| 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 TOY CHRISTMAS STOCKING- SEE WHAT'S INSIDE!
$10.00 |
|
|  | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
|
|
 | CAT DOG *SMALL PET* CARRIER Glamour Travel Tote HANDBAG
$27.95 |
|
|  | Catnip Convertible Cat Bed Green
$9.99 |
|
|
 | (18) Purina / Eukanuba cat food / treats coupons
$0.50 |
|
|  | KITTY COOKIE JAR
$4.99 |
|
|
 | Brand New CHRISTMAS STOCKING FOR YOUR CAT LOVE XMAS
$3.99 |
|
|  | NEW LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Automatic Litter Box LM700
$67.00 |
|
|
 | Cat Fluffly Blue Mouse Toy Jingle Bell Inside NEW TAGS
$0.99 |
|
|  | Catnip Convertible Cat Bed Green
$9.99 |
|
|
 | ONE SAVVY TABBY JITTERBUG TEASER-POLE-WAND CAT TOY-PET
$4.29 |
|
|  | NEW PINK CAT DOG PAW PRINT PET BED FOR CATS OR DOGS
$8.81 |
|
|
 | HAMMACHER SCHLMMER FELINE DRINKING FOUTAIN
$24.99 |
|
|  | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|
 | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.79 |
|
|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
|
|  | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Cats-crazy and cute!!
$2.00 |
|
|
 | WOW!! 16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS--EPA!
$35.50 |
|
|  | 24 Month Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens^KIT^EPA
$48.75 |
|
|
 | Pink Print Pet Bed For Cat or Dog NEW -sale- last one
$9.95 |
|
|  | .196 NEW BLUE Pet Scratch Tower - Hang toy cubby + MORE
$24.99 |
|
|
 | Excellent LITTER ROBOT Electronic Litter Box. Black
$99.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Pointer Spotbrites Laser Mouse Toy For Cats
$2.99 |
|
|  | ONE HOLIDAY MISTLETOE TEASER-POLE-WAND-CAT TOY-PET
$3.39 |
|
|
 | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
|
|  | Boogie Mat Birds Refillable Catnip Playmat for Cats
$7.19 |
|
|
 | GREENIES CAT KITTEN FELINE TREATS-25 PACKETS NEW SEALED
$5.50 |
|
|  | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
$9.99 |
|
|
 | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Cats-happy
$2.00 |
|
|  | Pet food dish - dispenser style (dry food)
$1.99 |
|
|
 | Burlap Mouse w/ Catnip - 3 Pack
$2.52 |
|
|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CABIN HEATED CAT KITTEN BED
$49.94 |
|
|
 | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F13
$0.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
|
|  | NEW! STAYWELL INFRA-RED CAT FLAP DOORS W/ COLLAR KEY
$59.99 |
|
|
 | K9 ADVANTIX
$15.55 |
|
|  | Royal Splendor Pet Bed!!
$69.00 |
|
|
 | BEST BUY! Slumber Pet Thermal Cat Mat Bed Reflects Heat
$13.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Fluffly Lilac Mouse Toy Jingle Bell Inside NEW TAGS
$0.99 |
|
|  | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Drinkwell Platinum Fountain +Garden+Brush+10 Filter+Mat
$94.99 |
|
|  | NEW PetSafe AUTOMATIC CAT DOG PET FEEDER - 2 MEALS
$23.95 |
|
|
 | Cat From Hell Devil Costume
$12.95 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | CATNIP TOY CHRISTMAS STOCKING- SEE WHAT'S INSIDE!
$10.00 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
|
|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72-B
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | PERSONALIZED 3 Spoiled Rotten CATS SIGN Pet Decor
$9.95 |
|
|
 | HUGE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|  | (16) PURINA FRISKIES PARTY MIX COUPONS-BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
$0.99 |
|
|
 | .038 Cat scratching Post / Tower w Toy Mouse Plush Home
$14.99 |
|
|  | COMFORT ZONE W/FELIWAY DIFFUSER + (4) Refills CATS
$0.01 |
|
|
 | PREMIUM SUGAR GLIDER FOOD FROM PRETTY PETS 12 OZ PACK
$7.99 |
|
|  | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Multiple cats
$2.00 |
|
|
 | Cat Fluffly Red Mouse Toy Jingle Bell Inside NEW TAGS
$0.99 |
|
|  | GenieReset Automatic Litterbox Solution Reset & Refill
$101.00 |
|
|
 | .179: Huge Cat Castle: 5 Platforms: Cubby Hole: MORE!
$19.99 |
|
|  | Teaser Fleece Wand With Acrylic Rod Cat Toy
$2.21 |
|
|
 | Omega Paws Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box LARGE $48 valu
$31.50 |
|
|  | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
|
|
 | Small Mini Small Pet Santa Claus Hat for Cat Kitten NEW
$4.95 |
|
|  | NWT Holiday light tree hat Sm Med Cat & matching Adult
$4.00 |
|
|
 | 18 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CAT FOOD COUPONS $1.00/6
$0.99 |
|
|  | Petmate Replacement Charcoal Filter NIP
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.99 |
|
|  | NEW IN BOX--PETSAFE CAT OR SMALL DOG FLAP DOOR
$4.99 |
|
|
 | Petmate Hybrid Pink Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus Cats Kittens 8 Weeks + Older - FREE SHIP
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Dog Cat Pet Odor Stain Eliminator Best Urine Remover
$9.95 |
|
|  | Cat Kitten 2 Pack Plush Lime Purple Mouse Toys NEW TAGS
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Brand New CHRISTMAS STOCKING FOR YOUR CAT LOVE XMAS
$3.99 |
|
|  | K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Kitty Cat Beds W/Cover
$39.95 |
|
|
 | PAW PRINTS KITTY QUILT BLACK N WHITE 27"X33"
$15.95 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
|
|
 | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
|
|  | Bio Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Cats 1 year Supply
$14.99 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|  | Flashing Cat Ball
$2.21 |
|
|
 | 6 plain colors adjust nylon cat collars wt bell^
$15.20 |
|
|  | 8 mths Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens*^KIT*^=EPA
$16.50 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | Scratch, Rattle & Roll by Sport Pet - Cat Toy - New
$5.00 |
|
|
 | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Small Sage NEW 18x26
$39.98 |
|
|  | .137 PET SCRATCH TOWER - BROWN FUR w. SAFE BOX SLEEP
$10.50 |
|
|
 | BARGAIN 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|  | Colorful Springs Thin 10 Pack
$1.79 |
|
|
 | 74" Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F60
$9.99 |
|
|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
|
|
 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
|
|  | Cat Toy Lot w/teasers, CATNIP, Feline GREENIES, Laser
$21.55 |
|
|