| 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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 | Adjustable Figure 8 Harness for Cats & Puppies- Blue
$4.10 |
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|  | Heated Pet Pad Medium
$54.20 |
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 | Boogie Mat De Cat Fishies For Catnip
$6.10 |
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|  | Vet Formula Flea And Tick Shampoo For Dogs/Cats
$5.40 |
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 | Flashing Cat Ball
$1.50 |
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|  | PACK OF 12 COSMIC PET RATTLE TOYS CAT WITH CATNIP NEW
$8.99 |
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 | Ps 3/8In Adjustable Break-Way Collar Blue For Cats
$3.80 |
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|  | Cat Zoom Groom Brush For Cats
$4.00 |
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 | Spray W/Cortisone 8.4Oz for Cats/Dogs
$12.60 |
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|  | De-Skunk 32Oz Use On Dogs/Cats
$6.10 |
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 | Alpine Scratcher for Cats
$8.00 |
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|  | Hooded Pan Set Espresso Large For Cats
$13.40 |
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 | Air Filter For Various Cat Litter Pans
$1.00 |
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|  | Kittyvite Vitamin Moist Treat - For Senior Cats
$3.00 |
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 | Simple Solution Grooming Glove For Pets
$1.80 |
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|  | Featherlite Boas Cat Toy
$2.20 |
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 | Stop Pests Dog Cat Animal Chaser Koi Pond Repellent NEW
$38.90 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM FOUNTAIN WATER DISH + 4 FILTERS
$69.50 |
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 | Catnip Boa Wand Cat Toy Assorted
$2.60 |
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|  | Heated Pet Mat - Small
$46.50 |
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 | Green Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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|  | Extreme Catnip 4Oz Spray For Cats
$3.60 |
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 | 18 Kity Cactus W/Cover Multicolor
$27.80 |
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|  | Pet Sling Assorted 20Lbs Pet Carrier
$18.10 |
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 | Set of Ceramic Spot Brand Cat Food and Water Dishes
$6.35 |
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|  | Royal Splendor PET BED Dog Puppy Cat Kitten Metal Frame
$39.95 |
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 | Cat-A-Trail Cat Tunnel For Sleep and Play
$26.30 |
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|  | Petromalt Hairball Formula 4.4Oz For Cats
$5.10 |
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 | Sponge Soccer Balls 4 Pack
$1.80 |
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|  | Nutrimalt Supplement 1.76 Oz For Cats
$3.10 |
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 | Litter Locker Plus Reduces Odor From Cat Litter
$23.90 |
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|  | Mat Tapix Beige Cat Litter Mat
$3.90 |
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 | Pps 3/8InX14In Safety Collar Purple For Cats
$3.80 |
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|  | D-Worm Liquid Cats\Dogs 8Oz 12
$3.60 |
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 | Toothpaste PLUS Finger Brush For Cats .4oz
$2.00 |
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|  | Ultra Touch Flea Comb/Cats
$4.80 |
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 | Sponge Soccer Ball 2Pk Cat Toy
$1.10 |
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|  | Especially For Cat Stain & Odor Remover 32Oz.
$3.60 |
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 | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Blue For Cats
$3.70 |
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|  | Boogie Mat De Cat Oriental For Catnip
$6.00 |
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 | Slicker Brush-Soft Pin For Dog/Cat Grooming
$5.20 |
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|  | Comb Medium Grooming Black For Cats/Dogs
$6.10 |
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 | Kitty Scratching Ramp Cat Toy
$7.70 |
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|  | Spot Spotter Ultraviolet Urine Detector
$19.00 |
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 | Spot On Cats 1Cc 4Pk Kills Fleas
$5.50 |
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|  | Toothpaste For Cats 2.5Oz
$2.80 |
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 | Pet Hair And Lint Remover Sponge
$6.20 |
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|  | Spray W/ Cortisone 4Oz For Cats/Dogs
$6.50 |
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 | Hooded Cat Bed
$15.90 |
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|  | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | NEW LitterMaid Cat Privacy Tent Pet Litter Maid Box
$24.99 |
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|  | Dinner Mat Cat Assorted For Food Dishes
$4.10 |
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 | Ammo-Cat Litter Additive 24oz Keeps Litter Fresh Longer
$3.10 |
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|  | Cotton Catnip Pillow Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.10 |
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 | Green Catch Fetch Tennis Ball w Bracket for Dog Cat Pet
$8.21 |
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|  | Bathing Cloth For Dogs 7 Count No Water Needed
$2.90 |
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 | Sleep Right Rite Thermal Self Warming Cat Cushion
$19.00 |
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|  | Treat Hip Action Chicken 3 oz Cat Treats
$2.60 |
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 | Cat Sleep Over Bag Med Pink Blanket/Toys For Cats
$12.30 |
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|  | Sponge KITKAT Balls - 4 Pack
$1.30 |
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 | Kitty Korner Komber Rubbing Device For Cats
$4.80 |
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|  | Cfa Fish Wand With Suction Cat Toy
$3.50 |
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 | Fishy Fun Multicolor Cat Toy
$3.00 |
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|  | Advantage for Dogs 6 months 21-25lbs
$48.00 |
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 | Carefresh Assorted Color Small Pet Bedding 5L Cs of 8
$19.60 |
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|  | Allergy Reducing Wipes For Cats 8 Count
$2.50 |
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 | Ear Mite Remedy Cats .75Oz
$4.80 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Mouse In
$11.90 |
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 | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$1.20 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Bouncng Cat Toy Assorted
$2.40 |
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 | Litter Mat Flexible For Cats Assorted Colors
$4.00 |
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|  | Graffiti Ping Pong Balls 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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 | 16Ga 1/2 X 1 Welded Wire 30X For Cages/Fences
$13.80 |
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|  | Kitty Condo W/Perch 20.5In Assorted
$44.70 |
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 | Kitty Curry Brush
$3.00 |
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|  | Palm Flea Comb W/One Row Of Fine Metal Teeth
$2.70 |
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 | Track-Less Litter Mat Blue For Cats 13.75InX17In
$4.10 |
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|  | Kitty Cuz Cat Toy
$1.80 |
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 | Hooded Pan Set Blue Large For Cats
$13.40 |
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|  | SACK-A-CAT Medicate, Groom, Clip Nails, Home Pet Care
$14.99 |
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 | Catnip Extract 5Oz Spray On Objects
$3.20 |
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|  | Mat Removing Comb Removes Mats Painlessly
$7.90 |
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 | NEW SPORT PET CAT JUNGLE GYM CONDO HOUSE CORNER DESIGN!
$10.95 |
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|  | Litter Scoop Stand 3.8 Inch Holds Litter Scoop
$4.00 |
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 | 2In1 Flea And Tick Powder For Cats
$2.50 |
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|  | Holiday Cat Tennis Balls 2 Pack
$1.40 |
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 | Cat Bristle Brush Comb Grooming Tool
$7.70 |
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|  | Bobcat Cat Toy
$2.60 |
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 | Colorful Springs Thin 10 Pack
$1.10 |
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|  | Farnam's Scratchex Flea & Tick Shampoo for Pets
$3.80 |
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 | Cat Yogurt Drops Treats
$1.60 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Feather Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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 | Simple Solution Oxy Solution Stain Remover 32 oz
$8.00 |
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|  | Mite Off Blue 8.75 Oz
$3.90 |
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 | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$1.20 |
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|  | Fresh Flow Replacement Filter
$4.10 |
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 | Cfa Sparkle Ball Set 2Pc Cat Toy
$1.80 |
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|  | Heavyweight & Non Skid Cat Food/Water Dish
$2.10 |
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 | Catnip Boa Springy Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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|  | Organic Catnip 1/2 Oz For Cats
$1.20 |
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