| 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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 | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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|  | Lot of 3 lazer laser pointer 5 head C LOW S+H + 10 AG13
$3.33 |
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 | CHERRIES ON BLUE Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | Advantage Flea and Tick for Cats
$1.00 |
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 | NEW pet carrier for small dog or cat--Classy Looking!
$4.99 |
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|  | KONG Dog Toy DISPENSER brand new
$30.00 |
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 | Kitty Walk Tunnel
$9.50 |
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|  | COLORFUL CAT PLAY CAVE WITH ACTION PLAY BALL wow!
$0.99 |
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 | Pet First Aid Kit:35 Piece Large (PF-134) NEW:Cat Lover
$19.99 |
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|  | new NAIL clippers FOR cats CAT clipper TRIMMER
$0.99 |
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 | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic memory foam Dog Bed
$49.99 |
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|  | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Caps Kittens & Small Cats NEW
$2.50 |
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 | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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|  | New Whisker City Camouflage Safety Collar - Pink Camo
$6.25 |
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 | Bizzy Kitty Center Cat Toy Red/White
$2.99 |
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|  | *** RC Radio Control MOUSE Rat Dog Cat Pet Toy NEW ***
$9.99 |
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 | COMFORT ZONE DIFFUSER WITH FELIWAY
$29.99 |
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|  | 2 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!!
$1.50 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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|  | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$17.95 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Roll Away Self Cleaning Litter Box - Regular
$28.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box - Regular with Mat
$33.99 |
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|  | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$0.99 |
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 | FOUR PAWS SUPER CATNIP SCRATCHING POST
$2.99 |
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|  | PACIFIC CATCH - SMOKED SALMON & BARLEY CAT TREATS 2.8oz
$0.99 |
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 | Hand Crafted 3 Bowl Raised Feeder, Gay Interest (cat01)
$44.99 |
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|  | NEW RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER PINK DOTS $10.99
$10.99 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Caps LARGE Cat Stop Scratching
$2.50 |
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|  | PAWS N CLAWS ROLL AROUND TIN TOY
$0.99 |
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box - Large with Mat
$39.99 |
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 | ** 36 Stylette LitterSweep / Litter Roundup Bags NEW **
$9.99 |
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|  | BULK CAT DOG ORGANIC oat GRASS digestive track aid SEED
$7.50 |
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 | ORIJEN CAT 6 FISH CAT FOOD HIGH PROTEIN NO GRAIN 5.5LBS
$18.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS & KITTENS 8 WEEKS OR OLDER
$29.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Roll Away Self Cleaning Litter Box - Large
$34.99 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$109.99 |
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 | RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER BLACK DOTS $10.99
$10.99 |
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|  | NYLON CAT HARNESS
$3.99 |
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 | BUDDY BISCUITS-CHICKEN N LIVER MADNESS FOR CATS
$0.99 |
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|  | Beautiful Solid Wood Pet Casket Small
$49.00 |
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 | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$17.95 |
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|  | SANTA HAT COIL CAT TOY
$0.99 |
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 | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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|  | Glazed Stoneware Cat Food Dish & Water Dish No Defects
$12.50 |
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 | Wholesale 4 laser pointer 5 head lazer NEW C Low S+H
$3.57 |
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|  | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Cap Medium Cat Stop Scratching
$2.50 |
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 | Peek-A-Prize Toy Box-------Cat Toy
$19.00 |
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| Purina Friskies Fancy Feast Coupons up to $40+ & BONUS!
$0.80 |
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 | DRINKWELL CAT DOG PET WATER FILTER FOUNTAIN DISH BOWL
$24.99 |
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers ~ Cat Toy Pet Shop Store Supplies
$24.96 |
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 | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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|  | Lot of 12 laser pointer 5 head lazer NEW C Low S+H
$9.98 |
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 | 8 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!
$3.49 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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 | Ulticare Sharps Container Only For U-40 Syringes
$1.99 |
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|  | GOD BLESS MY CAT, St. Francis Jewelry Medal Tag Charm
$2.99 |
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 | Food Water Cat Dog Dish Bowl 6" Wide Blue Paw Prints
$26.00 |
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|  | Hand Crafted 3 Bowl Raised Feeder, Gay Interest (cat03)
$44.99 |
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 | Saltwater Aquarium Video DVD - Relaxation Great 4 cats
$9.99 |
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|  | Litter Box Liners, Dave Ramsey Sale, Cat Cleaning Trash
$0.99 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB Ultimate Edition-Black
$117.50 |
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 | CAT DOG Clothes PINK Camoflauge Tee Shirt !! Large
$10.99 |
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|  | #OT01 YELLOW CAT COLLAR WITH STRETCH INSERT
$1.00 |
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 | New Luxury Cleopatra Pet Cat Dog Doll Bed Chaise Couch
$49.00 |
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|  | Litter Box Liners, Dave Ramsey Sale, Cat Cleaning Trash
$0.99 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic Cashmere Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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 | Hand Crafted 3 Bowl Raised Feeder, Gay Interest (cat02)
$44.99 |
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|  | Zodiac Spot On four pack for cats & kittens over 12 wks
$7.00 |
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 | The Luxurious Dog / Cat Cashmere ergonomic Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | NEVER SCOOP Clean Kitty Cat Litter Box/Pan! 3-mo supply
$17.69 |
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|  | PIGS PRINT Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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|  | New Fashion Safe Cat Collar - Skulls & Crossbones
$8.50 |
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 | CAT SAFETY REFLECTIVE COLLARS BY SPOT MY CAT
$8.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Fountain + Brush + 4 Filters NEW
$69.99 |
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 | THE HONEST KITCHEN PROWL CAT FOOD DEHYDRATED RAW 2LB
$21.00 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candy Canes Black ADJUST 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | THE HONEST KITCHEN PROWL CAT FOOD DEHYDRATED RAW 4LB
$36.00 |
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|  | Zodiac Spot On Plus three pack for cats over 5 lbs.
$6.00 |
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 | SAVVY TABBY KITTY CRUSADER - Cat Halloween Costume
$19.99 |
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|  | Comfort Zone Diffuser with Feliway for CATS Plug In
$12.99 |
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | FREE Breeze Cat Litter System Tidy Cats Coupon $29.99
$12.50 |
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 | Six colors adjust nylon cat collars wt a bell!
$15.75 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
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 | Cheese Mountain Electronic Motion Activated Cat Toy N
$9.99 |
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|  | 4 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC cat toy green - FRESH!
$1.99 |
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 | 1 LB. OF CATNIP 16 OZ. 100% ORGANIC * FRESH! * GREEN!
$6.99 |
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|  | Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Wicker Rattan 1805
$49.99 |
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 | The Luxurious Dog / Cat ergonomic Dog Cat Bed
$49.99 |
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