| 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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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | PETSTAGES COZY CALMING MAT TOY KITTY OR CAT - BRAND NEW
$0.99 |
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 | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for cats 9lbs and up
$12.49 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats & kittens Sealed 6 dose cat pk
$20.55 |
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 | Cats Love The LitterHouse Litter Box!
$69.99 |
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|  | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain NEW SIZE LARGE
$47.00 |
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 | Petmate Pet Taxi Traditional NEW~Cat Dog Airline Carry
$24.99 |
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|  | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$2.84 |
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 | New Kitty Cat Scratcher Tree Post Pet Furniture w Toy
$9.72 |
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|  | LED Flashing Lights Fancy Cat & Dog Fashion Collars Sm.
$6.99 |
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 | Burlap Mouse w/ Catnip - 3 Pack
$2.52 |
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|  | Cat Nip Square Pouches-Material Grab Bag (1050)
$1.00 |
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Advantage -Cats over 9lb 6 pk
$38.00 |
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|  | Shamrock Three Leaf Clover Dog Cat Pet ID Tag
$3.29 |
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Advantage -Cats over 9lb 6 pk
$38.00 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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 | HANDMADE CATNIP KICKER TOY
$2.00 |
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|  | Litter Maid Elite Mega LME9250
$50.00 |
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 | GO! CAT GO! ZIG-AND-ZAG BALL CAT TOY--NIP!
$3.99 |
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|  | Kitten toy bed
$12.85 |
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 | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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|  | WOOD PET URNS DOGS, CATS, BLOODWOOD CREMATION URN
$34.97 |
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 | Cat Scratch Deterrent Corner Guard Sisal Claw FREE SHIP
$26.95 |
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|  | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for dogs 55lbs and up.
$25.51 |
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 | Booda Dome Litter Box Top Only Dark Blue
$1.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | PURRR FECT KITTY CAT PAWPRINTS & FISHBONES Footstool
$49.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Frontline Plus for dogs 45-88 LBS 6 Doses
$58.00 |
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|  | USA 6-Pack FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS
$26.00 |
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 | Kitty Playtime Mat
$0.99 |
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|  | GREENIES CAT KITTEN FELINE TREATS-25 PACKETS NEW SEALED
$5.50 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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|  | Picken's BENGAL KITTY Tapestry Footstool
$47.99 |
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 | Crazy Circle Cat Toy-NWT (8892)
$1.75 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS~MED~NEW IN BOX ~CLEAR~$25
$9.95 |
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|  | CUSTOM FINISHED WOOD CAT LITTER BOX CABINET / PLAYHOUSE
$72.99 |
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 | NWT PHOTO PET PILLOW
$5.00 |
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|  | 4% Chlorhexidine Shampoo Kills Ringworm Bacteria 12 oz
$16.99 |
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 | GO! CAT GO! CATNIP FLIPPERS CAT TOYS--NIP!
$3.75 |
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|  | Drinkwell Fountain 100 oz. 6 Item Combo 4 Filter DW-735
$61.76 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | Arm & Hammer cat kitty litter coupons 20-$4 OFF + bonus
$1.29 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats 6 mo. supply. New unopened box!
$19.50 |
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|  | POP UP CAT DOG CARRIER NWOT!!
$9.99 |
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Meowy Christmas, feeding dish for your kitten CUTE
$6.00 |
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 | NIB "MEOW" HANDLE CAT FOOD SCOOP BY MUD PIE SILVER
$14.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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|  | Gray Cat Photo Holder Gift Set-NWT (8893)
$2.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.99 |
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 | Sport Pet Cat Royal Mansion Climb Tower ~Bed Toy Kitten
$19.95 |
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|  | 24" SISAL CAT SCRATCHING POST SIENNA
$19.99 |
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 | Arm & Hammer Kitty cat litter coupons 20-$3 off + Bonus
$15.29 |
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|  | NEW RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER PINK DOTS $10.99
$10.99 |
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 | Flashing Cat Ball
$2.21 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for dogs up to 22 LBS 6 Doses
$47.00 |
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 | LOVE The 3 Kittens - Bracelet, Dog Cat Rescue Charity
$5.00 |
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|  | Colorful Springs Thin 10 Pack
$1.79 |
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 | NIB JEWELED CAT FACE CHARM BY MUD PIE CAT W/BLUE CROWN
$9.99 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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 | Forest Green Cat Scratching Post
$4.99 |
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|  | PRETTY KITTY Cat PET Record KEEPING Journal ~ FREE SHIP
$9.95 |
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 | LED Flashing Adjustable Cat & Dog Collar & Bell X-Small
$7.99 |
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|  | FLOWER POWER CAT SCRATCHING POST--NIP!
$16.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats & Kittens 6 Month supply
$35.00 |
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|  | Cat bed dog bed pet bed john deere tractor
$30.00 |
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 | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT
$5.00 |
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|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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 | HANDMADE CATNIP KICKER TOY
$2.00 |
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|  | "A Spoiled Rotten Cat Lives Here" Door Mat-NWT (8896)
$4.00 |
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 | Brand new elf hat and collar Costume for Cat/kitten
$0.99 |
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|  | Simple Solution Grooming Glove For Pets
$2.42 |
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 | Handsewn Cat Hammock (1085)
$20.00 |
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|  | Four Paws Scratch Rattle & Roll Cat Scratcher
$8.99 |
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 | Patience Brewster Christmas Krinkles Cat Bowl NIB (8850
$4.50 |
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|  | HANDMADE CATNIP KICKER TOY
$2.00 |
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 | pet treat jar that chatters
$0.99 |
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|  | Hand Sewn Cat Quilt-Tan Cats with Purple (1109)
$20.00 |
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 | LitterMaidTM Waste Receptacles 12count BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
$14.99 |
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|  | HANDMADE CATNIP KICKER TOY
$2.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | Advantage 18 for Cats 6month supply Flea topical
$30.00 |
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 | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$2.52 |
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|  | Petmate Litter Locker Plus-NIB (8898)
$13.50 |
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 | Black Cat/Flowers Door Mat-NWT (8895)
$4.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS & KITTENS 8 WEEKS OR OLDER
$27.99 |
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 | Fresh Step cat/kitty litter coupons ! 20-$1.00 + bonus!
$1.50 |
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|  | SET of 2 CAT DISHES "GOOD CAT" "CAT SILOUETTE" NEW
$0.99 |
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 | Kittyvite Daily Vitamin Paste - For Senior Cats
$2.99 |
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|  | CAT PET DOG URINE ODOR ELIMINATOR REMOVER
$5.99 |
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Advantage -Cats under 9 lbs -6pk
$35.00 |
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|  | Plush Cat Dog Ferret Bed Cave House Fuzzy FREE SHIPPING
$39.95 |
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 | Petmate Attract-O-Mat and Pet Hair Magnet-NWT (8903)
$5.27 |
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|  | Pet Toy Supplies Small Pink Silicone Hedgehog Dog Toy
$5.77 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$24.50 |
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|  | NIB HARTZ ULTRA GUARD REFLECTING FLEA TICK COLLAR CATS
$4.99 |
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