| 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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 | Tapeworm Tabs Cat Kitten Tape Worm Wormer 3 Tabs 23mg
$12.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | $25 5 HEAD LASER POINTER LAZER PEN CAT DOG PET TOY
$2.35 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain 7 Filters H20 Grdn 3 Pods DW-711
$44.90 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | .194 - Deluxe Multi Level Cat Scratching Playset Tower
$24.99 |
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 | Comfort Zone Feliway Plug In Vial FOUR REFILLS New! Cat
$63.99 |
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|  | Decorative Cat Litter Box Cover "Whisker White"
$37.99 |
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 | NIP Frontline Plus for Cats 6 mo supply no expiration
$8.58 |
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|  | LOT OF 4 PET SHIRTS, SIZE LARGE, DOG'S OR CAT'S *NIP*
$10.99 |
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 | Decorative Cat Litter Box Cover "Cafe Au Lait"
$37.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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|  | Mahogany Cabinet Litter Box w/ Side Opening for Privacy
$241.98 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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|  | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
$0.99 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW Zamora Beige Cat Scratching Post With Cave 24"
$51.98 |
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 | Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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 | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in BLACK
$11.99 |
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|  | Bubble Kitty The Orignal Scented Bubble Blowin Cat Toy
$3.59 |
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 | Hooded Cat Litter Box Petmate Covered Black Cat Litter
$17.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New, Purple
$9.75 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F14
$0.99 |
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|  | CATS Cat Grooming Bathing Bag Restraint System * MEDIUM
$19.99 |
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 | CATS 8 dose supply FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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|  | DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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Kitty Hammock - Cream Cover - Cats Love Them
$11.99 |
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|  | Comfort Zone with Feliway Diffuser - 48 mL
$43.99 |
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 | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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 | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs SALE~~
$23.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3001
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7463
$0.99 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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 | Boogie Mat-Refillable Catnip Nap Mat for Cats & Kittens
$8.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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 | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 12 Tubes
$85.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS DOG/CAT KIT 3 6 8 MONTH SUPPLY EPA USA!!
$16.85 |
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 | Big Bag of Cat Toys -- Cat Lover's Christmas
$0.99 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New Red
$9.75 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
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|  | small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$23.84 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain w/ 7 Filters & Aqua Grdn Dw-708
$40.86 |
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|  | .006: NEW 4 Level Cat CONDO w/ 6 Scratch POSTS: 2 BEDS
$24.99 |
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 | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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|  | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in WHITE
$11.99 |
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 | .193 - DELUXE Multi Level Cat SCRATCH Playset Tower
$49.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain W/ Aqua Garden & 3 pods DW-704
$37.61 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3803
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain 4 Filters H20 Grdn 3 Pods DW-710
$41.26 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 4 Tubes
$34.99 |
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 | 12 packs cats and kitten treats CatBerry Cranberry New!
$2.00 |
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|  | 20) $1.00/1 Meow Mix Dry Cat Food Coupons Exp.1/10/09
$0.75 |
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 | SMARTSCOOP AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SELF CLEANING NIB
$97.95 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CABIN HEATED CAT KITTEN BED
$49.94 |
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 | Hidden Cat Litter Box Washroom End Table Night Stand
$89.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain w/ 4 Filters & Aqua Grdn Dw-707
$40.86 |
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 | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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 | MEOW Cat Rescue : Spay or Neuter a Shelter Kitty!
$25.00 |
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|  | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain W/ 3-Brush Cleaning Kit DW-706
$37.61 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | FURminator deSHEDDING FOR DOGS AND CATS PURPLE NR
$1.25 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain w 10 Filters & Aqua Grdn Dw-709
$43.16 |
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 | Cat Sign humourous LIKE POTATO CHIPS CAN'T HAVE JUST 1
$4.99 |
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers - Funny Cat Kitten Scratcher Teaser
$24.98 |
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 | 20pc CHOICE Red OR Green Cat Toy Christmas Stocking NIP
$3.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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 | 3 CAT TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFER
$0.99 |
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|  | Holiday Zanies Cat Toys Value 6 Pack
$2.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$0.99 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | Fold-A-Bowl Disposable Pet Dish
$2.99 |
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 | ORANGE TABBY CAT MAGNET - VERY COOL!
$3.99 |
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|  | Outward Hound Pet-a-Roo Front Carrier - Medium
$28.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE DOG/CAT KIT 4,5 AND 10 MONTH SUPPLLY EPA USA
$16.85 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | MEOW Cat Rescue : Test a Shelter Kitty Today
$15.00 |
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