| 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.
|
|
 | Cat Toy, 20" Teaser Toy w/Feathers & Beads + Rattles!
$2.50 |
|
|  | FURminator SMALL BLUE deShedding Tool 1.75 IN
$9.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Door Mat- Entry Mat for Cat Lovers- Large 24" x 36"
$14.99 |
|
|  | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$4.00 |
|
|  | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER HOBO PURSE ~ BROWN
$39.99 |
|
|
 | LED HITCH COVER BRAKE LIGHT CAT FOOD TOYS SUPPLYS NIP
$29.95 |
|
|  | Small Purple FURminator Cat DeShedding Tool Brush Comb
$22.25 |
|
|
 | NEW RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER CHEETAH $11.99
$11.99 |
|
|  | Cat Wormer - Gets ALL Worms dewormer - 10 tabs box
$12.00 |
|
|
 | REFLECTiVE SAFETY BREAKAWAY CAT COLLAR Baby Pink Nylon
$6.99 |
|
|  | FREE 40lb. bag Dr. Elsey's cat litter coupon-$17.00
$5.01 |
|
|
 | BAD KITTY CATNIP (Hydroponic Chronic)...Is it 4:20?
$0.99 |
|
| Littermaid LME9250 Elite Self Cleaning Litterbox
$45.00 |
|
|
 | 10 real furry mice BY ZANIES- Cat Toys-TOY-PET
$0.01 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Pet Screen Door - Small 1-30 lbs
$1.75 |
|
| 16 coupons $1.00 off any Purina Tidy Cat liter exp 1/10
$11.72 |
|
|
 | 15 PC Crop of Cat Balls Toys Great Pet Gift -Bulk lots
$9.99 |
|
|  | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$4.00 |
|
|
 | 72" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-13
$129.99 |
|
|  | CAT KITTEN COLLAR PINK BELL POLKA DOT ADJUSTABLE NWT
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$4.00 |
|
|  | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Tan
$11.95 |
|
|
 | KITTY LITTER FRESHENER 24oz
$5.99 |
|
|  | CATS Cat Grooming Bathing Bag Restraint System * MEDIUM
$19.99 |
|
|
 | Tabby Kitty Condo NIB!!
$17.99 |
|
|  | Small Purple FURminator Cat DeShedding Tool Brush Comb
$22.25 |
|
|
 | NEW LITTERMAID LME9250 ELITE MEGA Automatic Litterbox
$56.52 |
|
|  | shaking & rattling fur mice short hair-50 piece lot
$9.99 |
|
|
 | CAT COMET BALL-CAT TOY-TOYS-PET
$1.99 |
|
|  | Litter Box OVERSIZED LARGE BIG Cat Pan Training Pads
$16.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Rescue Charity Pet Food Toys Litter Treats
$2.00 |
|
|  | Catit Cat Pet Drinking Fountain by Hagen
$21.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F60
$9.99 |
|
|  | Costal Safe Breakaway Break Away Cat Collar! NEW! NIB
$4.74 |
|
|
 | Bayer Advantage flea treatment Cat 9lbs & Under 8 doses
$9.99 |
|
|  | Cat Kitten Rescue - SAVE CALLI ! - Pet Food Toys Treats
$10.00 |
|
|
 | 78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
|
|  | New small leopard print pet cat or dog bed kitty cats
$10.98 |
|
|
 | NEW KITTY CAT CLAW NAIL CLIPPERS CUTTERS WITHOUT PKGING
$0.99 |
|
|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$4.00 |
|
|
 | Cat Car Bed--Totally Awesome & Completely Cute
$39.99 |
|
|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$4.00 |
|
|
 | Cat Tent / Tunnel / Hideout - Bastis - Red - NEW!
$14.00 |
|
|  | CAT CAVE & SCRATCHING POST NEW - COOOOL ITEM !!!!
$29.99 |
|
|
 | Blanket
$14.99 |
|
|  | CAT CAVE & SCRATCHING POST NEW - COOOOL ITEM !!!!
$29.99 |
|
|
 | LitterMaid Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box #LM500
$20.25 |
|
|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Rescue - SAVE CALLI ! - Pet Food Toys Treats
$5.00 |
|
|  | LARGE BIG OVERSIZED Litter Box BIG Multi Cat Cat Pan
$16.99 |
|
|
 | Cat & Ferret Toy 3 Mice w Tails Rabbit Fur Catnip Scent
$10.95 |
|
|  | Calico Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
|
|
 | **FREE** Any One Bag 9LIVES Cat Food Coupon 09/09
$7.00 |
|
|  | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Purifying Pet Water Fountain
$12.50 |
|
|
 | Small Purple FURminator Cat DeShedding Tool Brush Comb
$14.99 |
|
|  | Miracle Coat Quick Finder Nail Clippers Cats NIP
$14.99 |
|
|
 | (3) bags Temptations cat treats 2 flavors
$1.77 |
|
|  | BRAND NEW FERAL CAT SHELTERS INSULATED GREAT FOR WINTER
$20.00 |
|
|
 | Costal Safe Breakaway Break Away Cat Collar! NEW! BLUE!
$4.74 |
|
|  | Cat Tent / Tunnel / Hideout - Bastis - Blue - NEW!
$14.00 |
|
|
 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$0.99 |
|
|  | 69" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T42
$0.99 |
|
|
 | LAZY PET DELUXE WINDOW PERCH CAT BED LOUNGER NEW
$14.95 |
|
|  | Large 20x24 Dog Cat Paw Print Deep Pet Bed:Pet Supplies
$12.44 |
|
|
 | FREE 20 lb. bag cat/kitten attract litter coupon-$17.00
$6.50 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
|
|
 | NIP Taj Mahal Tent/Playhouse For Cat/Small Dog : WHITE
$9.99 |
|
|  | TEN CRYSTAL BALLS W/BELL BY ZANIES CAT TOYS-PET
$8.99 |
|
|
 | RHiNESTONE BREAKAWAY CAT Collar W/Bell Holly Berry Red
$6.99 |
|
|  | Persian Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
|
|
 | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$85.49 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus for Cats & Kittens 8 wks & older 6 doses
$38.00 |
|
|
 | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$85.49 |
|
|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
|
|
 | BRAND NEW LITTERMAID LM900 AUTOMATIC LITTERBOX
$10.49 |
|
|  | Fish Shaped Cat Bowl
$5.24 |
|
|
 | 72" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2050
$0.99 |
|
|  | (3) bags Temptations natural cat treats chicken flavor
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 2 PK of Alley Cat Gardens - Kitty Grass & Catnip
$12.49 |
|
|  | Costal Safe Breakaway Break Away Cat Collar! NEW! BLACK
$4.74 |
|
|
 | Cat Collar -Bright Kitties on Black
$5.75 |
|
|  | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$29.99 |
|
|
 | Slumber Pet THERMAL CAT MAT Bed Reflects Heat 22x18
$11.99 |
|
|  | 60 Rainbow Mice BY ZANIES- Cat Toy-TOYS -PET-BULK LOT
$18.00 |
|
|
 | FREE 20 lb. bag cat/kitten attract litter coupon-$17.00
$4.50 |
|
|  | SmartCat Peek-N-Play Toy Box - Cat Toy
$16.95 |
|
|
 | 6 dose small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$16.99 |
|
|  | Lockable cat flap door
$0.50 |
|
|
 | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$85.49 |
|
|  | Puttin on The Glitz CAT COLLAR W/Bell BREAKAWAY SiLVER
$6.99 |
|
|
 | SCOOPFREE AUTO CAT LITTER BOX CARTRIDGE. 3PK. NEW!
$39.99 |
|
|  | Brand New MiniFluffy Pink Catty Cushion Cat Bed
$1.00 |
|
|
 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
|
|  | $25 5 HEAD LASER POINTER LAZER PEN CAT DOG PET TOY
$2.35 |
|
|
 | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F24
$0.99 |
|
|  | NIP Cat/Small Dog Tent/PlayHouse: Camouflage Design
$9.99 |
|
|