| 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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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | Milk Replacer Rtu Liquid Kit 8Oz
$2.70 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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|  | Kookamunga Salmon Treats 5 Ounce
$1.60 |
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 | Fur Feather Teaser W/2Toys Assorted For Cats
$3.70 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL PERCH BED
$44.49 |
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 | Designer Personalized Cat collar GIFT SIAMESE HEART PET
$15.00 |
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|  | Teaser Fleece Wand With Acrylic Rod Cat Toy
$1.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | Matatabi with dietary fiber- Japanese catnip
$5.80 |
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 | Nature's Miracle Cat Litter 10Lb
$9.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | NWT Pet Cat Christmas Stocking Cute Feline Gift!
$6.99 |
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|  | Composure Liquid for Dogs and Cat (188 SERVINGS)
$37.99 |
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 | Cat Kitty Toybox Feline Toy Box - NEW
$9.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 MONTHS
$18.99 |
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 | Air Freshener-Vanilla Caramel 5.3Oz For CV Dispenser
$4.90 |
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|  | Wet Food Pedestal Dish Bowl Cat Dog 6" Wide Almond
$26.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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(30) 3 DIFFERENT - FRISKIES Coupons 1/10 & 1/12/09
$2.99 |
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|  | Dog Cat Ferret Rabbit and more MAGNETICS NECKLACES
$4.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | NEW! Epi-Otic ADVANCED Ear Cleanser (4 fl oz)
$9.99 |
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|  | Bizzy Kitty Center Cat Toy Red/White
$6.30 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTHS
$18.99 |
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|  | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Blue For Cats
$3.70 |
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 | Matatabi - Japanese catnip
$5.80 |
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|  | CAT TREE
$225.00 |
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 | Booda Dome Clean Step Filter 2 Pack
$1.60 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Cat Condo Four Levels with 5 Sections of Sisal
$79.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Gay Lesbian Pride RAINBOW CAT Collar, SAFETY-Breakaway
$6.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KITTENS & CATS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL PERCH BED
$34.49 |
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 | MONTH 3 6 8 FRONTLINE PLUS 4 dog cat 22 23 44 45 88lb
$17.97 |
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|  | Ps 3/8In Adjustable Break-Way Collar Red For Cats
$3.80 |
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 | 2 Kitty Kaviar lg Best Cat Treat 4 Fish LOVEing Cats
$12.90 |
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|  | 2Nd Step Weaning Formula For Kittens 14Oz
$6.30 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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|  | COLLECTORS ORANGE TABBY CAT TIN FILLED W LOTS OF CATNIP
$7.99 |
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 | Cat Kitty-Vite 2.5 Ounce
$2.70 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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 | Hooded Pan Set Blue Large For Cats
$13.30 |
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|  | Flashing Cat Ball
$1.50 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | Chrome Litter Scoop With Plastic Handle
$1.50 |
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 | SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box - Cat Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | HIGH FILTRATION PET WATER BOWL PET WATER FOUNTAIN
$24.99 |
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|  | Cat Grass Plus Premium Catnip Seed
$2.70 |
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 | Zeolite Filter Deluxe Large
$2.80 |
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|  | Pet Dog Cat Rolling Use Multicolor Cloth Ball NIB New
$9.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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|  | Palm Flea Comb W/One Row Of Fine Metal Teeth
$2.70 |
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 | Kitty Condo W/Perch 20.5In Assorted
$44.70 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Cfa Cat Nip Wool Mouse 2Pack Cat Toy
$2.70 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Reg /mat
$30.95 |
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|  | FAT CAT Yellow Funny Pet Collar Jewelry CHARM Tag New
$3.25 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$34.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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 | Creeps Cat Toy
$1.60 |
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|  | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Red For Cats
$3.80 |
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 | Mini Teaser Cat Wand
$1.60 |
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|  | Comfort Zone Feliway Plug In Diffuser ONE KIT New! Cat
$28.99 |
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 | HARTZ CAT AT PLAY TEETER TOTTER ACTIVITY CENTER & TOYS
$14.00 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KITTENS & CATS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | Sleep Right Rite Thermal Self Warming Cat Cushion
$19.00 |
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 | "I LOVE MY GRAND CAT" car ribbon magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
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|  | Flea & Tick Collar For Cats Works up to 8 Months
$5.00 |
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 | Cat Cave - includes BED, SCRATCH POST & PLAY TOYS NEW!
$67.95 |
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|  | Framed Cat Litter Pan Large Assorted
$4.90 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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|  | Plush Cat Scratching Post 24" high W/Animal Head RED
$37.12 |
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 | KITTY CATS CAT-Breeze Blocker Draft Stopper~FREE S/H!
$29.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | Wacky Rollers Cat Toy 7Pk
$1.50 |
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|  | Heated Pet Mat - Small
$46.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 MONTH
$17.99 |
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 | SmartCat Tick-Tock-Teaser - Interactive Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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|  | 24 Inch Slipper Bed
$20.30 |
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 | Catnip Smiley Face Cat Toy Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.50 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTHS
$18.99 |
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|  | Pps 3/8InX10In Safety Collar Blue For Cats
$3.70 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS KIT flea tick 4 cats kittens 8 months
$17.97 |
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|  | Pet Mate Nylon Cat-A-Trail Tunnel Cat Kitty Furniture
$34.95 |
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 | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self Cleaning Electric Litterbox BEIGE
$329.00 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$18.99 |
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