| 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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 | Ssscat Animal Control
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|  | Fleece CRINKLE CRACKLE HIDEY HOLE BAG Bed Toy Cats Pup
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 | Teaser Fleece Wand With Acrylic Rod Cat Toy
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|  | QUALITY CAT HAMMOCK STURDY METAL CONSTRUCTION TOY
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 | WERUVA PEKING DUCKEN CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
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|  | WERUVA FUNKY CHUNKY CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | save the cats
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 | Cat Scratcher Play Tower w/ Tunnel and Perch
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|  | 6 DIMEND HOME GROWN CATNIP bags-portrait kitty cat toys
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 | Mylar Balls 4 Pack
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
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 | LIGHTWEIGHT PET CARRIER BY "RUFF & READY" NEW
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|  | Burlap Mouse w/ Catnip - 3 Pack
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 | Original CatMouse LitterBox Odor Eliminator-Closeout
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|  | Feliway Comfort Zone Diffuser and 48 ml Refills (4)
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 | MEDIUM PINK CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
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|  | SELF FILLING WATER BOWL PETS CATS DOGS SMALL BEIGE NEW
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats Flea and Tick Medicine 3 mo sup
$49.85 |
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|  | Petmate Le Bistro Portion Control Automatic Pet Feeder
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 | Cat Napper Window Seat Perch Hammock Bed No Hardware!
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|  | Flashing Cat Ball
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 | MEDIUM PURPLE CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps
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|  | ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 4 6 8 12
$33.95 |
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 | K&H Thermo Kitty Bed, heated CUP for your cat Sage U
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|  | ~NWT~Creature Comforts Cozy Pet Bed & *FREE* Gift Too
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 | Retro Modern Pet Bed: cat small dog mid century brocade
$59.00 |
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|  | Black "Nikko" Dog Cat Pet Paw Print Purse Handbag NWT
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 | WERUVA NINE LIVER CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN ORGANIC
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|  | WERUVA ON THE CAT WOK CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HOLISTIC
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 | NIB Cat Genie Self Flushing and Washing Cat Box
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|  | MEDIUM BLUE CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
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 | WERUVA MARBELLA PAELLA CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) NO PATE
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 12 mon
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 | New Farnam Bio Spot Cat Flea Tick Control 1 Year Supply
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|  | SALE! PINK PLUSH PET HOUSE BED Cat Dog Chihuahua NEW
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 | WERUVA POLYNESIAN BBQ CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HOLISTIC
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|  | 6 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
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 | DOG OR CAT TAXI CARRIER USED
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|  | WEAZEL BALL TOY FOR DOGS CATS & WEASEL
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 | ORTO CAT Self Serve CAT Pet Feeder Food Bowl NEW in Box
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|  | Large CAT PET Groomers Bag Nail Claw Grooming Bathing
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 | Fold-A-Bowl Disposable Pet Dish (2)
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|  | MEDIUM NATURAL CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps
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 | CUTE MICE / CREAM ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
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|  | Yellow Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Diamonds & Bell Small
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 | WERUVA MIDEAST FEAST CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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|  | WERUVA MEDITERRANEAN HARVEST CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24)
$27.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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|  | Basket Full of Fluffy FuN Kittie Toys New and Used
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 | Performa Automatic Kitty Litter Box
$78.99 |
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|  | SNOWFLAKES / BABY BLUE ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
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 | NEW Advanced Large Capacity Cat Feline Drinking Fountai
$19.93 |
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|  | SMARTSCOOP AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SELF CLEANING NIB
$109.95 |
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 | Red Patent Dog/Cat leather Collar with color dot Bell S
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|  | WERUVA GREEN EGGS AND CHICKEN CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24)
$27.50 |
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 | K&H THERMO KITTY CABIN HEATED CAT KITTEN BED
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|  | Catmeister Cat Toy
$2.21 |
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 | Mini Teaser Cat Wand
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|  | Set 6 Replacement FILTERS Hagen CatIt Drinking Fountain
$12.00 |
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 | CAT SCRATCH & PLAY CUBE new KITTEN mouse TOY
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|  | NEW! Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow 50-ounce Pet Fountain
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 | Orange Cat Kitten Christmas Stocking Ornament Gift
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|  | Glazed Stoneware Cat Food Dish & Water Dish No Defects
$12.50 |
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 | 12 PK Replacement Water Filters Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
$19.99 |
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|  | WERUVA GRANDMAS CHICKEN SOUP CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24)
$27.50 |
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 | TERRIFIC FRESH PET AREA DEODORIZER/AIR PURIFIER - NIB
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|  | WERUVA PAW LICKIN CHICKEN CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN
$27.50 |
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 | Petmate Large Hooded Litter Box PINK 2 Day SHip NEW!
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|  | THE HONEST KITCHEN PROWL CAT FOOD DEHYDRATED RAW 4LB
$40.00 |
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 | Cat & Dog Pet Carrier New Nylon Folds Flat Airplane
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|  | ORIJEN CAT KITTEN TO ADULT HIGH PROTEIN NO GRAIN 5.5LBS
$20.00 |
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 | WEAZEL BALL TOY FOR DOGS CATS & WEASEL
$8.95 |
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|  | DOG OR CAT TAXI CARRIER USED
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 | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.79 |
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|  | Pounce Tartar Treat Salmon 2.1oz
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 | Holiday Stocking-for your cat- "Good Kitty" NWT
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|  | STAYWELL INFRA RED CAT COLLAR KEY PACK NEW BLUE NR
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 | SET OF TWO CAT / PET FEEDING BOWLS
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|  | WERUVA MEOW LUAU ALOE CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HOLISTIC
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 | WERUVA MACK AND JACK CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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|  | MEDIUM RED CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps cats
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 | WERUVA ASIAN FUSION CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
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|  | NEW Animal Print Leopard Kitty Nest Cat Bed + Cover
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 | Plush Cat Hideaway and Play Tunnel--FUN, COZY, SNUGGLY
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|  | Cat Napper Window Seat Perch Hammock Bed No Hardware!
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 | WERUVA STEAK FRITES CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
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|  | Multipet Bada Beam Hand Free Laser Interactive Cat Toy
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 | NEW LITTERSWEEP ULTRA AUTOMATIC CAT KITTEN LITTER BOX !
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|  | MEDIUM BLACK CAT Feline 9-13lb Soft Claws Nail Caps pet
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$33.95 |
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|  | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
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 | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
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 | WERUVA OUTBACK GRILL CAT FOOD 3OZ CASE (24) HUMAN GRADE
$27.50 |
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|  | STAYWELL INFRA RED CAT COLLAR KEY PACK NEW BLUE NR
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 | fur mice cat toy LONG HAIR- pack of 50
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|  | IVORY KITTY LITTER SCOOPER 13 X 6 EXCELLENT UNUSED COND
$0.99 |
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