| 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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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 17.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
$9.99 |
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 | NEW Cat Genie Self Cleaning Washing Litter Box! w/ DOME
$299.95 |
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|  | Cat toy 30 Furry Mice+++2Wobbly & roll Mice, Brand New
$9.99 |
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 | Littermaid Plus Litter Box System Automatic LM700
$20.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir-Fresh!
$41.95 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New, Purple
$9.75 |
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 | 32" Cat Kitten Pet Hide N Seek 3/Way Bed Toys Tunnel
$19.99 |
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|  | NIP - Nature's Miracle Kitten & Cat Care Starter Kit
$9.99 |
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 | 42 HEAD LAZER POINTER ~ LASER BEAM BRAND NEW
$3.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain Filters-6 Month Supply
$5.25 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Pittsburgh Steelers NFL ADJUSTS 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
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 | OUT Self Warming Cat Cushion NEW
$8.99 |
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|  | Cat Play Maze
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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|  | ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box - Brand New
$99.95 |
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 | Cat Toy - Santa Hat
$7.50 |
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|  | Autumn Fall Thanksgiving Cat SM Dog Pet Pillow Bed NWT
$9.99 |
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 | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
$17.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir + 1 Yr Filters
$47.95 |
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 | SHERPA PET Medium Size Animal Dog Cat Carrier Black 18"
$24.99 |
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|  | NEW RINGSLING PUPPY POUCH PETCARRIER PETS/SPOTS $10.99
$10.99 |
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 | Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box - Brand New
$99.95 |
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|  | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | Frontline Spray 250ml 8.5oz
$20.50 |
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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM Pet Fountain FILTERS 12PAC FREE SHIP
$27.69 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS KIT FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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 | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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|  | Cat Toy lot 30 Crystal Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$9.99 |
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 | NEW K&H THERMO HEATED KITTY NEST CAT BED PAD
$39.93 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 27.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
$9.99 |
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 | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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|  | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.99 |
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 | NEW Pet Essentials 2 Pc. Pet BED BASKET ~ Brand NEW
$6.00 |
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|  | Dog or Cat Vibrating Toy in Paper Bag-"Thing in a Bag"
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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|  | Littermaid ELITE LME5000 Automatic Electric Litter Box
$89.89 |
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Ergo 8 Day Auto Talking Digital Pet Feeder+FREE Toy!
$78.99 |
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| THREE Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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 | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | DRIVE SLOW, ONE ATTACK CAT AT PLAY
$9.00 |
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 | HARTZ ULTRA GUARD PRO FOR CATS********
$0.99 |
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Pink Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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 | Evolve Natural Chicken Cat Food Case of 24 3oz Cans
$11.26 |
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|  | 50 auto litterbox receptacle Liners 4 your Littermaid
$2.15 |
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 | Feliway Spray feline cat comfort
$17.95 |
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|  | CHEAP 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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New Littermaid LMC100 Cat Carpet - FREE Ship!
$19.95 |
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|  | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
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 | ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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|  | Advanced Large Capacity Feline Cat Drinking Fountain
$26.01 |
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 | .180 Large Pet Tower - Cubby hole Scratch Post Hemp NEW
$24.99 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer Dish
$43.89 |
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 | ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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 | CAT/DOG BED
$4.95 |
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|  | OAK 3 CAT FOOD BOWL PET DISH FEEDER RAISED 4 INCHES
$20.99 |
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 | 5 - Coupons for bag of Yesterday's News - 34.95 Value!!
$5.51 |
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| Littermaid Elite LME5500 - Brand New
$89.95 |
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 | BRAND NEW Littermaid LM500 Automatic Cat Litter Box NIB
$79.89 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
$17.95 |
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 | Nutri-Cal For Cats Medium Energy Supplement
$2.99 |
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|  | Halloween Pet Bed - Unique! - Cat Dog Basket Black Fall
$0.99 |
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 | Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box - Brand New
$99.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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 | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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|  | Black "Judi" Dog Cat Pet Paw Print Shoulder Purse NWT
$12.95 |
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 | Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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|  | Frontline Plus cats, 6 pack, NIB
$35.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$34.95 |
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|  | REAL EPA FRONTLINE for CATS - 8 Month
$18.47 |
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 | 11x11x7 Painted Wood Cat Storage Box with Handles
$0.99 |
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|  | 8 Months Frontline Plus For Cats, EPA Approved # 3,6,12
$18.99 |
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 | 42 HEAD LASER POINTER ~ ULTRA BRIGHT ~ LAZER BEAM
$4.50 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Cat Scratching Toy
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW Sport Pet CAT Jungle GYM ~Hours of Fun~ Brand NEW
$8.00 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$29.89 |
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|  | NIP - Farnam Feline Comfort Zone with Feliway Spray
$9.99 |
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 | NEW 3 Comfort Zone w/FELIWAY REFILLS FOR CATS & KITTEN
$13.51 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM Pet Fountain FILTERS 12PAC FREE SHIP
$27.69 |
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 | NEW PINK CAT DOG PAW PRINT PET BED FOR CATS OR DOGS
$10.41 |
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|  | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
$17.95 |
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NEW 48 Littermaid Containers LMR200
$44.95 |
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|  | Pet Keychain Urn & Vial cremation jewelry pet memorial~
$8.00 |
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 | RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER ANY SOLID COLOR $9
$9.00 |
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|  | CAT DISH BOWL RAISED 4 INCHES****** WITH FREE PET NAMES
$14.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | ZODIAC SPOT ON flea&tick CONTROL 8mo 2 box medicine SM
$11.99 |
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 | Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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