| 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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 | Toy Rainbow Mice 9Pk Toys For Cats
$4.80 |
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|  | 49" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture T41
$99.00 |
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 | Spray W/Cortisone 8.4Oz for Cats/Dogs
$12.60 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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 | Kitty Harness & Bungee Leash MED/LILAC
$11.99 |
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|  | Catnip Treat Fish 3 Ounces Cat Treat
$1.30 |
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 | Holiday Cat Tennis Balls 2 Pack
$1.40 |
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|  | Lazy Pet Deluxe Cat Window Perches W/Orthopedic Foam
$26.95 |
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 | Catnip Sock Cat Toy Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.40 |
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|  | Zeolite Replacement Filter for Litter Boxes
$1.20 |
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 | K&H Kitty Camper Enclosed Heated Cat Bed
$49.89 |
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|  | Sponge KITKAT Balls - 4 Pack
$1.30 |
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 | Evolve Natural Chicken Cat Food Case of 24 3oz Cans
$19.10 |
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|  | Boogie Mat De Cat Birds For Catnip
$6.10 |
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 | Luau Flip Flopcat Toy Catnip
$1.40 |
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|  | 6 X 20 Pet Heating Pad CAT DOG BED 6-watt WARMER NEW
$24.88 |
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 | LME5500 LitterMaid Elite Auto Self Cleaning Litter Box
$109.98 |
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|  | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | Fresh N Clean Litter Deodorizer 20 Ounce
$2.50 |
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|  | Boogie Mat De Cat Oriental For Catnip
$6.10 |
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 | Cat Pan Liner 8 Pack Giant
$2.50 |
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|  | Sport Ping Pong Balls Cat Toy - 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | D-Worm Liquid Cats\Dogs 8Oz 12
$3.60 |
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|  | Nutri-Sauce Food Flavor Enhancer For Cats
$2.60 |
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 | Eye Wash Opticlear For Cats
$4.70 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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 | Spot Spotter Ultraviolet Urine Detector
$19.00 |
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|  | Cool Camo Cap ~ Medium ~ NEW!
$5.00 |
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 | Catnip Boa Springy Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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|  | Pet Aid Anti Itch Spray 8 Oz
$4.70 |
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 | Cat Life Furniture w/tower - Style, Quality, Fun -catf2
$64.99 |
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|  | Simple Solution Concentrated Stain Odor Remover 16 Oz
$4.70 |
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 | Cat Litter Deodorizer 20 Ounce
$2.50 |
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|  | Nm Orange Oxy Cleaner 24Oz Great For Pet Items
$6.20 |
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 | Cat Sleep Over Bag Med Pink Blanket/Toys For Cats
$12.30 |
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|  | Flea Comb For Cats
$4.80 |
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 | Vital Nutrition Liquid Meal Dog/Cat Supplement
$3.60 |
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|  | Amber Technology KOCCI FREE natural COCCIDA remedy 1oz
$24.89 |
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 | Cat Sitting Pet Chrome Car / Truck Emblem
$19.99 |
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|  | Bobcat Cat Toy
$2.60 |
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 | Zeolite Filter 2Xl
$2.50 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Squeaky Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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 | Cat Pan Liner Drawsrtring 12 Pack Large
$2.50 |
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|  | 60 Catnip furry mice RAINBOW Mouse Cat Toys Kitten LOT
$14.99 |
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 | Kitty Cactus W/Toy 24 In Assorted
$36.70 |
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|  | DISNEY PRINCESS DOG CAT PET SCARF AURORA CINDERELLA NEW
$9.99 |
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 | De-Skunk 32Oz Use On Dogs/Cats
$6.10 |
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|  | Cfa Fish Wand With Suction Cat Toy
$3.50 |
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 | K&H Kitty Camper Enclosed Heated Cat Bed
$49.89 |
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|  | FURminator Professional Cat de Shredding Tool New
$26.99 |
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 | *SavvTabby* Wooden Window CAT Seat / Bed FREE SHIPPING!
$125.00 |
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|  | Litter Scoop Small For Use In All Types Of Litter
$1.40 |
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 | Ear Mite Remedy Cats .75Oz
$4.80 |
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|  | Evolve Natural Turkey Cat Food 3oz. Cans Case of 24
$19.40 |
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 | Catnip Boa Feather Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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|  | 14Ga 1 X 2 Welded Wire 36 X25' For Cages/Fences
$38.20 |
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 | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$1.20 |
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|  | Cat Life Furniture w/toys - Style, Quality, Fun - catf5
$69.99 |
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 | WHITE *Savvy Tabby* Wooden Window Seat FREE SHIPPING!!
$125.00 |
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|  | Feather Dangler Cat Wand
$2.50 |
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 | Catnip Boa Wand Cat Toy Assorted
$2.60 |
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|  | DOG....COYOTE Nylon Spike Collar 26 x 1" Black
$9.99 |
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 | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture 2040 Beige
$152.00 |
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|  | Christmas Cat Stocking 7 Pc Cat Toy
$4.80 |
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 | Treat Hip Action Chicken 3 oz Cat Treats
$2.60 |
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|  | Boogie Mat De Cat Fishies For Catnip
$6.10 |
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 | Value Pack Assorted Cat Balls 9 Pack
$4.70 |
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|  | Cup Catnip 4.5 Ounces Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$3.60 |
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 | CALICO CAT PAWPRINTS & FISHBONES CERAMIC FEEDER BOWL
$2.99 |
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|  | Dry Shampoo Powder For Cats 8 Ounce
$3.60 |
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 | DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH SISAL SCRATCHING STATION NIB 16"
$34.95 |
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|  | AFTER EIGHT CAT, Heavenly Plush Cat, Very Huggable!!
$10.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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|  | 2In1 Flea And Tick Powder For Cats
$2.50 |
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 | Jumbo Neon Lattice Ball With Bell
$1.20 |
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|  | Safety Cat Tie-Out 10 Ft
$2.60 |
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 | Booda Dual Charcoal Air Filters for litter boxes
$2.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
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 | Safety Cat Lead & Harness
$2.50 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer RTN
$59.99 |
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 | Cfa Feather Wand Cat Toy
$4.70 |
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|  | Catnip Mice, 6 Pack of Assorted Catnip Cat Toys, Mice
$5.99 |
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 | Pet Hair And Lint Remover Sponge
$6.20 |
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|  | Cat Life Furniture w/toys - Style, Quality, Fun - catf1
$99.99 |
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 | Allergy Reducing Wipes For Cats 8 Count
$2.50 |
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|  | Sun Pattern Red Silicone Ball with Whistle embeded Toy
$6.22 |
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 | Kitty Korner Komber Rubbing Device For Cats
$4.80 |
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|  | 6 Zanies Silly Squid Cat Toys Furry Squids - No Catnip
$4.99 |
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 | Sifting Cat Litter Pan With Frame Large Assorted
$12.20 |
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|  | Littermaid Cat Owners Save on Plastic Waste Receptacles
$9.99 |
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 | Comb Medium Grooming Black For Cats/Dogs
$6.10 |
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|  | LME9000MB LitterMaid Self Clean Elite Ultimt Litter Box
$119.99 |
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 | Cat Dancer Cat Charmer Interactive Toy
$4.49 |
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|  | Simple Solution Disposable Dog Diapers pkg of 12 x-lg
$9.95 |
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 | Mylar Balls 4 Pack
$1.40 |
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|  | TEMPTING TIDBITS
$1.99 |
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 | Extreme Catnip 4Oz Spray For Cats
$3.60 |
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|  | 16Ga 1 X 1 Welded Wire 24 X 15' For Cages/Fences
$12.10 |
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 | Organic Catnip 1/2 Oz For Cats
$1.20 |
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|  | Cat Walking Pet Chrome Car / Truck Emblem
$19.99 |
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