| 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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 | 64" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F11
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|  | One Free Cat Litter Coupon Yesterday's News
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|  | NEW 40 Cat Scratcher Kitty Condo Tower Post Tree Ferret
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 doses DOGS 10-20 lbs
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 | Natural Holistic Cat Food Chicken/Wild Salmon 16 lb
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|  | Cat Toy Mice Camo 9 Kitten Kitty NEW Mouse Pink
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 | Stainless Dog/Cat dishes for food or water..
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|  | Tower of Kitty Power Cat Plush play toy Station & Cave
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | Halloween Cat Playmats with 100% Natural Organic Catnip
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
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 | NEW SPOTBRITES LED LIGHT DOGBONE CAT OR DOG CLIP ON
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|  | CATS 8 dose supply FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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 | NEW SSSCAT Cat Dog Training Spray Repellent Multivet
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|  | post + perch combo plush carpet Cat Tower Toy play area
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 | 6 Pack Feliway Diffuser refill 48ml
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FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
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 | Natural Holistic grain Free Beef/Salmon Cat Food 3 lbs
$9.49 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/ wild salmon 2.5 lbs
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 | Multi Level Lounger with Play Tree and Bamboo Posts
$85.00 |
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|  | LitterMaid 18 Waste Receptacles LMR300
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 | Halloween Catnip Toys Made By Sherri- Lot of 6
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|  | Van Ness Track-Less Litter Mat NEW
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 | Stairway To Heaven Cat play Tower house climbing pole
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|  | Custom Original Art Note Cards - USING YOUR PET PHOTO!
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 | Drinkwell Fountain Aqua Garden 10 Filters Brushes DW720
$49.22 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
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|  | SPECIAL 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Natural Holistic Great Life Cat Food chicken 4 lbs
$9.79 |
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|  | Tri-Level Rest Stop Cat Plush play toy station tower
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 | NEW SPOTBRITES LED LIGHT HEART CAT OR DOG CLIP ON
$1.25 |
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|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$24.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
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|  | Organic Catnip Gift Pack~100%Certified Organic Catnip
$15.20 |
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 | CUTE "MEOW" CAT DISH IN SHAPE OF A FISH!
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|  | JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER BOX COVER & PET HIDEAWAY
$57.99 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$89.99 |
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|  | Lot of Cat Toys 6 Packs Kitty Cat Mouse Catnip Toys
$2.99 |
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 | Natural Holistic Great Life Cat Food chicken 8 lbs
$11.29 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | NEW RINGSLING PUPPY POUCH PETCARRIER PETS/SPOTS $10.99
$10.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Fountain Aqua Garden 7 Filters Brushes DW-719
$46.93 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | IN MEMORY CAT- PET MEMORIAL VINYL DECAL/STICKER 9X12
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 | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F71
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|  | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
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 | 32" Cat Pet Tunnel Hide Out Fun Bed Exercise 3/way Toy
$19.99 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Yellow/Red Flowers on Blue ~ SS Cat Charm ~ Cat Collar
$4.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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|  | SMALL TREASURES CAT CARRIER *NEW WITHOUT TAGS*
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 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/wild salmon 6.5 lbs
$14.79 |
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 | Russ Doug Harris Wags to Whiskers Stocking & Ornament
$7.99 |
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|  | Feliway Spary 75ml
$15.80 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$0.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | MiracleCoat Quick Finder Safety Nail Clipper for cats
$12.00 |
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|  | WATCH 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | Skedaddles Jittery Critter Cat Toy
$1.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F24
$0.99 |
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 | Catnip - Large Gallon Zip Bag of Homegrown (Organic)
$8.50 |
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|  | Petmate Fresh Flow Replacement Filter 3 Pack
$4.99 |
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 | 78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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|  | Locatapet - Pet ID Tag with Tracking System
$6.99 |
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 | Bob Martin SPOT ON DEWORMER Cats-Kittens Worming 4 tube
$13.99 |
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|  | KITTY CAT DOOR CLIMBER CONDO HOUSE FURNITURE TREE POST
$99.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE DOG/CAT KIT 4,5 AND 10 MONTH SUPPLLY EPA USA
$16.85 |
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|  | Royal Treatment 2 Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Cats
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | BRAND NEW CATFISHER GARDEN MITT GLOVE
$10.65 |
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|  | Van Ness Small Cat Litter Pans(12) CASE WHOLESALE
$7.99 |
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 | Russ Doug Harris Wags to Whiskers Stocking & Ornament
$7.99 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | DISCOUNTED 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
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 | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
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|  | PETMATE PET CAT DOG Deluxe Fresh Flow Feeder
$5.99 |
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 | TWO Fancy Feast Limited Edition Colletor Cat Bowl Dish
$4.95 |
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|  | Custom LEOPARD PRINT DOG/CAT/PET BOWL/DISH
$15.00 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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|  | BEST 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS DOG/CAT KIT 3 6 8 MONTH SUPPLY EPA USA!!
$16.85 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Thermo Kitty Throw Heated Cat Bed Blanket 24" x 36"
$49.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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