| 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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 | NEW Lazy Pet Cat Window Perch Sheepskin Adjustable Blue
$22.95 |
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|  | Staywell Lockable BIG CAT Pet Door - For Glass or Door
$28.99 |
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 | LOT Cat Toys Catnip KONG Dr. Noys Zoom Groom Laser
$24.99 |
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|  | CATNIP CAT BED ~ PURR PAD ~ MAT ~ BLANKET -plus Toy
$12.99 |
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 | *FREE SHIPPING* Frontline Plus Cats Cat 1 Month
$12.95 |
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|  | SOFT CLAWS NAIL CAPS FOR CATS/KITTENS SML 6-8LBS $22+
$14.50 |
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 | Litter Kwitter Quitter Cat Potty Toilet Training System
$59.95 |
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|  | Cat Toy, Mini Beaded Yarn Mice. Lot of 18 Mice.
$2.99 |
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 | COSEQUIN FOR CATS 2 BOXES OF 80 CAPS EACH EXP 6/2012
$32.75 |
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|  | Fresh pure sardine-anchovy oil-8.75 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$12.00 |
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 | DW-901 Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain Dog W/ 4 Filters
$48.37 |
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|  | Fresh pure Icelandic salmon oil-8.75 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$10.50 |
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 | 10 Coupons B4G1 FREE FRISKIES SELECT INDOOR CANNED FOOD
$1.69 |
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|  | 10 Mad Platters Mouse Cheese on Plate Spinning Cat Toys
$42.70 |
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 | JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER COVER MULTIPLE CAT HOME
$139.99 |
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|  | Pet Doggie Cat Entertainment Rolling Small Cloth Ball
$7.45 |
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 | Littermaid Mega Automatic cat Litterbox LM900 - NEW!
$89.99 |
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|  | Glow Ball 2" POM POM-CATNIP-CAT TOY-TOYS-PET
$2.15 |
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 | Catit Pet Fountain Replacement Filter Cartridges 12pk
$19.99 |
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|  | Aqua pharmaceutical ammo cat litter 48 oz a special zeo
$7.86 |
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 | ANTI ICKY POO! URINE/FECES PET ODOR STAIN REMOVER 1 GAL
$27.95 |
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|  | COSEQUIN FOR CATS 80 CAP FRESHEST AVAILABLE EXP 06/2012
$18.90 |
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 | PROTECT THIS CAT Angel Pet Collar Charm Cat Tag NEW
$3.25 |
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|  | Farnam COMFORT ZONE REFILL 48ML
$22.85 |
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 | Farnam BIO SPOT CAT 3MO 0-5LB
$18.93 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain W/ Aqua Garden 3 Pods
$51.95 |
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|  | Catit Pet Fountain Replacement Filter Cartridges 3 pk
$6.49 |
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 | K&H Mfg Thermo Kitty Hut Heated Cat Bed Domain
$39.95 |
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|  | Farnam FELIWAY SPRAY 75ML
$29.79 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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|  | Frontline Plus For CATS 6 Doses Months 2 boxes EPA APP
$44.99 |
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 | Drinkwell The Original Pet Watering Fountain
$42.95 |
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|  | Farnam COMFORT ZONE W/DIFFUSER
$40.22 |
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 | Cat themed scrap clips
$1.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain W/ 7 Filters Dog Cat
$53.54 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cat Multi Pack 24 Dose 3 6 12 TOO!
$119.95 |
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|  | Four Paws Ultimate Touch Kitty Curry Brush
$1.99 |
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 | Farnam BIO SPOT CAT 3MO 5LB+
$18.93 |
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|  | Cat Christmas Stocking Gift Treat CatnipToy Balls Bells
$6.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
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|  | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in YELLOW
$11.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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|  | Swing-Style Auto-Close Iron Pet Gate for Doorways-White
$98.95 |
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 | Frontline PLUS for Cats 3 Pak NIB Genuine USA product!!
$34.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 12 mon
$37.00 |
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 | BIO SPOT FOR CATS 3 MONTH SUPPY 5 WAY FLEA , TICK, EGGS
$5.00 |
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|  | 3 Jingle Yarn Balls, Organic Catnip, Cat Toys w a Bell
$6.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box R13
$24.99 |
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|  | KH-3104 Electric Pet Bed Warmer Small 8.5x9.5 Dog Cat
$17.89 |
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 | MANEKI NEKO - GOOD LUCK CAT Fat Cat in RED
$11.99 |
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|  | NEW PETSAFE KITTY CAT INGROUND INVISIBLE FENCE 2 CATS
$299.90 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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|  | CATNIP CAT BED ~ PURR PAD ~ MAT ~ BLANKET -plus Toy
$12.99 |
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 | 10 LARGE CAT PAN LINERS AND TIES NIB EASY AND HYGIENIC
$2.60 |
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| Petmate Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Filters-12 Pak-FREE Shp
$22.50 |
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 | Littermaid Electric Air Cleaner Freshens Litter Box
$12.19 |
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|  | Ac premium scoop 25lb
$8.08 |
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 | Red Bandana Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | NIB The Cat Loft Cat Bed Attaches to your Mattress!!!
$69.95 |
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 | PAMPER YOUR CAT WITH TREATS EBOOK CD +RESELL
$2.99 |
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|  | $1.00/2 TEMPTATIONS TREATS FOR CATS -10 COUPONS 1/17/09
$1.49 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Scratcher Furniture *FREE SHIPPING*
$36.99 |
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|  | Handmade Cat Bed Blanket Afghan OOAK
$14.99 |
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 | SmartCat Kitty Ultimate Litter Box
$10.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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 | Hanukkah/Chanukah Gelt Plush Cat Catnip Bell Toy/Jewish
$6.50 |
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|  | Four Paws CARDBOARD SKI SLOPE POST
$11.42 |
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 | REAL WOOD CABINET for Cat Litter Box Electric Cherry
$224.99 |
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|  | Rubber Balls, 1", Colorful. Cat, Dog, Other Small Pet.
$2.50 |
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 | Swing-Style Auto-Close Iron Pet Gate for Doorways-Black
$98.95 |
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|  | 3 6 8 FRONTLINE PLUS dog cat flea tick KIT 22 44 88 lb
$16.86 |
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 | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain W/ 10 Filters Dog Cat
$58.71 |
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|  | Cosmic alpine scratcher refill a replacement catnip-tre
$9.18 |
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Drinkwell Brand Pet Fountain Filters-8 Pack Free Ship!
$13.75 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootie's Combination Scratcher-Scratching Post
$19.95 |
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 | Cat dancer cat charmer 16in wand 48in ribbon. a safe in
$6.68 |
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|  | Littermaid Elite Mega Automatic Litter Box LME9000MB
$134.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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|  | K&H HEATED CAT KITTEN PET BED Thermo Kitty Hut, Mocha
$35.99 |
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 | PINK 5 Head Dolphin Laser Pointer Cat Toy, Cats Charity
$4.00 |
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|  | Four Paws SKI SLOPE Super Catnip Scratching Post&CATNIP
$4.99 |
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 | CATNIP CAT BED ~ PURR PAD ~ MAT -plus Toy
$12.99 |
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|  | Halloween reflective safety cat collar - CLEARANCE!
$3.50 |
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 | Catnip KITTY DOODLES! Buy5 Get one Free!
$5.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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|  | NEW PETSAFE EXTRA CAT FENCE RECEIVER COLLAR PIG00-11006
$99.95 |
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 | Cosmic alpine scratcher places the scratching block in
$11.26 |
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|  | Lot of 2 FUN Spring and Feather Cat Toys NEW
$1.99 |
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 | ProMeris For Cats Large 3 Pack over 9 lbs. FREE SHIP
$25.00 |
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|  | Fresh pure Icelandic salmon oil-17 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$19.50 |
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 | NEW Room with a View Cat or Dog House
$74.95 |
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|  | Lot 11 Greenies Feline Cat Dental Salmon treats 2009
$24.99 |
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 | REAL WOOD CABINET for Cat Litter Box Electric BIRCH
$224.99 |
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|  | Unique Pet Odor & Stain Eliminator Urine Remover Gallon
$35.95 |
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 | Ac premium scoop extra 25lb
$9.31 |
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|  | Cosmic cardboard wide scratch double wide scratcher hel
$9.86 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.48 |
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|  | Sparkly Adjustable 8" Kitten/Puppy Collar with Bell
$2.80 |
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