| 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 #A7463
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | FELINE TOWN Cat House Cats Perch play toy Tunnel tower
$99.99 |
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 | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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|  | Genie Automatic Cat Box Sanisolution Reset Refill Kit
$102.00 |
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 | NEW Pet Lightweight Smart PET RAMP Extending w/ Handle
$99.99 |
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|  | DESPERATE Housecat GANZ Pet COLLAR Charm NEW Free SHIP
$6.49 |
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 | $10 OFF PURINA TIDY CATS "BREEZE" BRAND LITTER SYSTEM
$0.99 |
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|  | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | Advantage for Cats or Kittens 9lbs *6 Month Supply*
$22.99 |
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 | Our Pets Whack Attack Pet Cat Electronic Mouse Play Toy
$15.89 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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 | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
$48.98 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
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|  | Advantage for Cats & Kittens Over 9lbs 6 Month Supply
$18.07 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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 | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | WHISKER CITY LEOPARD PRINT PYRAMID CAT BED
$39.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F24
$0.99 |
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|  | 12 dose flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs FRONTLINE PLUS
$34.84 |
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 | DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | BNWT DESIGNER PET CARRIER
$25.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | GET A PRICE ADVANTAGE ON 12mos FLEA KILLER CATS OVER 9#
$29.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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 | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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 | WHISKER CITY CORDUROY & FLEECE CAT BED SET
$30.99 |
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|  | Ionic Flea Pet Comb
$1.99 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
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 | $10 OFF PURINA TIDY CATS "BREEZE" BRAND LITTER SYSTEM
$0.99 |
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers ~Crazy Cat Toy Funny Kitten Teaser
$24.99 |
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 | Travel Pet Carrier for Cat - Dog
$9.00 |
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| JW PETs Cat-a-Log Cat Toy in Tube Rolling Ball
$0.99 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | Advantage for Cats & Kittens Over 9lbs *6 Month Supply*
$24.99 |
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 | BEAUTIFUL SWAROVSKI CAT SAFETY COLLAR 7-8 NECK
$5.99 |
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|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72-B
$0.99 |
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 | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Kitten Scratcher Teaser Toy
$24.88 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
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|  | Six Colors Nylon cat collars*
$15.20 |
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 | Littermaid Waste Receptacles ~ Liners~Carbon Filters
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | BNWT DESIGNER PET CARRIER
$25.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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 | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
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 | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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 | Littermaid Elite Automatic Self Cleaning Litterbox
$56.00 |
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|  | Catnip Xmas Stocking
$2.00 |
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 | BIG! cat toy lot $50.00 value! MUST SEE!! all new!
$9.99 |
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|  | Catnip Toy
$2.00 |
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 | Turbo Scratcher Replacement Pads Cat Toy Scratch NEW
$5.94 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS Flea Kit for CATS 8 Doses USA EPA 3 6 12
$18.95 |
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 | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$0.99 |
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 | Our Pets Hidden Prey Real Bamboo Pet Cat Mouse Play Toy
$10.89 |
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|  | New medium leopard print pet cat or dog bed kitty cats
$14.64 |
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 | Ionic Flea Comb, Pet Comb, New
$5.99 |
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|  | K & H HEATED CAT KITTEN PET BED Thermo Kitty Hut Sage
$35.75 |
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 | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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|  | HOME & AWAY CRATE - Portable Cat Cage 14X14X12 - dogh0
$36.99 |
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 | LOT RABBIT FUR FOOT FEET " WHITE " KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS
$5.99 |
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|  | new NAIL clippers FOR cats CAT clipper TRIMMER
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL ~WoW~
$50.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | Our Pets Thrill of the Chase Pet Cat Mouse Play Toy
$13.89 |
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|  | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | NEW LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Automatic Litter Box LM700
$20.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | PETSTAGES HEALTHY PORTION CAT FEEDING COMBO SAUCER&DISH
$4.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | 44 - Purina Tidy Cats Coupons ($132 value)
$4.99 |
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|  | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 doses DOGS 10-20 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F13
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3803
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|  | New Giant Litter Box Covered Pan Multiple Cats Product
$41.97 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus *CAT* 6 MONTHS!!! EPA! NIB!!
$48.00 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$0.99 |
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|  | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
$0.99 |
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|  | 74" Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F60
$9.99 |
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 | .097 PET TENT CARRIER - RED - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Collar with Pearls and Bell - Pet/ Dog Collars
$1.99 |
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