| 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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 | Shrimp Treats 6oz.
$24.95 |
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|  | M.A.X. Orca Cat Scratching Pad
$27.95 |
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 | Cat Essentials Bundle - litter scoop, food scoop & toy
$3.99 |
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|  | FAT-CAT Cozy Bed with Reversible Pad - Purple-ON SALE
$16.95 |
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 | Plush Squeeky Teacup Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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|  | Christmas Holiday Santa Cat Kitten Pole Teaser Toy 52"!
$1.99 |
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 | Lot of 3 NEW! Feliway Comfort Zone Sprays 75 ml Farnam
$55.00 |
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|  | Plush Squeeky Furcedes Sports Car Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | M.A.X. Dachshund Cat Scratching Pad
$29.95 |
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 | M.A.X. Leopard Sofa Scratching Pad
$24.95 |
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|  | FOUR (4) LGE. 1 OUNCE cans of KITTY KAVIAR $23.75 TOTAL
$19.00 |
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 | NEW LOT 12 CAT TOYS & 3 POUCHES WHISKER LICKIN'S TREATS
$4.99 |
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|  | Easy Oat Kit
$3.95 |
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 | Byer's Choice Singing Cat -BENEFIT AUCTION!!!
$7.99 |
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|  | DOG LEASH, COLLAR, TOWEL AND TOY PACK!
$49.95 |
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 | 30 Coupons--MEOW MIX Cat Food---Dry, Cups & Treats $1/1
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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 | 20) $1/1 Meow Mix Market Select Cat Food Cup Coupons
$0.75 |
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|  | Unique Blue Dog/Cat Puppy Collar with Scarf Bell Small
$7.50 |
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 | Amazing Honeysuckle Cat Toy - Octopus
$7.00 |
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|  | 3 ORGANIC CATNIP KNOTS CAT TOY 100% to PET CHARITY
$3.50 |
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 | Plush Squeeky Baby Bottle Pet Toy
$8.00 |
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|  | Nutri-Vet 62854 Pet-Ease Natural Calming Diffuser Refil
$6.99 |
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 | 5) B1G1 Free Purina Pro Plan Cat Food + 5) $3/1 Coupons
$0.75 |
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|  | M.A.X. Banana Cat Scratching Pad
$13.95 |
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 | NEW!!!! CHIA CAT GRASS PLANTER Wheatgrass Kitten Snack
$19.95 |
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|  | (3) $5.00 OFF ANY SIZE OF EUKANUBA DRY CAT FOOD
$1.50 |
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 | Oriental Asian Dragon Dish Take Out Bowl Side Dish R
$13.99 |
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|  | HANDMADE CAT TOY FEATHER TICKLER CATS ANIMAL TOYS XMAS
$5.00 |
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 | Extra Large Cat Dog Litter Box Dog Den Sage Color NEW!!
$79.00 |
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|  | ORGANICALLY GROWN CAT NIP HAND MADE SOFT TIED mini TOY
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs SALE~~
$23.84 |
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|  | Plush Squeeky Baby Pacifier Dog Toy
$8.00 |
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 | Dog or Cat Bed
$5.00 |
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|  | Kitty Cat Red Christmas Fish Stocking
$8.99 |
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 | Nutri-Vet Pet-Ease Natural Calming Diffuser for Cats
$12.99 |
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|  | HANDMADE KITTY FEATHER TICKLER CAT TOY ANIMAL TOYS XMAS
$5.00 |
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 | PRETTY PALE PINK CAT / KITTEN COLLAR w/BELL-NWT
$1.99 |
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|  | Plush Squeeky Woofgang Puppizza Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
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|  | M.A.X. Tiger Cat Scratching Pad
$178.95 |
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 | LITTER MAID PLUS! SELF- CLEANING LITTER BOX
$44.99 |
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|  | "Killer" Black Pet Bed
$21.50 |
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 | Littermaid automatic litter box, No Reserve!!!
$24.99 |
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|  | LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA AUTO SELF-CLEANING CAT LITTER BOX
$39.99 |
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 | Gorgeous Teacup Pet Bed
$200.00 |
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|  | Tape Worm Tabs 6 TABLETS / CAT / 6 TABLETS Tape Worm
$9.99 |
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 | NEW Pedi Paws PediPaws Pet Nail Trimmer As Seen on TV
$16.99 |
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|  | small dogs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$23.84 |
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 | Furniture Cat Litter Box Cabinet On eBay New N/R
$199.99 |
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|  | MEDIUM Petsafe Dog Pet Door w/ Security Closing Panel
$49.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$33.95 |
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|  | Pet Car Bed Pink, Black & Silver
$35.00 |
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 | Baby Pink Pet Dog/Cat Collar Rhinestone Bell Terrier S
$5.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC CATNIP CAT TOY HANDMADE 100% to PET CHARITY
$2.65 |
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 | Plush Squeeky D & G Pump Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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|  | Vet Jet Transdermal Vaccination System plus 25 adapters
$24.99 |
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 | NEW! CERAMIC ROYAL CROWN CATS RULE FOOD/WATER DISH/BOWL
$9.95 |
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|  | M.A.X. Sofa Scratching Pad
$24.95 |
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 | HANDMADE KITTY FEATHER TICKLER CAT TOY ANIMAL TOYS XMAS
$5.00 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN CAT DOG WATER DISH PACKAGE
$59.95 |
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 | Comfort Zone Feliway Plug In Diffuser ONE KIT Cats
$28.99 |
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|  | NIB PETSAFE Cat Pet Small Dog LOCKABLE Flap Door
$14.95 |
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 | HANDMADE KITTY FEATHER TICKLER CAT TOY ANIMAL TOYS XMAS
$5.00 |
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|  | Cute Baby Blue Dog/Cat Collar Rhinestone Bell Pet S
$7.50 |
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 | Puppy Cat Kitten Small Pet Ferret Nail Clippers Scissor
$4.99 |
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|  | NIB POCKET Black Light UV Blacklight Vaseline GLASS
$7.99 |
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 | Purple Dog/Cat Puppy Collar with Crystal & Bell Small
$4.50 |
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|  | 2oz. Certified Organic Catnip
$3.95 |
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 | Advantage for Dogs 4 months 11-20lbs
$35.00 |
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|  | HANDMADE KITTY FEATHER TICKLER CAT TOY ANIMAL TOYS XMAS
$5.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK 8 month PENNY SALE~~
$1.80 |
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|  | Plush Squeeky Woodie Car Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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 | Byer's Choice Girl w Stocking -BENEFIT AUCTION!!!
$14.99 |
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|  | 24 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers NIB
$21.95 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Plush Squeeky Bagel Pet Toy
$8.00 |
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|  | Cat Stocking
$8.99 |
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 | PACK 'N PAWS BASKET WEAVE 16.5" PET CARRIER BROWN $170
$99.99 |
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|  | Cute Yellow Dog/Cat Pet Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$7.50 |
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 | Plush Squeeky New York Checker Cab Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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|  | CATS Windchimes Kittens Wind Chimes Cat Kitty Garden
$19.95 |
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 | Christmas Holiday Rudolph Cat Kitten Pole Teaser Toy
$1.99 |
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|  | Plush Squeeky Chocolate Covered Straberry Dog Toy
$8.00 |
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 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | "Cats Love Christmas, Too" Stockings
$0.99 |
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 | 12 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers NIB
$10.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
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 | Yellow Dog/Cat Collar with double layer Diamond Bell M
$6.99 |
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|  | 10 COUPONS-$3.00 OFF EACH-FRESH STEP CAT LITTER
$3.50 |
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 | NEW CAT WATER DISH - UNUSUAL FISH BOWL STYLE - BATT.OP.
$2.50 |
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|  | HAMMOCAT CAT HAMMOCK! NICE CAT BED OR LOUNGE!
$39.95 |
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 | Super Sleeper Cat Scratching Pad Replacement
$21.95 |
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|  | CAT SANTA Red SUIT * Very Cute * 3 Pieces * Large *
$3.99 |
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 | Plush Squeeky Fortune Cookie Dog Toy
$10.00 |
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|  | PINK PRINCESS PET FEEDER Dog Cat Water Bowl Food Dish
$9.95 |
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 | Advantage for Dogs 4 months 10lbs and under
$35.00 |
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|  | Advantage for Dogs 6 months 10lbs and under
$46.00 |
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