| 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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 | Drinkwell Cat Dog Pet Water Fountain
$12.50 |
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|  | 5 Holiday Glitz Mice - CAT TOYS
$2.67 |
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 | 5 Jumping Jacks - Cat Toys
$2.55 |
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|  | Cat Litter Scooper & Built-in Biodegradeable Waste Bags
$6.50 |
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 | Advantage for Cats & Kittens 0-9lbs 4pk US EPA Approved
$30.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT 4 SMALL DOGS 0-9 LBS 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
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 | 10 Lattice Balls - Cat Toys BALL + BELL
$4.98 |
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|  | MEDIUM CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps FREE SHIP
$17.98 |
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 | Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 LBS 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
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 | 5 Glitter Pom Pom Balls - Cat Toys
$2.82 |
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|  | Meow Mix Cat Foods Coupons Lot of 45 Save $45 !!!
$0.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats & Kittens 3pck US-EPA Approved
$30.00 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F40
$0.99 |
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
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 | LITTERMAID (6) SIX CARBON LITTER BOX FILTERS brand new!
$4.99 |
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|  | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
$9.99 |
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 | Cat Toy lot 6 Colorful Stretchy Balls/Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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|  | Set of 5 Cat Ball Toys, New
$6.99 |
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 | Kitty's Holiday Gift Bag!!!! 15 toys Plus Cat Nip!!!!
$3.99 |
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|  | OMEGA PAW ARCH GROOMER FOR YOU CAT "PLAY & CLEAN"
$3.99 |
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 | Leopard Print Cat Toy with Catnip Scent, New
$4.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-9 LBS 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
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 | New Kitty Cat Scratcher Tree Post Pet Furniture w Toy
$9.72 |
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|  | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Small Sage NEW 18x26
$39.98 |
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 | 25 Jumping Jacks - Cat Toys
$10.83 |
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|  | New small leopard print pet cat or dog bed kitty cats
$10.98 |
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 | GLITTER FISH BONE Blue Pet Jewelry Collar Charm Cat Tag
$0.14 |
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|  | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Small Sage NEW 18x26
$39.98 |
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 | PetzLife Gel Spray Clean Dog Teeth Free Ship Toothbrush
$39.95 |
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|  | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$1.89 |
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 | new Frontline Plus for CATS and KITTENS 3 month/freeS&H
$15.50 |
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|  | Omega Large Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box Kitty Kittie
$36.95 |
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 | Petmate Hybrid Pink Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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|  | Simple Solution Stain And Odor Remover 64 Ounce
$2.99 |
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 | Ceramic Pet Food Bowl ~ Southwestern Style
$10.25 |
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|  | .137 PET SCRATCH TOWER - BROWN FUR w. SAFE BOX SLEEP
$10.50 |
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 | Cotton Catnip Pillow Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.68 |
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|  | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Small Sage NEW 18x26
$39.98 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | Flea for Cats - Catnip filled Cat Toy
$3.92 |
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 | .196 NEW BLUE Pet Scratch Tower - Hang toy cubby + MORE
$24.99 |
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|  | Soft Paws / Claws Nail caps 4 cat LARGE NIB FREE gift
$12.95 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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|  | Omega Regular Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box Kitty Kittie
$29.95 |
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 | .005 PET SCRATCH TOWER - CAT FERRET HOME -5 HUGE LEVELS
$16.99 |
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|  | FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS! FRISKIES TREATS FREE SHIP!
$28.99 |
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 | Cat Toy lot 6 Plastic Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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|  | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | 5 Silly Squid - Cat Toys
$3.18 |
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|  | New My Kitty Christmas Stocking For Cats Fish Shaped
$6.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | 64" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$0.99 |
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 | Devilish Cat Halloween Costume Cape and Horns On Sale!
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 SMALL DOGS 0-9 LB 20 DOSES
$33.99 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural
$8.99 |
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|  | DOG MATE Electromagnetic Dog Flap/Door Large Size Wht
$73.33 |
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 | 2 $10 Tidy Cat Breeze Litter System Rebate Coupon 12/09
$1.51 |
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|  | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Large Sage NEW 29x45
$69.95 |
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 | Cat Toy 2 Fur Roller Mice w/ bell pet toy Brand new
$0.99 |
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|  | 3 x PETMATE FRESH FLOW WATER FOUNTAIN FILTERS FILTER
$2.23 |
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 | 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
$0.99 |
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|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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 | 10 Leather Catnip Mice - CAT TOYS
$4.85 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Lot of 4 Laser Lazer Pointer Cat Dog Toy w/ 5 heads
$12.99 |
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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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|  | PERSONALIZE KITTY ORNAMENT FOR YOUR PAMPERED KITTY !
$3.00 |
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 | BARGAIN 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | fur mice cat toy -50 pieces pastel colored plush
$9.99 |
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 | Cat Kitten Small Dog Bed House Round
$0.99 |
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|  | K&H Heated Ortho Thermo Dog Bed Year Round Med NEW
$44.98 |
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 | Eight Dose Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$2.00 |
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FREE BAG OF IAMS CAT FOOD + BONUS
$3.26 |
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|  | K&H Dog Cat Bed Memory Sleeper Medium Sage NEW 23x35
$49.98 |
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 | 56" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F3031
$0.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Cat Self-cleaning Litter Box - Green or Beige
$39.99 |
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Jazzy by Sherpa Faux Alligator Pet Carrier
$25.00 |
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 | CHEAP 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Devilish Cat Halloween Costume Cape and Horns On Sale!
$0.99 |
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 | HUGE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 LBS 20 MONTHS
$33.99 |
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|  | 10 Furry Mice - CAT TOYS
$4.51 |
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 | 10 Porcupine Balls - Cat Toys
$3.75 |
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|  | Travel Pet Carrier for Cat - Dog
$9.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 10-20 LBS 8 MONTHS
$33.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Capstar Flea Killer Pills over 25 lbs. Cat Dog Puppy
$19.95 |
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 | 19 Littermaid Waste Container Tray Bottoms + 7 Lids
$9.50 |
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|  | Kitty Cat Tunnel Bed House Cage Cuddle Coil Kitten NEW
$27.95 |
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 | CAT Frontline Plus for Cats (6 mo.) ~NOTa KIT
$16.75 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN 3 6 12 KIT GREEN
$19.89 |
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