| 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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 | Cat Dancer Mouse In The House Automatic Kitty Toys
$49.95 |
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|  | .179: Huge Cat Castle: 5 Platforms: Cubby Hole: MORE!
$19.99 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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|  | CAT Frontline Plus for Cats (6 month) ~NOTa KIT
$16.75 |
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 | STICK and ball: pet, dog cat toy, for use with condo
$9.90 |
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|  | Cat play mat - Organic catnip - Cat toy - Purr-fect Cat
$12.00 |
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 | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
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|  | Pet First Aid Kit:35 Piece Large (PF-134) NEW:Cat & Dog
$16.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Large 20x24 Dog Cat Paw Print Deep Pet Bed:Pet Supplies
$12.44 |
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 | The Personality of The Cat Brandt Aymar 1958 Pets HBDJ
$3.99 |
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|  | PET TOUGH CAT PLAY GLOVE BY PETKING NIP
$0.99 |
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 | SOCCER BALLS ON BLACK Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | EURO Small Dog Agility Tunnel, Pet Toy,dia 16", 6.5 ft
$25.00 |
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 | RICH & ROYAL COBALT BLUE HYACINTH SWAROVSKI CAT COLLAR
$19.99 |
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|  | Cat play mat - Organic catnip - Cat toy Buffalo Plaid
$12.00 |
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 | NEVER SCOOP Clean Kitty Cat Litter Box/Pan! 3-mo supply
$17.69 |
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|  | Laser Pointer 36 Different Heads Great Buy! FUN!!
$0.01 |
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 | Mr. Herzher’s Double Seat Feline Cat Kitty Furnitures
$154.95 |
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|  | PetMate Kitty Cat Playhouse NEW W/Cushion
$69.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | CAT Tunnel,40",Pet Toy,Noisy, Soft, for use with condo
$15.00 |
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|  | Advantix Flea a control Dog 10 lbs an (4 month) supply
$1.00 |
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 | 4 pc Diamante cat collars wt bell-can fastened any pt.@
$12.08 |
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|  | Cat play mat - Organic catnip - Cat toy - Hello Kitty
$12.00 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$99.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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 | Outdoor Feline Funhouse -Portable Outdoor Cat Enclosure
$69.95 |
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| Advantage Flea control Dog 10lbs-under (8 month) supply
$7.83 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
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|  | JINXZY THE CATS AUTOMATIC TOILET CATSEAT - LITTER BOX
$9.99 |
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 | Cat Photo Album & Matching Photo Frame Set - NIB & CUTE
$14.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Tick-Tock-Teaser - Interactive Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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 | DISCOUNT!!! EPA!! 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS
$35.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Water Dish Bowl
$31.00 |
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20 Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold $1 coupons, Exp 1-31-09
$1.00 |
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|  | Smart Cat Climber Multi-Level Climbing Platform Post
$109.95 |
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 | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$99.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$28.89 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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Advantage Flea control Dog 21-55 lbs (4 month) supply
$1.00 |
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|  | CAT LOT 15 TOYS, GREENIES, SISAL Mat, Teasers, Mice
$12.13 |
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 | Pastel Stripes with Sterling Cat Charm ~ Cat Collar
$4.99 |
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|  | Catit Stainless Steel Cat Bowl, Cat Supplies
$3.95 |
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 | PetMate Sleep and Play Cat Kitty Hut W/Pillow Top
$29.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Tan
$11.95 |
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 | FROGS ON BLACK Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | CHRISTMAS RUBY KISS'S SWAROVSKI CAT COLLAR free post
$19.99 |
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 | De-Flea them Critters- Frontline Plus ^KIT^ Dogs & Cats
$31.95 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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 | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$29.99 |
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|  | STICK and ball: pet, dog cat toy, for use with condo
$9.90 |
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 | POP UP FUN CAT TOY 2 IN 1
$7.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6501
$0.99 |
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 | K&H Mfg Thermo Kitty Sill Heated Cat Bed Window Perch
$44.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Cat Beds Pad W/FREE Cover
$44.95 |
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|  | PAISLEY ON RED Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box - Large with Mat
$39.99 |
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|  | PETMATE COOL FLOW electric pet water fountain Quiet
$5.99 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$0.99 |
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|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F71
$0.99 |
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 | LARGE BIG OVERSIZED Litter Box BIG Multi Cat Cat Pan
$16.99 |
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| Advantage Flea control Dog 10lbs-under (6 month) supply
$1.25 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Deluxe Window Perch Seat For Kitty Cats
$16.95 |
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 | Cat Dish, Bowl~ Ceramic~Excellent Condition~Great Gift!
$3.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
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|  | 42 HEAD LAZER POINTER ~ LASER BEAM BRAND NEW
$3.95 |
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 | BIG SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Pet beds, Soft plush Cat bed, Puppy bed, Pet supplies
$8.95 |
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 | DISCOUNT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Genie - Very Gently Used For Less Than 2 Months
$200.00 |
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|  | CAT Tunnel,40",Pet Toy,Noisy, Soft, for use with condo
$15.00 |
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 | shaking & rattling fur mouse short hair-50 piece lot
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat play mat - Organic catnip - Cat toy - John Deere
$12.00 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box - Regular with Mat
$33.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | Bow Wow Pet Prod. Cat Toy House Bed Tunnel Zebra Stripe
$5.99 |
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|  | Catit tm, Le Salon, Med. Slicker Brush, Cat Supplies
$8.95 |
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 | Omega Paw Roll Away Self Cleaning Litter Box - Regular
$28.99 |
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|  | Advanttix Flea a control Dog 10 lbs an (4 month) supply
$1.00 |
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 | #OT01 YELLOW CAT COLLAR WITH STRETCH INSERT
$1.99 |
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|  | Richell USA! Paw Trax® Cat Kitty Litter Box
$39.95 |
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 | SOFT CLAW paw Cat Scratch Prevention Furniture L large
$5.00 |
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|  | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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 | Cats Singing For Cats CD: Kitty Cat Kingdom
$5.99 |
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|  | SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | 3pk Drinkwell Platinum Dog Pet Water Fountain Filters
$7.49 |
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|  | #CA1 REAL LEATHER CAT/KITTEN COLLAR WITH STRETCH INSERT
$3.99 |
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 | Advantix Flea a control Dog 10 lbs an (6 month) supply
$15.01 |
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|  | GOD BLESS MY CAT, St. Francis Jewelry Medal Tag Charm
$2.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box - Cat Toy
$19.95 |
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 | Garfield Pet Cat Water or Food Dish Bowl + Laser Toy
$9.95 |
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|  | Omega Paw Roll Away Self Cleaning Litter Box - Large
$34.99 |
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