| 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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 | Imperial Cat Recycable NEW Small Orca Whale Scratcher
$24.00 |
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|  | Imperial Cat NEW Recycable Large Relax A Cat Scratcher
$50.99 |
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 | Imperial Cat Small Relax A Cat Scratcher Organic Nip
$13.00 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Fish and Chips Scratcher Organic CAT Nip
$20.00 |
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 | Halloween reflective safety cat collar - CLEARANCE!
$3.50 |
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|  | pet bed,cat quilt made w Laurel Burch fabric $42.w ship
$42.00 |
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NEW WILD ZEBRA PRINT 12 OZ CAT DOG FOOD Bowl Dish
$7.99 |
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|  | CATNIP CAT BED ~ PURR PAD ~ MAT ~ BLANKET -plus Toy
$12.99 |
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 | Imperial Cat Recycable Tower Tunnel Cat Scratcher Post
$58.99 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Recycable Medium Alligator Cat Scratcher
$23.00 |
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 | Imperial Cat NEW Mouse and Hedgehog Combo Scratcher
$40.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.97 |
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 | Retro Christmas Bells Engraved I Love My Cat - Set of 4
$9.99 |
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|  | Imperial Cat NEW Recycable Dachshund CAT Scratcher
$28.00 |
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Petmate Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Filters-12 Pak-FREE Shp
$22.50 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Recycable Small Soccer Ball CAT Scratcher
$23.00 |
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 | NEW Cat Kitten Pet Dish Bowl Merry Meowy Christmas
$2.49 |
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|  | Cat Christmas Stocking Gift Treat CatnipToy Balls Bells
$6.99 |
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 | Staywell Lockable BIG CAT Pet Door - For Glass or Door
$28.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$62.99 |
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 | ANTI ICKY POO! URINE/FECES PET ODOR STAIN REMOVER 1 GAL
$27.95 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Recycable NEW Tiger Scratcher CAT Nip
$129.99 |
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 | Littermaid Mega Automatic cat Litterbox LM900 - NEW!
$89.99 |
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|  | Swing-Style Auto-Close Iron Pet Gate for Doorways-White
$98.95 |
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 | Four Paws Ultimate Touch Kitty Curry Brush
$1.79 |
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|  | Imperial Cat NEW Recycable Hanging Squirrel Scratcher
$16.00 |
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 | 3 Hand Crocheted Organic Catnip Mice, Cat Toys - Gray
$6.29 |
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|  | Imperial Cat NEW Cheese Scratching Surface Organic Nip
$24.00 |
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 | DELUXE ENCLOSED CAT LITTER BOX
$24.95 |
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|  | Cat themed scrap clips
$1.99 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Black Mink Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$35.50 |
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|  | NIB The Cat Loft Cat Bed Attaches to your Mattress!!!
$69.95 |
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 | SmartCat Kitty Ultimate Litter Box
$10.95 |
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|  | 3 6 8 FRONTLINE PLUS dog cat flea tick KIT 22 44 88 lb
$17.97 |
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 | NEW Room with a View Cat or Dog House
$74.95 |
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|  | MODERN STUDIO SCOOP CAT DOG PET FOOD BOWL DISH MARS
$5.99 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Black Mink Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$35.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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 | DESIGNER'S 3-D CAT EYES DOG PUPPY COLLAR Purple 8"-11"
$12.99 |
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|  | New PetMate Cat Playhouse Catnip Scratch Post Toy
$28.99 |
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 | Litter Kwitter Quitter Cat Toilet Training-Immediat Shp
$59.95 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Recyclable NEW Dolphin Hanging Scratcher
$20.00 |
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 | Lot 11 Greenies Feline Cat Dental Salmon treats 2009
$23.74 |
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|  | 2 PIECE PET BOWL SET WITH STAND STAINLESS STEEL
$5.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cat Multi Pack 24 Dose 3 6 12 TOO!
$119.95 |
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|  | METRO MODERN STAINLESS CAT DOG PET FOOD BOWL DISH PERI
$20.00 |
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 | NEW Lazy Pet Cat Window Perch Sheepskin Adjustable Blue
$22.95 |
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|  | K&H Mfg Thermo Kitty Hut Heated Cat Bed Domain
$39.95 |
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 | SmartCat Bootie's Combination Scratcher-Scratching Post
$19.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.97 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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|  | High-loft Kitty Condo Cat kitten Bed~32 washable fabric
$44.95 |
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 | COMFORT ZONE WITH FELIWAY DIFFUSER,REFILL,AND SPRAY NEW
$55.00 |
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|  | 1 HUGE CATNIP Body Pillow, Organic Cat Toy - Orange
$13.50 |
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 | Imperial Cat Recycable Rub and Ramp NEW CAT Scratcher
$21.00 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Recycable Large Crocodile CAT Scratcher
$25.00 |
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 | pet bed,cat quilt made w Laurel Burch mermaid,$36 w shp
$36.00 |
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|  | 3 Hand Crocheted Organic Catnip Mice, Cat Toys - Multi
$6.29 |
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 | Littermaid Electric Air Cleaner Freshens Litter Box
$12.19 |
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|  | Imperial Cat NEW Large Orca Whale Scratcher Recycable
$30.00 |
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 | Rubber Balls, 1", Colorful. Cat, Dog, Other Small Pet.
$2.50 |
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|  | 3 Jingle Yarn Balls, Organic Catnip, Cat Toys w a Bell
$6.29 |
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 | MODERN STUDIO SCOOP CAT DOG PET FOOD BOWL DISH PERI
$5.99 |
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|  | Flea Comb Set - Dog - Cat - $2.00 shipping
$3.00 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Kitty Print Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$35.50 |
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|  | Large Cat kitten Wicker Bed 25.5" X 18" 32 fabric picks
$74.95 |
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 | EYE ENVY WHITE CAT TEAR STAIN REMOVER
$19.50 |
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|  | NEW PETSAFE KITTY CAT INGROUND INVISIBLE FENCE 2 CATS
$299.90 |
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 | Frontline PLUS for Cats 3 Pak NIB Genuine USA product!!
$34.95 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Big Scratcher Organic CAT Nip Recycable
$127.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$36.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain W/ 7 Filters Dog Cat
$53.54 |
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 | GOLD Dangle PURSE CHARM, zipper pull, dog cat collar
$2.99 |
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|  | Fresh pure Icelandic salmon oil-8.75 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$10.50 |
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Drinkwell Brand Pet Fountain Filters-8 Pack Free Ship!
$13.75 |
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|  | Fresh pure sardine-anchovy oil-8.75 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$12.00 |
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 | Imperial Cat Scratch and Snooze Scratcher Organic Nip
$42.00 |
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|  | METRO MODERN STAINLESS CAT DOG PET FOOD BOWL DISH MARS
$20.00 |
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 | Sparkly Adjustable 8" Kitten/Puppy Collar with Bell
$2.95 |
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|  | JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER COVER MULTIPLE CAT HOME
$139.99 |
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 | Swing-Style Auto-Close Iron Pet Gate for Doorways-Black
$98.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell The Original Pet Watering Fountain
$42.95 |
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 | pet bed, designer cat quilt,"Classey Cat" $36.00 inc sh
$36.00 |
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|  | BIO SPOT FOR CATS 3 MONTH SUPPY 5 WAY FLEA , TICK, EGGS
$5.00 |
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 | CATNIP CAT BED ~ PURR PAD ~ MAT ~ BLANKET -plus Toy
$12.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box R13
$24.99 |
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 | Buddhist Funeral Altar for Pet
$35.00 |
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|  | Litter Kwitter Quitter Cat Potty Toilet Training System
$59.95 |
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 | Fresh pure Icelandic salmon oil-17 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$19.50 |
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|  | PAMPER YOUR CAT WITH TREATS EBOOK CD +RESELL
$2.99 |
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 | CAT KITTEN CHARITY RESCUE THANKSGIVING FOOD LITTER TOYS
$2.00 |
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|  | Littermaid Elite Mega Automatic Litter Box LME9000MB
$134.95 |
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 | Cat Toy, Mini Beaded Yarn Mice. Lot of 18 Mice.
$2.99 |
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|  | Imperial Cat Turtle Shaped CAT Scratcher Recycable
$42.00 |
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 | Imperial Cat Banana Scratching Surface Organic CAT Nip
$20.00 |
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|  | Retro Christmas Bells Engraved I Love My Cat - Set of 4
$9.99 |
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 | Glow Ball 2" POM POM-CATNIP-CAT TOY-TOYS-PET
$2.15 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.48 |
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 | Four Paws SKI SLOPE Super Catnip Scratching Post&CATNIP
$4.49 |
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|  | NEW PETSAFE EXTRA CAT FENCE RECEIVER COLLAR PIG00-11006
$99.95 |
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