| 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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 | NEW Comfort PAW Dog & Cat Bed Small Size -Blue
$6.95 |
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|  | Catit tm, Le Salon, Med. Slicker Brush, Cat Supplies
$8.95 |
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 | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$15.99 |
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 | ALL SIZES dogs cats stock UP ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT
$17.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs SALE~~
$23.99 |
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 | Pretty Scratcher:pet, cat toy, for use with condo, tree
$6.99 |
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|  | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | NEVER SCOOP Clean Kitty Cat Litter Box/Pan! 3-mo supply
$17.69 |
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|  | Omega Paw Roll Away Self Cleaning Litter Box - Regular
$28.99 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box - Regular with Mat
$33.99 |
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|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72-B
$0.99 |
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 | Cute Kitty Cat Meow Picture Frame -Holds 4x6 photo NEW!
$3.29 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7802
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6501
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64C
$15.99 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2040-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
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|  | world's strongest cat's meow Organic Catnip made in USA
$1.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 doses DOGS 10-20 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | 30- 9 Lives Cat Food Coupons SAVE $1.00,ANY BAG FOOD
$0.99 |
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 | CET Chews for Cats (30 chews) Fish Flavor
$8.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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 | RUBY WINTER WONDERLAND SWAROVSKI SPARKLIN CAT/DOG COLLA
$19.99 |
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|  | Hartz 3 in 1 flea,Tick & Flea Eggs Collar for Cats
$1.25 |
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 | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66C
$15.99 |
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 | ALL SIZES dogs cats stock UP ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT
$17.95 |
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|  | 4 pc Diamante cat collars wt bell-can fastened any pt.@
$12.08 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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|  | BRAND NEW LITTERMAID LM900 AUTOMATIC LITTERBOX
$9.99 |
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 | small dogs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$23.84 |
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|  | BIG SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | FREE CAT FOOD & TREATS COUPONS ~ SAVE $52.00 FREE SHP
$1.99 |
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|  | Multivet's SlimCat Food Distributor Ball - CAT TOYS
$5.76 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Lrg /mat
$37.95 |
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 | Cat Condo Tree Scratcher Post Tower USA For xlg.Cats
$154.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
$0.99 |
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 | shaking & rattling fur mouse short hair-50 piece lot
$9.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
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|  | SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | Frontline Spray (250 mL)
$26.99 |
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|  | Catit Cat Pet Drinking Fountain by Hagen
$21.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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|  | Saltwater Aquarium Video DVD - Relaxation Great 4 cats
$9.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats
$39.99 |
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|  | Meow Magic Catnip - 1 oz, 6-inch tall container
$4.49 |
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 | SCratcher Board: pet, cat toy w/ condo, furniture, tree
$9.99 |
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|  | Part only:Soft Bed 4 Cat Condo,Tree,House,Pet Furniture
$9.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
$94.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box - Large with Mat
$39.99 |
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 | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK med ~*~ sale
$23.84 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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 | 6 PACK Feliway (450mL) Spray
$92.99 |
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|  | NEW Comfort Small Dog & Cat Sofa Bed -Leopard Color
$9.95 |
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 | Soft Claws Nail Caps for Cats & Kittens (SIZE SMALL)
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | 64" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$0.99 |
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|  | Scratcher Board: pet, cat toy w/ condo, furniture, tree
$9.99 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F40
$0.99 |
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|  | Large 20x24 Dog Cat Paw Print Deep Pet Bed:Pet Supplies
$12.44 |
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 | SMARTSCOOP AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SELF CLEANING NIB
$109.95 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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 | GENUINE BAYER ADVANTAGE® FLEA 6 DOSES CATS OVER 9 LBS
$29.95 |
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|  | Catit Stainless Steel Cat Bowl, Cat Supplies
$3.95 |
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 | Outward Hound Pet-a-Roo Front Carrier - Medium
$28.95 |
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|  | PINK PRINCESS ANIMAL BED ***NEW*****SOFT***
$7.95 |
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 | Petsafe Cat Dog Door Lockable Magnetic New Outdoor Safe
$7.45 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootie's Combination Scratcher-Scratching Post
$19.95 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID LME9250 ELITE MEGA Automatic Litterbox
$50.28 |
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|  | 49" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F41
$0.99 |
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 | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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|  | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
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 | Frontline Spray LARGE (500 mL)
$45.99 |
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|  | CHRISTMAS BE MY LOVE SAPPHIRE & DIAMONDS SWAROVSKI
$19.73 |
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 | CAT GOTCHA TONGUE DOOR Hanging SCRATCHER/TOY
$7.00 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snowflakes Stars SAFETY 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | Advantage Flea Treatment for Cats 9 lbs and Under
$49.99 |
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|  | 6 MONTH K9 ADVANTIX Green (for dogs up to 10lbs.)
$59.99 |
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 | 3 x PETMATE FRESH FLOW WATER FOUNTAIN FILTERS FILTER
$2.23 |
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|  | LARGE BIG OVERSIZED Litter Box BIG Multi Cat Cat Pan
$16.99 |
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 | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
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|  | DARLING PERSONALIZED PET COLLARS - SPECIAL ORDER ONLY
$34.95 |
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 | SmartCat Tick-Tock-Teaser - Interactive Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
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|  | Urine Off Odor & Stain Remover FOR DOGS (500 ml)
$13.99 |
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 | STICKY PAWS REG FURNITURE PROTECTION FROM CAT CLAWS
$6.00 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Beige
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64B
$15.99 |
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$29.99 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | Cute Kitty Cat Meow Picture Frame -Holds 4x6 photo NEW!
$3.29 |
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 | SWAROVSKI BE MY LOVE JONQUIL & DIAMOND CAT COLLAR
$17.99 |
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|  | 60 Catnip furry mice RAINBOW Mouse Cat Toys Kitten LOT
$14.99 |
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