NUTRITION: Cats are carnivores. This means they were built by Mother Nature to get their primary nutritional needs met by the consumption of other animals. In a natural environment, a cat would be eating a high-protein, moderate-fat diet with only about four to nine percent of their diet from plant sources.

REST: Cats can clock up to 18 hours of dozing time a day depending on age, activity level and living conditions. Their bodies are designed for short bursts of focused energy. Cats sleep very lightly and make up the total length of time they sleep with what we've come to call "catnaps."

STIMULATION: In the wild, cats get all the stimulation they need from tracking movements of predators and prey. Domestic cats, however, especially indoor cats that don't hunt for food, may need (or simply enjoy) the focused burst of activity that catnip provides. Catnip is harmless and just plain fun. It's stimulating effect is especially beneficial to sedentary cats.

SAFETY: As a predator who can also become prey, all cats have an inborn instinct for caution and self-preservation. Domestic cats, however do depend on their keepers to help keep them out of harm's way. Even cats that spend most of their time indoors may be exposed to a number of potential hazards that can be prevented with safety education and products.

EXERCISE: Cats are naturally inquisitive, playful and social creatures; a lack of adequate physical and mental stimulation can lead to weight gain, poor health and even aggression. All cats, but particularly indoor cats with restricted territory to roam and exercise, will benefit from regular activity. Toys that mimic the thrill of the hunt invite a cat to call its 500 skeletal muscles into action, if only just in the name of fun.

HYGIENE: Cats are instinctively fastidious about personal hygiene because in the wild, cleanliness is a survival skill. Grooming helps insulate cats against very hot or very cold weather, for instance, and removes or restores scents that communicate territory to feline intruders. Domestic cat owners can enhance their pet's own hygiene habits with grooming, dental, digestive and litterbox products.

INDEPENDENCE: A cat's notorious need for independence is not just a feline personality quirk, it's an inborn survival instinct. Unlike dogs that are genetically set to run with the pack, cats are geared to go it alone. Solo investigations help all cats acquire important information about their environment. Since domestic cats have fewer outlets for solitary activities than their wild counterparts, toys for independent play can greatly enrich their lives.

TREATS: Many cats can be trained to perform basic exercises such as how to use the cat door or to come inside when called. Whether you want to modify your cat's behavior or simply want a between-meals way of saying "I love you," find a reward your cat will really like. For good motivation and a real reward, a treat is in order. Cat treats work because they are distinctly different than a cat's daily food ration, which a cat comes to expect.

INTERACTION: Bonding with humans is vital for a pet cat. Cats who trust their owners and surroundings often have fewer behavioral problems and are more enjoyable pets. You earn the trust and affection of your pet through active, consistent and rewarding interaction. Interactive toys put the fun in your hands, helping to strengthen the bond you have with your cat.

HUNT: All cats, whether wild or domestic, belong to the same tribe when it comes to hunting behavior. But domestic cats don't usually hunt because they are hungry; they stalk small prey out of instinct, curiosity and a release for their boundless energy. Toys help satisfy this drive and offer a safer, kinder substitute for both indoor and outdoor cats.

PRIVACY: Even the most domesticated housecats come from a long line of carnivorous hunters. To live this life on the edge of seeking prey while escaping other predators, feline survival has required stealth, secretive behavior. Cats feel the most secure when they can view the world from a place of concealment.

SCRATCH: Your cat's desire to scratch is a hard-wired instinct, not a behavioral problem. Claws are indispensable feline tools; cats use them to hunt, play, groom, exercise, mark territory and defend themselves. Scratching helps keep claws in find shape by removing an irritating scale that grows with the nail. And scratching just feels good! Redirect your cat's natural need to scratch by offering satisfying scratching alternatives. You'll both be happier.