| 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.
|
|
 | Plastic Dog Food Mat- Placemat For Dog's Food Bowl
$2.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | CHRISTMAS PINK CHEETAH LEOPARD BOLSTER DOG CAT BED 22"
$0.01 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3803
$0.99 |
|
|
 | GREAT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|  | WOOD PET URNS DOGS, CATS, BLOODWOOD CREMATION URN
$34.97 |
|
|
 | DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|  | Lot of 4 Laser Lazer Pointer Cat Dog Toy w/ 5 heads
$9.99 |
|
|
 | Frontline Plus for Cats 6 mo. supply. New unopened box!
$36.00 |
|
|  | Coupon for FREE bag of IAMS or $7 off
$3.50 |
|
|
 | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$0.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7801
$0.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | Aria colorful GlamaCat Charm silvertone NIP
$3.79 |
|
|
 | Cuddler PET Puppy Print Dog Bed Fleece Top LARGE BLUE
$37.00 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Multi Level Cat Tower Treehouse Scratcher Condo TM-9110
$9.99 |
|
|  | Patience Brewster Christmas Krinkles Cat Bowl NIB (8850
$6.47 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | 12 tiny CHRISTMAS CATNIP bags! CAT TOYS! HOME GROWN!
$9.99 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
|
|  | Multivet SSSCat Cat Control System Behavior Training
$29.99 |
|
|
 | Step 'N Dine
$4.90 |
|
|  | Drinkwell 100 oz Fountain 7 Filters Aqua Garden Brushes
$55.43 |
|
|
 | K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Camper with Heated Pad
$55.99 |
|
|  | Drinkwell Fountain 100 oz. 6 Item Combo 4 Filter DW-735
$61.76 |
|
|
 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$24.50 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus for dogs 89-132 LBS 6 Doses
$60.00 |
|
|
 | Petmate Purrforma easy-tie waste bags, 24 bags total!!
$4.00 |
|
|  | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Drinkwell 100 oz Fountain 10 Filters H2O Garden Brushes
$57.73 |
|
|  | DRONTAL ALLWORMER FOR CATS 4 PACK FREE SHIP
$16.00 |
|
|
 | pet treat jar that chatters
$0.99 |
|
|  | 2 SIZES OF CHRISTMAS CATNIP BAGS-10 BAGS-HOME GROWN!
$9.99 |
|
|
 | ALL SIZES dogs cats stock UP ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT
$17.95 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | Zanies Glitz Holiday Mice 6 pack silver red green New
$3.19 |
|
|  | Lot of 4 Laser Lazer Pointer Cat Dog Toy w/ 5 heads
$9.99 |
|
|
 | Meowy Christmas, feeding dish for your kitten CUTE
$6.00 |
|
|  | Petite Brown "Lucy" Dog Cat Paw Print Purse Handbag NWT
$12.95 |
|
|
 | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
|
|
 | NEW!! 'Cat-nip-tion' Catnip Pillow Cat Toy
$5.00 |
|
|  | MiracleBeam Laser Pet Toy PETSMART RED Cat Dog Birds
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Brand new elf hat and collar Costume for Cat/kitten
$0.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | Cat house scratching pole cat toys cat nail sharpener
$69.99 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
|
|
 | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
|
|  | *CARPET Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Rustic Antiqued Cast Iron Cat Hooks, set of 6
$9.95 |
|
|  | Fresh Step cat/kitty litter coupons ! 20-$1.00 + bonus!
$1.50 |
|
|
 | New BR 3x12x4H Cat Dog Cage Pen Crate Kennel Free Ship
$399.00 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
|
|
 | Black MicroFiber Purse Cat Dog Purple Paw Prints NWT
$14.95 |
|
|  | Lot of 4 Laser Lazer Pointer Cat Dog Toy w/ 5 heads
$9.99 |
|
|
 | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|  | ROYAL SPLENDOR DOG OR CAT PET BED BEDS DOG/CAT NEW
$39.99 |
|
|
 | Litter Maid Elite Mega LME9250
$50.00 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus for CATS 6 Doses
$47.00 |
|
|
 | Faux Fur Cat Tunnel TM-9076
$7.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
|
|
 | (5) $1 Purina Friskies Selects Indoors Cat Food Coupon
$0.99 |
|
|  | Drinkwell 100 oz Fountain 10 Filters H2O Garden Brushes
$57.73 |
|
|
 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
|
|  | Shamrock Three Leaf Clover Dog Cat Pet ID Tag
$3.29 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
|
|  | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Comfort Zone ~with D.A.P~ 2 REFILLS for defuser.~NIB~
$9.99 |
|
|  | Petmate Attract-O-Mat and Pet Hair Magnet-NWT (8903)
$7.30 |
|
|
 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Brown Jacquard "Fargo" Cat Dog Paw Print Purse NWT
$16.95 |
|
|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F15
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Frontline Plus for dogs 45-88 LBS 6 Doses
$58.00 |
|
|  | NEW LOT CAT KITTEN CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS BALLS TOYS MICE
$10.50 |
|
|
 | LED Flashing Adjustable Cat & Dog Collar & Bell X-Small
$7.99 |
|
|  | Booda Dome Litter Box Top Only Dark Blue
$1.99 |
|
|
 | LED Flashing Lights Fancy Cat & Dog Fashion Collars Sm.
$6.99 |
|
|  | USA 6-Pack FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS
$35.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
|
|  | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|
 | Pink Pet Carrier
$25.00 |
|
|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
|
|
 | Cat Safety Harness- For Traveling Cats- Cat Seat Belt
$5.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
$0.99 |
|
|
 | BLUE BEAST® HiOutput AAA BATTERY RED BEAM LASER POINTER
$5.99 |
|
|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Large Pet Carrier for Dogs or Cats who like to Travel!
$14.99 |
|
|  | Sport Pet Cat Royal Mansion Climb Tower ~Bed Toy Kitten
$19.95 |
|
|
 | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
|
|  | Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
|
|
 | Cat house scratching pole cat toys cat nail sharpener
$69.99 |
|
|  | Frontline Plus for dogs up to 22 LBS 6 Doses
$47.00 |
|
|
 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
$0.99 |
|
|  | 2.06 a dose Frontline Plus Cats Kittens*^KIT*^=8 Doses
$17.25 |
|
|
 | "A Spoiled Rotten Cat Lives Here" Door Mat-NWT (8896)
$4.00 |
|
|  | Travel Pet Carrier for Cat - Dog
$9.00 |
|
|