| 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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 | Rattling Rainbow Mice Catnip Nip Zanies Cat Toy
$3.95 |
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|  | PET HOLIDAY F/O STOCKING & HOLDER Cat Christmas Picture
$26.99 |
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 | Charming Holiday Cat Dish
$2.99 |
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|  | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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 | Raised Cat Small Dog Wet Food Pottery Dish Bowl CD6-T
$38.50 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-13
$129.99 |
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 | 2 MEOW CAT KITTEN STICKERs DECALS SIGN-CAR WINDOW-NEW
$2.95 |
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|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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 | PetSafe Simply Clean Self Cleaning CAT LITTER BOX
$94.95 |
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|  | Lot of Cat Toys 6 Packs Kitty Cat Mouse Catnip Toys
$2.99 |
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 | NuVet Plus Feline Vitamins-NEW
$30.00 |
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|  | 4 pc KITTY CAT LOT hairball remedy FLEA COLLAR EAR MITE
$2.50 |
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 | Drinkwell Big Dog Drink Fountain 2.25 Gallons - NEW!
$49.95 |
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|  | Sun Pattern Red Silicone Ball with Whistle embeded Toy
$6.65 |
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 | Drinkwell Reservoir Plus - 70oz - NEW - Large Dogs
$16.95 |
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|  | NEW Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Roll Away Litter Box
$18.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain - New - Pet Water Dish
$49.95 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 6 Sani Solution
$89.95 |
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 | 49" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F41
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | LOOK 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Roll Away Cat Litter Box LARGE
$28.99 |
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 | WOW 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box SIDEWALLS Only
$24.99 |
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Christmas Hat and Collar For your Cat or Small Dog NIP
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW IN PKG LASER BEAM MOUSE ZANIES CAT TOYS hours~fun
$5.00 |
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 | Vintage Cat / Small Dog Pet Animal Carrier
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F10
$0.99 |
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 | Meow Town Kitty Window Perch for Cats 24 by 12 Inch NIB
$29.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 3 Sani Solution
$45.00 |
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 | $60 worth of Iams healthy naturals cat food coupons +
$0.99 |
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|  | CAT CATCHER wand cat toy pole toys kitten ferret go cat
$6.25 |
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 | Cat Genie Cat Litter Box DOME and SIDEWALLS Only
$38.88 |
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|  | DARLING PERSONALIZED PET COLLARS - SPECIAL ORDER ONLY
$34.95 |
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 | PINK ANIMAL BED ***NEW*****SOFT*** PRINCESS BED
$7.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F10
$0.99 |
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 | PET CAT DOG URINE ODOR CARPET STAIN REMOVER RECIPE
$7.99 |
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|  | Raised Cat Dog Food Water Dish Bowl CD5-S Green Irish
$27.00 |
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 | PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence COLLAR ONLY
$99.95 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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 | DEAL 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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7 HILLS SCIENCE DIET COUPONS DOG OR CAT FOOD $5 OFF 3LB
$0.99 |
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|  | "GLOW IN THE DARK" CAT COLLAR
$5.50 |
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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer Dish
$53.76 |
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| 5 HILLS SCIENCE DIET COUPONS DOG/CAT FOOD $10 OFF 22 LB
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | 1 lbs. Diatomaceous Earth - Food Grade - FREE SHIPPING
$7.10 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain - New - Pet Water Dish
$49.95 |
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 | Hartz 2 in 1 flea tick collar for cats and kittens
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Wormer - Gets ALL Worms dewormer - 10 tabs box
$12.00 |
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 | PetSafe Windoor Removable Cat Window Door - NEW!
$69.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | Large Tan Indoor Pet Cat Wicker Litter Box Cover NEW
$119.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F14
$0.99 |
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 | Raised Cat Small Dog Wet Food Pottery Dish Bowl CD6-T
$38.50 |
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|  | DISCOUNT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | ORANGE YELLOW SWIRLS ~ Breakaway SaFeTy Cat Collar
$3.99 |
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|  | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$89.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Rollaway Cat Litter Box LARGE
$28.99 |
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|  | DRINKWELL Pet Fountain 3 Piece Cleaning Kit Brushes NEW
$6.88 |
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 | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 12 Sani Solution
$156.88 |
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|  | Raised Cat Dog Food Water Dish Bowl CD5-S Pink Hearts
$27.00 |
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 | DISCOUNTED 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Rescue Charity Pet Food Toys Litter Treats
$2.00 |
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Drinkwell Big Dog Drink Fountain 2.25 Gallons - NEW!
$49.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Petsafe Underground Deluxe Cat Fence PIG00-11007 NEW
$199.95 |
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|  | Elevated Cat Dog All Purpose Pottery Dish Bowl CD5-S
$27.00 |
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 | Cat Kitty Kitten FUN TUNNEL TOY NEW! TOO CUTE LOOK!
$18.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box SIDEWALLS Only
$24.99 |
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 | PETSAFE CAT FLAP-NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | Petalive Immunity & Liver Support for Dogs & Cats
$25.89 |
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 | ****PINK PRINCESS ANIMAL BED WITH BOW AND RHINESTONE***
$7.95 |
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|  | Staywell Infra-Red Cat Door - Stray Proof - NEW!
$79.95 |
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 | PetSafe Premium In-Ground Electronic Cat Fence System
$199.95 |
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|  | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Thermo Kitty Furniture Warmer Heated Cat Bed
$37.99 |
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| Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat Food coupons manuf. SAVE $36.00
$0.99 |
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 | LOOK 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain Aqua Garden Hydroponic Grass NEW
$7.98 |
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 | SWAROVSKI BE MY LOVE JONQUIL CAT COLLAR free post
$18.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 6 Sani Solution
$89.95 |
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 | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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|  | NEW Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Rollaway Litter Box
$18.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain - New - Pet Water Dish
$49.95 |
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|  | PetAlive UTI-Free for Cats & Dogs w/Bladder infections
$25.97 |
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 | DISCOUNTED 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | KITTY PLAY TUNNEL - CRINKLY NOISE - LEOPARD
$29.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 3 Sani Solution
$45.00 |
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 | Raised Cat Small Dog Wet Food Pottery Dish Bowl CD6-T
$38.50 |
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|  | PetSafe Cat Window Veranda Perch Box Shelf With Door
$119.99 |
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 | Cat Kitten Rescue - SAVE PEPPER! Pet Food Toys Treats
$19.99 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Rescue - SAVE PEPPER! Food Toys Treats
$9.99 |
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