| 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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 | NWT PET PETS BED DOG CAT PINK BROWN CHEETAH TOILE
$18.99 |
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|  | MONSTER SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.50 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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|  | MONSTER SALE ADVANTAGE CAT 10 DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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|  | CAT DIVA refer to bathroom as litterbox FUNNY WOOD SIGN
$3.95 |
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 | Mardel 2.oz Petromalt Tube Cat Hairball Remedies Paste
$4.95 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New Pink
$9.75 |
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 | Gimborn 4ozs Hairball Remedies Cat Kitty Grass Gel
$7.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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 | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
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|  | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK medicine SALE~
$16.99 |
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 | Small Purple FURminator Cat DeShedding Tool Brush Comb
$14.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F24
$0.99 |
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 | HUGE SAVINGS ADVANTAGE CAT 10 DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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 | CAT FOOD or DOG FOOD ~~1~~Coupon ANY/V up to25lbs FREE
$10.55 |
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|  | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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 | Littermaid Automatic Litter Box Kitty Kabana Tent NEW!
$11.49 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
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 | NIP Soft Claws Clear Nail Caps for Cats Kitten SEALED
$2.40 |
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$29.99 |
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 | Cat Kitten Dog Puppy Pet Companion BRUNO
$12.88 |
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|  | NEW Cat Plush Cushion Window Sill Shelf Perch
$9.99 |
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 | 6 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$10.99 |
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|  | 48" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T43
$0.99 |
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 | Advantage for cats under 4kgs - 4 pack
$32.64 |
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|  | PRINCESS CAT CERAMIC FEEDING DISH - NEW***PINK & GOLD**
$0.99 |
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 | Super Corner Unit Cat Tree House Condo Furniture 65"
$139.99 |
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|  | Catnip Blanket-Cat In A Basket Design W/Navy Blue Back
$11.90 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH US EPA APPROVED 3 6
$60.35 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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 | KITTYWALK LOT WICKETS HOOPS CLASPS TRAVEL & STORAGE BAG
$9.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Cat Self-cleaning Litter Box - Green or Beige
$39.99 |
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 | 12 Temptations denta bites with chlorophyll cats choice
$5.02 |
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|  | HUGE SAVINGS ADVANTAGE CAT 5 DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Multivet SSSCAT Cat deterrent spray training aid SEALED
$24.95 |
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|  | NEW SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX LITTERBOX KITTY CAT FAST
$11.60 |
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 | Kitty Rocking Roller Toy w/ Scratcher by Sport Pet NIB
$6.99 |
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|  | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture 2040 Beige
$159.00 |
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 | (5) $4.00 Off / 8 Lb + bag Iams ProActive Health 01/31
$0.99 |
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|  | Antiqued Cast Iron Cat & fish key hook, 5 hooks
$0.99 |
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 | SCOOPFREE AUTO CAT LITTER BOX CARTRIDGE. 6PK. NEW!
$79.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F21
$0.99 |
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 | 24 dose CATS FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ sale
$48.75 |
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|  | Littermade Model LM900 Self Cleaning Litter Box
$74.00 |
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 | NEW OUTDOOR PET CAT DOG TUNNEL CAGE NIP 48 X 17.5 X 14
$19.99 |
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|  | Ona Gel 1 Gallon Odor ANY Smell Remover Organic
$49.95 |
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 | Smart Cat Peek-A-Prize Interactive Kitty WOOD Toy Box
$20.95 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM FOUNTAIN +Garden+Brush+10 Filter+Mat
$79.89 |
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 | NWOT T-shirt or Tank With Rhinestone Cat Face Motif
$23.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3803
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Toy Lot w/teasers, CATNIP, Feline GREENIES, Laser
$18.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$0.99 |
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|  | Advantage for cats under 4kgs - 6 pack
$43.42 |
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 | 2 Ceramic Cat Food Bowls Very Cute!!!!
$9.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Clean Cat Litter Box LARGE Roll N Clean
$12.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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|  | Mardel Petromalt 2.5oz Cat Hairball Remedies Treats
$5.95 |
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 | 12 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$19.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY
$32.99 |
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 | Antiqued Cast Iron Cat & fish key hook, 5 hooks
$0.99 |
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|  | CATS ACTIVITY CENTER
$10.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$0.99 |
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|  | "HUGE"Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture FC6
$149.00 |
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 | MONSTER SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY
$32.99 |
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 | HUGE SAVINGS 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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|  | Nylabone Thing in a Bag Cat Kitty Interactive Toy
$18.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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|  | New Kitten cats supplies KMR milk powder bottle nipples
$8.99 |
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 | Pedi Paws - The Incredible Pet Nail Trimmer
$4.24 |
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|  | Gimborn 1.76oz Nutri-Gel Vitamin Supplements For Cats
$5.95 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Condo House Scratcher Post Furniture F16
$0.99 |
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|  | cat small dog house folding home cage
$0.99 |
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 | HAMPTON PET CARRIER SMALL PURPLE
$18.99 |
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Pink Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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 | Pet Essentials Cat Scratcher & Climber Tan NEW
$15.25 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Dog Puppy Pet Companion BRUNO
$12.88 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$32.99 |
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|  | FREE Fancy Feast 24 can case of gourmet cat food coupon
$8.00 |
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 | WARNING! ATTACK CAt Novelty Sign
$5.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY
$32.99 |
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 | CATNIP BODY PILLOW TOY...Organic Catnip 14.5" long
$4.99 |
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|  | CATNIP BODY PILLOW TOY...Organic Catnip 14.5" long
$4.99 |
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 | CATNIP BODY PILLOW TOY...Organic Catnip 14.5" long
$4.99 |
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|  | MONSTER SALE ADVANTAGE CAT 5 DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | $25 5 HEAD LASER POINTER LAZER PEN CAT DOG PET TOY
$2.35 |
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|  | Rustic Antiqued Cast Iron Cat Hooks, set of 6
$11.95 |
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 | (12) Temptations cat treats variety 4 flavors
$5.02 |
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|  | 6 dose small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$16.99 |
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 | .137 PET SCRATCH TOWER - BROWN FUR w. SAFE BOX SLEEP
$9.00 |
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|  | BRAND NEW CATNIP CAT NIP PET KITTEN SLEEP MAT BED
$2.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F09
$0.99 |
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