| 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.
|
|
 | Frontline Plus for Cats Flea & Tick Treatment NR
$15.53 |
|
|  | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Medium Sage NEW 23x35
$49.98 |
|
|
 | Christmas Cat lover lot Stocking photo frame figurine
$3.99 |
|
|  | New Pet Bed, Small Dog Bed or Cat Bed, Basketball Style
$10.00 |
|
|
 | PAW PRINTS KITTY QUILT BLACK N WHITE 27"X33"
$15.95 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$0.99 |
|
|  | BARGAIN 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | Elegant Fleur de Lis Dog/Cat Collar Charm - Handcrafted
$0.99 |
|
|  | Parisian Polka Dot Adjustable CAT Walking HARNESS Cats
$8.99 |
|
|
 | Lilly Pulitzer *Tropical Print " Cat Safety Collar-New
$12.95 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS PK OF HEART CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$1.00 |
|
|
 | 28 fancy feast cat food coupons save $1.00 on 24
$0.99 |
|
|  | New Farnam Bio Spot Cat Flea Tick Control 1 Year Supply
$9.99 |
|
|
 | The Clever Cat Cat Trick Kit - Set of 4 training items
$0.99 |
|
|  | MiracleBeam Laser Pet Toy PETSMART RED Cat Dog Birds
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Advantage for Cats/Kittens 0-9 lbs Orange NIB 6 pack
$53.50 |
|
|  | NEW PetSafe AUTOMATIC DOG CAT PET FEEDER - 2 MEALS
$22.95 |
|
|
 | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$24.99 |
|
|  | Cat Toy TWO Kitty Animal W/Catnip/Pet toy,brand new
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 6 PILLOWS CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$4.99 |
|
|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS APPROX. 100 SEEDS FREE SHIPPING
$2.99 |
|
|
Brand New Ergo Filtered Pet Waterer - Medium
$88.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
$0.99 |
|
|  | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
|
|
 | .196 NEW BLUE Pet Scratch Tower - Hang toy cubby + MORE
$24.99 |
|
|  | New Pet Bed - Small Dog Bed or Cat Bed - Race Car Style
$15.00 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 40 BALLS CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$4.99 |
|
|  | Laser Pointer 36 Different Heads Great Buy! FUN!!
$0.01 |
|
|
CAT FOOD AND TREATS FOR CATS COUPONS
$0.99 |
|
| Brand New Ergo Automatic Digital Pet Feeder - Small
$118.99 |
|
|
 | Chrome Bone Red Stylish pet carrier
$24.99 |
|
|  | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
|
|  | Frontline for Cats - New in Box 3 pack USA product
$26.95 |
|
|
 | Littermaid Automatic Cat Litter Box ~ EUC ~ NR
$19.99 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 20 MICE CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$4.99 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE, NEW, X-MAS PK OF 2 TOYS W/FEATHERS, NR#2
$1.00 |
|
|  | 4 PETMATE CAT DOG FRESH FLOW PET FOUNTAIN WATER FILTERS
$6.95 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS ROPE 2 BALLS CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$1.00 |
|
|  | 2 COMFORT ZONE W/FELIWAY REFILLS & 2 PORTABLE SPRAYS
$20.50 |
|
|
 | EUKANUBA CAT FOOD COUPONS $5 OFF AND FRISKIE CAT FOOD
$0.99 |
|
|  | 78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS ROPE BALL/MICE TOY NR CHARITY
$1.00 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS SNOWMAN CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$1.00 |
|
|
Brand New Ergo Automatic Digital Pet Feeder - Large
$138.99 |
|
|  | NEW Disney Aristocats purple Cat Collar Special Edition
$2.99 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 2 SANTAS CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$2.99 |
|
|  | Advantage for Cats/Kittens 10-18 lbs Purple NIB 6 pack
$53.50 |
|
|
 | KEEP THE CATS OFF THE COMPUTER KEYBOARD (Hard Cover Lg)
$19.95 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE, NEW, X-MAS PK OF 2 TOYS W/FEATHERS, NR
$1.00 |
|
|
 | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Dog Cat 50oz NEW
$36.99 |
|
|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Trees on Red SAFETY Fits 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|
 | Hagen CatIt Pet Water DRINKING FOUNTAIN for Cats & Dogs
$29.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 2 pk fuzzy MICE TOY NR CHARITY
$3.99 |
|
|  | CAT CARE 10 eBooks CD + Bonus eBook How to Care 4 +More
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
|
|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snow Flurry Blue SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|
 | ScoopFree Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box+Hood-New
$139.95 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
|
|
 | Frontline for Cats - New in Box 6 pack-USA product
$52.95 |
|
|  | Catnip Cat Pet Bed Green with Organic Catnip
$9.99 |
|
|
 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
|
|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
|
|
 | PURINA CAT FOOD AND TREATS COUPONS
$0.99 |
|
| $.75/1 Pounce Cat Treats-20 Coupons 1/31/09
$0.99 |
|
|
Ergo 8 Day Auto Talking Digital Pet Feeder+FREE Toy!
$78.99 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE, NEW, X-MAS PK OF 3 CAT MICE TOYS, NR
$1.00 |
|
|
 | Cat Toy 5 Bright Colorful Rattle Mice Catnip Brand New
$0.99 |
|
|  | Hand Made, Hand Painted, Ceramic Cat Dish, NEW
$4.99 |
|
|
 | Set 12 pk. Replacement FILTERS Hagen CatIt Fountain
$18.99 |
|
|  | NEW LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Litter Box
$28.99 |
|
|
Brand New Ergo Automatic Digital Pet Feeder - Medium
$128.99 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 12 MICE CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$4.99 |
|
|
 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
|
|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candy Cane Stripe SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|
 | Chrome bone pink python pet carrier
$25.00 |
|
|  | .180 Large Pet Tower - Cubby hole Scratch Post Hemp NEW
$24.99 |
|
|
 | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|  | ANIMAL RESCUE NEW X-MAS 9 PENQUINS CAT TOY NR CHARITY
$6.99 |
|
|
 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain 70 oz Accessory Kit With Brushes
$30.95 |
|
| Brand New Ergo Filtered Pet Waterer - Small
$71.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snowflakes on Red SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|  | **NEW** Original CatMouse LitterBox Odor Eliminator
$39.95 |
|
|
 | NEW LitterMaid Elite Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
$27.00 |
|
|  | KITTY CAT Stocking Christmas Holiday Blue Soft NEW Tags
$1.34 |
|
|
 | Advantage for Cats/Kittens 0-9 lbs Orange NIB 4 pack
$38.95 |
|
| Brand New Ergo Filtered Pet Waterer - Large
$98.99 |
|
|
 | 30 tiny CATNIP BAGS! CAT FABRIC TOYS! FRESH HOME GROWN
$24.99 |
|
|  | New Pet Bed - Small Dog Bed or Cat Bed - Football Style
$10.00 |
|
|
 | New Pet Bed - Small Dog Bed or Cat Bed - Soccer Style
$10.00 |
|
|  | 1 Coupon for Iams Healthy Naturals cat food save $4
$1.17 |
|
|
 | Comfort Zone Plug In + REFILL& Spray w/ Feliway LOT (5)
$33.09 |
|
|  | Set 6 Replacement FILTERS Hagen CatIt Drinking Fountain
$12.00 |
|
|
 | ORTO CAT Self Serve CAT Pet Feeder Food Bowl NEW in Box
$2.99 |
|
|  | 2 Matching CAT BEDS BROWN TURQUOISE LIME GREEN DOG
$35.00 |
|
|