| 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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 | One Free Cat Litter Coupon Yesterday's News
$2.51 |
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|  | 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
$0.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Fountain Aqua Garden 7 Filters Brushes DW-719
$46.93 |
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|  | Carpet Cat Scratch House
$15.00 |
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 | Get this EPA, FRONTLINE Plus for CATS - fAST Shpg
$17.85 |
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|  | PETMATE PET CAT DOG Deluxe Fresh Flow Feeder
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Omega Paw RA15 SelfCleaning cat Litter Box NEW FASTship
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 | 6 DIMEND HOME GROWN CATNIP bags-portrait kitty cat toys
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|  | NEW RINGSLING PUPPY POUCH PETCARRIER PETS/SPOTS $10.99
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 | Drinkwell Fountain 50oz Reservoir and 4 Filters DW-721
$41.01 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Russ Doug Harris Wags to Whiskers Stocking & Ornament
$7.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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 | MiracleCoat Quick Finder Safety Nail Clipper for cats
$12.00 |
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|  | KITTY CAT BUNK BED & PLAYHOUSE W/ SISAL SCRATCHER CONDO
$59.99 |
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 | Lot of Cat Toys 6 Packs Kitty Cat Mouse Catnip Toys
$2.99 |
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|  | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | SPECIAL 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | LitterMaid 18 Waste Receptacles LMR300
$7.50 |
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 | JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER BOX COVER & PET HIDEAWAY
$57.99 |
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|  | Tri-Level Rest Stop Cat Plush play toy station tower
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 | DISCOUNTED 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | NEW 40 Cat Scratcher Kitty Condo Tower Post Tree Ferret
$29.00 |
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 | NEW 40 Cat Scratcher Kitty Condo Tower Post Tree Ferret
$49.99 |
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|  | Stainless Dog/Cat dishes for food or water..
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 | Natural Holistic grain Free Beef/Salmon Cat Food 3 lbs
$9.49 |
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|  | SECRET CAT TOY * CAT WILL LOVE IT OR $ BACK *
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Really 8 Doses Frontline Plus Cat KittensUS EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 17.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
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 | Fancy Catnip Mouse Toy for Cats - NIB
$4.99 |
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|  | small dogs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$23.84 |
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 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | 16" Collapsable Cat Cube
$5.00 |
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|  | TWO Fancy Feast Limited Edition Colletor Cat Bowl Dish
$4.95 |
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 | IN MEMORY CAT- PET MEMORIAL VINYL DECAL/STICKER 9X12
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|  | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
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 | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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|  | NEW 3D CAT PHOTO FRAME
$3.95 |
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 | GREAT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | 78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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 | Cat or Small Dog Plush Lounger
$25.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Fountain Aqua Garden 10 Filters Brushes DW720
$49.22 |
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 | Really 8 Doses Frontline Plus Cat KittensUS EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | SMALL TREASURES CAT CARRIER *NEW WITHOUT TAGS*
$0.99 |
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 | Royal Treatment 2 Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Cats
$9.99 |
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|  | Holiday Petz Christmas Santa Cat Toy- Catnip NEW Sealed
$2.99 |
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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM FOUNTAIN +Garden+Brush+10 Filter+Mat
$79.89 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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 | Custom LEOPARD PRINT DOG/CAT/PET BOWL/DISH
$15.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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 | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$24.99 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Great Life Cat Food chicken 4 lbs
$9.79 |
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 | NEW SSSCAT Cat Dog Training Spray Repellent Multivet
$24.99 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/wild salmon 6.5 lbs
$14.79 |
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 | WATCH 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | CATS 8 dose supply FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Cat Food Chicken/Wild Salmon 16 lb
$22.95 |
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 | Cosequin for cats New 2 BOXES 100 Capsules
$20.00 |
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|  | Cat Scratch Wave/Pet toy Furniture condo tree Brand new
$9.99 |
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 | Locatapet - Pet ID Tag with Tracking System
$6.99 |
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|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72-B
$0.99 |
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 | 64" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW SPOTBRITES LED LIGHT HEART CAT OR DOG CLIP ON
$1.75 |
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 | Russ Doug Harris Wags to Whiskers Stocking & Ornament
$7.99 |
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|  | Really 8 Doses Frontline Plus Cat KittensUS EPA
$16.50 |
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 | Do Ya See it?SALE Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^
$16.00 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | Cat Toy Mice Camo 9 Kitten Kitty NEW Mouse Pink
$5.29 |
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|  | Cat Toy Gift Pack
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Petmate Fresh Flow Replacement Filter 3 Pack
$4.99 |
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 | Cat Scratch Post with Spring Toy
$10.00 |
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|  | Cat Toy 2 Crystal Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Pink Girl Cat Kitten Puppy Toy Dog Pet Bed Bassinet
$16.24 |
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 | Skedaddles Jittery Critter Cat Toy
$1.99 |
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|  | Halloween Catnip Toys Made By Sherri- Lot of 6
$4.99 |
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 | Yellow/Red Flowers on Blue ~ SS Cat Charm ~ Cat Collar
$4.99 |
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|  | 20 CAT TREAT COUPONS-10 WHISKER LICKIN'S-10 TEMPTATIONS
$2.25 |
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 | Van Ness Track-Less Litter Mat NEW
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|  | Van Ness Small Cat Litter Pans(12) CASE WHOLESALE
$7.99 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Halloween Cat Playmats with 100% Natural Organic Catnip
$9.99 |
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 | 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg...EPA EPA
$17.85 |
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|  | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2038
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F15
$0.99 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Great Life Cat Food chicken 8 lbs
$11.29 |
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 | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/ wild salmon 2.5 lbs
$9.99 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | BEST 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | NEW Pet Fountain SELF WATERER cat dog water bowl auto
$42.88 |
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|  | NEW SPOTBRITES LED LIGHT DOGBONE CAT OR DOG CLIP ON
$3.00 |
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