| 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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THREE ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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|  | LitterMaid LM900 Self-Cleaning Cat Pet Litter Box NEW
$105.98 |
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 | CAT BOWLS: 2 NEW Food And Water Dish Bowl Pet Supplies
$11.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | WEAZEL BALL TOY FOR DOGS CATS & WEASEL
$8.95 |
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|  | ORANGE AND GREY TABBY CAT/ KITTEN TOTE BAG
$2.99 |
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 | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F13
$0.99 |
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 | PetSafe Cat Windoor - Removable Pet Door
$74.95 |
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|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$9.99 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66C
$15.99 |
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|  | Single Round Pet Feeder Cat Dog Food Bowl Plastic Dish
$13.39 |
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 | NEW LARGE CERAMIC CAT TREAT CANISTER
$7.99 |
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|  | Keychain Urn, Vial & Paw Charm pet memorial DISCREET
$9.10 |
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 | Aspen Pet Harness Cat or Dog Shimmer Pink Small*NWOT*
$1.25 |
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|  | Cat Pet Toy Tunnel 40/8" Noisy & Soft & Fun
$9.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | Colorful Springs Thin 10 Pack
$1.79 |
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 | Cat / Kitten Silver Metal Paw / Fish Picture Frame 4x6
$5.00 |
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|  | REAL FOOD FOR CATS VET APPROV. RECIPES & GARFIELD BOWL
$4.00 |
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 | CATCH of the DAY Black CAT BOWL Food DISH Feeding Cats
$9.95 |
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|  | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Yellow cat/dog sleeping bag or bed for your pet
$24.95 |
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|  | CHEAP 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
$17.95 |
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|  | Advanced Large Capacity Feline Cat Drinking Fountain
$9.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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|  | Petmate Kennel Cab Dog Cat Carrier medium pets
$17.25 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain + Aqua Garden - Brand New
$38.95 |
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|  | FINICKY Kitty CAT BOWL Feeding DISH Food Cats Feeder
$9.95 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64B
$15.99 |
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|  | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB + Pedi Paws - Brand New
$144.95 |
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 | Multivet SSSCAT Cat Training Aid Complete Kit+ Refill
$34.95 |
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|  | New STAYWELL 4 Way Locking Cat Dog Flap Door
$14.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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|  | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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 | 2 Comfort Zone Feliway Diffusers & 1 Refill
$26.00 |
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|  | K&H Thermo Cat / Pet Crinkle Tunnel Heated Bed Mocha U
$17.12 |
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 | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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|  | Cat Mate C20 Automatic Feeder
$48.95 |
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 | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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| Drinkwell Brand Pet Fountain Filters-8 Pack Free Ship!
$13.75 |
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 | Litter Kwitter Quitter Cat Toilet Training+ Pedi Paws
$69.95 |
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|  | New PF10 Large Automatic Pet Digital Feeder Dog Cat
$49.99 |
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 | GOOD KITTY CAT BOWL Feeding DISH Food Cats Kitten
$9.95 |
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|  | MEOWY CHRISTMAS CAT FOOD DISH NEW
$5.99 |
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 | 8 Months Frontline Plus for Cats FREE SHIPPING 3 6
$19.90 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70oz Reservoir+FREE Fat Cat Toy!
$46.95 |
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 | Waechtersbach Red-Orange Cat Bowl
$9.95 |
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|  | CAT LOT 15 TOYS, GREENIES, SISAL Mat, Teasers, Mice
$12.13 |
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 | Kitty Sill for Cat Pet in window Oval Bed N
$11.05 |
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|  | Leopard Print Cat Crinkly Tunnel - 51" Long - NEW!
$28.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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|  | 15 coupons B1G1 FREE Purina Friskies cat treats 1/2009
$0.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir-Fresh!
$41.95 |
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|  | HANDMADE KITTY ORNAMENT - BENEFIT AUCTION!!!
$13.50 |
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 | Lot of Cat Supplies Halters Collars Leash Real Fur Cat
$4.97 |
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|  | Kity cat condo condos tree house bed toys furniture 48C
$19.99 |
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 | Adult size loom knitted hat - BENEFIT AUCTION!!!
$4.99 |
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|  | BOODA SCOOP 'N HIDE LITTER SCOOP AND STAND/COVER-UP NEW
$3.00 |
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THREE Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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|  | Frontline plus for cats / kittens 8 weeks+ kills fleas
$23.38 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64C
$15.99 |
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|  | fur mice cat toy LONG HAIR- pack of 50
$9.99 |
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 | New Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Jumbo NR
$20.50 |
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|  | cat toy wand with feather attachment cat teaser
$4.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3Brush Kit+7 Filters
$54.95 |
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|  | CATCH of the DAY Blue CAT BOWL Feeding DISH Food Cats
$9.95 |
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 | SKM 411 Scat Mat Contech Electronics Large Size Dog or
$20.50 |
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|  | ALFAGEAR-CAT carrier Bag-New-12 in x16 in-x 6-1/2 in
$19.95 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | SALE! PINK PLUSH PET HOUSE BED Cat Dog Chihuahua NEW
$9.77 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | 4 laser pointers w/batteries & heads new key chain
$4.99 |
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 | Flashing Cat Ball
$2.21 |
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|  | .005 PET SCRATCH TOWER - CAT FERRET HOME -5 HUGE LEVELS
$16.99 |
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 | Pet Keychain Urn & Vial cremation jewelry pet memorial~
$8.00 |
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|  | PetSafe Deluxe Cat Flap with Tunnel - Cat or Dog Door
$4.99 |
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 | HANDMADE REFILLABLE CATNIP TOY/ HOMEGROWN CATNIP INCLUD
$0.99 |
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|  | WEAZEL BALL TOY FOR DOGS CATS & WEASEL
$8.95 |
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 | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 12 mon
$37.00 |
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 | CAT NIPS! FELINE CUISINE RECIPE BOOK & TWO CAT BOWLS
$3.50 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$15.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
$0.99 |
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|  | Petmate Litter RoundUp One Touch + Dome Cover + Ramp
$99.99 |
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 | Tick Tock Teaser Cat Toy
$12.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | *** Killer Bud *** Catnip Kitty Drugs - The Catnip King
$4.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+ SEVEN Filters
$52.50 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | 2 GORHAM STERLING SILVER HEART CAT / PET NAME TAGS
$2.99 |
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|  | Staywell Cat Flap - Cat or Dog Door - Model 919
$0.99 |
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 | TERRIFIC FRESH PET AREA DEODORIZER/AIR PURIFIER - NIB
$9.99 |
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|  | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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 | .180 Large Pet Tower - Cubby hole Scratch Post Hemp NEW
$24.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$54.50 |
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 | Frontline Plus For Dogs 89-132lbs. 6 Applications! NIB
$47.00 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 27.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
$9.99 |
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