| 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.
|
|
 | Vera Bradley Pet Carriers,Totes For Your Dog Or Cat NWT
$50.00 |
|
|  | 10 Coupons Save $40 on Iams Dry Cat or Kitten Food
$1.04 |
|
|
 | Petsafe Cat Dog Door Lockable Magnetic New Outdoor Safe
$7.45 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL 4 CAT KIT 10 - 18 lb = 5 MONTHS
$18.97 |
|
|
 | SPOIL YOUR FELINE FRIENDS W/BONUS ON CD
$1.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL 4 CAT "KIT" to 9 lb = 10 MONTHS
$18.97 |
|
|
 | TIGER MEDICATED PLASTER - Cool 20 pcs. - Small 7x10 cm.
$26.50 |
|
|  | 6 Pack Feliway Diffuser refill 48ml
$72.99 |
|
|
 | MIRACLE COAT® Foaming Waterless Shampoo for Cats - 7 oz
$7.99 |
|
|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
|
|
 | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supply cats FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$17.95 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | Persian Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 0-9 LBS 20 MONTHS
$33.99 |
|
|  | Tabby Kitty Condo NIB!!
$17.99 |
|
|
 | PET Cuddler Puppy Print Dog Bed Fleece Top Medium TAN
$32.00 |
|
|  | Kitty Playground for the New Arrival / Kitten! - New!
$15.00 |
|
|
 | PET Cuddler Puppy Print Dog Bed Fleece Top LARGE TAN
$37.00 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 10 DOSES
$33.99 |
|
|
 | Wild Tail Motorized Pet Toy--The Ultimate Toy For Cats
$9.99 |
|
|  | DEAL 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|
 | LEOPARD PRINT DOG CAT PET BED
$6.99 |
|
|  | Omega Paw Self Clean Cat Litter Box LG+Mat+Bonus $65val
$29.59 |
|
|
 | STEWART® Pet Food FLAVOR ENHANCER for Cats
$5.99 |
|
|  | New Medium Cheetah Print Dog / Cat Pet House Pet Supply
$14.34 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 0-10 LBS 20 MONTHS
$33.99 |
|
|  | NEW Rectangular Pet Puppy Print Dog Bed LARGE BLUE
$54.99 |
|
|
 | CatGenie GenieDome
$19.99 |
|
|  | MIRACLE COAT® Small Rubber Curry Brush for Cats - Red
$5.99 |
|
|
 | Catnip Infused Kicker Toys! X-Large! Free Ship!
$2.99 |
|
|  | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Holiday Cat collar in Peguins design
$0.99 |
|
|  | MIRACLE COAT® Premium Spray-On Shampoo for Cats - 8 oz
$6.99 |
|
|
 | PERSONALIZED CAT CHRISTMAS STOCKING....HAND MADE
$26.99 |
|
|  | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
$17.95 |
|
|
 | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$99.99 |
|
|  | $3 off Fresh Step Cat Litter 10 Coupons
$10.50 |
|
|
 | Scratch N Shapes Cheese- Cat Scratching Toy -Free Mouse
$24.99 |
|
|  | NEW MINI SPOTBRITES LED LIGHT HEART CAT OR DOG CLIP ON
$0.55 |
|
|
 | GOOD GRIPS Small Rake for Dog, Cat, Pet
$3.99 |
|
|  | Contech CatStop Ultrasonic Outdoor Cat Deterrent
$40.00 |
|
|
 | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|  | LOT 6 Catnip Infused Eyeball Toys!Organic Nip!Free S/H!
$9.99 |
|
|
 | NEW Rectangular Pet Puppy Print Dog Soft Bed LARGE TAN
$54.99 |
|
|  | Scratch N Shapes Snooze- Cat Scratching Toy -Set of 3
$36.99 |
|
|
 | Eliminate Littermaid Waste Receptacle Replacements
$9.99 |
|
|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
|
|
 | Scratch N' Shapes Dachshund- Cat Scratching RevengeToy
$24.99 |
|
|  | TRIM TREATS for Your Cat - Variety Pack - Three Flavors
$6.28 |
|
|
 | TIGER MEDICATED PLASTER - Cool 20 pcs. - Big 10x14 cm.
$36.50 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 10 LBS & UP 10 DOSES
$33.99 |
|
|
 | Catnip Infused Eyeball Toys!! Organic Nip! Free Ship!
$2.25 |
|
|  | WOW 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|
 | Frontline Plus for Cats (6 mo.) ~NOTa KIT
$16.50 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
|
|
 | NEW LitterMaid LM900 Self-Cleaning Litter Maid Cat Box
$91.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | PROWL Dehydrated Raw Cat Food 2LB Bag With a FREE Gift
$17.99 |
|
|  | LOOK 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
|
|
 | *Mystery*Auction! INSTANT $10.00 Off Coupon Pet Website
$0.99 |
|
|  | 10/$1.00/2 coupons on any Purina Whisker Lickin's
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Play-n-Squeak Fishing Pole Toy for Your Cat--GO FISHING
$17.99 |
|
|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
|
|
 | STEWART® FIBER FORMULA® Treats for Cats
$3.29 |
|
|  | Scratch N Shapes Cayman- Cat Scratching Toy -Cool Shape
$6.99 |
|
|
 | MIRACLE COAT® Spray-On Waterless Shampoo for Cats 8 oz
$6.99 |
|
|  | Eliminate Littermaid Waste Receptacle Replacements
$9.99 |
|
|
 | 2 Mice Catnip Toys!Rainbow & Realistic Colors!FREE SHIP
$1.00 |
|
|  | LOOK 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
|
|
 | Calico Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
|
|  | Omega Paws Cat Scratch Box, the EVEREST style
$9.71 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 10 LBS & UP 10 MONTHS
$33.99 |
|
|  | NEW Pet Pillow Dog Bed Polyester Fiber Fill BLUE TAN
$35.00 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT CATS 10 LBS & UP 10 MONTHS
$33.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL 4 CAT KIT 10 - 18 lb = 10 MONTHS
$32.97 |
|
|
 | Auotmatic Pet Feeder - 8 Day Plus Auto Pet Feeder
$49.99 |
|
|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Any Iams canned food Buy 2 get 1 free 10 dog cat coupon
$1.04 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 0-9 LBS 20 MONTHS
$33.99 |
|
|
 | CAT Safety Harness leash collar CAR SEAT BELT.....BLUE
$12.99 |
|
| 4.00 OFF IAMS CAT FOOD COUPONS
$0.99 |
|
|
 | Ba-Da-Beam Automatic Rotating Laser Cat Toy--GREAT FUN
$16.99 |
|
|  | FOLDING CAT HOUSE
$7.25 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
|
|  | 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
$0.99 |
|
|
 | NEW Rectangular PET Puppy Print Dog Bed Medium BLUE
$30.00 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 10 MONTHS
$33.99 |
|
|
 | "I Love my Bengal Cats!" car ribbon magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
|
|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
|
|
 | NEW Rectangular PET Puppy Print Dog Bed SMALL BLUE
$25.00 |
|
|  | QUICKSAND PERPETUAL CAT LITTER SIFTING SYSTEM
$18.49 |
|
|
 | MIRACLE COAT® Conditioner & Lusterizer for Cats - 8 oz
$6.99 |
|
|  | FRONTLINE Flea & Tick Control for Cats & Kittens 3 MO
$30.99 |
|
|
 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
|
|  | *HUGE Cat Mystery Box! Over 30+ Items & FREE SHIP!
$24.99 |
|
|
 | SAFARI Shedding Blade for Your Cat
$2.99 |
|
|  | NEW Rectangular PET Puppy Print Dog Bed Medium TAN
$30.00 |
|
|
 | Soft Paws / Claws Nail caps 4 cat LARGE NIB FREE gift!!
$12.95 |
|
| |
|