| 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.
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
|
|  | 20 month USA CAT KIT *Advantage -Flea Killer*SAVE 1000%
$39.99 |
|
|
 | Comfort Zone Feliway Plug-In Refill only
$12.76 |
|
|  | Cute Kitty Cat Meow Picture Frame -Holds 4x6 photo NEW!
$3.29 |
|
|
 | Large Round Kliban Cat Red Tennis Shoes Cat Beanbag Bed
$16.99 |
|
|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
|
|
 | DRINKWELL CAT WATERING FOUNTAIN - NEW IN BOX!!!!!!
$20.50 |
|
|  | PetSafe Underground Electric Cat Fence Collar Receiver
$99.95 |
|
|
 | 30" CAT SCRATCHER POST & CLIMBER TOY HOUSE TOWER NEW
$25.24 |
|
|  | world's strongest cat's meow Organic Catnip made in USA
$1.99 |
|
|
 | Outward Hound Pet-a-Roo Front Carrier - Medium
$28.95 |
|
|  | Cats Cat Tunnel - NEW!
$15.00 |
|
|
 | kill CAT fleas-Advantage® no collar FLEA CONTROL 6 dose
$16.99 |
|
|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
|
|
 | Stainless Steel CAT Deluxe Blue Treat Canister Jar
$0.99 |
|
|  | Cute Kitty Cat Meow Picture Frame -Holds 4x6 photo NEW!
$3.29 |
|
|
 | Meow Mix Cat Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
|
|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
|
|
 | The GONZO Pet Hair Lifter Sponge Cat Dog Fur NEW NIP!
$0.99 |
|
|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
|
|
 | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000 Automatic Litterbox
$134.95 |
|
|  | SWAROVSKI BE MY LOVE JONQUIL & DIAMOND CAT COLLAR
$17.99 |
|
|
 | PetSafe Cat Windoor Window Removable Cat Door Flap
$74.99 |
|
|  | Kitty Cat Tower Furniture 6' foot tall playground NEW
$41.51 |
|
|
 | MEOW TOWN KITTY CAT PET PUPPY BASSINET CANOPY BED PINK
$29.95 |
|
|  | 60 Catnip furry mice RAINBOW Mouse Cat Toys Kitten LOT
$14.99 |
|
|
 | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$89.99 |
|
|  | CHRISTMAS BE MY LOVE SAPPHIRE & DIAMONDS SWAROVSKI
$19.73 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
|
|  | 6 CAT FURNITURE PLANS Build a Kitty Perch Stand Hammock
$9.95 |
|
|
 | Holiday 4" Santa with Wreath Tiny Tails
$0.99 |
|
|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | Calico Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
|
|  | PET HOLIDAY F/O STOCKING & HOLDER Cat Christmas Picture
$26.99 |
|
|
 | CAT PLAY TUNNEL CENTER GYM PET TOY KITTY KITTEN NEW
$21.95 |
|
|  | Meow Mix Cat Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
|
|
 | Holiday "Big Pups" Snow People for cats
$1.49 |
|
|  | FAT-CAT Cozy Bed with Reversible Pad - Purple-ON SALE
$16.95 |
|
|
 | 100 samples Flint River Ranch Natural Cat & Kitten Food
$69.00 |
|
|  | Holiday Tag-A-Long Mice 2pk plush
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Friskies Cat Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
|
|  | STICKY PAWS REG FURNITURE PROTECTION FROM CAT CLAWS
$6.00 |
|
|
 | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB Automatic Litter Box
$134.95 |
|
|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN CAT DOG WATER DISH BOWL
$59.95 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitty Kitten FUN TUNNEL TOY NEW! TOO CUTE LOOK!
$18.99 |
|
|  | Lot Aspen Pet Safety Collar for Cats
$1.00 |
|
|
 | Holiday for Pets Cat & Human CHRISTMAS TREE Headwear
$0.99 |
|
|  | cat wand,play toy
$3.99 |
|
|
 | Persian Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
|
|  | Kitty Playground for the New Arrival / Kitten! - New!
$15.00 |
|
|
 | Cool Cat Gift Set Holiday Gift Pet Bed NICE!
$22.00 |
|
|  | Kitty Cat Themed Shoulder Tote - 10x13x11 - Handcrafted
$16.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Tunnel - 51" Long - 2 Danglers - NEW!
$10.00 |
|
|  | Petmate wastebags
$19.00 |
|
|
 | 8 oz. Stainless Steel Kitty Dish-NEW
$0.99 |
|
|  | CAT GOTCHA TONGUE DOOR Hanging SCRATCHER/TOY
$7.00 |
|
|
 | PETMATE 2 DOOR DELUXE CAT DOG CARRIER CRATE MEDIUM SZ
$9.99 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
|
|
 | Leopard Print Cat Crinkly Tunnel - 51" Long - NEW!
$28.00 |
|
|  | Petsafe Cat Dog Door Lockable Magnetic New Outdoor Safe
$7.45 |
|
|
 | Holiday Cat Vo-Toy Stocking
$2.99 |
|
|  | CAT PIRATE ADJ BREAKAWAY SAFETY COLLAR SKULLS
$5.27 |
|
|
 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
|
|
 | Holiday kitty coil balls 2 pack
$0.99 |
|
|  | Cat play tent
$10.00 |
|
|
 | 10 SCIENCE NATURE'S BEST CAT/DOG FOOD COUPONS $10.00/1
$0.99 |
|
|  | Luxury Baby Blue Cat Kitten Puppy Dog Pet Bed Bassinet
$0.99 |
|
|
 | PURINA Friskies - 6 Party Mix Cat Treats PICNIC CRUNCH
$2.99 |
|
|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
|
|
 | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
|
|  | MEOW TOWN KITTY CAT PET PUPPY BASSINET CANOPY BED BLUE
$29.95 |
|
|
 | CAT TOY ASSORTMENT LOT
$20.00 |
|
|  | Lot of 4 MEOW MIX Cat Treats - Moist & Tartar Control
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|  | PURINA Friskies 4 Party Mix Cat Treats ORIGINAL CRUNCH
$2.99 |
|
|
 | Custom Made Pets Cats Wall Scroll Wallscroll Poster
$26.99 |
|
|  | 12 $3/1 Science Diet Cat Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
|
|
 | Set of 2 Christmas Pet Ceramic Bowls Cat Dog Lover
$1.99 |
|
|  | $3.00 Off Coupon - IAMS Cat or Kitten Food + Bonus
$1.00 |
|
|
 | Camouflage Print Cat Crinkly Tunnel - 51" Long - NEW!
$28.00 |
|
|  | Tabby Kitty Condo NIB!!
$17.99 |
|
|
 | 10 $3/1 Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
|
|  | Ergo 8 day Autopetfeeder
$16.99 |
|
|
 | Ergo 8 day Autopetfeeder
$16.99 |
|
|  | PetSafe Premium Underground Electric Radio Cat Fence
$199.95 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
|
|  | LITTERMAID SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX + 12 FREE POOP PANS
$9.99 |
|
|
 | KITTY CAT WINDOW SEAT BED PERCH HAMMOCK DOG FERRET PET
$9.99 |
|
|  | NEW Laser Lazer Pointer Cat/ Dog Toy w/ 5 diff heads
$4.99 |
|
|
 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
|
|  | PetSafe Cat Veranda Cat Door Window Mounted Seat
$109.99 |
|
|
 | Kitty Cat Christmas Stocking - NEW!
$9.00 |
|
|  | PINK PRINCESS ANIMAL BED ***NEW*****SOFT***
$7.95 |
|
|
 | RUBY WINTER WONDERLAND SWAROVSKI SPARKLIN CAT/DOG COLLA
$19.99 |
|
|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
|
|
 | CAT CHRISTMAS STOCKING EXCELLENT CONDITION
$1.99 |
|
|  | DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN CAT DOG WATER DISH PACKAGE
$59.95 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS 6 Month supply for cats & kittens
$34.49 |
|
|  | Heated Pet Bed Indoor/Outdoor Dog/Cat Warmer Small NWT
$46.50 |
|
|