| Cat Supplies Article |
The cat (Felis silvestris catus), also known as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from other felines, is a small carnivorous species of nocturnal mammal that is often valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must ingest the flesh of other animals to survive. Where other carnivorous mammals like bears and dogs commonly add to their diets of meat with fruits, berries, roots, and honey when available, by contrast all cats instinctively feed almost solely on meat.
Similarly as with its teeth, a cat's digestive tract has become specialized over time to suit its diet, having shortened in length to only those segments of intestine best able to break down proteins and fats from animal flesh. The evolved trait severely limits the cat's ability to properly digest, metabolize, and absorb plant-derived or synthesized nutrients, as well as certain fatty acids. For example, cats cannot convert the pro-vitamin A abundant in plants, to make vitamin A. Also, a number of required nutrients are not sufficiently available in plant matter to begin with; one critical absence is taurine, a key amino sulfonic acid for eye health. Taurine deficiency can cause a condition called macular degeneration wherein the cat's retina slowly degenerates, eventually causing irreversible blindness.
Due to the above, most felines eat fairly little if any plantstuffs. Yet it is nevertheless quite common for a cat to occasionally supplement its carnivorous diet with small amounts of grass, leaves, shrubs, houseplants, or other plant matter anyway. One theory suggests this behaviour is to facilitate regurgitation if their digestion is upset; another is that it perhaps introduces fibre or trace minerals to the diet. In this context, caution is recommended for cat owners because some houseplants are harmful to cats. The leaves of the Easter Lily can cause permanent and life-threatening kidney damage to cats. Philodendron are also poisonous to cats. Cat Fancy has a full list of plants harmful to cats.
As an exception to the general rule, certain domesticated cats are known to like vegetables. This happenstance may inspire some vegetarian or vegan pet owners to encourage or even impose their own dietary preferences upon their cats, often using commercially-available cat foods supplemented with chemically-synthesized taurine and other added nutrients to address nutritional shortfalls. However, it remains arguable as to whether or not such a vegetarian diet can in fact meet a cat's dietary requirements.
Additionally, cats have been known to develop a fondness for prepared human foods, normally such entrees which are rich in proteins or fats. However, a diet consisting only of human food (even if high quality meat) is unlikely to contain the balanced nutrition required by the cat. Cats normally are good self-regulators of diet; however, unlimited access to food, or excessive human-food 'treats', will often lead to the cat becoming obese, particularly if it is older or more sedentary. This may lead to several health complications, such as diabetes, especially in neutered males. Such health conditions can be prevented through diet and exercise (playing), especially for cats living exclusively indoors.
Cats can be fussy eaters (which may be due in some way to the aforementioned mutation which caused their species to lose sugar-tasting ability). Unlike most mammals, cats can voluntarily starve themselves indefinitely despite being presented with palatable food, even a food which they had previously readily consumed. This can happen when the vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ becomes accustomed to a specific food, or if the cats are spoiled by their owners, in which case the cat will reject any food that does not fit the pattern it is expecting. It is also known for cats to merely become bored with their given food and decide to stop eating until they are tempted into eating again. Although it is extremely rare for a cat to deliberately starve itself to the point of injury, the sudden loss of weight can cause a fatal condition called hepatic lipidosis, a liver dysfunction which causes pathological loss of appetite and reinforces the starvation, which can lead to death within as little as 48 hours.
Some cats have a fondness for catnip, which is sensed by their olfactory systems. While they generally do not consume it, they will often roll in it, paw at it, and occasionally chew on it. The effect is usually relatively short, lasting for only a few minutes. After two hours or less, susceptible cats gain interest again. Several other species of plants (such as mint) cause this effect, to a lesser degree.
Cats can also develop pica. Pica is a condition in which animals chew or eat unusual things such as fabric, plastic or wool. In cats, this is mostly harmless as they do not digest most of it, but can be fatal or require surgical removal if a large amount of foreign material is ingested (for example, an entire sock). It tends to occur more often in Burmese, Oriental, Siamese and breeds with these in their ancestry.
|
|
 | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$0.99 |
|
|  | * 8 * BAGS FELINE GREENIES , 2 ASSO FLAVORS
$19.99 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$36.99 |
|
|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
|
|
 | NWT - PET CARRIER FOR CAT OR DOG -W@W SELLS FOR $39.99
$9.99 |
|
|  | CAT KITTEN KITTY TABBY HOLIDAY HIDEOUT KRINKLE SACK NEW
$12.95 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE flea control cats over 9 lbs 4 pack EPA APRV
$20.03 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
|
|  | Litter Box Liners approx. 58 liners
$0.99 |
|
|
 | CAT SCRATCHING BLOCK-NIB-PROTECT YOUR FURNITURE-REDUCED
$8.99 |
|
|  | 9 1.50 off any 2 pounce cat treats coupons
$1.99 |
|
|
 | PETSTAGES HEALTHY PORTION CAT FEEDING COMBO SAUCER&DISH
$4.99 |
|
|  | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Urinary Tract Dog Cat Infection Berry Balance herbal
$16.50 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
|
|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
|
|
 | HAGEN CATIT FRESH & CLEAR AUTOMATIC DRINKING FOUNTAIN
$22.50 |
|
|  | 2 - 5 HEAD LASER NEW POINTER CAT TOY DOG WORKOUT TOYS
$0.01 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
|
|  | MEOW TOWN KITTY CAT PET PUPPY BASSINET CANOPY BED BLUE
$29.95 |
|
|
 | HAGEN CAT IT DRINKING FOUNTAIN REPLACEMENT FILTERS 6 PK
$9.29 |
|
|  | 5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
|
|
 | 6 Foot Mesh Folding Cat Run Exerciser
$15.99 |
|
|  | Fun Fur 2in1 Snuggle Cats Dogs Pets Bed Mat SizeL A0B1
$2.98 |
|
|
 | OVERSIZED LARGE Multi Cat BIG Litter Box BIG Cat Pan
$16.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.50 |
|
|
 | 1,5 Head Laser Pointer New Cats toy key chain Lazer NR
$0.01 |
|
|  | Littermaid LMLC200 *new*
$12.99 |
|
|
 | Four (4) LGE. 1 OUNCE cans of Kitty Kaviar, $23.80 TTL
$19.00 |
|
|  | Cat Gifts Cotton Blanket
$5.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.50 |
|
|  | MEOW TOWN WICKER BASKET BED FOR CATS KITTENS DOGS PUPPY
$39.00 |
|
|
 | DOG CLOWN COSTUME SIZE EXTRA SMALL
$7.95 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
|
|
 | 20 -$1 off Febreze Fab Refresh Pet Air Effects Coupons
$0.99 |
|
|  | 1 LB. OF CATNIP 16 OZ. 100% ORGANIC * FRESH! * GREEN!
$6.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
|
|
 | 5 Coupons For Free Friskie's Party Mix
$0.99 |
|
|  | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
|
|  | Four (4) LGE. 1 OUNCE cans of Kitty Kaviar, $23.80 TTL
$19.00 |
|
|
 | CAT KITTY KITTEN EIGHT WAY PLAYHOUSE TUNNEL NEW
$18.95 |
|
|  | LITTERMAID PLUS self cleaning cat box LM700 for parts
$50.00 |
|
|
 | 5 Head Laser Pointer Dog and Cat toy key chain Lazer NR
$0.01 |
|
|  | 1,5 Head Laser Pointer New Cats toy key chain Lazer NR
$0.01 |
|
|
 | DOG CLOWN COSTUME SIZE LARGE
$12.95 |
|
|  | HAGEN Catit Water Fountain Drinking Bowl Cat it Pet
$24.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE flea control cats 9 lbs & under 4 pack EPA+
$21.89 |
|
|  | CAT KITTEN KITTY KRACKLING HIDE-N-SEEK SACK BAG NEW
$12.95 |
|
|
 | Save $$$ Reusing Littermaid Waste Receptacles
$9.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
|
|
 | New * Colorful MUSHROOM Kitty Cat Nap Bed - Hippie BOHO
$3.99 |
|
|  | Powerful Grooming and Shedding Combs(Dog, Cat, Rabbit)
$350.00 |
|
|
 | ~NEW~Playful Kitty,Cat Pet Feeder Station Home Decor
$8.99 |
|
|  | 12 pc lot of Natural / Holistic Food & Treats for Cats
$5.00 |
|
|
 | KLIBAN CAT BON APPETIT VINTAGE FOOD DISH FEEDER
$20.00 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK 8 month supply
$2.25 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
|
|
 | CAT KITTEN KITTY ZANIES TUNNEL OF FUN NEW
$14.95 |
|
|  | Sheba Premium Cuts B2G1 FREE Cat Food Coupons
$0.79 |
|
|
 | CAT KITTEN KITTY MEOW TOWN KING OF THE JUNGLE CAVE NWT
$32.00 |
|
|  | Just BePaws "SPOILED" Fashion Cat Tag - GREEN stone SM
$0.49 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus for Cats (3 applications) FREE SHIPPING
$26.99 |
|
|
 | * 8 * BAGS FELINE GREENIES , 2 ASSO FLAVORS
$19.99 |
|
|  | Littermaid Mega Automatic Litter Box LM900 New in Box
$89.00 |
|
|
 | Wind Up Windup Fake Mouse Rat Cat Dog Pet Toy NEW!!!!!!
$6.95 |
|
|  | Autamatic Litter Box
$50.00 |
|
|
 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$9.99 |
|
|  | Sergeant's CAT Flea & Tick Collar 4 Month Protection
$3.00 |
|
|
 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
|
|  | One FREE Bag of Natural Choice Complete Care Cat Food
$3.77 |
|
|
 | 64" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$0.99 |
|
|  | Petnation – Port-A-Crate Pet Carrier Model e-20 - Used
$20.00 |
|
|
 | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
|
|  | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 5 Head Laser Pointer Dog and Cat toy key chain Lazer NR
$0.01 |
|
|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$0.99 |
|
|
 | SLUMBER PET CAT KITTEN DOG PUPPY CAR BED NWT
$24.95 |
|
|  | Cat Gifts Hand-crafted Clock
$12.00 |
|
|
 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
|
|  | 8 oz. Stainless Steel Kitty Dish-NEW
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Any Iams canned food Buy 2 get 1 free 10 dog cat coupon
$0.99 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$2.34 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
|
|  | cat litter box furniture cabinet cover bathroom
$89.99 |
|
|
 | MEOW TOWN KITTY CAT PET PUPPY BASSINET CANOPY BED PINK
$29.95 |
|
|  | 6 REPLACEMENT FILTERS HAGEN CATIT DRINKING FOUNTAIN
$9.49 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.50 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.50 |
|
|
 | cat litter box furniture cabinet cover bathroom
$119.99 |
|
|  | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 20 B1G1 FREE! WHISKAS PURRFECTLY POUCH BOGO Coupons
$2.00 |
|
|  | CAT Dog PINK Gingham HARNESS/LEAD leash SET 8-14" Chest
$15.95 |
|
|
 | 20 Whiskas Cat food Multi pack coupons 2.00/1 Exp 9.20
$2.25 |
|
| |
|