| 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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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA KIT FOR CATS 8 DOSES EPA USA
$18.99 |
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|  | Pet Dog Cat Rolling Use Multicolor Cloth Ball NIB New
$9.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL 4 CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Tick-Tock-Teaser - Interactive Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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 | SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box - Cat Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | Littermaid ELITE LME5000 Automatic Electric Litter Box
$89.89 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Gingerbread Men ADJUSTS 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | Comfort Zone Feliway Plug In Diffuser ONE KIT New! Cat
$28.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | DOG MATE Electromagnetic Dog Flap/Door Large Size Wht
$73.33 |
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 | Dog Pet Toy Cricket Baseball Tennis Ball Pink w Clip
$8.21 |
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|  | BRAND NEW PET SAFE CAT DOG DOOR LOCKABLE FLAP 12lbs
$24.99 |
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 | Swiss Cheese Wedge w/Sisal Cat Chalet Bed Furniture Toy
$39.99 |
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|  | Crunchkins / Purr-fect Greetings / Catnip card for cats
$4.99 |
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 | Pet Door - Ideal Pet Door for Screen Doors
$35.99 |
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|  | NEW 48 LMR200 Littermaid Waste Receptacles Containers
$49.89 |
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 | WizDog Indoor Dog Potty training aid w/ free gift
$49.95 |
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|  | Composure Liquid for Dogs and Cat (188 SERVINGS)
$37.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL 4 CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.95 |
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|  | MONTH 3 6 8 FRONTLINE PLUS 4 dog cat 22 23 44 45 88lb
$17.97 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CABIN HEATED CAT KITTEN BED
$49.94 |
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 | Large Square Cat Beanbag Bed Cats Just Love These! Blue
$14.99 |
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|  | CAT MATE CAT KITTEN SINGLE BOWL AUTO FEEDER 205C/C10
$22.22 |
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 | Honeysuckle Cat Bow Tie Bowtie Kitty Toy Pet Feline
$3.29 |
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|  | NEW Littermaid ELITE Mega LME9000 Automatic Litterbox
$119.89 |
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 | "Cat Rescue & Adoption!"car ribbon magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
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|  | Pet Door - Staywell 4 Way Locking Cat Door for Thick Do
$49.99 |
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 | Pet Door - Ideal Cat Flap Cat Door
$34.99 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL PERCH BED
$34.49 |
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 | Meow Town Floor To Ceiling Kitty Sky Tower Cat Tree NEW
$84.99 |
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|  | 20 month USA CAT KIT *Advantage -Flea Killer*SAVE 1000%
$39.99 |
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 | NEW! Epi-Otic ADVANCED Ear Cleanser (4 fl oz)
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | COLLECTORS ORANGE TABBY CAT TIN FILLED W LOTS OF CATNIP
$7.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Reg /mat
$30.95 |
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 | NEW Littermaid CAT CARPET Scratch Pad LMC100
$15.89 |
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|  | CAT MATE CAT KITTEN SINGLE BOWL AUTO FEEDER 205C/C10
$22.22 |
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 | Matatabi with dietary fiber- Japanese catnip
$5.80 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER TOTE PURSE ~ BLACK
$39.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL 4 CATS 16 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | CAT MATE CAT KITTEN SINGLE BOWL AUTO FEEDER 205C/C10
$22.22 |
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|  | Dog Cat Ferret Rabbit and more MAGNETICS NECKLACES
$4.99 |
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(30) 3 DIFFERENT - FRISKIES Coupons 1/10 & 1/12/09
$2.99 |
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|  | USA FRONTLINE TOP SPOT FOR CATS 3 MOS BOX FREE SHIP EPA
$31.99 |
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 | RAISED CAT BOWL / CAT DISH / FEEDER 15" HIGH HANDMADE
$21.00 |
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|  | Littermaid MEGA LM950+TENT Electric Litter Box Cat Maid
$109.89 |
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 | Cat Cave - includes BED, SCRATCH POST & PLAY TOYS NEW!
$67.95 |
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|  | NEW Littermaid LMT100 Cat Privacy TENT Kabana Cave Cove
$29.89 |
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 | Petmate Litter Locker Plus Refill Cartridge Lot of Six
$49.95 |
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|  | Matatabi - Japanese catnip
$5.80 |
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 | Pet Mate Nylon Cat-A-Trail Tunnel Cat Kitty Furniture
$34.95 |
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|  | PERMA-lid: A PERMANENT LID for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$12.99 |
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 | Collar Charms set of 4 bells Silver Plt clasp Dog/Cat
$5.95 |
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|  | Omega Paw Roll Away Self Cleaning cat litter box
$69.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.95 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 4 Tubes
$34.99 |
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 | NEW Littermaid Brand PREMIUM CLUMPING Cat Litter 3 BAGS
$45.89 |
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|  | Pet Door - Staywell 4 Way Magnetic Locking Cat Door
$69.99 |
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 | K&H Sage Thermo-Crinkle Sack 15" x 12" Cat Bed NEW
$48.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 16 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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|  | Pet Door - Staywell Infrared Cat Door
$125.00 |
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 | CAT TREE
$225.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.95 |
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|  | HIGH FILTRATION PET WATER BOWL PET WATER FOUNTAIN
$24.99 |
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 | USA FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS FREE SHIPPING 3 MONTH BOX
$35.00 |
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|  | Littermaid Mega LM900 Automatic Electric Litter Box '08
$89.89 |
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10- $3.00 PURINA PRO PLAN DRY CAT FOOD COUPONS
$1.50 |
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|  | "I LOVE MY GRAND CAT" car ribbon magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
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 | Tidy Cats Breeze Cats Litter Box System
$38.10 |
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|  | Pet Door - Staywell 4 Way Locking Cat Door for Big Cats
$46.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 CATS 8 DOSES EPA USA
$18.99 |
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|  | Wet Food Pedestal Dish Bowl Cat Dog 6" Wide Almond
$26.00 |
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 | K&H Sage Thermo-Kitty Nest 19" x 19" x 5" Cat Bed NEW
$48.95 |
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|  | Lot of (8) NEW Feliway Comfort Zone Refill Vials Farnam
$99.00 |
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 | Ladies Blue Tee " See, Hear & Speak No Evil " Sz MED
$9.99 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL PERCH BED
$44.49 |
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 | K&H Sage Thermo-Kitty Nest 19" x 19" x 5" Cat Bed NEW
$48.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS KIT flea tick 4 cats kittens 8 months
$17.97 |
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 | NEW for Littermaid Mega 12 ODOR KILLING Carbon Filters
$9.89 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
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 | Personalized pet blanket! Kitty Cat Throw! Free name!
$12.95 |
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|  | PetSafe CAT WINDOOR CAT ENTRY DOOR
$92.54 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA KIT FOR CATS 8 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | CAT MATE CAT KITTEN SINGLE BOWL AUTO FEEDER 205C/C10
$22.22 |
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|  | CATS RULE Heart Crown Pet Collar Jewelry CHARM Cat Tag
$3.25 |
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 | 16 dose USA CAT KIT *Frontline Plus Flea&Tick*SAVE 800%
$41.99 |
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|  | KITTY CATS CAT-Breeze Blocker Draft Stopper~FREE S/H!
$29.95 |
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 | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self Cleaning Electric Litterbox BEIGE
$329.00 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 12 Tubes
$85.99 |
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 | NEW Cat Nip 0.5 oz resealable bag
$1.00 |
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|  | 16 dose USA CAT KIT *Frontline Plus Flea&Tick*SAVE 800%
$41.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Littermaid LM500 Automatic Cat Litter Box NIB
$64.89 |
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 | HARTZ CAT AT PLAY TEETER TOTTER ACTIVITY CENTER & TOYS
$14.00 |
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|  | BAG-it: A PERMANENT SOLUTION for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$12.99 |
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