| 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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 | NWT CAT SAILOR NECKTIE TOO CUTE DRESS UP YOUR KITTY
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|  | An Oil-Painting of Your Cat (Home - Child - Car - etc)
$59.95 |
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 | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
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|  | Cat lover's photo picture frame kitten 4 x 6 meow (new)
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 | Arubacat Premium Cat Scratch Tower
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|  | Chia Cat Grass Planter Sylvester Tweety Bird NIB Unopen
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 | PURRfect DVD, Brand new cat video, for Cats
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|  | CUTE CERAMIC CAT FOOD AND WATER BOWL - EUC
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 | PORTABLE CAT FERRET CAGE PLAY PEN CRATE NEW 37 X23X55
$156.93 |
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|  | Cat lover's photo picture frame kitten 4 x 6 meow (new)
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 | ANGELFiSH BLUE CAT COLLAR BREAKAWAY W/BELL Safety 8-12"
$6.99 |
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|  | CAT LITTERBOX HIDEAWAY
$7.99 |
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 | Lot 48 Turkey & Giblets Cat Dinners -5 oz
$24.00 |
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|  | LOT CAT ITEMS STATUE MUG CUP DOG / CAT FOOD WATER BOWL
$2.99 |
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 | Lot of 48 Beef & Tuna Cat Dinners - 5 oz
$25.00 |
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|  | Cat Livin: The Original Cat Climber
$199.95 |
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 | 2 COLOR REVERSIBLE SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER $14.99
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| Free tube of advantage for CATs coupons--5 per order
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 | Cheese Wedge Cat House Bed NEW
$19.99 |
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|  | Elevated Cat Food Dish Bowl Splashback CD6-S Wet Food
$38.00 |
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 | AUTOMATIC AUTO DOG CAT PET FEEDER GRAVITY FED small
$28.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Go Go Mouse with Pull Back String Action (6) Six Mice
$9.99 |
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 | Lot of 48 Fish, Chicken, & Egg Cat Dinners- 5 oz
$25.00 |
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|  | Zodiac Cats Fleas Ticks Collars Control 4 Months Supply
$2.75 |
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 | 5 Head Laser Pointer KeyChain Cat Toy 4 Rescue Charity
$4.00 |
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|  | 7 CATNIP PILLOWS 100% FRESH HOMEMADE ORGANIC HI-OCTANE!
$12.00 |
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 | Lot of 12 laser pointer 5 head lazer NEW C Low S+H
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|  | Catnip Cat Mat. Cats Love These!! Brand New!
$10.99 |
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 | 50 Peacock Feather Cat Kitten Fun Toy Teaser Scratcher
$24.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Pet Safe Replacement Flap (Small )
$2.99 |
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|  | 3 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS EPA FREE S&H
$26.50 |
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 | 6 NEW HANDMADE CATNIP CAT TOYS MADE W/HOME GROWN CATNIP
$3.75 |
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|  | LITTERMAID WASTE RECEPTICLES LOT OF 48
$52.99 |
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 | CAT GROOMING TRAINING Quick-Fit MUZZLE CATS PINK*MEDIUM
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|  | Litter Kwitter Quitter Cat Potty Training NO LITTER BOX
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 | CAT GROOMING TRAINING Prof. Quick-Fit MUZZLE CATS *NIP
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|  | UNIQUE FOR CATS COTS HAMMOCKS BEDS FURNITURE, TOUGH!!!
$17.00 |
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 | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Kitten Kitty Scratcher Teaser
$24.94 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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 | GROOMING Dog/CAT Kevlar Knit Animal Handling Gloves*SM
$9.99 |
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|  | FANCY FEAST Crystal CAT FOOD KITTY BOWL DISH Lucite NEW
$3.00 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | CARRIERS CUSHIONS! BEDS BEDDING GIFTS FOR CATS SM DOGS
$7.99 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-13
$129.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS DOG/CAT KIT 3 6 8 MONTH SUPPLY EPA USA!!
$16.85 |
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 | Cute 3-D Picture Desk or Table Top Frame For Your Cat
$1.99 |
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|  | Pet Keychain Urn & Vial cremation jewelry pet memorial
$8.00 |
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 | Kitty Sill cat bed on the window sill unheated NEW
$34.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | PURRfect DVD, Brand new cat video, for Cats
$0.10 |
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|  | Kitten Care Gift Pack
$29.99 |
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 | RHiNESTONE BREAKAWAY CAT Collar W/Bell Sapphire Blue NW
$6.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats & kittens Sealed 6 dose cat pk
$18.68 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Lot of 12 Cat Supplies New With Tags.Toys and Collars
$5.50 |
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 | RHiNESTONE BREAKAWAY CAT Collar W/Bell Midnight Black
$6.99 |
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|  | Old~Vintage Small Dog/ Cat Carrier~New Matamoras OHIO
$9.99 |
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 | Urine-Off Cat & Kitten Wipes
$4.99 |
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|  | Hood for the ScoopFree™ Automatic Cat Litter Box
$15.00 |
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 | Pet Voyáge Backpack on Wheels dog cat carrier green NEW
$54.95 |
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| Scoop Free Self Cleaning Litter Box
$80.00 |
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 | Natural All Sheepskin Orthopedic Foam Cat bed 20" NEW
$24.95 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Raised Cat Food Dish Bowl Splashback CD6-S Wet Food
$38.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE DOG/CAT KIT 4,5 AND 10 MONTH SUPPLLY EPA USA
$16.85 |
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 | 3 HOLIDAY STUFFED CAT TOYS BENEFITS ANIMAL RESCUE
$2.75 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Paisley Polka Dot Oilcloth Fish Food Mat
$11.95 |
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 | LOT OF 3! KITTY CAT PLAY TOYS WITH CATNIP! PURR...FECT!
$1.65 |
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|  | Pet Voyáge frontpack carrier dog cat small gray NEW
$21.95 |
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 | LOT OF 3! KITTY CAT PLAY TOYS WITH CATNIP! PURR...FECT!
$1.65 |
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|  | Pink Pet Carrier 15.75 X 8.25 X 12
$7.50 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$29.89 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Pet Safe Replacement Flap (Small )
$2.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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 | CAT Fish Oilcloth KITTY Food Mat Pet Holiday Gift
$11.95 |
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|  | Petmate Purrforma XL Disposable Litter Box Liner New
$5.99 |
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 | Save $25.00 + with Free Cat Food, Cat Treat Coupons
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|  | Cat Litter Scooper & Built-in Biodegradeable Waste Bags
$6.50 |
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 | 42 head lazer keychain laser pointer NEW LOW S+H C
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|  | PURRfect DVD, Brand new cat video, FREE SHIPPING
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 | **NEW** Original CatMouse LitterBox Odor Eliminator
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|  | CAT COLLAR PAW PRINTS 100% BENEFITS ANIMAL RESCUE
$2.00 |
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 | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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|  | FURminator deSHEDDING FOR DOGS AND CATS PURPLE NR
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 | THE SMART SCOOP SELF SCOOPING LITTERBOX & PLUS PACK
$139.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | RHiNESTONE BREAKAWAY CAT Collar W/Bell Snowflake White
$6.99 |
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|  | 18 CANS FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CAT FOOD TURKEY CHK
$9.25 |
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 | 3 MAUI MEOWI POTENT CATNIP CIGAR PURRFECTOS SHIPS FREE
$11.88 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | CAT SCRATCHING POST CARPET AND SISAL
$9.99 |
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 | 3 Comfort Zone with FELIWAY refills NEW urine marking
$40.00 |
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|  | FREE GIFT! Kitty PopUp Feeder wLID Cat Kitten Food Bowl
$5.99 |
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 | SCAT MAT 16" x 30" For Dogs or Cats
$28.00 |
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|  | $260+ WHOLESALE PET SUPPLIES 90 CAT TOYS TREATS BELLS
$26.00 |
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