Old possum's book of practical cat care

Kya de Longchamps has purring advice on the facilitation of one’s feline overlord in the home

THE trouble with a kitten is that, unlike a dog when it’s upset, (droop at the shoulders and a sulk for a few minutes with its back to you) — if you upset a cat, it’s quite likely to defecate in your shoes and disappear for several days.

Famed for being less emotionally taxing than their main companion pet rival — cats are surprisingly fragile and reactive creatures when their routine needs are not met, or when even slight changes are rudely imposed on them.