| 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.
|
|
 | AY Rover Floral Pattern Bonsai Dog Animal LARGE Bed
$114.99 |
|
|  | 5 lot Catnip Da Fur Thing cat toy toys kitten furry
$14.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Capri Bed Dog Pet Floral Pattern Brown Blue
$114.99 |
|
|  | Americana Small Dog Double Feeding Cafeteria Dish
$23.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
|
|  | Meow Town Kitty Gym Cat Play Furniture Purple
$99.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Medium Cheesecake Dog Bed Brown Pink Striped
$99.99 |
|
|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon Dots
$5.95 |
|
|
 | LARGE LOT CATS Kittens pet TOYS mice balls CHRISTMAS 52
$9.95 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Roundabout High-Rise Cat Play Furniture
$134.99 |
|
|
 | "My Cat is smarter than...!" Car magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Medium Ocean Dog Bed Damask Navy Blue Pattern
$99.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Large Key Lime Dog Green Brown Striped Bed
$114.99 |
|
|  | YOUR CATS PHOTO ON 120 CUSTOM RETURN ADDRESS LABELS
$5.25 |
|
|
 | Ay Rover Medium Sherbert Dog Bed Bright Orange Blue
$99.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Dream Dog Pet X Large Bed Brown Pink Polka Dot
$129.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Flea&Tick FRONTLINE PLUS 16dose/48mon SAVE$100s USA
$44.99 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Tunnel Tower Perch Cat Play Furniture
$249.99 |
|
|
 | Meow Town Luxury Kitty Condo Cat Play Furniture
$149.99 |
|
|  | Meow Town Kitty Fort Cat Play Furniture Beige
$129.99 |
|
|
 | CATGENIE CAT GENIE SELF CLEANING BRASS LITTER BOX PARTS
$8.99 |
|
|  | 60 Catnip furry mice RAINBOW Mouse Cat Toys Kitten LOT
$14.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Medium Butterscotch Dog Animal Pattern Bed
$99.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover LARGE Cheesecake Dog Animal Brown Pink Bed
$114.99 |
|
|
 | 3 Nylon Cat Grooming MUZZLES for Cats full face muzzle
$9.99 |
|
|  | K&H Sage Thermo-Kitty Nest 19" x 19" x 5" Cat Bed NEW
$48.95 |
|
|
 | CAT FACES Plastic Bag Holder / Dispenser for Litter Box
$8.99 |
|
|  | Cat Life Furniture w/toys - Style, Quality, Fun -catf10
$54.99 |
|
|
 | Savvy Tabby Swiss Estates Perch Cat Play Furniture
$219.99 |
|
|  | 1 CATGENIE REPLACEMENT WASHABLE CAT LITTER BOX GRANULES
$22.99 |
|
|
 | Personalized Ceramic Cat Bowl Feeding Dish Custom
$29.95 |
|
|  | Meow Town Kitty Fort Cat Play Furniture Pink
$129.99 |
|
|
 | THE WHOLE KITTY CABOODLE for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$29.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Key Lime Dog Green Brown Striped Bed SMALL
$85.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover MEDIUM Bonsai Dog Animal Floral Pattern Bed
$99.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover X Large Espresso Dog Animal Bed Black Pattern
$129.99 |
|
|
 | Ay Rover Large Animal Ice Dog Bed Brown Polka Dot NEW
$114.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Large Pink Brown Polka Dot Dream Dog Pet Bed
$114.99 |
|
|
 | Pet Voyáge Sport carrier w/Wheels pet dog cat black NEW
$54.95 |
|
|  | Ay Rover Sherbert LARGE Pet Dog Bed Orange Blue Striped
$114.99 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
|
|  | 60 RABBIT FUR Catnip Furry REALISTIC Mice Cat Toys
$14.99 |
|
|
 | PetSafe Simply Clean Automatic Cat Litter Box Pan
$94.99 |
|
|  | NEW Santa Paws Cat Dog Dish Hand Painted Raised Ceramic
$13.50 |
|
|
 | Petsafe CAT FLAP door NEW FAST FREE SHIP entry
$19.88 |
|
|  | Ay Rover Medium Dream Dog Pet Bed Pink Brown Polka Dot
$99.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Medium Onyx Dog Animal Bed Stripe Cotton Cover
$99.99 |
|
|  | ~LQQK~ JEWELED FISH BONE CHARM ~ PETS+PEOPLE ~ $1.75 NR
$1.75 |
|
|
 | AQuA CaT DoG Melamine PeT Food Water Bowl Dish NeW
$6.95 |
|
|  | Kitten's First Christmas Play pad, Toy & Stocking NWT
$16.50 |
|
|
 | Da Bird feather wand cat toy pole toys kitten ferret
$5.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover X Large Capri Floral Bed Dog Brown Ice Blue
$129.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover X Large Cheesecake Dog Animal Pink Brown Bed
$129.99 |
|
|  | Advantage SINGLE Dose vials for Cats Under 9lbs
$9.00 |
|
|
 | Savvy Tabby Kitty Observatory Perch Cat Play Furniture
$104.99 |
|
|  | Frontline Spray (250 mL)
$26.99 |
|
|
 | 1 HARTZ Flea & Tick Drops cat & kittens UNDER 5 lbs!
$4.95 |
|
|  | Cat Collar - Bones and Bows
$5.75 |
|
|
 | Top Performance Cat Bathing Grooming Bag Sm 17"Lx9"W
$14.99 |
|
|  | Savvy Tabby Leopard Convertible Activity Cat Furniture
$174.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover LARGE Damask PatternOcean Dog Navy Blue Bed
$114.99 |
|
|  | Raised Wet Food Dish Pottery Splashback CD6-T For Cat
$53.50 |
|
|
 | "Please Spay & Neuter" Car magnet QUALITY 12 x 3
$4.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Chocolate Brown Stripe Pink Cheesecake Dog Bed
$85.99 |
|
|
 | CAT LOVERS~NO MORE MESS, NO MORE HASSLE~NO MORE LITTER
$4.50 |
|
|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Philiadelphia Eagles ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|
 | Savvy Tabby Kitty Teepee Perch Cat Play Furniture
$134.99 |
|
|  | KITTY CAT Plastic Bag Holder / Dispenser for Litter Box
$8.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Small Ice Blue Dog Animal Bed Brown Polka Dot
$85.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Espresso Dog Animal Black Pattern Medium Bed
$99.99 |
|
|
 | Raised Wet Food Dish Pottery Splashback CD6-T For Cat
$53.50 |
|
|  | Food Water Cat Dog Dish Bowl 6" Wide Blue Paw Prints
$24.00 |
|
|
 | Frontline® 1 LARGE vial+kit no collar FLEA KILLER - CAT
$24.99 |
|
|  | K&H Manufacturing Heated Pet Dog Cat Bed Warmer Large
$29.99 |
|
|
 | K&H Manufacturing Heated Pet Dog Cat Bed Warmer Medium
$24.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Key Lime Bed Dog Cotton Striped Cover X Large
$129.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Small Foral Pattern Bonsai Dog Animal Bed
$85.99 |
|
|  | Ay Rover Small Dream Dog Bed Brown Pink Pola Dot Design
$85.99 |
|
|
 | Triple Crown Collar - LARGE (21)
$9.99 |
|
|  | Six Foot Cat Teaser -Acrylic Wand with Fleece Streamer!
$3.99 |
|
|
 | CAT OR KITTENS CATNIP PAD.26 BY 15 INCHES-ZIPPER POCKET
$5.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover X Large Ice Dog Animal Bed Brown Polka Dot
$129.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover X LARGE Butterscotch Dog Animal Pattern Bed
$129.99 |
|
|  | 16 dose USA CAT KIT *Frontline Plus Flea&Tick*SAVE 800%
$41.99 |
|
|
 | 6 Zanies Silly Squid Cat Toys Furry Squids - No Catnip
$4.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Ice Blue Pet Dog Medium Bed Brown Polka Dot
$99.99 |
|
|
 | Advantage SINGLE Dose vials for Cats Over 9lbs
$9.00 |
|
|  | Tough Boy Army Print Pet Carrier Hand Bag
$37.99 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
|
|  | AY Rover Floral Pattern Bonsai Dog Animal Bed X Large
$129.99 |
|
|
 | Savvy Tabby Galaxy Play Station Perch Cat Furniture
$99.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
|
|
 | Cat Urine Stain Odor Remover Cleaner & UV Blacklight
$16.19 |
|
|  | Da Bird feather wand cat toy and 4 Attachment refills
$15.99 |
|
|
 | AY Rover Medium Green Brown Striped Key Lime Bed Dog
$99.99 |
|
|  | "I LOVE CATS" car round magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
|
|
 | Advantage for Dogs 6 months 11-20lbs
$47.00 |
|
|  | WOW!! Sturdy Hand Made Vintage Wood Cat - Dog Carrier
$74.99 |
|
|
 | Kitty Cat Spa Gift Pack for your Favorite Feline!
$7.98 |
|
|  | K&H Sage Thermo-Crinkle Sack 15" x 12" Cat Bed NEW
$48.95 |
|
|