| 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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 | Cat veranda - cat window
$95.00 |
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|  | ORIGINAL FURminator CAT DOG SMALL deShedding PURPLE
$16.05 |
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 | Cool New Cat or Dog Pet Bed Pad Mat Pillow for Crate
$12.34 |
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|  | ORIGINAL FURminator CAT DOG SMALL deShedding PURPLE
$16.05 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | LOT OF 2 SCOOPWELL CAT LITTER BOX CLEANER SCOOPER nwt
$18.99 |
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|  | Meow Cat Dish Cute Bright Colors
$0.99 |
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 | "THE BIG FISH" RAISED CAT BOWL/DISH FEEDER / HANDMADE
$20.00 |
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|  | Cat Toy lot 6 Plastic Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$0.79 |
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ALL SIZES FRONTLINE PLUS CATS KITTENS GREEN FLEA 8 DOSE
$17.98 |
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|  | Cat Pet Toy lot 6 Big Large fur mice brand new in pack
$4.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$35.99 |
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 | ORIGINAL FURminator CAT DOG SMALL deShedding PURPLE
$16.05 |
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|  | Cute Pink Dog Collar with Diamonds&Bell rhinestone 8"
$4.99 |
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 | SUPER STRONG MAINE ORGANICALLY GROWN CATNIP! BEST EVER
$4.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | "THE MOUSE" RAISED CAT BOWL/DISH FEEDER / HANDMADE CUTE
$24.99 |
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 | Nutro MAX CAT Salmon & Whitefish-Chicken Supreme 48cans
$22.00 |
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|  | Retro Modern Pet Bed: cat small dog mid century ivory
$49.00 |
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 | Argo Petascope Airline Approved Small Pet Carrier Black
$65.00 |
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|  | Frontline for cats/kittens *6 months*
$16.49 |
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 | 69" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T42
$9.99 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Peticure Petite Pets Dogs Cats Claw Control
$36.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$9.99 |
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|  | Bio Spot for Cats 5+ lbs 3 month supply - NEW in box -
$0.99 |
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 | 2 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!!
$1.50 |
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|  | DOG CAT PET BED 21X21
$34.95 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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|  | Tiki Cat - Bulk Lot of Canned Cat Food
$35.95 |
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 | UV Mini Blacklight Help Locate Cats Dogs Urine Pee
$10.99 |
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|  | Littermaid Mega LM900 Automatic Litter Box FREE SHIP
$129.89 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F3031
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Collar Lavendar & Purple Bell with Sparkle New
$0.49 |
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 | DOG CAT PET BED 21 X 21
$34.95 |
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|  | RAISED CAT BOWL/HANDMADE/WE MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOUR CAT
$24.99 |
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 | SpotOn Plus for cats (As seen in Frontline's magazine)4
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE BOX FOR CATS UNDER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA 6
$33.99 |
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 | STAYWELL INFRA-RED COLLAR KEY PACK 2 PACK- BLUE
$9.99 |
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|  | Hartz Guard plus flea & tick drops
$2.00 |
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 | Tiki Cat - King Kamehameha Luau Variety Pack - Cat Food
$8.95 |
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|  | World of Cats Understanding Your Cat DVD Playtime & Mor
$2.17 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cat (6 months)~ NOTT a KIT
$24.99 |
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|  | Kitty-go-crazy interactive toy, NWOT!!
$8.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Arch Groomer Cat Kitten *Free Ship*
$5.00 |
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|  | LARGE WICKER RATTAN BED CAT LITTER COVER FREE SHIPPING
$119.99 |
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 | Petmate Litter Locker Refill
$10.00 |
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|  | COSEQUIN JOINT HEALTH SUPPLEMENT FOR CATS NEW!!
$24.99 |
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 | Karma Coaching Cards For Cat Lovers by Jane Clayton
$1.89 |
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|  | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T41
$9.99 |
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 | NEW BAMBOO FURBUSTER 2" CAT DESHEDDING TOOL & 4 BLADES
$22.99 |
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|  | Urine Off Odor & Stain Remover FOR DOGS (GALLON)
$32.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
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|  | SCIENCE DIET ADULT ORIGINIAL 5/09 CAT FOOD HILLS 2/20#
$20.00 |
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 | RHINESTONE PET DOG CAT COLLAR - VELVET BLACK 3 ROWS!
$24.99 |
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|  | RAISED CAT BOWL / CAT DISH / FEEDER 15" HIGH HANDMADE
$20.00 |
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 | SMALL, DOG, CAT, WICKER, PET, HOUSE, BED
$3.25 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F3027-B
$4.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$34.99 |
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|  | DOG CAT PET BED 21 X 21
$34.95 |
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 | RAISED CAT BOWL / CAT DISH / FEEDER 15" HIGH HANDMADE
$21.00 |
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|  | Tiki Cat - King Kamehameha Luau Variety Pack - Cat Food
$8.95 |
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 | PET PICTURE FRAME CAT PHOTO MEMORIES FRIEND MULTIPLE BL
$3.99 |
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|  | Soft Paws / Claws Nail caps for cats Sml U pick color
$12.95 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040B
$19.99 |
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|  | NEW Blue Fluffy Cat or Dog Pet Bed 20x20"- Pet Supply
$11.50 |
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 | DOG CAT PET BED 18X14
$22.95 |
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|  | FOR BULLDOG EMMA,MYSTERY BOX/FOR YOUR CAT TOYS/TREATS!
$10.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | DOG CAT PET BED 18X14
$22.95 |
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 | GOOD GRIPS Small Rake for Dog, Cat, Pet
$3.99 |
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|  | Peticure -Elite New In Box-As seen on TV
$56.00 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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|  | MUD PIE Designer Crysta Cat w/Blue Crown Collar Charm
$7.96 |
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 | 5 CATNIP BAGS! HOME GROWN! HOME SEWN CAT FABRIC TOYS!
$4.99 |
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|  | LARGE WICKER RATTAN BED CAT LITTER COVER FREE SHIPPING
$119.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | 400 NEW LINERS for LITTERMAID WASTE RECEPTACLES
$22.00 |
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 | Soft Paws / Claws Nail caps for cats MED purp,pnk,or bl
$12.95 |
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|  | LITTER KWITTER cat toilet train kitty litter box system
$59.95 |
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 | LOOK A GREAT NEW WASHABLE CAT PLACE MAT SO CUTE
$0.01 |
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|  | 35 CAT Food Coupons Wholesome Goodlife Pounce Meow Mix
$0.99 |
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 | Cute Pink Dog Collar with Diamonds&Bell rhinestone 8"
$4.99 |
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|  | PET PICTURE FRAME CAT PHOTO MEMORIES FRIEND MULTIPLE SL
$3.99 |
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New Litterlyclean Automatic Litter Box Disinfectant Cat
$6.95 |
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|  | World of Cats The Indoor Cat (new cat owner guide) DVD
$2.17 |
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 | Baby Pink Pet Dog/Cat Collar Rhinestone Bell Terrier S
$5.00 |
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|  | 1 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANICALLY GROWN GREAT QUALITY!!
$0.75 |
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 | CAT Frontline Plus (6 mo.) ~ NOT A KIT
$24.99 |
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|  | DOG CAT PET BED 18X14
$22.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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 | 16 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CANNED FOOD COUPONS $1/6
$0.99 |
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