| 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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 | Cat Kitten Pink Rhinestone Gem Nylon Safety Collar
$4.49 |
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|  | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in RED
$9.99 |
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Littermaid LME9250 Elite Self Cleaning Litterbox
$54.26 |
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|  | ~71"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture Pet Toy
$0.99 |
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 | 49" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F41
$0.99 |
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|  | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in WHITE
$9.99 |
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 | STICK and ball: pet, dog cat toy, for use with condo
$9.90 |
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|  | 60 Mice-mouse pet, cat, furry toy,
$7.99 |
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 | Cat-Guardian Gear Lined Fashion Cat Muzzle- Blue Large
$10.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT 9 LBS AND UNDER-10 MOS-EPA - USA 4 6 12
$15.98 |
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 | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in RED
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Pink Reflective Nylon Night Safety Collar
$4.99 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Brown Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$0.99 |
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|  | 62" Cat Tree Condo Furniture Scraching Post w Hammock
$0.99 |
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 | USA 5 MONTH ADVANTAGE 4 CATS OVER 9 POUNDS EPA 6 12
$17.99 |
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|  | EPA 16 Month Frontline Plus All Cats Pounds USA 3 6 12
$35.95 |
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 | 1 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANICALLY GROWN GREAT QUALITY!!
$0.75 |
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|  | Ceramic Wide Rim Cat Dish Paw Print 5 inch NIB Free SH
$18.99 |
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 | SCOOPWELL Electric Litter Box Scoop for Littermaid
$9.50 |
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|  | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
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 | 10 real furry mice BY ZANIES- Cat Toys-TOY-PET
$0.55 |
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|  | Booda Dome Pearl Clean Step Cat Kitty Litter Pan Boxes
$32.95 |
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 | 5 large PACKS POUNCE CAT TREATS CHICKEN
$10.00 |
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|  | 60 MICE-mouse pet, cat, furry toy,
$7.99 |
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 | SpotOn Plus for cats (As seen in Frontline's magazine)
$9.99 |
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|  | EPA 5 Month Advantage for Cats over 9 Pounds USA 4 6 12
$18.50 |
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 | USA 10 MONTH ADVANTAGE 4 CATS UP TO 9 POUNDS EPA 6 12
$17.99 |
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|  | 64" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$0.99 |
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 | NIP PET Dining LARGE BLUE pawprints Protective FOOD MAT
$2.00 |
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|  | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$9.99 |
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 | Japanese MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in GOLD
$9.99 |
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|  | .026 PET TOY - CURIOSITY CUBE w. HANGING TOY HEMP ROPE
$0.01 |
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 | Paw Print Pets Dog House -16x16x14" - Bed Pet Supplies
$8.99 |
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|  | USA 20 MONTH ADVANTAGE 4 CATS UP TO 9 POUNDS EPA 6 12
$35.50 |
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 | .026 PET TOY - CURIOSITY CUBE w. HANGING TOY HEMP ROPE
$0.01 |
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|  | PART only:Soft Bed 4 Cat Condo,Tree,House,Pet Furniture
$9.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | EPA 8 Month Frontline Plus 4 All Cats Pounds USA 3 6 12
$18.50 |
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 | EPA 10 Month Advantage for Cats 1 - 9 Pounds USA 4 6 12
$18.50 |
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|  | USA 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS 4 ALL SIZED CATS EPA 6 8 12
$17.99 |
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 | ^..^L@@K 65" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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 | 10 Lil Sew and Sews FELT CATNIP MICE CAT TOY PET BULK
$6.94 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | ~2~ Coupons *FREE* 24 Can Case Fancy Feast cat food ~
$13.00 |
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|  | * EPA 20 Month Advantage 4 Cats up to 9 Pounds USA 6 12
$35.95 |
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 | Advantage For Cats 10 lbs and over 6 month Supply
$29.99 |
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|  | 8 months FRONTLINE PLUS CAT US EpA #1 VET CHOICE
$9.50 |
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 | Saltwater Aquarium Video DVD - Relaxation Great 4 cats
$9.99 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2040-Blue
$0.99 |
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Littermaid LM700 Self-Cleaning Litterbox
$25.00 |
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|  | Fabu Leopard Print Doughnut Style Cat Bed
$9.99 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID LME9250 ELITE MEGA Automatic Litterbox
$51.00 |
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|  | 69" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F42
$0.99 |
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 | 5 LARGE PACKS POUNCE CAT TREATS SALMON
$10.00 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats 9 lbs and under (6 Month Pack)
$28.99 |
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 | 60 Mice-mouse: cat, furry toy
$7.99 |
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|  | RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER BLACK W/DOTS+$10.99
$10.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT OVER 9 LBS - 5 MOS - EPA - USA 4 6 12
$15.98 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Black Glitter Glitz Safety Breakaway Collar
$5.99 |
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 | BIG SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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|  | Japanese MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in GOLD
$9.99 |
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 | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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|  | SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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 | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in WHITE
$9.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CATS - 8 MOS - EPA APPROVED -USA 3 6 12
$18.99 |
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 | Animal carrier + training pads
$0.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Tick-Tock-Teaser - Interactive Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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 | Pet Tabs for Cats Healthy Skin Coat Vitamin Supplement
$11.99 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | ~ 74" Deluxe Cat Scraching Tree Furniture House Posts ~
$0.99 |
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|  | $3 off Fresh Step Cat Litter 10 Coupons
$7.77 |
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 | Weruva Canned Cat Food - Paw Lickin Chicken 24/5.5oz
$10.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Condo Post Furniture F21
$0.99 |
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 | CAT & DOG TEAR STAIN PREVENTER, HERBAL HEALTH PURIFEYE
$29.95 |
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|  | Flea & Tick Control Safety Breakaway Cat Collar 5 Month
$7.99 |
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 | * EPA 10 Month Advantage 4 Cats over 9 Pounds USA 6 12
$35.95 |
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|  | SpotOn Plus Flea and tick for cats See the advantage's4
$9.99 |
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 | NEW Littermaid 12 Waste Receptacles Automatic Litter
$8.45 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | 5 large PACKS POUNCE CAT TREATS TUNA
$10.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2001
$9.99 |
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 | 60 Mice mouse pet cat, leather toy, for use with condo
$7.99 |
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|  | L@@K 57" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | ~52"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher pet Furniture L@@K
$0.99 |
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 | 1 case / 24 cups MEOW MIX CHICKEN & SHRIMP
$0.01 |
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|  | Cat face-Cat food dish-LQQK...CUTE!
$0.99 |
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 | TURQUOISE BLUE W/WHITE POKA DOT CAT COLLAR W/BELL NIP
$4.75 |
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|  | 60 Mice-mouse pet, cat, furry toy,
$7.99 |
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 | SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
$47.95 |
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|  | USA 10 MONTH ADVANTAGE 4 CATS OVER 9 POUNDS EPA 6 12
$35.50 |
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 | New Littermaid Plus LM700 Self Cleaning Litter Box
$33.01 |
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|  | TEN 1 1/2" MYLAR BALLS -CAT TOY-TOYS-PET-BULK LOT
$4.38 |
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 | TEN Zanies Glitz Holiday Mice CAT TOY PET BULK LOT
$3.60 |
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|  | $10 off Tidy Cats Litter System
$0.99 |
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 | USA 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS 4 ALL SIZED CATS EPA 3 6 12
$34.95 |
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