| 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.
|
|
 | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN BLACK
$2.25 |
|
|  | Black Metal Cat Dish Holder with Dangles
$11.99 |
|
|
 | Ergo Systems Pet Water Fountain Cat Dog Waterer SMALL
$78.99 |
|
|  | Christmas Stocking, SANTA'S FAVORITE CAT. CUTE!
$4.50 |
|
|
 | Savvy Tabby Tunnel Tower Perch Cat Play Furniture
$249.99 |
|
|  | CATGENIE REPLACEMENT WASHABLE CAT LITTER BOX GRANULES
$24.99 |
|
|
 | Automatic Ergo Pet Feeder Fountain Waterer COMBO Small
$170.98 |
|
|  | Pet Studio Cat Litter Box Cabinet Mahogany 28Wx19Dx24H
$179.99 |
|
|
 | Red light lazer keychain laser pointer 5 head C NEW
$1.00 |
|
|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat ToyS TOY SET OF 3
$5.95 |
|
|
 | K & H Sage Kitty Bed Thermo-Crinkle Sack 15 x 12 x 10
$52.95 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.49 |
|
|
 | Meow Town Kitty Fort Cat Play Furniture Beige
$129.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
|
|
 | 8 DOSE! for Cats FRONTLINE PLUS® FLEA/TICK us/epa SAVE$
$24.99 |
|
|  | LOT 9 High Quality FUN Hartz Kitten Cat Toys MUST SEE!
$18.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Lovers Magnet Set - 5 Large Magnets w/ Messages
$8.99 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
|
|
 | 1 HARTZ Flea & Tick Drops cat & kittens UNDER 5 lbs!
$4.95 |
|
|  | CAT OR KITTENS CATNIP PAD.26 BY 15 INCHES-ZIPPER POCKET
$5.99 |
|
|
 | K&H Mfg Thermo Kitty Sill Heated Cat Bed Window Perch
$44.95 |
|
|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN BLUE
$2.25 |
|
|
 | BOX OF 12 LITTERMAID LITTER RECEPTACLES
$11.99 |
|
|  | 1 CATGENIE REPLACEMENT WASHABLE CAT LITTER BOX GRANULES
$22.99 |
|
|
 | Hip CAT COLLAR Philiadelphia Eagles ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN RED
$2.25 |
|
|
 | 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS KIT EPA USA
$17.95 |
|
|  | Flint River Ranch Cat Kitten Food 50 samples Lamb Chick
$34.50 |
|
|
 | Pet Carrier Leopard Pattern
$23.70 |
|
|  | Kitty Cat Spa Gift Pack for your Favorite Feline!
$7.98 |
|
|
 | WOW!! Sturdy Hand Made Vintage Wood Cat - Dog Carrier
$74.99 |
|
|  | 20month! Cat FLEA KILLER Advantage®USA/EPA no exp SAVE$
$44.99 |
|
|
 | "Meowy Christmas" Cat T Shirt Apparel Clothes ~ M / L
$7.99 |
|
|  | B1G1 WHOLESOME GOODNESS CAT FOOD SINGLE CUP (10)COUPONS
$1.40 |
|
|
 | New Deluxe Beige 52" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher 5067
$59.88 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
|
|
 | ~LQQK~ JEWELED FISH BONE CHARM ~ PETS+PEOPLE ~ $1.75 NR
$1.75 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Swiss Estates Perch Cat Play Furniture
$219.99 |
|
|
 | Miracle Coat QuickFinder Safety Nail Sensor Clipper Cat
$11.49 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Kitty Observatory Perch Cat Play Furniture
$104.99 |
|
|
 | Invisible Indoor Cat Fences
$36.88 |
|
|  | K & H Mocha Thermo-Crinkle Sack 15 x 12 x 10 Buysafe
$52.95 |
|
|
 | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Gray
$11.95 |
|
|  | 3 Petmate Fresh Flow Replacement Filters NEW fast ship
$11.99 |
|
|
 | NEW TIDY CAT BREEZE LITTER BOX SYSTEM ODOR CONTROL MEOW
$57.95 |
|
|  | Zanies Cat Toys 60 Furry Mice Kitten Toy Lot Real Fur
$15.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Flea&Tick FRONTLINE PLUS 16dose/48mon SAVE$100s USA
$44.99 |
|
|  | SmartCat Kitty Ultimate Litter Box
$10.95 |
|
|
 | Single Round Pet Feeder Cat Dog Food Bowl Plastic Dish
$13.93 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.49 |
|
|
 | K&H Manufacturing Heated Pet Dog Cat Bed Warmer Medium
$24.99 |
|
|  | AUTOMATIC PET FEEDER Auto Autopet Digital Cat Dog SMALL
$118.99 |
|
|
 | Santa Cat Christmas Stocking - Embroidered
$17.50 |
|
|  | 5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS KIT EPA
$17.95 |
|
|
 | **HAND PAINTED LEAD FREE CAT BOWL. KUNG FU KITTY**
$10.50 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
|
|
(10) 2.00 Coupons on (1) SCOTCH FUR FIGHTER KIT 12/31
$1.99 |
|
|  | Deluxe Cat Tower with 3 Extra Tall Sisal Posts
$69.99 |
|
|
 | K&H Manufacturing Heated Pet Dog Cat Bed Warmer Large
$29.99 |
|
|  | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
$64.99 |
|
|
 | CATGENIE CAT GENIE SELF CLEANING BRASS LITTER BOX PARTS
$8.99 |
|
|  | Cat Condo Three Level with Sisal Scratching Post (New)
$34.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
|
|  | Automatic Digital Outdoor PET + POND FEEDER Small 5 lbs
$170.99 |
|
|
 | Savvy Tabby Galaxy Play Station Perch Cat Furniture
$99.99 |
|
|  | Create Your own Frontline Plus "KITS" ALL Cats & Dogs
$49.95 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Training DVD video Litter box bad habits
$4.99 |
|
|  | YOUR CATS PHOTO ON 120 CUSTOM RETURN ADDRESS LABELS
$5.25 |
|
|
 | 60 RABBIT FUR Catnip Furry REALISTIC Mice Cat Toys
$14.99 |
|
|  | LARGE Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Kitty Litter Box NIB
$34.95 |
|
|
 | Triple Crown Collar - LARGE (21)
$9.99 |
|
|  | Meow Town Kitty Fort Cat Play Furniture Pink
$129.99 |
|
|
 | 3 Nylon Cat Grooming MUZZLES for Cats full face muzzle
$9.99 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Leopard Convertible Activity Cat Furniture
$174.99 |
|
|
 | 10 month! ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL kit for CATS -NO FLEAS
$24.99 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Kitty Teepee Perch Cat Play Furniture
$134.99 |
|
|
 | Wholesale 4 laser pointer 5 head lazer NEW C Low S+H
$3.57 |
|
|  | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 9LBS KIT EPA
$17.95 |
|
|
 | BUDDY G'S MESH COLLAR AUSTRIAN CRYSTAL BOW (3 COLORS)
$18.95 |
|
|  | Meow Town Luxury Kitty Condo Cat Play Furniture
$149.99 |
|
|
 | PetSafe Simply Clean Automatic Cat Litter Box Pan
$94.99 |
|
|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Regular
$23.95 |
|
|
 | PURR PET CAT ACTIVITY MAT FOR CATS & ferret -PET
$25.99 |
|
|  | BUDDY G'S MESH COLLAR AUSTRIAN CRYSTAL BOW (3 COLORS)
$18.95 |
|
|
 | K&H Kitty Sill Unheated Free Ship Buysafe
$39.95 |
|
|  | Anti Icky Poo STARTER KIT PLUS Enzyme Odor/Urine remove
$49.95 |
|
|
 | 6 Zanies Silly Squid Cat Toys Furry Squids - No Catnip
$4.99 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Roundabout High-Rise Cat Play Furniture
$134.99 |
|
|
 | TWO Catnip Sack Toys -GREAT CAT TOY FOR PET TOYS
$2.25 |
|
|  | 10 MONTH ADVANTAGE FOR CATS KITTEN flea KIT to 9 lbs 6
$18.97 |
|
|
 | BUDDY G'S MESH COLLAR AUSTRIAN CRYSTAL BOW (3 COLORS)
$18.95 |
|
|  | Advantage for Dogs 6 months 11-20lbs
$47.00 |
|
|
 | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN YELLOW
$2.25 |
|
|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN ORANGE
$2.25 |
|
|
 | Mouse House Pet Assembly
$132.95 |
|
|  | 60 Catnip furry mice RAINBOW Mouse Cat Toys Kitten LOT
$14.99 |
|
|
 | THE WHOLE KITTY CABOODLE for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$29.99 |
|
|  | Meow Town Kitty Gym Cat Play Furniture Purple
$99.99 |
|
|
 | Petsafe CAT FLAP door NEW FAST FREE SHIP entry
$19.88 |
|
| |
|