| 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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|  | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
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 | NEW LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Automatic Litter Box LM700
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|  | WEAZEL BALL TOY FOR DOGS CATS & WEASEL
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 | 5 Head Laser Pointer KeyChain Cat Toy 4 Rescue Charity
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
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frontline top spot for cats (3) applications
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|  | GREENIES PILL POCKETS FELINE SALMON FLAVOR 5 PKGS OF 45
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 | FARNAM CONTROL DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR FOR CAT NEW !!!
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|  | Fresh Flow Pet Fountain 216 oz.
$41.95 |
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 | Refillable catnip cat bed/mat
$8.00 |
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|  | Vintage Cat / Small Dog Pet Animal Carrier
$9.99 |
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 | An Oil-Painting of Your Cat (Home - Child - Car - etc)
$59.95 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
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 | Cat Key Chain Urn & Vial pet memorial cremation jewelry
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|  | UNIQUE FOR CATS COTS HAMMOCKS BEDS FURNITURE, TOUGH!!!
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 | Cat Toy 2 Wobbly & Roll Mice/pet toy catnip Brand New
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 | Gentle Leader Cat Kitten Harness & Bungee Leash NEW NIP
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS 5 APPLICATORS EXP 3-2011 Fleas
$40.00 |
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 | PERSONALIZED 1 Spoiled Rotten CAT SIGN Pet Decor Plaque
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|  | Cat Mate C50 Automatic Pet Feeder, Dog or Cat
$16.50 |
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 | Lot of 12 laser pointer 5 head lazer NEW C Low S+H
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|  | SNUGGLE BALL CAT BED FLEECE BLUE KITTIES + PERSONALIZED
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 | Cat Fountain filtered water bowl / dish! NEW IN BOX NR
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|  | Dog Cat Pet Leopard Red Berber Tote Bag Carrier Small
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 | CUSTOM MOSAIC PET MEMORIAL STONE WITH ENGRAVED STONE
$80.00 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$29.89 |
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 | CAT SCRATCHER , UNIQUE STYLE
$7.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy Fur Mice 6 pack / w Catnip pet toy Brand new
$0.01 |
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 | The Original Weazel Ball
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|  | Felt Fish for Kitty Cat Play Toy Ornament Gift Tag MEOW
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 | NEW NEVER USED "CAT PAWS"HND PAINTED & CRAFTED CAT DISH
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|  | 20 $3.00 off Iams Healthy Natural cat food any size bag
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 | Dog / Cat / Pet Memorial: Rainbow Bridge Story
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|  | Littermaid Elite LME5500 - Brand New
$79.95 |
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 | 4 pc KITTY CAT LOT hairball remedy FLEA COLLAR EAR MITE
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|  | PURRfect DVD, Brand new cat video, for Cats
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 | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
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|  | 15 $4.00 off Iams Cat food any size bag
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 | Cat Fountain filtered water bowl / dish! NEW IN BOX NR
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|  | NEW, CERAMIC CHRISTMAS KITTY DISH WITH 3 CAROLING CATS
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 | PetHealth Cat Multi-Vitamin Formula
$29.99 |
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|  | Bergan Easy Diner Dog Cat Feeder Dish NEW
$1.79 |
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 | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$99.99 |
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|  | CAT LITTERBOX HIDEAWAY
$7.99 |
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 | Pink Pet Carrier 15.75 X 8.25 X 12
$7.50 |
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|  | CATS Ceramic Canister & Pounce Cat Treats Gift Set NEW
$15.99 |
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 | GENUINE BAYER ADVANTAGE® FLEA 6 DOSES CATS OVER 9 LBS
$29.95 |
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|  | CATS LOVE THESE QUALITY TOYS--3 FOR ONLY $5.00
$5.00 |
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 | Fringed Turquoise Cat Dog Apparel Clothes Sweater - XS
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|  | CATWALK MULTI MAGNETIC WOOD FITTING CAT DOOR GREY
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candy Canes Green ADJUST 7-11"
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|  | SCOOPFREE AUTOMATIC CAT, KITTEN LITTER BOX. NEW!
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 | Cat Donut Cuddle Bed Cat Yarn Mice Print
$15.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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 | FANCY FEAST Crystal CAT FOOD KITTY BOWL DISH Lucite NEW
$3.00 |
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|  | CATS LOVE THESE CATNIP BODY PILLOWS 14" LONG
$5.00 |
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 | Deluxe Freash Flow Purifying Pet Fountain 108 oz Large
$11.00 |
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|  | Fringed Turquoise Cat Dog Apparel Clothes Sweater - S
$10.99 |
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 | CATNIP FILLED TENNIS BALL + 2 FREE CATNIP TOYS!
$5.00 |
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|  | 5 MONTH ADVANTAGE FLEA CAT PURPLE OVER 9 18 LBS 4 6
$17.97 |
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NIB LOT COMFORT ZONE WITH FELIWAY! DIFFUSER, 4 REFILL +
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|  | Bootsie's Bunk Bed and Play Room~Cat Activity Center *
$48.69 |
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 | Adorable Cat Bed
$18.99 |
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|  | PET Fleece BED / Kennel Mat SANTA CAT Reversible
$11.95 |
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 | Tumbleweed Pottery Pet Dish Always Give Generously
$5.99 |
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|  | Raised Cat Food Dish Bowl Splashback CD6-S Wet Food
$38.00 |
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 | Cat Toy 2 Bright Colorful Rattle Mice/Catnip Brand New
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|  | ANGELFiSH BLUE CAT COLLAR BREAKAWAY W/BELL Safety 8-12"
$6.99 |
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 | FAT-CAT Cozy Bed with Reversible Pad - Purple-ON SALE
$16.95 |
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|  | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER BOX COVER & PET HIDEAWAY
$57.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
$48.98 |
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|  | Stop Pests Dog Cat Animal Chaser Koi Pond Repellent NEW
$38.90 |
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 | COLORFUL CAT COLLAR WITH BELL - 11 INCH - NR
$0.01 |
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|  | Persian Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
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 | Ceramic Mason Cash & Co "Kitty" Dish Cobalt Tan England
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|  | Adorable Cat Bed
$18.99 |
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 | 24" COGNAC SISAL CAT SCRATCHING POST COMBO SPECIAL
$29.99 |
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|  | PetHealth Dog Multi-Vitamin Formula
$29.99 |
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 | THE SMART SCOOP SELF SCOOPING LITTERBOX & PLUS PACK
$139.99 |
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|  | Multivet SSSCAT Cat deterrent spray training aid - NEW!
$26.95 |
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 | Purina Kitten Chow - $10 Value
$2.25 |
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|  | Tabby Kitty Condo NIB!!
$17.99 |
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 | Slumber Pet THERMAL Kitty CAT MAT Bed Dog Thermo *NEW*
$13.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
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 | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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|  | Brand new Barbie furry rattle kitty toy w/catnip
$0.01 |
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 | Lickety Sticks Organic Catnip Toy Stickers For Cats
$3.49 |
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|  | Wholesale Lot Catnip Cat Toys, 15 in Lot, New, Packaged
$7.95 |
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 | Peticure Petite Kit PLUS Pack of 20 Filing Bands NEW
$30.00 |
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|  | Petsafe Simply Clean Automatic Cat Litter Box
$76.75 |
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 | CAT OR DOG BED - LULU PINK BY SIMPLY SHE - NWT
$6.99 |
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|  | CAT FURNITURE, SCRATCHING POST, BED, PLAY AREA
$11.00 |
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 | Calico Kitty Condo NIB!!!
$18.99 |
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