| 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.
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
|
|  | Parisian Polka Dot Adjustable CAT Walking HARNESS Cats
$8.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Hot Pink Nylon Safety Breakaway Bell Collar
$3.99 |
|
|  | Catnip Cat Pet Bed Green with Organic Catnip
$9.99 |
|
|
 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
|
|  | *CATNIP * KITTY ~ TOSS AND CARRY POUCH * PERRRFECT SIZE
$0.79 |
|
|
 | Soft Claws CHRISTMAS (Red + Green) Cat Nail Covers NEW-
$4.99 |
|
|  | 2 COMFORT ZONE W/FELIWAY REFILLS & 2 PORTABLE SPRAYS
$4.14 |
|
|
 | LEOPARD & ZEGRA PRINT CAT TUNNEL TOY SCRATCHING POST
$34.99 |
|
|  | Fun Tunnel - Cat Play Noise Fun Crinkle Noise Tunnel
$38.95 |
|
|
 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snow Flurry Blue SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|  | 2 Catnip Lobster Claw Cat Toys 5"x3" Nana Joan Design
$5.95 |
|
|
 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|  | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
$48.98 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Bright Red Nylon Safety Breakaway Collar
$3.99 |
|
|  | PRETTY KITTY Cat PET Record KEEPING Journal ~ FREE SHIP
$9.95 |
|
|
 | Advantage for Cats/Kittens 0-9 lbs Orange NIB 6 pack
$53.50 |
|
|  | ODOR LOCKERS Health Alert - Blood Detection Granules
$4.00 |
|
|
 | Long Life 90 Day Cat Flea Collar $ 1.99 SALE
$1.99 |
|
|  | Cat Fun Cage W/ Toy Inside
$1.99 |
|
|
 | CAT FOOD Sample 1 oz Chicken Wellness Holistic
$2.99 |
|
|  | Supersisal Scratching Post
$4.95 |
|
|
 | Vari Kennel by Doskocil Dog or Cat Carrier (Medium)
$35.00 |
|
|  | Calico Kitty Condo
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Litter Robot...best Cat litter box available! Works
$152.50 |
|
|  | ULTICARE VET Rx U-40 SYRINGES
$9.99 |
|
|
 | 'I Love my Scottish Fold!" car ribbon magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
|
|  | MED Cat Collar w/ SWAROVSKI Crystals ~Classic Aqua~
$25.99 |
|
|
 | New small leopard print pet cat or dog bed kitty cats
$10.98 |
|
|  | GREENIES Cat Treat Sample 1 oz Chicken
$2.99 |
|
|
 | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Medium Sage NEW 23x35
$49.98 |
|
|  | 25 pc lot of Food, Toys & Supplies for Cats
$5.00 |
|
|
 | 2 Catnip Lobster Claw Cat Toys 5"x3" Nana Joan Design
$5.95 |
|
|  | Six Plain colors adjust nylon cat collars-bell&
$15.20 |
|
|
 | RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER CATS & DOGS $10.99
$10.99 |
|
|  | 2 Butterfly Catnip Toys About 3" Wide By Nana Joan
$5.95 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Blue Glitter Glitz Safety Breakaway Collar
$5.99 |
|
|  | EVER-WARE 3 Pc. Feed Me Kitty Cat Dish Ensemble Set NIB
$7.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Food & Water Dish
$1.00 |
|
|  | Cat Kitten Pink Camo Camouflage Safety Breakaway Collar
$4.99 |
|
|
 | 2 Catnip Lobster Claw Cat Toys 5"x3" Nana Joan Design
$5.95 |
|
|  | 12" X 12" PHOTO ENGRAVED PET MEMORIAL
$69.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
|
|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candy Cane Stripe SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|
 | *CATNIP * KITTY ~ TOSS AND CARRY POUCH * PERRRFECT SIZE
$0.79 |
|
|  | Lupine 1/2" Nylon Adj.Dog Collar 8"-12" Sea Ponies NEW
$5.17 |
|
|
 | SHERPA Brand Microfiber Pet Tote/Backpack Used Once
$19.98 |
|
|  | 12 (TWELVE) Petmate Fresh Flow Water Fountain Filters
$12.50 |
|
|
 | Hagen CatIt Pet Water DRINKING FOUNTAIN for Cats & Dogs
$29.99 |
|
|  | Pet Smart Dish - Spill-less
$3.50 |
|
|
 | Feliway Spray feline cat comfort
$14.36 |
|
|  | Cat Kitten Pink Glitter Glitz Safety Breakaway Collar
$5.99 |
|
|
 | Pet Dog & Cat Nail Clipper - Stainless - FREE SHIPPING
$7.97 |
|
|  | 24" ALL DURABLE SISAL WEAVE Cat Scratching Post posts
$29.99 |
|
|
 | LARGE BLUE Cat Feline Soft Claws Paws for Cats CHARITY
$4.99 |
|
|  | Kitty Cat Papa San Chair
$7.99 |
|
|
 | Catnip Cat Nip Toy Cats Kittens Kitty - Cats Happy Hour
$3.75 |
|
|  | Lilly Pulitzer *Tropical Print " Cat Safety Collar-New
$12.95 |
|
|
 | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Dog Cat 50oz NEW
$36.99 |
|
|  | Kitty Condo Litterbox - How to Instructions by Email
$3.99 |
|
|
 | 2 Catnip Lobster Toys Designed by Nana Joan
$9.95 |
|
|  | Frontline for Cats - New in Box 6 pack-USA product
$52.95 |
|
|
 | CAT GRASS SEEDS APPROX. 100 SEEDS FREE SHIPPING
$2.99 |
|
|  | SOFT HEATED PAW PRINT CAT WINDOW SEAT PET BED CATS NEW
$34.99 |
|
|
 | DESIGNER CATBOX Cat Litter Box Chest Furniture Cover BK
$27.50 |
|
|  | Genie Automatic Cat Box Sanisolution Reset Refill Kit
$49.99 |
|
|
 | 2 Catnip Lobster Claw Cat Toys 5"x3" Nana Joan Design
$5.95 |
|
|  | CAT Dog Luxury WARM THERMAL LEOPARD Fleece MAT BED*NEW
$18.99 |
|
|
 | New Pink w Bears Tote Travel Pet Carrier for Dog or Cat
$9.20 |
|
|  | Frontline for Cats - New in Box 3 pack USA product
$26.95 |
|
|
 | Advantage for Cats/Kittens 10-18 lbs Purple NIB 6 pack
$53.50 |
|
|  | 1 Coupon for Iams Healthy Naturals cat food save $4
$1.39 |
|
|
 | Adjustable Nylon CAT Walking HARNESS & LEASH Lead Cats
$11.99 |
|
|  | Adjustable Nylon CAT Walking HARNESS & LEASH Lead Cats
$12.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Christmas Holiday Value Catnip Toy 6 Pack
$2.99 |
|
|  | 2 Catnip Lobster Claw Cat Toys 5"x3" Nana Joan Design
$5.95 |
|
|
 | SML Cat Collar w/ SWAROVSKI Crystals ~ Classic Aqua ~
$23.99 |
|
|  | Cute 24" BLACK Leather Dog Collar with Brass Bones
$4.99 |
|
|
 | Advantage for Cats/Kittens 0-9 lbs Orange NIB 4 pack
$38.95 |
|
|  | WIPE YOUR PAWS door plaque sign XMAS GIFT 4 CAT LOVERS
$1.25 |
|
|
 | Cat Kitten Violet Purple Nylon Safety Breakaway Collar
$3.99 |
|
|  | LOT 13 X MAT PET BEHAVIOR INDOOR TRAINING MAT DOGS CATS
$15.99 |
|
|
 | Christmas Cat lover lot Stocking photo frame figurine
$3.99 |
|
|  | Fun Run Outdoor Dog Cat Tunnel Playhouse ABO Gear
$39.95 |
|
|
 | MED Cat Collar w/ SWAROVSKI Crystals ~Classic Sparkle~
$24.99 |
|
|  | DESIGNER CATBOX Cat Litter Box Chest Furniture Cover WT
$56.00 |
|
|
 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snowflakes on Red SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|  | 2 Catnip Lobster Claw Cat Toys 5"x3" Nana Joan Design
$5.95 |
|
|
 | 2 Black and White Cow Catnip Toys 5" Tall x 1" Wide
$5.95 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs 45-88 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPPING!
$59.99 |
|
|
 | Elegant Fleur de Lis Dog/Cat Collar Charm - Handcrafted
$0.99 |
|
|  | Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box - Large - New!!
$37.95 |
|
|
 | Lilly Pulitzer *Pink Floral fabric* Cat Safety Collar
$12.95 |
|
|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
|
|
 | Kittens First Christmas Pad Mat Bed New Cat 1st Holiday
$0.99 |
|
|  | Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training FREE TOY/FREE SHIP
$59.95 |
|
|
 | Pet Bed - Medium - Animal Print **NEW**
$4.99 |
|
|  | PORTABLE CAT FERRET CAGE PLAY PEN CRATE NEW 37 X23X55
$156.93 |
|
|
 | NEVER SCOOP Clean Kitty Cat Litter Box/Pan! NEW! Sample
$0.99 |
|
| |
|