| 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.
|
|
[Winnie the Pooh] Cat Dog Ferret Pet Collar Bell Charm
$6.88 |
|
|
Precor 2000 flea & tick spray home treatment 2000 sq ft
$20.00 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
|
|
NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
Whiska Cat Food Coupons (7 ) $2.00 Off & (7) BOGO
$0.99 |
|
|
Deluxe 73" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
L@@K^..^NEW 66" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
1 oz STRONG STUFF CATNIP~MAKEs the CAT GO WILD~TOY
$4.99 |
|
|
Catnip Bubbles 8 Oz Blow Bubbles For Your Cat
$1.79 |
|
|
*_* 68" Frolic Cat Tree Furniture House Scraching Post
$0.99 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$53.99 |
|
|
Pink Floral Meow Town Kitty Cat Puppy Toy Dog Pet Bed
$29.96 |
|
|
Cat Food Dish Bright & Colorful Cat & Fish
$4.00 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$18.99 |
|
|
NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F2050
$0.99 |
|
|
WINDOW SEAT/BED 24 1/2 X 15 PLENTY OF STRETCH ROOM
$39.99 |
|
|
CAT TOY BALLS SET OF 5
$2.25 |
|
|
K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$19.99 |
|
|
L@@K 57" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
L@@K^..^NEW 83" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
|
|
Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
|
|
.185: CLOSEOUT SALE - PET CASTLE Cubby Platforms Towers
$0.99 |
|
|
16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
|
|
Hip CAT COLLAR Too Cute Spring Stripes ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
|
|
Koziol "Miaou" Cat Dish - Blue
$17.14 |
|
|
TWO**Comfort Zone Spray With Feliway 75ml bottle**TWO
$33.00 |
|
|
LOT: 16 FRISKIES CRUNCHY TARTAR CONTROL CAT TREATS FOOD
$14.98 |
|
|
Catit Cat Pet Drinking Fountain by Hagen
$21.99 |
|
|
8-Level 53" Cat Tree Scratcher pet Furniture New Design
$0.99 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
|
|
FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med dogs 23-44 lbs 6 mon
$39.95 |
|
|
Advantage flea control CAT 0-9lbs 6 MONTH SUPPLY!
$37.00 |
|
|
Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.99 |
|
|
K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT for DOG 11-20 LBS 16mon
$76.99 |
|
|
2 books on CATS breeding n choosing the right breed etc
$6.99 |
|
|
.133: LARGE Cat Scratching Pole! Simple Fun Toy
$0.99 |
|
|
Frontline Plus for cats 3 applications
$19.51 |
|
|
DRINKWELL SCOOPWELL CAT LITTER BOX CLEANER SCOOPER nwt
$9.99 |
|
|
~H@T~ 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
MITTY KITTY Pet Hair Remover, Lint Remover & Groomer
$4.60 |
|
|
8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
|
|
Zodiac Wipe Away For Cats Kills Fleas, Ticks, Lice *New
$0.99 |
|
|
COSEQUIN JOINT HEALTH SUPPLEMENT FOR CATS - 50 CAPSULES
$2.25 |
|
|
STAYWELL INFRA-RED COLLAR KEY PACK - CAT FLAPS
$2.25 |
|
|
Advantage flea control CAT OVER 9lbs 6 MONTH SUPPLY!
$36.68 |
|
|
69" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F42
$0.99 |
|
|
Take advantage of affordable Flea control Cats to 9 lbs
$1.75 |
|
|
L@@K*_* 66" Cat Tree Furniture House Scraching Post
$0.99 |
|
|
OUTDOOR SAFE CAT PLAY TUNNEL
$13.45 |
|
|
HUGE 80" CAT CONDO TREE HOUSE PET FURNITURE L@@K
$0.99 |
|
|
96" Floor to Ceiling Cat Furniture Tree w/ 4 Perch
$49.95 |
|
|
GREEN NYLON WITH HEART SLIDES CAT COLLAR
$2.01 |
|
|
New Strawberry Print Pet House 15x16x19 - Cat / Dog Bed
$29.27 |
|
|
8 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$17.54 |
|
|
Blue Floral Meow Town Kitty Cat Puppy Toy Dog Pet Bed
$29.96 |
|
|
Advantage flea control CAT 0-9lbs 4 MONTH SUPPLY!
$25.88 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$34.99 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS CAT over 9 lbs. (6 MONTHS) EPA, USA
$24.99 |
|
|
Advantage Flea Cats under 9 lbs single tube 1 pack EPA
$7.99 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE BOX FOR CATS UNDER 9 LBS 6 MONTH SUPPLY EPA 4
$50.99 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$37.99 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
|
|
Advantage flea control CAT OVER 9lbs 4 MONTH SUPPLY!
$31.00 |
|
|
Feline Tape Worm Tabs
$10.95 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$58.99 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 32 month supply ~
$79.95 |
|
|
Littermaid self cleaning litter box - No Reserve
$50.00 |
|
|
Mini Teaser Cat Wand
$1.58 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$18.99 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
|
|
~71"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture Pet Toy
$0.99 |
|
|
~71"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture Pet Toy
$0.99 |
|
|
10 Meow Mix $2.00 off ANY size ANY kind Exp 4/15/09
$3.24 |
|
|
~ 74" Deluxe Cat Scraching Tree Furniture House Posts ~
$0.99 |
|
|
.194 - Deluxe Multi Level Cat Scratching Playset Tower
$9.99 |
|
|
Tapeworm Tabs Cat Kitten Tape Worm Wormer 3 Tabs 23mg
$13.99 |
|
|
NEW 41" Cat Kitten Kitty Pet Hide Out Bed Toy Tunnel
$26.99 |
|
|
NEW PINK CAT DOG PAW PRINT PET BED FOR CATS OR DOGS
$10.41 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE BOX FOR CATS UNDER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA 6
$34.99 |
|
|
Nutri Vet Pet Ease Pheromone Plus unit with 1.43ml Dog
$7.99 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
|
|
52"L Soft Meow Town Smiling Kitty Cat Flexible Tunnel
$37.96 |
|
|
Single Round Pet Feeder Cat Dog Food Bowl Plastic Dish
$8.50 |
|
|
^..^L@@K 65" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
|
|
L@@K 52" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
9-LEVEL72"Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
|
|
ALESSI "Tigrito" Cat Bowl, "NIB"
$59.00 |
|
|
FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS NEW FLAVORS-OVER $42 VALUE!
$16.50 |
|
|
Pet 3 steps cat dogs stairs Stairway ramp Couch Bed
$0.99 |
|
|
MARVEL MITTS Pet Hair Remover, Lint Remover & Grooming
$9.25 |
|
|
ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
|
|
Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
|
|
~71"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture Pet Toy
$0.99 |
|
|
FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$36.99 |
|
|