| 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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 | Teaser Fleece Wand With Acrylic Rod Cat Toy
$1.50 |
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|  | Cfa Feather Wand Cat Toy
$4.70 |
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 | 2Nd Step Weaning Formula For Kittens 14Oz
$6.30 |
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|  | Kmr Powder 12 Oz Food For Kittens
$15.00 |
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 | Feather Dangler Cat Wand
$2.50 |
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|  | NEW LitterMaid Cat Privacy Tent Pet Litter Maid Box
$24.99 |
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 | Litter Scoop Small For Use In All Types Of Litter
$1.40 |
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|  | Swatical Cat Toy
$2.80 |
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 | Catmeister Cat Toy
$1.60 |
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|  | Simple Solution Oxy Solution Stain Remover 32 oz
$8.00 |
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 | Nutri-Sauce Food Flavor Enhancer For Cats
$2.60 |
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|  | Feather Boa Cat Toy with Wand
$1.70 |
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 | Fungisan Germ Ringworm Formula For Cats
$2.80 |
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|  | Litter Mat Flexible For Cats Assorted Colors
$4.00 |
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 | Slotted Balls Cat Toy 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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|  | Nm Orange Oxy Cleaner 24Oz Great For Pet Items
$6.20 |
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 | Tag Spotbrites Laser W/Heart ID Tag For Cats/Dogs
$4.10 |
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|  | Petromalt Hairball Formula 4.4Oz For Cats
$5.10 |
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 | Spot Spotter Ultraviolet Urine Detector
$19.00 |
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|  | Flea Comb For Cats
$4.80 |
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 | Litter Scoop Stand 3.8 Inch Holds Litter Scoop
$4.00 |
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|  | Featherlite Boas Cat Toy
$2.20 |
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 | Tuna Flakes 1 Ounce Cat Treat
$4.20 |
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|  | Ps 3/8In Adjustable Break-Way Collar Red For Cats
$3.80 |
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 | Cfa Fish Wand With Suction Cat Toy
$3.50 |
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|  | Toy Rainbow Mice 9Pk Toys For Cats
$4.80 |
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 | MR. HERZHER'S CRAFTSMAN SERIES DOUBLE SEAT CAT PERCH
$154.99 |
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|  | Shed-X Formula For Cats 8 Oz Reduces Shedding
$4.10 |
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 | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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|  | Vet Formula Flea And Tick Shampoo For Dogs/Cats
$5.40 |
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 | Kitty Bungalow 31 In Assorted
$118.50 |
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|  | Cat Sleep Over Bag Med Pink Blanket/Toys For Cats
$12.30 |
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 | Flea & Tick Collar For Cats Works up to 8 Months
$5.00 |
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|  | Catnip Scratching Post 17In
$4.10 |
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 | Kitty Cactus W/Toy 24 In Assorted
$36.70 |
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|  | Kitty Cactus W/Pom Pom 16In Assorted
$9.80 |
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 | Laxatone 2. 5Oz For Cat Hairballs
$4.50 |
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|  | Love Glove Grooming Mitt Massage And Grooms Pet
$5.20 |
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 | Dental Fresh For Cats Cleans Teeth/Breath
$3.20 |
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|  | Groomer's Blend Flea & Tick Shampoo 17Oz For Dogs/Cats
$4.10 |
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 | Jumbo Neon Lattice Ball With Bell
$1.20 |
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|  | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$1.20 |
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 | Catnip Boa Feather Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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|  | BULK CAT DOG ORGANIC oat GRASS digestive track aid SEED
$7.50 |
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 | Graffiti Ping Pong Balls 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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|  | Catnip Chew Ring Multicolor Cat Toy
$2.10 |
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 | Burlap Mouse w/ Catnip - 3 Pack
$1.80 |
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|  | Fishy Fun Multicolor Cat Toy
$3.00 |
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 | Booda Catnip Terry Hedgehog Soft Cat Toy
$1.90 |
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|  | Tie Dye Plush Mice Catnip 2Pk Toys For Cats
$1.50 |
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 | Blue Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 2 Liners
$2.20 |
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|  | Cat Litter Pan Assorted Colors Giant
$5.70 |
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 | Cfa Cat Nip Wool Mouse 2Pack Cat Toy
$2.70 |
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|  | NEW PET ESSENTIALS CAT SCRATCHER & CLIMBER HOUSE TREE
$29.95 |
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 | Heated Pet Pad Medium
$54.20 |
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|  | Creeps Cat Toy
$1.60 |
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 | Litter Locker Plus Reduces Odor From Cat Litter
$23.90 |
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|  | 4Paws Ear Wash 4Oz
$5.00 |
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 | cat food bowl pet wooden shaped stainless steel bowl
$14.99 |
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|  | Mite Off Blue 8.75 Oz
$3.90 |
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 | Vital Nutrition Liquid Meal Dog/Cat Supplement
$3.60 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats - over 8 wks
$46.90 |
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 | Catnip Treat Turkey Flavored 4 Ounces Cat Treat
$1.20 |
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|  | Pro Pet Salon Detangling And Freshening Spray Cats
$3.70 |
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 | Wooden Pin Brush For Cats
$3.20 |
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|  | Bobcat Cat Toy
$2.60 |
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 | Cat Zoom Groom Brush For Cats
$4.00 |
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|  | Cat Combo Brush
$3.10 |
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 | Laxatone Tuna Flavor Medium Treats Hairballs In Cats
$4.50 |
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|  | Ski Slope Scratcher In W/Catnip And Toy Mouse
$9.40 |
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 | Shimmer Balls Cat Toy 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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|  | Chrome Litter Scoop With Plastic Handle
$1.50 |
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 | Flashing Cat Ball
$1.50 |
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|  | Hooded Cat Bed
$15.90 |
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 | Cfa Cat Nip Porcupine Cat Toy
$2.80 |
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|  | Ear Miticide For Cats 1Oz
$5.80 |
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 | Sifting Enclosed Cat Litter Pan Large Assorted
$22.70 |
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|  | SACK-A-CAT Medicate, Groom, Clip Nails, Home Pet Care
$14.99 |
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 | Wacky Rollers Cat Toy 7Pk
$1.50 |
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|  | Stop Pests Dog Cat Animal Chaser Koi Pond Repellent NEW
$38.90 |
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 | Pet Aid Anti Itch Spray 8 Oz
$4.70 |
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|  | Cat Stain/Odor Remover 16Oz
$3.20 |
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 | Kittyvite Daily Vitamin Paste - For Senior Cats
$2.90 |
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|  | Holiday Cat Tennis Balls 2 Pack
$1.40 |
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 | Kittyvite Vitamin Moist Treat -Kittens/Adult Cats
$2.80 |
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|  | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Hot Pink For Cats
$3.80 |
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 | Cheese Chase Multicolor Cat Toy
$11.50 |
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|  | Shake Rattle Roll Multicolor Cat Toy
$3.00 |
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 | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Purple For Cats
$3.90 |
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|  | Treat Hip Action Chicken 3 oz Cat Treats
$2.60 |
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 | 2Oz Replacement Nipples 5Pk For Nursing Pets
$2.20 |
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|  | Cat Nail Clipper Grooming Tool
$5.90 |
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 | Sifting Cat Litter Pan With Frame Large Assorted
$12.20 |
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|  | Control Flea And Tick Repellent For Cats
$4.10 |
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 | Cfa Cat Nip Spool and Ball Cat Toy
$2.40 |
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|  | 16Ga 1/2 X 1 Welded Wire 30X For Cages/Fences
$13.80 |
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 | Alpine Scratcher for Cats
$8.00 |
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|  | Especially For Cat Stain & Odor Remover 32Oz.
$3.60 |
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 | Petromalt Hairball Formula 2Oz For Cats
$3.00 |
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