The Cat: Its Natural History

In Short

This volume serves as both a manual for the Victorian cat owner and a collection of observations on feline behavior. Published in 1887, it bridges the gap between folklore and early scientific inquiry. By detailing everything from the proper preparation of sheep’s lights to the developmental stages of kittens, the book aims to cultivate a more humane and informed relationship between humans and their feline companions. It remains a fascinating artifact of nineteenth-century domestic life, reflecting the period's growing interest in animal welfare and the methodical study of household pets.

The Story

The book begins by establishing the cat as an animal of significant utility, tracing its history from the grain-protecting favorites of ancient Egypt to the modern "mouser" in the Victorian kitchen. The author moves swiftly from historical anecdotes to a precise examination of feline physiology. He describes the cat as a "digitigrade" marvel, highlighting the silent, padded footfall and the retractile claws that allow for such lethal grace. The narrative emphasizes the cat's highly developed senses, specifically the ability to hunt in near-total darkness, while gently debunking the idea that cats are merely aloof creatures, providing stories of profound feline affection—such as the cat who recognized a specific knock and demanded ear-nibbling as a sign of intimacy.

As the text progresses, it transitions into a practical handbook for the "affectionate guardian." The author provides detailed instructions on feeding, warning against the common errors of over-feeding or allowing cats to eat stale, seasoned scraps. He advocates for a diet of boiled lights or rabbit, interspersed with milk, and stresses the importance of regular habits to curb feline importunity. The narrative tone remains steady, even when the author addresses the more difficult realities of ownership, such as the necessity of drowning excess kittens or managing contagious ailments like mange. He is prescriptive but compassionate, arguing that proper care prevents the need for drastic measures.

The later portions of the book take a more academic turn, shifting from husbandry to a detailed case study of feline development. The author provides a day-by-day account of two kittens, Mitis and Riquet, as they move from blind, squirming infants to coordinated, independent hunters. This section, presented as an essay on instinct, serves as the emotional and analytical core of the book. The author observes their first attempts to play, their struggle to regulate their movements, and their budding social intelligence. The work concludes with the transition of these kittens into full-fledged cats, capable of leaping, bounding, and asserting their own wills. Throughout, the author maintains that the cat’s behavior is not a mystery but a logical, albeit complex, result of its natural requirements. The final message is one of responsibility: through understanding the animal's needs and the source of its instincts, the human owner can ensure a healthy, harmonious life for their pet, punctuated by a recognition of the "time to kill and a time to heal."

How It Unfolds

The foundational traits The text opens with an overview of the cat’s physical adaptations, celebrating the silent tread and the predatory instinct that made the cat a valuable partner in human history. The author details the sensory world of the feline, noting how sight, touch, and smell combine to create a creature perfectly suited for its role as a hunter.

The art of management The focus shifts to the domestic sphere, where the author provides concrete rules for the feeding and cleaning of cats. He stresses that regularity and cleanliness are the hallmarks of a well-kept pet, offering specific advice on how to avoid the common nuisances of poor health or bad habits.

The medical realities The middle chapters address the diseases of cats, ranging from digestive upsets to skin conditions like mange. The author offers remedies rooted in the era’s veterinary practices, including the use of sulphur for parasites and the importance of grass as a digestive aid.

The study of instinct The concluding essay chronicles the life of two kittens from birth to maturity. This beat captures the transformation of instinct into action, documenting the kittens' first sight, their social interactions with their mother, and their eventual mastery of movement.

The People

The book is primarily a dialogue between the author, Philip M. Rule, and the reader, whom he addresses as a fellow animal lover. Rule acts as an advocate for humane treatment, dedicating the volume to John Colam of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Rule presents himself as a keen, patient observer who values scientific evidence—such as the pedigree of the "spotted tabby" Coppa—as much as he values the sentimental bond between cat and human.

The most prominent "characters" in the book are the kittens Mitis and Riquet. Through their development, Rule explores the variations in animal temperament: Mitis is portrayed as gentle and indolent, while Riquet is depicted as petulant and adventurous. Their mother, an Angora, serves as the moral center of the kitten study, teaching her young "respect" and providing the security they crave. These figures represent the ideal, well-managed feline life, demonstrating the results of the attentive care Rule advocates throughout the preceding chapters.

In Its Own Voice

"For not only is the cat a digitigrade animal, walking absolutely 'tiptoe' in the most perfect manner, but the toes are furnished with a most elastic membrane, constituting what are commonly called pussy's 'pads.'"

This observation describes the anatomical secret behind the cat's legendary stealth.

"The little gluttons, Riquet especially, who seems to be delicately organised, are often troubled with hiccoughs, reminding one of young children who have sucked too copiously."

The author uses this charming comparison to describe the early, vulnerable state of his observed kittens.

"I have known many cats quite cured without any other remedy than an abundant supply of horse-flesh, as retailed by the cats'-meat men."

Rule uses this practical note to challenge the contemporary prejudice against feeding horse-meat to pets.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the reconciliation of the cat's wild, predatory nature with its role as a domestic companion. Rule argues that our frustration with cats often stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of their biology and needs. By treating the animal with scientific curiosity and practical care, the owner transcends the role of a master and becomes a steward. The book poses a quiet question: can we create a home that respects the cat's predatory instincts while providing the safety and sustenance it requires? Ultimately, it suggests that the "noble" cat thrives only when its human guardian is willing to look past superficial stereotypes and address the creature's genuine physical and psychological requirements.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical natural history and the "gentleman naturalist" style of the nineteenth century will find this book particularly rewarding. It provides a window into a time when the domestic cat was being re-evaluated from a mere pest-controller to a household pet, and the tone—warm, precise, and occasionally stern—is distinctively Victorian. You will appreciate the author’s genuine affection for his subjects, which shines through even when he is discussing the more clinical aspects of cat management.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the realities of the late 1800s. The author’s advice on disposing of unwanted kittens is written with a stark, matter-of-fact brutality that may be deeply distressing to contemporary pet lovers. Furthermore, his veterinary advice belongs firmly to its own era; while his emphasis on hygiene and proper nutrition remains relevant, the specific remedies should be regarded as historical artifacts rather than medical guidance. If you can navigate these period-specific attitudes, you will find a thoughtful and observant account that captures the eternal, graceful mystery of the cat. What remains with the reader is the author's insistence that even the smallest household creature deserves careful, humane attention, a sentiment that feels as vital now as it did in 1887.