| 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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 | Comfort Zone Feliway Spray Lot of 3
$20.00 |
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|  | StayAway Stay Away Automatic Pet Cat Deterrent NIB
$39.99 |
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 | Purina Friskies Cat Treats Salmon & Shrimp 10 Pack NIB
$13.99 |
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|  | 20 Coupons Save $1/1 Purina Whisker Lickin's 12/31/08
$0.99 |
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 | 5 REFILLS for Da Bird feather wand cat toy toys refill
$14.25 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Purr-Pet-ual Motion Cat Toy NIB
$17.99 |
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 | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Whisker Lickin's Tender Moment Cat Treats Chicken NIB
$11.99 |
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|  | 6 m FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | New Christmas Stocking Cat Kitten Catnip Toy Lot
$3.69 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats Dentabites 12 Pack NIB
$15.99 |
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 | Cat Dog Animal Pet Outside Tunnel Cage Pen Mesh House
$19.99 |
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|  | WORM PROTECTOR 2X~ ROUND WORMS, HOOKWORMS ~ 4 DOGS~ NEW
$15.93 |
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 | Cat Bed/Playhouse - Red BOOT
$49.98 |
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|  | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$17.95 |
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 | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Thermo-Kitty Hut Heated Bed 18" x 18" x 8" Mocha/Sage
$36.99 |
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|  | Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats Salmon 12 Pack NIB
$15.99 |
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 | CATS 8 dose supply FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$17.75 |
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|  | ALL SIZES dogs cats stock UP ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT
$17.95 |
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 | LOOK 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Da Bird feather wand cat toy pole toys kitten ferret
$2.25 |
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 | CAT DOG Lot of 13 SAFETY Christmas Collars 10-12" NEW
$6.99 |
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| WELACTIN Activate Your cat! 125ml Cheap! Short Dated 09
$0.99 |
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 | cat dog ferret run cage carrier for outdoors sturdy
$25.99 |
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|  | Large Scat Mat Training Mat cats dogs scatmat new 48x20
$64.95 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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 | *11*COUPONS B1/G1 PURINA PRO PLAN 3oz CAN WET CAT FOOD
$1.58 |
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|  | Whisker Lickin's Tender Moment Cat Treats Salmon NIB
$11.99 |
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 | Wind Up Windup Fake Mouse Rat Cat Dog Pet Toy NEW!!!!!!
$4.95 |
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|  | Panic Mouse Cat Toy NIB
$16.99 |
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 | NEW-TIDY CATS BREEZE LITTER BOX CAT REFILL PADS ODOR
$0.99 |
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|  | CAT Toy CHRISTMAS Holiday GIFT BAG w/Teaser Wand CATNIP
$0.99 |
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 | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | Cat Food Mat
$5.00 |
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|  | Whisker Lickin's Tender Moment Cat Treats Tuna NIB
$11.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 doses DOGS 10-20 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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 | Handmade Knitting Needles - BENEFIT AUCTION!!!
$9.99 |
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|  | Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats Seafood 12 Pack NIB
$15.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Simplicity #4765 Stylish Cat Mat & Beds Pattern
$5.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Friskies Crunchy Cat Treats Tuna & Salmon 10 Pack NIB
$17.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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|  | Cat Lover's Stuffed Mouse Toy Christmas Stocking-NWT
$8.99 |
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats Turkey 12 Pack NIB
$15.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | 3 Comfort Zone plug-in FeliwaysFarnam KITS for CATS NEW
$75.50 |
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 | Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats Hearty Beef 12 Pack NIB
$15.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Purina Friskies Cat Treats Chicken 10 Pack NIB
$13.99 |
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|  | Pet Bed - Reversible - Use for Cat or Small Dog
$29.99 |
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 | SPOIL YOUR FELINE FRIENDS W/BONUS ON CD
$0.99 |
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|  | Pet_Naturals, Natural Cat Daily Senior, Fish 100 tabs
$8.54 |
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 | StayAway Stay Away Pet Cat Deterrent Refill Can NIB
$15.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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|  | DISCOUNTED 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | *4* COUPONS $5.00 OFF EUKANUBA DRY CAT FOOD ANY SIZE
$0.99 |
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|  | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | WOW 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | PETSAFE Cat Veranda™ Cat Door~window-mounted cat door
$99.95 |
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 | Comfort Zone Feliway Spray Lot of 3
$22.72 |
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|  | Purina Pounce Cat Treats Moist Tuna 12 Pack NIB
$12.99 |
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 | Holiday Cat Stocking
$4.00 |
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|  | 3 Fresh Comfort Zone CAT REFILLS Feliway by Farnam NEW
$53.50 |
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 | Holiday Cat Stocking
$4.00 |
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|  | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$89.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cat 3 month Supply Flea Tick
$20.00 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
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 | Kitty Cat Litter Roll Away Self Cleaning Box Large NEW
$35.99 |
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|  | Van Ness Cat & Dog Auto Feeder Auto Water Pet Dish Lot!
$2.25 |
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 | Purina Pounce Cat Treats Crunchy Tuna 12 Pack NIB
$12.99 |
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|  | Pet_Naturals Antiox for Cats 10 mg 60 cap *Pet Health*
$6.64 |
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 | Cats Have Staff Woven Pillow-New-FREE SHIPPING! !
$12.99 |
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|  | DEAL 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Cat Tunnel - 22" long - 2 Danglers - NEW!
$7.00 |
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|  | 6 Fresh Comfort Zone CAT REFILLS Feliway by Farnam NEW
$99.50 |
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 | Whiskas Temptations Cat Treats Chicken 12 Pack NIB
$15.99 |
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|  | Purina Pounce Cat Treats Moist Chicken 12 Pack NIB
$12.99 |
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 | DRINKWELL PET WATER FOUNTAIN DOG CAT 70 OZ RESERVOIR
$17.99 |
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|  | Purina Friskies Cat Treats Fish & Tuna 10 Pack NIB
$13.99 |
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 | Cat Food Mat
$5.00 |
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|  | LOOK 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | Brown kitty pillow usable as "kicker"
$6.50 |
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|  | Undercover Mouse Cat Toy NIB
$25.99 |
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