| 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.
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 | C.E.T. DENTAL REWARD (LARGE)
$2.39 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN AQUA GARDEN
$7.99 |
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 | KITTYWALK LAWN VERSION Kitty Walk Outdoor Cat Habitat
$115.95 |
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|  | Adjustable nylon cat collars wt bell--6$
$15.20 |
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 | 49" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F41
$0.99 |
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|  | CAT DOG Clothes PINK Camoflauge Tee Shirt !! Large
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 | .038 Cat scratching Post / Tower w Toy Mouse Plush Home
$14.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3001
$0.99 |
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 | Littermaid ELITE LME5000 Automatic Electric Litter Box
$89.89 |
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|  | KITTYWALK PENTHOUSE Kitty Walk Outdoor Cat Habitat Bed
$169.95 |
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 | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
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|  | Lot of 3 Natural Choice Kitten/Cat food NEW
$0.99 |
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 | Mylar Balls 4 Pack
$2.10 |
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|  | TERRIFIC FRESH PET AREA DEODORIZER/AIR PURIFIER - NIB
$9.99 |
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 | 3 MONTH Frontline PLUS for Cats
$31.99 |
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|  | CAT Clothes GREEN Camoflauge Tee Shirt Persian Small
$10.99 |
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 | Unique Cat Food Dish
$1.00 |
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|  | C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Cats
$7.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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| $26 IN FANCY FEAST CAT FOOD COUPON DRY OR CANNED
$0.99 |
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 | Raised Cat Dog Pottery Bowl Dish WDB5-T Halloween Bat
$38.50 |
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|  | .005 PET SCRATCH TOWER - CAT FERRET HOME -5 HUGE LEVELS
$16.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | K&H thermo Kitty Sill Cat bed window Perch New Heated
$39.00 |
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 | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
$48.98 |
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|  | CAT Clothes GREEN Camoflauge Tee Shirt Persian Large
$11.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F15
$0.99 |
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|  | KITTYWALK CLUBHOUSE Kitty Walk Outdoor Cat Habitat
$109.95 |
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 | Cat Sign humourous LIKE POTATO CHIPS CAN'T HAVE JUST 1
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5801
$0.99 |
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 | CHEAP 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7101
$0.99 |
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|  | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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 | DRINKWELL BIG DOG FOUNTAIN Dog Waterer RTN
$46.71 |
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|  | Raised Cat Dog Pottery Bowl Dish WDB5-T Pumpkin Face
$38.50 |
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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|  | K&H Lectro Soft Outdoor Heated Cat Dog Bed Free Cover
$31.00 |
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 | KITTYWALK GRAND PRIX PENTHOUSE Kitty Walk Cat Habitat
$399.95 |
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|  | K&H Thermo Kitty Fashion Splash Heated Cat Bed Purple
$26.89 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | Lot of (4) NEW Feliway Comfort Zone Refill Vials Farnam
$55.00 |
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 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$9.99 |
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|  | Purina Fancy Feast cat/kitten food New Gourmet beef
$0.99 |
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 | Catnip Bubbles 8 Oz Blow Bubbles For Your Cat
$2.52 |
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|  | Pawprint Adjust Nylon cat collars wt bell (3)!
$7.58 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | 6 MONTH Frontline PLUS for Cats
$59.99 |
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|  | spring cat toys - 3 kind, great price!!!
$1.50 |
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 | New PF10 Large Automatic Pet Digital Feeder Dog Cat
$49.99 |
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|  | Pointer Spotbrites Laser Mouse Toy For Cats
$2.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7463
$0.99 |
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|  | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN USA EPA 3 6 12
$34.00 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2040-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | WOVEN CAT MAT
$3.99 |
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|  | NIP Soft Claws Clear Nail Caps for Cats Kitten SEALED
$3.75 |
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 | Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Wicker Rattan 1805
$49.99 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-13
$129.99 |
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 | ö Giant 4 ft Sisal Rope Cat Scratching Post Posts ö
$49.99 |
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|  | 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2501
$0.99 |
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|  | 34 cans of cat food!!!
$0.99 |
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 | 6 WHOLESALE Wind Up Windup Fake Mouse Cat Dog Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | NIB CUTIE CAT ENSEMBLE SET DISHES
$1.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW KITTY NEST FOR CAT OR DOG PET BED PAW PRINT DESIGN
$8.36 |
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 | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN USA EPA 3 6 12
$34.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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 | NEW! (10) COMFORT ZONE W/ FELIWAY LOT
$48.77 |
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|  | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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 | Petmate LitterLocker Plus Cat Litter Disposal System
$10.00 |
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|  | 7 pc NEW NIP CAT KITTY FLEA COLLAR EAR MITE HAIRBALL @
$3.50 |
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 | LITTER MAID CARBON FILTERS
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
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 | PACK N' PAWS CLASSY LASSIE CORDUROY PET CARRIER $70
$49.99 |
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|  | camo bed bone pattern bed new sealed hard to find
$3.00 |
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 | CAT Clothes GREEN Camoflauge Tee Shirt Persian Medium
$11.99 |
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|  | K&H Thermo Heated Kitty Cat Bed 16" x 16" x 6"
$44.99 |
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 | ALL NEW Greenies - TEENIE 43 BONES
$11.99 |
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|  | NEW (2) Comfort Zone Feliway Diffusers & Vials Farnam
$49.00 |
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 | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.99 |
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|  | NEW CAT MATE C50 AUTOMATIC VACATION PET FEEDER PETSAFE
$24.99 |
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 | Drinking Fountain Catit Electric 12V For Cats
$2.99 |
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|  | Acorn Water Fountain
$0.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | PetSafe Cat Windoor - Removable Pet Door
$74.95 |
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 | ROYAL SPLENDOR DOG OR CAT PET BED BEDS DOG/CAT NEW
$39.99 |
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|  | New lot of 3 cans cat/kitten food Iams
$0.99 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$77.33 |
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|  | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Cat / Dog Fountain MED U
$10.50 |
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 | BIG 15 inch Organic Wild Catnip Roll Cat Toy
$6.99 |
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|  | Cat Collar Blue with paw prints & bell safety NEW
$2.99 |
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 | fur mice cat toy LONG HAIR- pack of 50
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$0.99 |
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 | Purrfect height sisal scratching post - almost 3 ft.
$39.99 |
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|  | 100"-112" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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