| 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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 | Friskies Cat Food 1963 magazine advertisement
$5.00 |
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|  | Smart Cat Heavy-Duty Litter Scoop W/Mountable Holder
$8.95 |
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 | Comfort Zone with D.A.P. Spray for Dogs NIP
$17.99 |
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|  | NEW LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Automatic Litter Box LM700
$74.00 |
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 | Holiday Zanies Cat Toys Value 6 Pack
$2.99 |
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|  | fur mice 30 piece
$6.99 |
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 | Cat Genie SaniSolution Cartridge - UNSCENTED 12 Pack
$120.00 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your cat
$29.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
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|  | LOT 12 RABBIT FUR FOOT FEET WHITE KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS NR
$5.99 |
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 | NEW Air-approved Black leather Dog/Cat Carrier Tote
$8.99 |
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|  | CAT Comfort KITTY TENT Shelter A Frame House Furniture
$17.85 |
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 | $3.00 OFF ARM & HAMMER Cat Kitty Litter (x5) Exp. 3/09
$2.00 |
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|  | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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 | Farnam Comfort Zone Diffuser w/D.A.P Refill New!!
$22.99 |
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|  | RED NYLON WITH TWO SILVER CIRCLE SLIDES CAT COLLAR
$2.75 |
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 | DR NOYS CAT toy teaser pet stick cat nip bird feathered
$3.99 |
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|  | $1.00 OFF 9 LIVES WET CANNED CAT FOOD (x6) exp. 4/09
$2.33 |
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NEW 48 Littermaid Containers LMR200
$44.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir-Fresh!
$41.95 |
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 | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB Ultimate Edition -Black
$134.95 |
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| Wind Up Windup Fake Mouse Rat Cat Dog Pet Toy NEW!!!!!!
$4.95 |
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 | Cute Yellow Dog/Cat Pet Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$2.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3Brush Kit+7 Filters
$54.95 |
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THREE ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 9 LBS & UNDER-10 MONTHS EPA USA 6 4
$14.55 |
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 | Lot of Ceramic Food dishes for small animals
$7.95 |
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|  | BAD KITTY CATNIP (Hydroponic Chronic)...Is it 4:20?
$0.99 |
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 | tidy cats cat litter coupons ($12.00)
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Collar SWAROVSKI Crystals ~Classic on Purple~ LRG
$27.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$54.50 |
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|  | New no hassle pet carriers that does the work for you!
$36.99 |
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 | Purple sleeping bag or bed for your cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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|  | Littermaid Elite Mega LME9000MB Ultimate Edition -Black
$134.95 |
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 | How To INSTRUCTIONS for DIY'S Dog Rhinestone Cat Collar
$5.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+Brush Kit+7 Filters
$59.95 |
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|  | $25 5 HEAD LASER POINTER LAZER PEN CAT DOG PET TOY
$2.35 |
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 | Kitty Cat Bed in a Basket New Limited Edition Snoozzy
$8.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir + SEVEN Filters
$47.95 |
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 | SPOILED CAT 2 FURRY Organic catnip body pillows
$12.00 |
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|  | Friskies Cat Food 1960 magazine advertisement
$5.00 |
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 | Soccer sleeping bag or bed for your cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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 | SPOILED CAT 4 FURRY Organic catnip body pillows
$24.00 |
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|  | MOUSE CHARMs 1" LOT " 10 "CAT COLLAR /XMAS FOR CATS
$5.00 |
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 | Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Plus for Cats NIP retails for $38
$18.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | PEWETER CAT GUARDIAN ANGEL TAG "GREAT GIFT FOR ANY CAT"
$6.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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24 Littermaid LMF200 Carbon Fltrs+24 LMR200 Containers
$24.95 |
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|  | Cute Yellow Dog/Cat Pet Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$2.99 |
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 | STAINLESS STEEL 3 PC DINING CAT KITTEN DINNER GIFT SET
$7.50 |
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|  | Comfort Zone Spray with Feliway 4 Cats END URINE MRKN
$17.99 |
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 | cat small dog cube bed toy cage
$3.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.49 |
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 | PET RHINESTONE NECKLACE STRETCH PUPPY Dog/Cat Collar
$9.99 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your pet cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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 | Friskies Cat Food 1962 magazine advertisement
$5.00 |
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|  | Comfort Zone with D.A.P.
$8.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 5 MONTHS EPA - USA 4 6
$14.55 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Petmate Litter RoundUp One Touch + Dome Cover + Ramp
$99.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+ SEVEN Filters
$52.50 |
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 | Cat Kitten Royal Mansion Climbing Structure Play Condo
$17.00 |
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|  | NEW Cookies For Santa From The Cat Holiday Plate/Dish
$6.00 |
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 | Multivet SSSCAT Cat Training Aid Complete Kit+ Refill
$34.95 |
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|  | 10 $4.00 off Any Bag Iams Cat Food Coupons = $40
$12.50 |
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 | "High Grown" Catnip, 100% Natural - Premium Cat Treat
$2.49 |
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|  | Cat Wormer WormGuard Plus Super Concentrate-All Natural
$17.78 |
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 | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for you pet cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+ Brush Kit + SEVEN Filters
$45.95 |
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 | CATNIP BODY PILLOW Original from Portland OR!! 4 Tuf
$24.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+ SEVEN Filters
$39.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Replacement 70oz Reservoir for Pet Fountain
$19.99 |
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 | CATNIP BODY PILLOW Original from Portland OR!! 3 Tuf
$18.00 |
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|  | SML Wrap Kitten Cat Collar ~ Swarovski Daisy ~ by AzDS
$12.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$49.95 |
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|  | PEWETER CAT GUARDIAN ANGEL TAG "GREAT GIFT FOR ANY CAT"
$6.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.49 |
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|  | Black cat sleeping bag or bed for your pet
$29.95 |
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 | fur mice cat toy LONG HAIR- pack of 50
$9.99 |
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|  | ONE BLUE DOG OR CAT COLLAR SEE STORE FOR PET SUPPLIES
$2.00 |
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 | K & H HEATED CAT KITTEN PET BED Thermo Kitty Hut Sage
$35.75 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your pet cat, small dog
$29.95 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain + Aqua Garden - Brand New
$38.95 |
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|  | SPOILED CAT 2 FURRY Organic catnip body pillows
$12.00 |
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 | COMFORT ZONE DIFFUSEER WITH D.A.P. **NEW** FOD DOGS
$24.95 |
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|  | 29 Tidy Cats catbox Liners
$4.00 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70oz Reservoir+FREE Fat Cat Toy!
$46.95 |
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|  | Friskies Cat & Dog Food 1971 magazine advertisement
$5.00 |
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 | 8 WHOLESALE Wind Up Windup Fake Mouse Cat Dog Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | COMFORT ZONE DIFFUSEER WITH FELIWAY PLUG IN *NEW*
$24.95 |
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 | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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|  | $1.00 OFF 9 LIVES DRY CAT KITTEN FOOD (x8) exp. 4/09
$0.99 |
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THREE Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your small dog
$29.95 |
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