| 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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 | 1 New Petrodex Dental Care Kit Cat Christmas Gift tooth
$0.99 |
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|  | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT
$5.00 |
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 | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT
$5.00 |
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|  | Bright Yellow Dog/Cat Pet Collar with Bow & Bell Small
$6.75 |
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 | Mini Teaser Cat Wand
$2.31 |
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|  | Green Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Diamonds & Bell Small
$5.00 |
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 | Cat Bowl Set
$12.99 |
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|  | 3 PIECE CAT FEEDING DISHES FEEDERS SCOOPER PET SUPPLIES
$2.50 |
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 | SCOOPWELL Litter Box Scoop And Cat Box Cleaner
$6.75 |
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|  | PERSONALIZED 4 Spoiled Rotten CATS SIGN Pet Cat Decor
$10.95 |
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 | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Cat House
$10.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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|  | OOooo CATNIP!! Hand-made Catnip Pillow Toys. AWESOME!!
$5.99 |
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 | Cat Toy 2Holiday Shiny Balls W/Catnip/Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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|  | HANDMADE CATNIP MAT
$5.00 |
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 | Purple Dog/Cat Puppy Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$5.50 |
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|  | CUTE MICE / CREAM ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
$0.99 |
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 | Petmate Large Hooded Litter Box PINK 2 Day SHip NEW!
$14.62 |
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|  | 6 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$10.99 |
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 | Midwest BayIsle Hide-A-Way Litter-Box Cover NEW NIB
$43.97 |
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|  | LITTER KWITTER Cat Toilet Training System NEW
$56.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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|  | Cat Scratcher Play Tower w/ Tunnel and Perch
$25.00 |
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 | NEW! Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow 50-ounce Pet Fountain
$12.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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10 COUPONS $1 NATURALS + VITAMINS PURINA CAT FREE SHIP
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW ~ CRUNCHY CAT TUNNEL TOY ~ NEW
$19.99 |
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 | Red Patent Dog/Cat leather Collar with color dot Bell S
$6.75 |
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|  | Burlap Mouse w/ Catnip - 3 Pack
$2.52 |
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 | QUALITY CAT HAMMOCK STURDY METAL CONSTRUCTION TOY
$12.00 |
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|  | Cat Toy 1 Shiny Rattle Mice w Feather Tail/Catnip New
$0.79 |
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 | Outward Hound Pet-a-Roo Front Carrier - Medium
$28.95 |
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|  | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$2.31 |
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 | Cat Toy 6 Bright Colorful Rattle Mice Catnip Brand New
$0.99 |
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|  | 36" SINGLE POLE Da Bird wand cat toy 4 Attachments
$14.99 |
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 | Feliway Comfort Zone Diffuser and 48 ml Refills (4)
$9.99 |
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|  | Ssscat Animal Control
$4.99 |
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 | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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|  | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | Cat Scratch Wave/Pet toy Furniture condo tree Brand new
$9.99 |
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|  | PERSONALIZED 3 Spoiled Rotten CATS SIGN Pet Decor
$9.95 |
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 | FREE BAG PURINA CAT CHOW UP TO $4.99 3.1.09
$0.99 |
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|  | Pet Plaques (Customized To Your Breed Or Pet)
$5.99 |
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 | Cat Toy Fur Mice 6 pack / w Catnip pet toy Brand new
$0.01 |
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|  | Classic Kittywalk System Kittywalk Lawn Version "GIFT"
$69.99 |
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 | Olive Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$5.50 |
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|  | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK med ~*~ sale
$23.84 |
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 | LOT OF 4 PET SHIRTS, SIZE LARGE, DOG'S OR CAT'S *NIP*
$10.99 |
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|  | 3 pk filter for Catit cat water fountain systems
$9.45 |
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 | Teaser Fleece Wand With Acrylic Rod Cat Toy
$2.21 |
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|  | Kitty Cat Picture Frame! 3.5"x 5" **EUC**
$1.00 |
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 | Boogie Mat-Refillable Catnip Nap Mat for Cats & Kittens
$8.95 |
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|  | Red Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$5.50 |
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 | PINK Girl Baby Cat Kitten Puppy Dog PET Bed BASSINET
$0.99 |
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|  | 2 Whisker City 8" - 12" Reflective w/ Bells Cat Collars
$0.99 |
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 | Holiday Zanies Cat Toys Value 6 Pack
$2.99 |
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|  | LitterMaid 12 Waste Receptacles Containers NEW IN BOX
$9.95 |
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 | SMARTSCOOP AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SELF CLEANING NIB
$109.95 |
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|  | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Fleece CRINKLE CRACKLE HIDEY HOLE BAG Bed Toy Cats Pup
$15.00 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 17.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
$9.99 |
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 | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 4 Tubes
$34.99 |
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|  | Kitty Walk Deck and Patio NEW
$99.99 |
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 | Black "Nikko" Dog Cat Pet Paw Print Purse Handbag NWT
$16.95 |
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|  | Kitty Walk GAZEBO
$199.99 |
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 | FELINE PINE Self Cleaning Cat Kitten Litter Box NEW
$9.95 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | 6 DIMEND HOME GROWN CATNIP bags-portrait kitty cat toys
$5.99 |
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|  | CAT LOVER GIFT BASKET Greenies,sitter dvd,heart basket+
$27.95 |
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 | 12 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$19.99 |
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|  | NEW LITTERSWEEP ULTRA AUTOMATIC CAT KITTEN LITTER BOX !
$69.00 |
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 | Orange Cat Kitten Christmas Stocking Ornament Gift
$1.99 |
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|  | Flashing Cat Ball
$2.21 |
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 | Pet Plaques (Customized To Your Breed Or Pet)
$5.99 |
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|  | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | PET CARRIER.BRAND NEW .HOLDS UP TO 20LBS.GREAT DEAL.!!!
$19.99 |
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|  | 1/4" Sisal Rope 50 ft Cat Condo Tree Scratching Post
$2.00 |
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 | Petmate Hooded Litter Pan + scooper
$9.99 |
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|  | New Farnam Bio Spot Cat Flea Tick Control 1 Year Supply
$9.99 |
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 | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.79 |
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|  | Outward Hound Pet-a-Roo Front Carrier - Medium
$28.95 |
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 | Purple Dog/Cat Puppy Collar with Crystal & Bell Small
$5.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$34.95 |
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 | 13 cans (IVD) Veterinary Exclusive Royal Canin Catfood
$0.99 |
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|  | PetSafe Cat Veranda with Lockable Entry Flap NEW
$99.99 |
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 | CATS Cat Grooming Bathing Bag Restraint System * MEDIUM
$19.99 |
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|  | Mylar Balls 4 Pack
$2.10 |
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 | ~NWT~Creature Comforts Cozy Pet Bed & *FREE* Gift Too
$9.99 |
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|  | Staywell 31 Battery Powered Cat Flap New
$0.99 |
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 | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 12 Tubes
$85.99 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Dog Collar Necklace 7-10" Blk/Wht Bell
$7.50 |
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 | Performa Automatic Kitty Litter Box
$78.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes CATS kittens 1-UP
$16.99 |
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 | NEW Soft Dog Pet House Furniture Navy Blue Fabric
$48.00 |
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| Kitty Walk Town and Country Collection Kitty Play Set
$269.95 |
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 | ORTO CAT Self Serve CAT Pet Feeder Food Bowl NEW in Box
$2.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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 | MEDIUM PINK CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
$17.98 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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