| 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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 | K & H Thermo Kitty Lounger-Mocha Buysafe
$52.95 |
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|  | Florescent UV Blacklight Black Light Urine Detector NB
$9.89 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 10-18 LB 10 DOSE FLEAS AND TICK
$33.95 |
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|  | Lean Treats for Cats, 3.5 oz bag (15001)
$2.29 |
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 | Lean Treats for Cats, 3.5 oz bag (10 pack)
$17.89 |
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|  | Malibu Surf House Cat Litter Box Cover
$39.95 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Trees on Red SAFETY Fits 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | WORLD OF CATS The Indoor Cat 55min DVD Training NEW
$5.99 |
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 | Bounce Me Bird Cat ToyS TOY SET OF 5
$7.95 |
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|  | K & H Mocha Thermo-Crinkle Sack 15 x 12 x 10 Buysafe
$52.95 |
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 | Littermaid Carbon Filters
$16.65 |
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|  | ONE OZ 100% NATURAL ORGANIC CAT NIP
$0.99 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snowflakes on Red SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootsie's Bunkbed and Playroom
$28.95 |
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 | Panic Mouse Motorized Cat Toy &1 Ceramic/1 Plastic Dish
$24.99 |
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|  | MRHERZHER'S CRAFTMAN SERIES WOOD DOUBLE CAT SEAT PERCH
$149.99 |
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 | 4 Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Kitty Litter Boxes Box
$99.99 |
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|  | BRAND NEW TIDY CATS BREEZE LITTER SYSTEM+1 MONTH SUPPLY
$39.95 |
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 | Cool Lap portable chilled ice pak water bowl dog travel
$12.95 |
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|  | BLACK- Cat/Ferret- Wooden Window Seat FREE SHIPPING!!
$105.00 |
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 | Urine Off Odor & Stain Remover FOR DOGS (GALLON)
$32.99 |
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|  | Cat Litter Odor Smell Removal Crystals - Halves Changes
$19.29 |
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 | Littermaid 12pc Waste Containers
$19.07 |
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|  | Cat PINK RHINESTONE Break away Safe COLLAR &Bell
$10.99 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candy Cane Stripe SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | FURminator Deshedding Tool for Cats (16348)
$28.97 |
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 | K & H Thermo Kitty Lounger-Sage Buysafe
$52.95 |
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|  | Simple Solution Disposable Dog Diapers pkg of 12 x-lg
$9.95 |
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 | Indoor Pet Containment and Dog & Cat Fences (Padlock)
$38.88 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT BED HEATED CAT BED SAGE 16"x16"x6
$38.49 |
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 | New Debby Carman 5 Inch Purr Cat Dish FREE SHIPPING
$9.00 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Lavender Floral Flowers SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | Cat teasers FEATHER BOW CAT TOY PURPLE !!
$7.95 |
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|  | NEW LitterMaid Cat Litter Box Kitty Kabana Privacy Tent
$28.99 |
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 | Pet Tent Bed in Beige Corduroy
$48.00 |
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|  | K & H Sage Kitty Bed Thermo-Crinkle Sack 15 x 12 x 10
$52.95 |
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 | ANTI ICKY POO! STARTER KIT, Enzyme Urine/Odor Remover
$37.95 |
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|  | K&H THERMO-KITTY MAT 12.5" X 25" SAGE HEATED CAT MAT
$44.98 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 10-18 LB 5 DOSE FLEAS AND TICK
$17.95 |
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|  | Christmas Holiday Purse for Cat + 4 Furry Mouse Toys!
$4.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0-9 LB 10 DOSE FLEAS AND TICK
$17.95 |
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|  | Cat BLACK RHINESTONE Break away Safe COLLAR &Bell
$10.99 |
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 | K&H HEATED THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL BED
$34.99 |
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|  | SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX AUTOMATIC LITTERBOX
$79.99 |
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 | SMILING KITTIES PET Christmas Stocking NAME TOYS TREATS
$13.29 |
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|  | Coco Pearl Pet Necklace for Cat or Small Dog White
$9.99 |
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 | Unique Pet Cat Odor and Stain Eliminator Gallon Case
$121.50 |
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|  | Shelter Cat Tee Shirt size 2X 3X Cotton~ SALE
$14.00 |
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 | 4 CATGENIE REPLACEMENT WASHABLE GRANULES CAT LITTER BOX
$79.99 |
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|  | 10 Coupons $1/15 FRISKIES SEARED FILETS/FINE CUTS 12/15
$1.49 |
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 | K&H THERMO-KITTY MAT 12.5" X 25" MOCHA HEATED CAT MAT
$44.98 |
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|  | Pet Peace Symbol Dog/Cat Collar Charm - New!
$3.50 |
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 | Coco Pearl Pet Necklace for Cat or Small Dog Pink
$9.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell 3pcs Pet Water Fountains Cleaning BRUSH Kits
$9.95 |
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 | Green-UM XTRA for LARGER DOGS (1000 Tablets)
$79.99 |
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|  | K&H Heated Ortho Thermo Dog Bed Year Round X-Large NEW
$66.77 |
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 | MRHERZHER'S CRAFTMAN SERIES WOOD DOUBLE CAT SEAT PERCH
$149.99 |
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|  | Pet Cat Dog Jingle Bell Holiday Christmas Stocking Grn
$9.99 |
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 | K&H THERMO-KITTY MAT 12.5" X 25" MOCHA HEATED CAT MAT
$44.98 |
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|  | K&H HEATED THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL BED
$34.99 |
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 | Save A Life,Adopt A Homeless Pet Magnet,for Cat Rescue
$5.00 |
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|  | Hartz Ultra Guard Flea & Tick Shampoo for Cats NEW
$5.99 |
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 | K & H Thermo Kitty Lounger-Sage Buysafe
$52.95 |
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|  | FLUFF POOCHY DESIGNER DOG CARRIER Tan BREEDS-$ SHIP
$79.99 |
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 | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | Cat WHITE RHINESTONE Break away Safe COLLAR &Bell
$10.99 |
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 | Cozy Couch Pet Bed by Pooch Planet for Dogs and Cats
$10.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
$47.95 |
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 | KITTENS 16 Months 2009 Wall Calender ( Sept08 -Dec09)
$7.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Peek-N-Play Toy Box - Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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 | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets LARGE 45.6 oz (180 pockets)
$39.95 |
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|  | Petsafe Cat Windoor Pet Cat Door for Window NEW
$74.99 |
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 | Feliway Electric Diffuser Kit with Vial (10348)
$27.99 |
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|  | K&H THERMO-KITTY MAT 12.5" X 25" SAGE HEATED CAT MAT
$44.98 |
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 | Aria Jeweled Christmas Tree Cat Dog Collar Charm Multi
$4.99 |
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|  | Littermaid Electric Cat Litter Box
$111.37 |
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 | K & H Thermo Kitty Lounger-Mocha Buysafe
$52.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
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 | Shelter Cat Tee Shirt size XL Cotton~ SALE !
$12.00 |
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|  | MR.HERZHER'S CRAFTMAN SERIES CAT SEAT, SINGLE SERIES
$83.79 |
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 | Glitzy Rhinestone Cat Collar East Side Collection Multi
$4.99 |
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|  | K&H Kitty Sill Unheated Free Ship Buysafe
$39.95 |
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 | GENUINE BAYER ADVANTAGE® FLEA 6 DOSES CATS OVER 9 LBS
$27.95 |
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|  | 3 pk filter for Catit cat water fountain systems
$6.29 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0-9 LB 20 DOSE FLEAS AND TICK
$33.95 |
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|  | Cat RED RHINESTONE Break away Safe COLLAR &Bell
$10.99 |
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 | Cat BLUE RHINESTONE Break away Safe COLLAR &Bell
$10.99 |
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|  | Kitty Harness & Bungee Leash - LARGE / RED
$11.99 |
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 | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT BED HEATED CAT BED CRINKLE TUNNEL
$38.49 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL BED
$44.49 |
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 | Advantage for Dogs 4 months 21-55lbs
$36.00 |
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|  | Hartz Ultra Guard Flea & Tick Drops for Cats 3 pack NEW
$5.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
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|  | NEW Multivet SSSCAT Cat Dog Spray Repellent Motion
$23.99 |
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 | Hand Painted Ceramic Cat Butler Treat/Cookie Jar...new
$18.00 |
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|  | WORLD OF CATS Breaking Bad Habits 55min DVD Training NW
$5.99 |
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 | Christmas Holiday Stocking for Cats 6 Toys Catnip Mouse
$9.99 |
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