| 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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 | 12 CAT TREATS BAGS Whiskas Friskies Meow Mix Pounce NEW
$8.00 |
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|  | Saltwater Aquarium Video DVD - Relaxation Great 4 cats
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 | CHRISTMAS CAT & HUMAN MATCHING HEADBANDS 100% toCHARITY
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|  | SmartCat Cat Climber Multi-level Climbing Platforms
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 | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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|  | Multivet SSSCAT Cat deterrent spray training aid SEALED
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 | Brown & Pink Polka Dot Pet Carrier Cats or Dogs NWT
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|  | Digital Photo Urns
$185.00 |
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 | Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Wicker Rattan 1805
$49.99 |
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|  | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE KITTEN CLEAR
$7.99 |
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 | 20 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 EPA
$34.95 |
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|  | 3 MAUI MEOWI VERY POTENT CATNIP CANDY STICKS SHIPS FREE
$11.88 |
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 | FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS FRISKIES CAT CHOW FREE SHIP
$21.99 |
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|  | small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$23.75 |
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 | FOOT LONG FURRY FUN KITTY SNAKE CAT TOY ORGANIC CATNIP
$9.95 |
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|  | NEW Comfort Dog & Cat Bed Small Size
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 | FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS! FRISKIES TREATS FREE SHIP!
$28.99 |
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|  | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE SMALL CLEAR
$7.99 |
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 | 10 Mice N' Glitter - Cat Toys
$7.96 |
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|  | 5 Glitter Pom Pom Balls - Cat Toys
$2.82 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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|  | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
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 | Christmas Kittens Homemade Quilted Stocking
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|  | Catnip Streamer Toy New Two
$5.95 |
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 | NEW!!! IKEA BASTIS CAT TOY; The butterfly or the Bee
$1.00 |
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|  | Cat Mate C20 Automatic Pet Feeder
$4.99 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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|  | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Sofa Bed -Leopard Color
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 | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE SMALL CLEAR
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|  | Pet Studio Cat Litter Box Mahogany Cabinet 28Wx19Dx24H
$149.99 |
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 | Antiqued Cast Iron Cat & fish key hook, 5 hooks
$4.99 |
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|  | Advanced Large Capacity Feline Cat Drinking Fountain
$9.99 |
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 | 2 Weeble Wobble Mice for Cats
$3.31 |
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|  | ORGANIC CATNIP CAT TOY HANDMADE 100% to PET CHARITY
$2.65 |
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 | How To INSTRUCTIONS for DIY'S Dog Rhinestone Cat Collar
$5.99 |
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|  | 9Lives Cat Food Fork!
$0.99 |
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 | Iams Healthy Naturals Cat Food Coupons (6x$ 4.00)
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|  | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Bed-Cow color
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 | NEW Comfort PAW Dog & Cat Bed Small Size -Pink
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|  | Purrforma Plus XL Hooded Automatic Litterbox NIB!
$55.01 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
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 | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB Ultimate Edition -Black
$134.95 |
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|  | Ceramic Pet Food Bowl ~ Southwestern Style
$10.50 |
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 | BRAND NEW LITTERMAID SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX LM600
$20.57 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS DOG/CAT KIT 3 6 8 MONTH SUPPLY EPA USA!!
$16.85 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$46.00 |
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|  | fur mice cat toy LONG HAIR- pack of 50
$9.99 |
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 | SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box - Cat Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$94.99 |
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 | BRAND NEW LITTERMAID LM900 AUTOMATIC LITTERBOX
$9.99 |
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|  | 3 ORGANIC CATNIP KNOTS CAT TOY 100% to PET CHARITY
$3.50 |
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 | Soft Claws Clear Nail Caps Kitten / Cat Stop Scratching
$2.50 |
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|  | Fish Shaped Cat Bowl and Picture Frame Stoneware
$7.85 |
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 | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE LARGE CLEAR
$7.99 |
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|  | CAT WINDOW SEAT PERCH IN BOX BED TOY GIFT
$19.95 |
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 | TERRIFIC FRESH PET AREA DEODORIZER/AIR PURIFIER - NIB
$9.99 |
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|  | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 EPA
$34.95 |
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 | HOLIDAY REINDEER Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE KITTEN CLEAR
$7.99 |
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 | 3 MAUI MEOWI POTENT CATNIP CIGAR PURRFECTOS SHIPS FREE
$11.88 |
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| Littermaid LM700 Self-Cleaning Litterbox
$9.99 |
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 | Dog, German Shepherd - Figurine Urn
$99.00 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$109.99 |
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 | (20) $1.00 on 1 Whisker Lickins cat treats coupons!
$5.00 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE LARGE CLEAR
$7.99 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
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 | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Bed-Leopard Pink color
$12.99 |
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|  | ~~OMEGA PAW SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX BROWN TAUPE~~
$9.99 |
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 | shaking & rattling fur mouse short hair-50 piece lot
$9.99 |
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|  | NEW LITTERMAID LME9250 ELITE MEGA Automatic Litterbox
$25.00 |
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 | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Gray
$11.95 |
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|  | 5 Head Laser Pointer KeyChain Cat Toy 4 Rescue Charity
$4.00 |
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 | $20 worth of Nutro Dog Food Coupons
$1.50 |
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|  | Go Go Mouse with Pull Back String Action (6) Six Mice
$9.99 |
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 | Safe Cat pink collar periwinkle bell Smart Blonde charm
$0.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE DOG/CAT KIT 4,5 AND 10 MONTH SUPPLLY EPA USA
$16.85 |
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 | NEW ITEM!!! IKEA BÄSTIS Stainless Steel CAT Food Bowl
$2.99 |
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| Littermaid LME9250 Elite Self Cleaning Litterbox
$20.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$55.99 |
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|  | Iams ProActive Health Adult Cat Food Coupons (6x$ 4.00)
$0.99 |
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 | LITTER QUITTER AS SEEN ON TV TRAIN CAT TO USE TOILET
$59.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Regular
$23.95 |
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 | Molly and Friends Sisal Scrating Post Furniture / Bed
$9.99 |
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|  | NEW Comfort Small Paw Dog/CATS Bed - Package Deal
$24.95 |
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 | Cat Veranda with Lockable Entry Flap
$99.95 |
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| 4 coupons - Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys
$0.79 |
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 | Weazel Ball Motorized Appears Alive Cat Dog Toy Weasel
$5.49 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | NIP SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS SIZE LARGE CLEAR
$7.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootsie's Bunkbed and Playroom
$28.95 |
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 | 150 Fresh Step Paw Points
$3.25 |
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|  | Continuously Freshening Feline Drinking Fountain 72732
$19.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | Pet Supplies Grooming Hamilton Cat CATS Muzzle *MEDIUM
$4.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
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|  | *** Killer Bud *** Catnip Kitty Drugs - The Catnip King
$4.99 |
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 | Lazy Pet Deluxe Window Perch, Navy Blue
$9.99 |
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|  | NEW Comfort PAW Dog & Cat Bed Small Size -Blue
$6.95 |
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