| 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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 | Ear Miticide For Cats 1Oz
$5.80 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Mouse In
$11.90 |
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 | Cfa Feather Teaser Balls Cat Toy
$2.30 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Springy Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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 | Allergy Reducing Wipes For Cats 8 Count
$2.50 |
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|  | Cat Litter Pan Assorted Colors Giant
$5.70 |
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 | Cfa Cat Nip House Mouse Cat Toy
$2.30 |
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|  | Adjustable Size Cat Shedding Blade Comb
$6.00 |
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 | Hair Ball Remedy 1.75 Oz
$3.30 |
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|  | Shed N Blade For Cats Removes Dead/Unwanted Hair
$4.20 |
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 | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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|  | Laser Fun Chase Cat Toy
$7.70 |
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 | Sisal Rope Cat Scratching Post 5 Year Warranty
$17.20 |
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|  | 18 Kity Cactus W/Cover Multicolor
$27.80 |
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 | Toy Cleaning Brush Red Large
$4.50 |
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|  | Cfa Sisal Feather Dangler Cat Toy
$4.60 |
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 | Feather Dangler Cat Wand
$2.50 |
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|  | Toothpaste PLUS Finger Brush For Cats .4oz
$2.00 |
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 | Blue Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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|  | Catnip Extract 5Oz Spray On Objects
$3.20 |
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 | Catnip Chew Ring Multicolor Cat Toy
$2.10 |
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|  | Nutrimalt Supplement 1.76 Oz For Cats
$3.10 |
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 | Ultimate Touch Kitty Curry Brush
$3.30 |
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|  | Laxatone 2. 5Oz For Cat Hairballs
$4.50 |
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 | Pointer Spotbrites Laser Mouse Toy For Cats
$3.20 |
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|  | Dental Kit For Cats To Clean Teeth Red
$4.60 |
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 | Scratch -N'- Buddies Cat Toy/Scratcher - Katie Kitty
$1.60 |
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|  | Cfa Cat Nip Spool and Ball Cat Toy
$2.40 |
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 | Cat Body Brush Shampoo Applicator
$4.20 |
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|  | Featherlite Boas Cat Toy
$2.20 |
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 | Organic Catnip 1/2 Oz For Cats
$1.20 |
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|  | Small Frame Bed For Dogs Keeps Pets Off Ground
$28.20 |
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 | Pink Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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|  | Doofus Dog Assort 8.5In Catnip Cat Toy
$2.30 |
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 | Mat Removing Comb Removes Mats Painlessly
$7.90 |
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|  | Pc Bath Wipes-Cat Deodorizing 12Pk For Between Baths
$3.20 |
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 | CAT-N-ROUND 15 CAT BED
$17.40 |
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|  | Cotton Catnip Pillow Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.10 |
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 | Toy Cleaning Brush Red Small
$4.60 |
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|  | (combo) BAG-it & PERMA-lid for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$23.99 |
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 | Cat Cuddle Coil Colorful Cat Toy
$16.40 |
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|  | Cat Combo Brush
$3.10 |
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 | Pet Rageous Silly Pets Silly Kitty Oval Bowl - 6.25
$7.40 |
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|  | Jumbo Neon Lattice Ball With Bell
$1.20 |
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 | Double Wide Cardboard Scratch Post For Cats
$5.70 |
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|  | 4Paws Crystal Eye 4Oz
$3.40 |
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 | Dental Fresh For Cats Cleans Teeth/Breath
$3.20 |
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|  | Christmas Cat Stocking 6 Pc Cat Toy
$4.30 |
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 | Catnip Boa Squeaky Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Bouncng Cat Toy Assorted
$2.40 |
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 | Cfa Fish Wand With Suction Cat Toy
$3.50 |
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|  | Simple Solution Oxy Solution Stain Remover 32 oz
$8.00 |
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 | Scratch -N'- Buddies Cat Toy/Scratcher - Robbie Rabbit
$1.60 |
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|  | Cat Nail Clipper Grooming Tool
$5.90 |
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 | Kitty Condo 2 Level 22.5In Assorted
$25.80 |
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|  | Drawstring Cat Pan Liner 20 Pack Large
$5.80 |
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 | Pet Odor Eliminator 16 Ounce Concentrate Makes 3 Quarts
$7.50 |
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|  | Slotted Balls Cat Toy 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$1.20 |
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|  | Spot On Cats 1Cc 4Pk Kills Fleas
$5.50 |
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 | Pc Bath Wipes-Cat Deodorizing 24Pk For Between Baths
$4.40 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Feather Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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 | Zeolite Filter Large
$1.20 |
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|  | Laxatone Tuna Flavor Medium Treats Hairballs In Cats
$4.50 |
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 | Plaid Kitty Nest Sleeper Bed w/Fleece Lining - Assorted
$6.20 |
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|  | Green Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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 | Enclosed Cat Litter Box Keeps Floors Cleaner
$15.70 |
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|  | Gripsoft Double Sided Cat Brush Grooming Tool
$3.20 |
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 | Shimmer Balls Cat Toy 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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|  | Cozy Calming Mat Provides Warmth For Cats
$5.80 |
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 | Comb Medium Grooming Black For Cats/Dogs
$6.10 |
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|  | 16Ga 1 X 1 Welded Wire 24 X 15' For Cages/Fences
$12.10 |
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 | Zeolite Replacement Filter for Litter Boxes
$1.20 |
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|  | Comfort Zone w/ Feliway - Cat Calmative Plug In
$27.00 |
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 | 2Oz Replacement Nipples 5Pk For Nursing Pets
$2.20 |
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|  | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.80 |
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 | NEW ~Mind the Cat~ Hanging Sign Wall Door Hanging
$4.77 |
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|  | Sponge Soccer Ball 2Pk Cat Toy
$1.10 |
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 | Ammo-Cat Litter Additive 48oz Keeps Litter Fresh Longer
$5.60 |
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|  | Value Pack Assorted Cat Balls 9 Pack
$4.70 |
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 | Pet Rageous 4 pc. Cat Buffet - Multi-Colored - 4pc
$19.30 |
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|  | Deluxe Kitty Nest w/Fleece Sides Cat/Dog Bed -Assorted
$5.40 |
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 | Nutri-Cal For Cats Medium Energy Supplement
$5.80 |
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|  | Sport Ping Pong Balls Cat Toy - 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | Pet Select Flea & Tick Shampoo For Cats 17.5 Oz
$4.20 |
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|  | Twin Miami Mice 2 Fur Black And White
$1.10 |
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 | Cheese Chase Multicolor Cat Toy
$11.50 |
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|  | Cat Pan Liner 8 Pack Giant
$2.50 |
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 | Wooden Pin Brush For Cats
$3.20 |
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|  | Wee Wee Stain/Odor Remover 16Oz
$3.20 |
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 | Heavyweight & Non Skid Cat Food/Water Dish
$2.10 |
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|  | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | Anti Allergen Cat Mousse 6Oz
$4.60 |
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|  | Graffiti Ping Pong Balls 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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 | Drawstring Cat Pan Liner 15 Pack Extra-Giant
$5.80 |
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|  | 3 Pack of Whisker City Miracle Cat Beds - Assorted
$8.90 |
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 | Feline Pine Cat Litter 7 lb Bag
$4.30 |
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|  | Ammo-Litter Additive 1 Quart Keeps Litter Fresh Longer
$3.10 |
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 | Toy Rainbow Mice 3Pk Toys For Cats
$2.00 |
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|  | Air Filter For Various Cat Litter Pans
$1.00 |
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