| 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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 | CatGenie GenieDome
$19.95 |
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|  | 36" SINGLE POLE Da Bird wand cat toy 4 Attachments
$14.99 |
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 | Ultimate Cat Toy Play Set with catnip quilt
$21.99 |
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|  | Lot of 3 NEW! Feliway Comfort Zone Sprays 75 ml Farnam
$55.00 |
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 | LIGHTWEIGHT PET CARRIER BY "RUFF & READY" NEW
$31.75 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$33.95 |
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 | Advantage for Dogs 4 months 55lbs or Over
$42.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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 | THE HONEST KITCHEN PROWL CAT FOOD DEHYDRATED RAW 4LB
$40.00 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 12 Tubes
$85.99 |
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 | * FREE SHIPPING * Frontline Plus Cats Cat 6 Pack
$54.95 |
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|  | NEW Soft Dog Pet House Furniture Navy Blue Fabric
$48.00 |
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 | Litter Robot II (BEIGE) FULL WARRANTY! TOY INCLUDED
$329.00 |
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|  | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT DRIVE 'EM WILD W/O THE MESS FREE SH
$4.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$33.95 |
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 | **NEW***Leopard Pattern Pet Carrier (Dog or Cat)
$29.95 |
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|  | KITTY SNUGGLE CRINKLE SACK - NEW
$9.99 |
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 | Plush Cat Hideaway and Play Tunnel--FUN, COZY, SNUGGLY
$29.99 |
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|  | WERUVA MEOW LUAU ALOE CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HOLISTIC
$27.50 |
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 | Advantage for Dogs 4 months 11-20lbs
$35.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$33.95 |
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 | Replacement Flap,Small Quick Fit PetSafe Dog Door, Pet
$19.95 |
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|  | WERUVA PAW LICKIN CHICKEN CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN
$27.50 |
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 | WERUVA OUTBACK GRILL CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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|  | 6 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$10.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 12 mon
$37.00 |
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|  | WERUVA ASIAN FUSION CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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 | Extra Large Cat Dog Litter Box Dog Den Sage Color NEW!!
$79.00 |
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|  | WERUVA POLYNESIAN BBQ CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HOLISTIC
$27.50 |
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 | Cat Car Bed--Totally Awesome & Completely Cute
$39.99 |
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|  | WERUVA FUNKY CHUNKY CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
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|  | WERUVA PEKING DUCKEN CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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 | Advantage for Dogs 4 months 10lbs and under
$35.00 |
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|  | MEDIUM PINK CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
$17.98 |
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 | Frontline® 2 LARGE vials+kit no collar FLEA KILLER CAT
$44.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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 | WERUVA ON THE CAT WOK CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HOLISTIC
$27.50 |
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|  | MEDIUM NATURAL CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps
$17.98 |
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 | Cute Litter Box Scoop- Litter Box Cleaner
$1.49 |
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|  | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT DRIVE 'EM WILD W/O THE MESS FREE SH
$4.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats Flea and Tick Medicine 3 mo sup
$49.85 |
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|  | Pet Plaques (Customized To Your Breed Or Pet)
$5.99 |
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 | PINK PRINCESS PET FEEDER Dog Cat Water Bowl Food Dish
$9.95 |
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|  | WERUVA GRANDMAS CHICKEN SOUP CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24)
$27.50 |
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 | FUN TUNNEL FOR CAT OR FERRETT PLAY! GREAT TOY!
$39.95 |
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|  | 20month! Cat FLEA KILLER Advantage®USA/EPA no exp SAVE$
$44.99 |
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 | (3) $5.00 OFF ANY SIZE OF EUKANUBA DRY CAT FOOD
$1.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
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 | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT DRIVE 'EM WILD W/O THE MESS FREE SH
$4.99 |
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|  | 12 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$19.99 |
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 | Littermaid BRAND NEW Self Cleaning Cat Litter Maid Box
$49.95 |
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|  | DOG LEASH, COLLAR, TOWEL AND TOY PACK!
$49.95 |
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 | WERUVA STEAK FRITES CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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|  | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Purifying Pet Fountain
$29.95 |
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 | LitterMaid 12 Waste Receptacles Containers NEW IN BOX
$9.95 |
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|  | WERUVA MARBELLA PAELLA CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) NO PATE
$27.50 |
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 | CATS - THE INDOOR CAT WORLD OF CATS DVD NEW ..60 MIN.
$5.00 |
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|  | Frontline® 1 LARGE vial+kit no collar FLEA KILLER - CAT
$24.99 |
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 | 20month! Cat FLEA KILLER Advantage®USA/EPA no exp SAVE$
$44.99 |
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|  | COMFORT ZONE WITH FELIWAY DIFFUSER,REFILL,AND SPRAY NEW
$58.00 |
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 | Glazed Stoneware Cat Food Dish & Water Dish No Defects
$12.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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 | Comfort Zone Feliway Plug In Diffuser ONE KIT Cats
$28.99 |
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|  | HUH? Advantage Advantix Frontline Plus= Kit Fillers
$6.95 |
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 | MEDIUM RED CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
$17.98 |
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|  | ORIJEN CAT KITTEN TO ADULT HIGH PROTEIN NO GRAIN 5.5LBS
$20.00 |
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 | WERUVA MACK AND JACK CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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|  | 3 pk filter for Catit cat water fountain systems
$9.45 |
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 | Pet Plaques (Customized To Your Breed Or Pet)
$5.99 |
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|  | Advantage for Dogs 6 months 10lbs and under
$46.00 |
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 | MEDIUM PURPLE CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps
$17.98 |
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|  | Advantage® 2 LARGE vials+kit no collar FLEA KILLER CAT
$44.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
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|  | WERUVA MIDEAST FEAST CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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|  | Hooded Cat Litter Box Petmate Covered Pink Cat Litter
$17.99 |
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 | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT DRIVE 'EM WILD W/O THE MESS FREE SH
$4.99 |
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|  | CATS THE WORLD OF CATS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAT DVD NEW
$5.00 |
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 | * FREE SHIPPING * Frontline Plus Cats Cat 3 Pack
$29.95 |
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|  | Feliway Comfort Zone Diffuser Outlet / Refill 48 ml NEW
$26.99 |
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 | Advantage for Cats 6 months 9 lbs and under
$45.00 |
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|  | Replacement Flap, Medium Quick Fit PetSafe Dog Door,Pet
$21.95 |
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 | Petmate Large Hooded Litter Box PINK 2 Day SHip NEW!
$14.62 |
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|  | Our Pets Play-N-Squeak Whack Attack Cat Kitty Toy
$19.95 |
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 | * FREE SHIPPING * Frontline Plus Cats Cat 12 Pack
$99.95 |
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|  | Large CAT PET Groomers Bag Nail Claw Grooming Bathing
$15.99 |
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 | MEDIUM BLACK CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps pet
$17.98 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 4 Tubes
$34.99 |
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 | Advantage for Cats 4 months 9 lbs and under
$35.00 |
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|  | HAMMOCAT CAT HAMMOCK! NICE CAT BED OR LOUNGE!
$39.95 |
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 | PACK 'N PAWS BASKET WEAVE 16.5" PET CARRIER BROWN $170
$99.99 |
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|  | WERUVA GREEN EGGS AND CHICKEN CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24)
$27.50 |
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 | Certified Organic Catnip ( 1 oz. package)
$3.99 |
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|  | WERUVA MEDITERRANEAN HARVEST CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24)
$27.50 |
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 | WERUVA NINE LIVER CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN ORGANIC
$27.50 |
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|  | MEDIUM BLUE CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
$17.98 |
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 | Pet Essentials Cat Scratcher & Climber Tan NEW
$30.50 |
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