| 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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 | ADVANTAGE DOG/CAT KIT 4,5 AND 10 MONTH SUPPLLY EPA USA
$16.85 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats (6 month) ~NOTa KIT
$24.99 |
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 | Two day pet feeder dish
$25.00 |
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|  | WOW!! 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS KIT EPA!!! CATS/KITTENS
$18.50 |
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 | Kong Refillable Jungle Mouse Catnip Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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|  | NEW Catwalk Magnetic Cat Dog Door PAIR EXTRA MAGNETS
$9.89 |
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 | The Dog Gone Smart Bed LARGE Round Pet Nanotechnology
$109.99 |
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|  | NEW Catwalk Non Magnetic 4 Way Locking Cat Door Gray
$33.89 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 78C
$24.99 |
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|  | NEW Catwalk Non Magnetic 4 Way Locking Cat Door White
$33.89 |
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 | 40 Coupons-Wholesome Goodness Cat Food-Cups & Bags
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | MIDWEST BAY ISLE RATTAN LITTLER BOX COVER / HIDE A WAY
$49.95 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candy Cane Stripe SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | 49" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F41
$0.99 |
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 | QUILTS OF AMERICA - CAT QUILTS - 125 FULL COLOR QUILTS
$9.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS DOG/CAT KIT 3 6 8 MONTH SUPPLY EPA USA!!
$16.85 |
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 | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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 | CLS design with 2 sizes! KITTEN & SMALL Soft Claws Paws
$17.98 |
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|  | Finishing Touch Guillotine Nail Clipper For Cats NEW
$6.85 |
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 | NIB TWO QUART AUTOMATIC WATERING BOWL FOR CATS OR DOGS
$12.99 |
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|  | Harry Barker Round Eco-Friendly Pet Bed SMALL Blue NEW
$104.00 |
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 | PORTABLE CAT FERRET CAGE PLAY PEN CRATE NEW 37 X23X55
$156.93 |
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|  | NEW Comfy Dog Camoflauge Single Orthopedic Pet Bed
$40.00 |
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 | 20 pc lot of Food, Toys & Treats for Cats
$5.00 |
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|  | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Cool New Cat or Dog Pet Bed Pad Mat Pillow for Crate
$12.34 |
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 | Raised Pottery Cat Food Dish Water Bowl CD5-S Pink
$28.00 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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 | beautiful cat WICKER AND WINTER SUN wicker chair print
$2.95 |
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|  | Harry Barker Medium Leopard Eco-Friendly Round Pet Bed
$128.00 |
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 | VINTAGE MINNIE MOUSE CAT OR DOG WATER DISH
$3.99 |
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|  | (20) FREE!! WHOLESOME GOODNESS CAT FOOD COUPONS
$3.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for CATS & KITTENS! 3 PACK- NIB!
$10.49 |
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|  | Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$119.00 |
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 | KENNEL CAB PETMATE LARGE CARRIER 15.5"
$7.00 |
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|  | cat toy Rod & Reel Fleecy Catnip Mouse
$14.75 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snowflakes on Red SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | Therabed Heated Oval Pet Bed
$169.99 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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|  | LARGE Navy Round Pet Dog Animal Bed Nanotechnology NEW
$109.99 |
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 | Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$139.00 |
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|  | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
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 | Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$104.00 |
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|  | Harry Barker Leopard Eco-Friendly Round Pet Bed Large
$148.00 |
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture Kitty
$24.95 |
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|  | Adorable Holiday Cat Kitty Collar~Petco~BRAND NEW!!!!!!
$4.99 |
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 | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
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|  | Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$139.00 |
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 | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | New small leopard print pet cat or dog bed kitty cats
$10.98 |
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | K&H thermo Kitty Sill Cat bed for window New UnHeated
$29.99 |
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 | Harry Barker MEDIUM Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$119.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | (18) PURINA FRISKIES PARTY MIX COUPONS-BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
$0.99 |
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|  | New Kitty Cat Scratcher Tree Post Pet Furniture w Toy
$9.72 |
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 | 12 x Whisker Lickin's Cat Treats, 3 x Meow Mix Wet Food
$0.97 |
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|  | Therabed Heated Oval Pet Bed
$99.99 |
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 | 50 Feather Crazy Cat Teasers Pet Store Shop Supply NR
$24.98 |
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|  | FOREVER Litter Tray - Scoop Free cartridge replacement
$59.95 |
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 | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | .136 PET SCRATCH TOWER w. PLATFORMS + HEMP ROPE POLES
$9.99 |
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|  | Harry Barker SMALL Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$104.00 |
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 | SUPER 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$9.99 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Caps (Kitten's 1st Year size)
$7.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | Adorable Holiday Cat Kitty Collar~Petco~BRAND NEW!!!!!!
$4.99 |
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|  | The Dog Gone Smart Bed Small Round Pet Nanotechnology
$69.99 |
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 | GREAT DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | NWT~Christmas Stocking for Your Special Kitty Cat -RED
$0.99 |
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9 Cat Food Coupons ~ $1.00 MEOW MIX dry, wet & treats
$0.99 |
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|  | 20 tiny CATNIP BAGS! CAT FABRIC TOYS! FRESH HOME GROWN
$17.99 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$15.99 |
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|  | .039-XS PET TUNNEL w. PLATFORM + SWAT TOYS - COLORFUL
$4.99 |
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 | Petsafe Staywell Infra-Red Cat Flap Door! Racoon Safe!
$79.99 |
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|  | Therabed Heated Oval Pet Bed
$129.99 |
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 | Harry Barker Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed MEDIUM
$119.00 |
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|  | Litter Robot 2 Automatic Self Cleaning Litter Box Black
$429.99 |
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 | NEW Catwalk Multi Magnetic 4 Way Locking Cat Door Gray
$49.89 |
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|  | NEW Harry Barker Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed LARGE
$139.00 |
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | .042 PET PLAYGROUND w. SWING HAMMOCK + HEMP WHEEL TOY
$9.99 |
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 | 36" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture Kitty
$45.99 |
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|  | The Dog Gone Smart Bed Round Pet Medium Nanotechnology
$89.99 |
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 | FREE PURINA BREEZE LITTER SYSTEM VOUCHER!!
$2.77 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
$24.99 |
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 | New Farnam Bio Spot Cat Flea Tick Control 1 Year Supply
$9.99 |
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|  | Round Eco-Friendly Toile Pet Bed
$104.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 80B
$24.99 |
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 | Bean Bag Pet Bed
$73.00 |
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|  | Raised Cat Food Dish Water Bowl CD5-S Honey Brown
$28.00 |
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 | NEW Catwalk Multi Magnetic 4 Way Locking Cat Door White
$49.89 |
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