| 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.
|
|
 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$55.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5801
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens 12mos supply
$21.50 |
|
|
 | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2038
$0.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7463
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$18.99 |
|
|  | Vera Bradley Blue Pet Porter/Carrier for Cat or dog
$15.00 |
|
|
 | 1/4-POUND CAT DOG "oat GRASS" digestive track aid SEEDS
$9.50 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
|
|
 | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
|
|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$71.00 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC CATNIP CAT TOY HANDMADE 100% to PET CHARITY
$2.65 |
|
|  | New Red and White Cat's Collar Fits ALL CATS
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 6 Colors adjust Nylon cat collars wt bell!
$15.20 |
|
|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F10
$0.99 |
|
|
 | small dogs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$23.84 |
|
|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | PRETTY KITTY Cat PET Record KEEPING Journal ~ FREE SHIP
$9.95 |
|
|
 | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$89.99 |
|
|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
|
|
 | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
|
|  | small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$23.84 |
|
|
 | K&H Heated Cat Kitty Bed HUT - Thermo - COLOR: MOCHA
$46.95 |
|
|  | KH Outdoor Heated Cat Kitty Camper Bed House Mat Thermo
$62.99 |
|
|
 | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Bed-Leopard Pink color
$12.95 |
|
|  | 24 Christmas Mice Tumblers fleece roly Cat Toys grn/red
$14.99 |
|
|
 | Kittywalk Deck &Patio Pet Cat Enclosure Portable System
$24.99 |
|
|  | K&H Heated Cat Kitty Bed HUT - Thermo - COLOR: MOCHA
$46.95 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
|
|
 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain + 70oz RESERVOIR
$44.89 |
|
|  | Fresh step expressions cat litter coupons $17.00
$2.25 |
|
|
 | .005 PET SCRATCH TOWER - CAT FERRET HOME -5 HUGE LEVELS
$16.99 |
|
|  | 430301C: Large Paw Print Pet Bed/House for Dogs & Puppy
$11.50 |
|
|
 | Littermaid Litter Maid Cat Box LM800 Bonus RAMP
$38.75 |
|
|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | CUTE DECOR CAT/KITTEN CHRISTMAS STOCKING TREATS & TOYS
$2.49 |
|
|  | Beastie Bands snowmen Christmas red cat kitten collar
$5.99 |
|
|
 | 18 Fancy Feast Gourmet cans cat food 1.00/24 coupons
$0.99 |
|
|  | 3 ORGANIC CATNIP KNOTS CAT TOY 100% to PET CHARITY
$3.50 |
|
|
 | Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo 6 oz
$0.99 |
|
|  | NIB CAT HARTZ AT PLAY TWIRL AND WHIRL INTERACTIVE TOY
$2.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Wicker Rattan 1805
$49.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
|
|
 | PET Nail Clippers - Stainless Steel Free shipping USA*
$5.49 |
|
|  | 3 HOLIDAY STUFFED CAT TOYS 100% to PET CHARITY
$2.75 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$18.99 |
|
|  | Advantage for cats under 4kgs - 6 pack
$36.53 |
|
|
 | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
|
|  | Pet Door size small(cats to 15 lbs & dogs to 7 lbs) NEW
$0.99 |
|
|
 | DISCOUNT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|  | CatIt Pet Water Fountain with mat,extra filters &dishes
$19.99 |
|
|
 | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Sofa Bed -Leopard Color
$9.95 |
|
| *19 COUPONS HILLS SCIENCE DIET B3G1 FREE CAT FOOD+BONUS
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Cats Rule Priscilla's Litter Pan Passion Pink
$5.99 |
|
|  | PetSafe Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box, Electric, Kitty
$89.00 |
|
|
 | NEW Comfort Dog & Cat Bed Small Size
$9.95 |
|
|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
|
|  | $1/1 WHOLESOME GOODNESS DRY CAT FOOD(20)COUPONS 1/03/09
$1.00 |
|
|
 | NEW Petmate Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Medium Espresso
$25.98 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE BOX FOR CATS UNDER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA 6
$38.99 |
|
|
 | 49" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F41
$0.99 |
|
|  | COMPANION ROAD OVAL FLEECE PET CAT DOG DEN BED 17X15X6
$9.99 |
|
|
 | CAT LOT 20 TOYS, REMOTE Ctrl MOUSE, GREENIES, Scratcher
$19.07 |
|
|  | Catnip Cat Pet Bed Green with Organic Catnip
$9.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
|
|  | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Bed-Cow color
$9.95 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$39.99 |
|
|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F07
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
|
|  | Cat Toy Pet Shop Store Supplies - 50 Peacock Feathers
$24.99 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
|
|  | 16" Petco Cat Christmas Stocking w/ 10 Catnip Cat Toys
$4.99 |
|
|
 | Meow Mix Cat Foods Grocery Coupons Lot Save $45 !!!
$0.99 |
|
|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2501
$0.99 |
|
|  | Holiday Kitty Gift Sets (1104)
$25.00 |
|
|
 | CAT HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER, SO CUTE, MUST SEE!
$1.99 |
|
|  | NEW Comfort PAW Dog & Cat Bed Small Size -Pink
$6.95 |
|
|
 | NEW Comfort PAW Dog & Cat Bed Small Size -Blue
$6.95 |
|
|  | The Window-Mounted Cat Porch 73770
$79.99 |
|
|
 | 6 WHOLESALE Wind Up Windup Fake Mouse Cat Dog Toy
$19.95 |
|
|  | NEW Booda 6 Pack Soft Bite Mice Cat Toy with Catnip
$1.99 |
|
|
 | PRINCESS CAT KITTEN KITTY PINK GOLD CROWN DISH BOWL NEW
$7.50 |
|
|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | Adjustable nylon cat collars wt bell--6$
$15.20 |
|
|  | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB Automatic Litter Box
$134.95 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
|
|  | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
|
|  | 8 Months Frontline Plus for Cats FREE SHIPPING 3 6
$19.90 |
|
|