| 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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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$49.95 |
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|  | Cat Wormer WormGuard Plus Super Concentrate-All Natural
$17.78 |
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THREE ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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|  | Multivet SSSCAT Cat Training Aid Complete Kit+ Refill
$34.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE Plus CATS # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$3.50 |
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|  | WARNING! ATTACK CAT Novelty Sign
$4.50 |
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 | SML Cat Collar w/ SWAROVSKI Crystals ~Classic Sparkle ~
$22.99 |
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|  | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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 | $1.00 OFF 9 LIVES DRY CAT KITTEN FOOD (x8) exp. 4/09
$0.99 |
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|  | Comfort Zone with D.A.P.
$8.00 |
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24 Littermaid LMF200 Carbon Fltrs+24 LMR200 Containers
$24.95 |
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|  | PUSS N BOOTS ( YARD ART ) UNIQUE MEOW CAT OF STEEL
$12.95 |
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 | Merrick Gourmet Canned Cat Food Finicky Human grade
$26.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+Brush Kit+7 Filters
$59.95 |
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 | Simple Solution Disposable Dog Diapers pkg of 12 x-lg
$9.95 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your small dog
$29.95 |
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 | Catnip Cat Toy Pillows Lot of 6 ~ Organic~
$4.99 |
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|  | Urinary Tract Dog Cat Infection Berry Balance herbal
$16.50 |
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 | K&H Kitty Cat Cabin Heated Thermo Bed Toy : MOCHA
$49.95 |
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|  | PVC Pet Bed Grey Print Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$25.50 |
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 | Posh Peeping Cat White Kitchen Apron NEW
$14.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70oz Reservoir+FREE Fat Cat Toy!
$46.95 |
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 | 60 Zanies Catnip Rattle Rainbow Mice Cat Toys Kitten
$16.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.49 |
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 | CHRISTMAS RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER $8.99 SALE
$8.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3Brush Kit+7 Filters
$54.95 |
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 | CATS * CATS * CATS* Tissue Box Couch Cover Great Gift!
$15.00 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for you pet cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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 | New 2 / 2.5oz. Kittymalt Hairball Remedy Paste Malt Cat
$2.00 |
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|  | Blitz
$10.00 |
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 | Cat Hole - Interior Cat Door - Hide the litter box!
$39.99 |
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|  | ONE CASE (144 diapers) Simple Solution Dog Diapers x-lg
$99.00 |
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 | Feliway Spray feline cat comfort
$14.36 |
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|  | Jungle Jabber Cat Toy
$3.99 |
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 | 5 Inch Diameter Blue Plastic Pet Bowl
$1.00 |
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|  | Wooden Leopard Cat play Tunnel
$19.99 |
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 | K&H Heated Cat Kitty Bed HUT - Thermo - COLOR: MOCHA
$46.95 |
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|  | Designer Dog carrier
$10.00 |
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 | Catnip Cat Toy Pillows Lot of 6 ~ Organic~
$4.99 |
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|  | Advantage Purple for Cats over 9lbs-Brand New
$19.99 |
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 | CAT GROOMING TRAINING Quick-Fit MUZZLE CATS PINK*MEDIUM
$8.99 |
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| NEW 48 Littermaid Containers LMR200
$44.95 |
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 | Kitten Little Catnip Toy for Cats and Kittens
$1.99 |
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|  | Princess Dog/Cat Collar Charm - New!
$0.99 |
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 | M"House with mice toy for cat. no lead paint
$9.99 |
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|  | 30 tiny CHRISTMAS CATNIP bags! CAT TOYS! HOME GROWN!
$24.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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|  | New 2 / 5.25oz. Cat Grass Plus Grows From Container
$2.00 |
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 | NEW SEALED KITTY POP UP FEEDER WITH LID
$5.99 |
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|  | Fish shaped Cat Bed!!! Never Used!! Colorfull and Cute!
$10.00 |
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 | New Dog or Cat Well-Stuffed, Warm Fleece Pillow or Bed
$5.00 |
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|  | $1.00 OFF 9 LIVES WET CANNED CAT FOOD (x6) exp. 4/09
$2.33 |
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 | Cat or Dog Corner Bed by Happy Tails
$19.99 |
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|  | Yellow Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Diamonds & Bell Small
$3.99 |
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 | SML Wrap Kitten Cat Collar ~ Swarovski Daisy ~ by AzDS
$12.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$54.50 |
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 | SILVER TABBY CAT KITTY FELINE KITTEN SUPPLIES ART WATCH
$19.00 |
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|  | Yellow Dog/Cat Collar with double layer Diamond Bell M
$4.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$33.95 |
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|  | Cozy sleeping bag or bed for your pet cat or small dog
$29.95 |
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 | KH Outdoor Heated Cat Kitty Camper Bed House Mat Thermo
$62.99 |
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|  | GROOMING Dog/CAT Kevlar Knit Animal Handling Gloves*SM
$9.99 |
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 | SERGEANT'S GOLD ,PROTECTION FOR CATS & KITTENS
$0.99 |
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|  | Catnip Cat Toy Pillows Lot of 6 ~ Organic~
$4.99 |
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 | USED CAT GENIE SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX DOME, ALL PARTS
$56.00 |
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|  | 36 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS & 2 TREATS! FREE SHIP!
$28.50 |
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 | CALICO CAT FELINE KITTEN KITTY SUPPLIES ART WATCH
$19.00 |
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|  | Kitty Playtime Mat
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Claw Nail Trimmer
$0.99 |
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| THREE Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Chocolate Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$25.50 |
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|  | $3 off IAMS Healthy Naturals Cat Foods Coupons
$2.99 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Blue Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$25.50 |
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|  | World of Cats - Breaking Bad Habits DVD
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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|  | Laser Pointer 36 Different Heads Great Buy! FUN!!
$0.01 |
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 | $3.00 OFF ARM & HAMMER Cat Kitty Litter (x5) Exp. 3/09
$2.00 |
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|  | MED Cat Collar w/ SWAROVSKI Crystals ~Classic Emerald~
$25.99 |
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 | SML Wrap Kitten Cat Collar ~ Blue Fish ~ by AzDS
$10.99 |
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|  | Kitty Kaviar healthy cat treat finicky natural fish
$14.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.49 |
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|  | Santa Paws Hat Toy for cats and kittens! Great Gift!
$4.99 |
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 | HAMMACHER SCHLMMER FELINE DRINKING FOUTAIN
$24.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 9 Sani Solution
$99.00 |
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 | NEW SEALED JAR ZANIES MEOW MAGIC CATNIP Large Canister
$3.50 |
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|  | Cats Holiday Stocking W/ 6 Mice and 6 Bonus Cat Toys
$2.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs 89-132 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$62.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs up to 22 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$15.00 |
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 | Set 3 pawprint adjust nylon cat collars wt a bell@
$7.58 |
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|  | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Grey Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$25.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir-Fresh!
$41.95 |
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 | "High Grown" Catnip, 100% Natural - Premium Cat Treat
$2.49 |
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|  | SML Cat Collar w/ SWAROVSKI Crystals ~Classic Emerald~
$23.99 |
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 | Harley-Davidson Cat Collar, Biker look for Kitty!
$5.79 |
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|  | Super Concentrated Liquid Catnip Spray cat toy natural
$6.50 |
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 | IAMS Dry Kitten or Adult Dry Food Coupons
$2.99 |
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|  | New Cat Lovers Avoid Cat Litter Box Cleaning Hassles
$69.99 |
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