employ the services of a foster mother, to which are entrusted the bulk of the litter. The foster-mother should be a strong, heathy, short-haired cat, and should have her kittens as nearly as possible at the time as the Persian. Two are considered enough to be brought up by the long-haired mother.

When a cat is rearing kittens she must be well fed three or four times a day. Finely-chopped meat, mixed with a little bread and some gravy, any of the manufactured infants' foods, good fresh milk that has first been boiled, beef tea, some minced liver once or twice a week, and a small quantity of cooked green vegetables - all those can form part of the diet. After the kittens are a month old they will begin to feed on their own account. Finely cut underdone or raw meat, infants' food made into a stiff pap, coarse oatmeal soaked and mixed with warm milk and custard will all be good. Fresh fish will make a change, though some cats do not care for it.

The kittens must have as much fresh air and exercise as possible, which more than anything helps to make them strong and healthy. They should not be allowed out in the rain or on wet long grass, for their long coat retains the moisture, which leads to colds and chills. All the food given must be fresh and sweet, and not in any way tainted. After the kittens are about eight weeks old they should be brushed every other day with a hair brush. At first some of them may object, but they will soon learn to like it. If fleas are suspected, an ordinary tooth-comb will get rid of most of them. Delicate kittens should have half a teaspoonful of Chemical food with their dinner, and some egg beaten up with milk. It is always well to weigh Persian kittens once a week. If they do not increase in weight there is generally something wrong, which the long coat prevents being noticed, but which the weighing machine will call attention to. When getting rid of the surplus kittens retain those that are broad in skull, small in ear and short in nose.

HOME PETS: SHORT-HAIRED CATS
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 13th October 1901

The cat culture that is nowadays taken up as a hobby both for pleasure and profit has materially improved the appearance of our domestic mouser. In many instances cats are neglected and half-starved, and turned out of doors to obtain their food the best way they can. But the cat shows that take place in many parts of the Kingdom have caused a good deal of interest to be attracted to these animals, and there are comparatively few homes in which grimalkin does not appear sleek and well fed. The introduction of the Persian cat is doubtless largely responsible for the attention that is now paid to out feline friends. The long coat, the frill, and the bushy tail, are certainly very handsome. But Persians are undoubtedly delicate, particularly as kittens, the percentage of deaths being heavy. This is not the case with the Short Haired, for, however well bred they may be, they still have the proverbial nine lives, or at any rate a large amount of vitality. It is therefore more satisfactory, and less disappointing, for the novice who is thinking of taking up cats as a profitable home pet to make a beginning with the Short Haired.

There are numerous varieties of Short Haired cats, Black, White, Blue, Tortoiseshell, Silver Tabby, Brown Tabby, Red or Orange Tabby, Manx cats, and others. Good specimens of any of these will realise remunerative prices. The Tabbies are all beautiful cats, the Brown Tabby in particular being specially handsome and attaining great size. In the Tabbies the ground colour which shows between the stripes should be slightly wider than the stripes themselves. The latter must be very clearly defined. The markings on the face and chest are narrower in the proportion than those on the rest of the body. A strikingly pretty cat is the Silver Tabby. The ground colour is of a bluish white shade, the markings black, without any smudginess. The Tortoiseshell, though most people do not see any beauty in it, is a difficult cat to produce in perfection. Tortoiseshell male cats are very rare, and most valuable.

Short-haired kittens, unlike the Persian, are easy to rear. They are all the better if allowed to remain with their mother till about three months old. While being weaned solid food should only be given in small quantities. New milk and water, bread crumbs and gravy, a little boiled fish, and a small quantity of underdone mutton or beef, will all be good. It is a common practice with breeders of prize Persians to feed the cats and kittens largely on raw meat; but it is questionable whether this is a proper diet of domestic cats, particularly as Persians are subject to sudden an fatal attacks of fever.

The kittens should have plenty of air and exercise, the best preventive of disease. If a kitten is off its feed at any time, and appears out of sorts, a raw egg, beaten up in milk, will often prove beneficial. Most of cats are fond of egg. Should it be necessary to give medicine to a cat the animal should be first wrapped in a thick shawl or cloth, so that every part except the head is covered. One person should then hold the cat, while the other opens the mouth wide. Only a few drops should begiven at a time, poured down the throat either out of a small bottle or spoon. If a pill is given it should first be dipped in oil, and placed well at the back of the tongue.

The introduction of the Persian into this country has been mainly responsible for the attention that is now bestowed on cat which is a regularly recognised hobby. Many ladies of wealth have expended large sums in the erection of luxurious dwellings for their feline pets, and have given high prices for their stock. Two cat clubs have been founded, and various shows take plans in London and other large towns at which valuable prises are awarded. Cat culture has extended to America, which has imported a large number of animals from our best breeders. And yet there is at present but little skill displayed in the mating and breeding of Persians, and them is plenty of opportunity for an amateur, who has a talent for rearing livestock-as some have--to make this a most profitable, as well as pleasant, hobby.

There is certainly nothing prettier in the way of a pet than a Persian kitten-a little ball of fur, that does not become ugly and leggy as it grows, but develops gradually frill and the brush and the long silky coat of the mature animal. Without doubt Persians are more delicate than shorthaired kittens. The more promising and handsome they are in their babyhood, the more likely will they be to sicken and die; but this makes their rearing still more interesting, and keeps up the value of good specimens. From three to five guineas for a first -class kitten, and fifteen guineas for an adult prize-winner, are not unheard of prices.

It is the practice for many of those who keep Persian cats to employ an ordinary short-haired cat as foster-mother for the kittens. As a rule, however, Persians are capital parents, and it is only in the event of a litter being a big one that any is assistance is necessary. When a cat is bringing up Persian kittens she must well fed three or four times a day. Bread and gravy mixed with finely chopped meat, any of the manufactured infants' foods, and a good supply of fresh milk, will be suitable. For a change a little boiled fish, some cooked green vegetables, a quantity of chopped up liver once or twice a week. Kittens sometime suffer from weak and inflamed eyes. This is caused by exposure to strong light. The box, or basket, in which the cat has her kittens should always be placed in a dark or well-shaded spot. The mother attends to them better under such conditions, and there is then rarely any trouble with the eyes of the youngsters.

The kittens should not be taken away before they are three months old. They will be able to feed themselves when they are four or five weeks old, but they grow faster, and thrive better, if left as long as possible with the mother. Some food should be placed for them after they are five weeks old, as they will then require more than is provided for them by their parent. Infants’ food made into a thick pap, and some cow’s milk warmed, with a little water and sugar added, makes a good diet. When they are removed from the mother, they can have coarse oatmeal soaked, and mixed with warm milk, a little minced meat, such as beef and mutton, boiled fish and cooked vegetables. Pork and veal must not be given, neither should they have any food that is tainted or sour. Some of the breeds, notably Chinchillas, change greatly in colour as they grow up, so the novice must be careful not to dispose too hurriedly of any good headed and well-shaped kitten because it is of doubtful shade.

SIAMESE CATS.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 8th June 1902

This very striking and handsome animal has become a great favourite with many cat lovers since it made its appearance in this country about fifteen years since. The first specimens are said to have been very difficult to procure, for the breed was only possessed by the King of Siam, and he allowed none to go out of the palace. But at length, by the aid of bribery, some of the cats were obtained, and brought to Europe. At first they resented the change of climate and declined to put up with the cold and damp of our winter, dying off freely at that time. When they grew more acclimatised, and their constitution was better understood, the mortality decreased considerably, so that now they are bred and reared with little mere difficulty than the Persian cats.

The Siamese is a very Intelligent and affectionate cat, and makes a most pleasing pet. It resembles the mastiff and pug dog in colour, fawn with dark mask, connected by tracings with the ears. The body colour is preferred as light and even as possible, according to the standard of points drawn up by the Siamese Cat Club, which was founded in 1900. The eyes are bright blue, set slightly aslant and giving a peculiar expression to the face. The body is rather long, the head somewhat long and pointed, the coat short and glossy, and the general appearance graceful, elegant, and of medium size.

When the kittens are born they are almost white and show only sight markings. Gradually the colour deepens, the legs, feet, tail, and ears becoming light brown ultimately changing to dark brown. As the Siamese cats grow old they slowly lose the pale fawn colour, and become dark throughout. An elderly Siamese is, therefore but little use in a competition where young cats are exhibited. The state of health also has a good deal to do with their appearance, for the colour and markings become dull and clouded when out of condition. Some Siamese have a kink in the tail. This is not a disqualification, but by mane catty people is considered an additional beauty.

The most difficult age for the kittens is when they are between five and seven months old, as the first teeth are shed about that time. Convulsions and fits will sometimes occur then. If these take place, one of the simplest remedies is to give the patient a hot bath, holding it in water up to the neck as hot as the hand can bear, and applying a cold sponge to the head of the animal. Bromide of potassium should also be given in doses of one grain each. Powders are made by some chemists for the cure of its. The food for Siamese should be much the same as for other highly brad cats. Two meals a day are sufficient for grown up cats. Beef, mutton-both raw and cooked-boiled fish, bread and milk, made for a change with wholemeal bread, boiled rice, and cooked vegetables can all be given with advantage. If the Siamese are shut up in a house or confined to a cattery, they must have some coarse fresh grass three or four times a week. When well the cat's nose and ears ought to be cool and not hot. The normal temperature is 101, four higher than that of a human being. The usual mode of taking the temperature is to place a thermometer under the paw.

It is well worth while for any intending cat fancier to give the Siamese a trial, for they are interesting and handsome pets.

CAT CULTURE FOR PLEASURE AND PROFIT.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 9th November 1902

Cat culture has become very much in vogue of recent years. The introduction of the Persian cat and the institution of cat shows are mainly responsible for this. Large sums have been expended by enthusiastic cat lovers in the erection of catteries, and in the purchase of pedigree stock. Two Cat Clubs, besides minor societies, have been formed for the general improvement of the cat, so the once neglected and ill-treated grimalkin has become quite a pampered and spoilt member of society. The prizes that are offered at many of the exhibitions are of considerable value, so much so that anyone who is the fortunate possessor of a really high-class specimen can assuredly find cat-keeping both pleasant and profitable.

The reigning favourite at the present time Is the Persian. The long coat, the frill, and the bushy tail are very handsome. Certainly a Persian kitten is one of the most charming of pets. But until they are six months old these kittens, with few exceptions, are delicate; probably owing to the artificial manner In which longhaired cats have for generations been treated. It is seldom that a Persian of good pedigree is allowed its freedom to go in and out as it wishes, and to become hardened by exposure to the weather. Yet a Persian kept in the same way as an ordinary short-haired cat will often prove to be healthier, and the kittens be reared more easily than those on which much care and money are expended. Many female Persian cats are excellent mothers, and will rear their young without trouble.

The best way for a novice to commence cat-keeping for profit is to buy a well-bred female kitten, and when it is twelve months old have it mated with a fashionable, prize-winning male. Many such males are advertised in the fancy papers. Blue Persians are fashionable. Tim coat is of a slatey blue shade, as even as possible all over, without any black or mottling. To preserve the purity of shade it is better to mate blue with blue. The Chinchillas are great favourites, but difficult to breed in perfection. Most of the exhibits are of a dirty white, tinged with lavender, and with a quantity of marks and stripes on the body, face and paws. This variety does not improve in appearance, as is shown by the fact that Chinchillas that were winning several years since are still able to take the chief honours in the prize list. There is, in fact, but little skill displayed in the mating of cats. The various colours are mixed together without any method, so that it is almost impossible to foretell what the produce will be of any particular pair of cats. There is no doubt that anyone who has a taste for pets, and who is clever with live stock would find that the display of a little skill in scientific mating would soon result in the production of some kittens that would excel the present exhibits.

Short-haired cats are more hardy, and easier to keep in health, than the majority of Persians. Good specimens will sell well. The Tabbies are very handsome. A Silver Tabby is as handsome as any cat, with the ground colour of a bluish white shade and the black markings. The beginner could not do better than invest in a good, short-haired young female of this variety. The stripes must be broad and clear, not only extending along the sides and back, but on to the chest and legs.

SOME UNCOMMON CATS.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 6th September 1903

The culture of cats having become a hobby with many people in this country, all parts of the world are now ransacked with the object of discovering new and rare varieties. Large sums are given for anything novel in the feline way, as cat fencers win many valuable prizes with any animal that is exceptionally curious and uncommon. After the arrival of the Persian -which has still a vast number of admirers-the Siamese was one of the first to make its appearance. And a most curious cat It is. There are two recognised varieties-the Royal and the Chocolate. The former Is the one mainly in request and, being totally unlike any other cat, it created much interest on its first appearance.

The Royal Siamese is fawn or cream-coloured on the body, with mask, ears, tail, legs, and feet of a clearly defined seal brown. The colouring, in fact, is very much like that of a fawn pug dog. The eyes, which are a special feature, are bright blue, while the head is rather long, with a flat forehead. There is a kink in the tail of many specimens. The Siamese has a peculiar and unmusical voice, but it is most affectionate, and almost dog-like in its intelligence. When the kittens are born they are nearly white, showing but faint markings, which gradually deepen. They are delicate, and liable to die off between the ages of three and six months. A Siamese Cat club was formed last year to arrange a scale of points, and to endeavour to have classes provided for Siamese at various shows.

The Abyssinian cat, often referred to as the "Bunny” cat, has been lately creeping into popularity, as many as eleven having been exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1902. It is a small cat of a reddish fawn colour, with long face, large ears, and short and thick tail. Compared with the graceful Persian it is by no means beautiful, the large ears giving a coarse and common appearance. A very handsome cat sometimes seen in this country is the Ocelot. If it can be obtained young it is easily reared, and may be allowed to run about free till about a year old. After that age it becomes spiteful and untrustworthy, and should be confined in a cage. It is a great climber, living in a wild state chiefly on birds; so it is as well to check [restrain] the animal if it is seen to be taking too much interest in the poultry yard.

One of the most peculiar looking of our cats is the Manx. It has a short back high hind quarters, and no tail. It is common in the Isle of Man, where there is a tradition that the tailless cats were brought to the island by one of the ships of the Spanish Armada that sank just off the coast. The cats are said to have been procured by the Spanish sailors during a voyage to the Far East. The Manx cat Is intelligent and companionable. There is a black Manx at a farm in Devonshire that is a wonderful ratter. It will wait patiently near a rat hole, and on the appearance of the vermin spring on to it. The cat then immediately throws itself on its back, and holding the rat with its claws when in that position, scratches it to death. A very curious cat that was brought from Bombay has been exhibited at some shows. It has a long body, long legs, thin tall, with a particularly short coat of a reddish brown colour marked with stripes. It is most tame and good-tempered.

PERSIAN CATS
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 4th December 1904

The cultivation of cats, both for pleasure and profit, is largely on the increase. The formerly neglected and often ill-treated domestic mouser has now become quite an important member of society. Large sums are extended by enthusiastic cat lovers on the erection of houses for their pets, and in the purchase of the best pedigree stock. At the show lately held by the National Cat Club at the Crystal Palace some wonderful specimens were to be seen. But the crowds round the cages containing the Persians indicated that they are the reigning feline favourites. High-class kittens of this breed are not infrequently sold at from two six guineas each [£2 2s. to £6 6s.]. One chinchilla female, well advanced in years, that gained the award for the best longhaired cat at the recent show, has won a vast number of valuable prizes [Fulmer Zaida]. A well-bred Persian cat ought, therefore, to prove a profitable investment.

Persian kittens are undoubtedly more delicate that the ordinary short-haired, but if they are bred from healthy stock, and are well fed and taken care of for the first few months, they give little trouble afterwards. Persian cats are produced in numerous colours, including black, white, blue, smoke, chinchilla, cream, and orange. Of these, the blue are at the present time the most popular. They re very handsome cats. The coat is of a slatey blue shade, as even as possible all over, without any black or mottling. To preserve the purity of colour it is better to mate blue with blue, though it one of the parents is white, with blue in its pedigree, there is a probability of some pretty light blue kittens.

The chinchillas are fashionable, and difficult to breed in perfection. They take their name from the supposed likeness the fur bears to that of the chinchilla, but the cat has no resemblance to the little rodent. The smoke Persians are great favourites. The fur is dark grey, with light underfluff ad light ruff. The black Persians are of a pure and rich colour without any shade of brown. The eyes are orange. The white, when quite clean, are as beautiful as any, particularly when they have the blue eyes that are so desirable. Persian cats should have a broad, short head, small ears, a short face, with a frill, or ruff, very large and full, covering the chest and shoulders. The tail, or brush, must be clothed with long hair, and be of medium length, not long.

When the kittens are born the mother must be fed three or four times a day. The usual food is bread and gravy mixed with some finely cut meat, plenty of fresh milk, and any of the advertised infants’ foods. The diet should include some cooked green vegetables, and a little chopped liver twice a week. A handful of fresh grass must be provided daily. At the end of nine days the eyes of the kittens should be open. Sometimes the eyes are weak. If this is the case the eyelids must be painted with Vaseline, and the eyes sponged gently with warm, weak tea. After the kittens are a month old they will begin to feed themselves. If is better not to remove Persian kittens from their mother till they are three months old, though they can be weaned after five weeks if necessary. They must have food often when taken away from the cat – a small quantity at a time.

PROFITABLE CAT CULTURE
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 7th October 1906

There can be little doubt that the cat is the most universally kept of all our domestic pets, although some people are of opinion the dog runs puss very close in this respect. Formerly cats were neglected and ill-treated, and turned out of doors to get their food the best way they could. Nowadays, even, there are many cats that are foolishly shut out of the house at night, when they could be catching mice at home. But with the Institution of cat shows, and the introduction of the Persian cat, a great deal of interest has been attracted to these animals, and a start has been given to cat culture, which is adopted by many as a hobby both for pleasure and profit.

The fancier having taken up the breeding of cats, the colour and markings have been greatly improved. This increase in good looks has caused large sums to he spent on cats of good pedigree and correct points, and, as this hobby is not yet overdone, there is room for others to join the ranks of breeders, and to obtain some of the high prices. Persian cats are very fashionable, good shaped kittens of well-known strain selling at from one to three guineas each. Persian kittens, however, are often delicate, the mortality during the first six months of their lives being heavy.

The novice in cat breeding will find the short-haired varieties more satisfactory in many ways to commence with. The kittens do not realise such high prices as the Persians, but they are much more easy to rear, and very hardy. The Silver Tabby is a beautiful cat, with its well-defined silver-grey and black markings. Plenty of skill is required to breed this variety in any way perfect, as the stripes are liable to become pale and indistinct. They must be broad and clear, extending not only over the back and sides, but on to the legs and that. To keep the striped dark some breeders use a black cat occasionally to cross with the Silver Tabby, and this causes the markings to be deeper and stronger. The Brown Tabby and the Red or Orange Tabby are also handsome cats, the Brown in particular attaining great size. Then there are the Black, the White, and the Blue cat, and that peculiar looking, but very. difficult cat to breed in perfection, the Tortoiseshell.

There is plenty of opportunity for the exercise of skill in breeding a correctly marked Tortoiseshell. The black, red, and yellow, which go to make a Tortoiseshell, must be rich in shade and well broken in small patches all over the body, legs, head, feet and tail. The nose is of one colour, one cheek should be black and the of two colours. The Tortoiseshell is of medium size with small head, ears set well apart, and eyes amber. Tortoiseshells can be bred by mating a Tortoiseshell female to a black male that has been bred from a Tortoiseshell mother.

Short-haired kittens are easy to rear. They are all the better if allowed to remain with their mother till they are about three months old. While being weaned solid food should only be given in small quantities. New milk and water, breadcrumbs and gravy, a little boiled fish, and a few scraps of underdone beef or mutton, will all be good. The kittens should have plenty of air and exercise, the best preventive of disease. A raw egg beaten up in milk is an excellent thing if a kitten is at any time off its feed, and out of sorts. Most cats are fond of egg.

PERSIAN CATS.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 20th January 1907

A vast change has come over the lives of our domestic cats during the last forty years. From being habitually neglected, and in many instances cruelly ill-treated, they are now objects of interest and admiration. No further back than the [eighteen-]sixties cats were used to try the courage of young bull-terriers and other dogs. The cat was turned into a room, and the dog was incited to attack it. If the cat was ultimately, and after great brutality, killed, the value of the dog was considerably enhanced. The spread of education and the institution of cat shows - the first of which took place in 1871 - have done much to lessen such barbarity.

The introduction of the Persian cat is doubtless largely responsible for the attention that is paid to our feline friends. The long coat, the small ears, the frill and the bushy tail, are certainly very handsome. Cats with a strong infusion of Persian blood in their pedigree may be seen in all parts of the Kingdom. Large sums have been expended by some people in the erection of catteries, and high prices are given for prize stock. The demand for Persian kittens is considerable, so that the rearing of a few of these charming creatures may be made a profitable, as well as a most pleasing, hobby. In their youth Persian cats are not possessed of the nine lives usually allotted to the family. Up to the age of six months they require special care. To some extent this is due to the artificial manner in which they have been reared and kept. The majority of the Persian cats of high lineage dwell either in rooms indoors, specially fitted up for them, or in catteries warmed to a certain temperature. Notwithstanding this, a Persian cat treated in the same manner as an ordinary short-haired cat, will generally prove to be hardier and more healthy, and the kittens will be more easily reared. Many female Persian cats are excellent mothers, rearing their young without trouble.

When a cat is rearing Persian kittens she should be well fed three times a day. Finely-chopped meat, mixed with a little bread and some gravy, any of the manufactured infants' foods, fresh milk that has been boiled, some minced liver once or twice a week, and a small quantity of cooked green vegetables - all these can form part of the diet. Kittens sometimes suffer from weak and inflamed eyes. This is usually caused by exposure to strong light. The box, or basket, in which the cat has her kittens should always be placed in a dark, or well-shaded, spot. The mother attends to them better under such conditions, and there is then rarely any trouble with the eyes of the youngsters. The kittens are able to feed themselves when four or five weeks old. But they grow faster, and thrive better, if allowed to remain with their mother for three months. Some food should be placed for them after they are a month old, as they will then require more than is for them by their parent. Infants' food, made into a thick pap, and some cow's milk warmed, with a little water and sugar added, make a good diet. When removed from their mother they can have coarse oatmeal, soaked, and mixed with warm milk, a little minced lean and underdone meat, boiled fish, and cooked vegetables. This may seem an elaborate bill of fare, but it is worth it, as the kittens are valuable, and will realize from one to three guineas each.