| 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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 | CY-PURR Mouse - Futuristic Pet Toy
$8.90 |
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|  | Christmas Cat Clip-on Pin with holiday bell on neck
$4.00 |
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 | K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Kitty Cat Beds W/Cover
$39.95 |
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|  | Wild Tail Motorized Pet Toy - For Cats Ferrets and Dogs
$10.00 |
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Beastie Bands spider webs Halloween black cat collar
$5.99 |
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|  | CATSWELL 2oz VITAKITTY Chicken Breast Feline Treats
$2.95 |
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 | Whisker City Breakaway Safety Collar for Cats
$6.00 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootsie's Bunkbed and Playroom
$28.95 |
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 | Lazy Pet Deluxe Cat Window Perches W/Orthopedic Foam
$24.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT 9 LBS AND UNDER 10 MONTHS EPA USA 4 6 12
$17.79 |
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 | Kitty Travel Kit, With All Kitties Needs in One Package
$18.99 |
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|  | PetSafe Staywell 4 Way Locking Magnetic Cat Flap Doors
$39.95 |
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 | Wicker Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Rattan 1805
$50.99 |
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|  | FARNAM COMFORT ZONE 75ML SPRAY BEHAVIOR CONTROL $32+
$23.99 |
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 | 16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/kittens-EPA APPROVED!
$35.50 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Western Green Bandana ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | Penn-Plax MULTI-LEVEL LOUNGER W/TREE and Bamboo Posts
$79.99 |
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|  | 10 MONTH ADVANTAGE FOR CATS KITTEN flea KIT to 9 lbs 6
$18.97 |
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 | Litterworks Cabinet Pet Cat MAT Littermaid LW410-MAT
$14.89 |
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|  | Cat Scratcher Block stands up or lay on the floor NIB
$7.99 |
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 | 48 Beef & Tuna Cat Food Dinners - Wholesale Lot
$25.00 |
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|  | Petsafe Extra Cat Fence Receiver Collar PIG00-11006 NEW
$99.95 |
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 | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box WITH DOME - NEW!
$347.88 |
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|  | Cat Scratcher Toy Mouse Shaped hangs up or floor play
$12.99 |
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 | Booda Dome Pearl Pink Clean Step Cat Kitty Litter Pan
$24.95 |
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|  | Petsafe Extra Cat Fence Receiver Collar PIG00-11006 NEW
$99.95 |
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 | Cat Collar - Blue with Yellow Flowers
$5.75 |
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|  | Staywell Infra-Red Cat Door Automatic Locking NEW
$82.99 |
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 | 48 Turkey & Giblets Cat Food Dinners - Wholesale Lot
$24.00 |
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|  | Cat Supplies ~ Lot of 14 ~ Flea Catnip Treats Wormer
$19.99 |
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 | 4 pk Advantage Cats 0-9 lb EPA Sealed Box (AUTHENTIC)
$32.00 |
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|  | EPA APPROVED! 8 months FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/kittens
$18.50 |
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 | ONE Da Fur Thing by go cat-FEATHERS-cat toys-TOY-PET
$3.26 |
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|  | 48 Fish Chicken & Egg Cat Food Dinners - Wholesale Lot
$25.00 |
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 | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Lrg /mat
$37.95 |
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|  | Staywell 4 Way Locking Magnetic Cat Flap W/ 3 Collars
$59.95 |
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 | Littermaid Elite Basic Self-Cleaning Litterbox LME5000
$119.99 |
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| Beastie Bands ghosts BOO Halloween black cat collar
$5.99 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Crinkle Nest Heated Cat Kitty Pet Beds
$39.95 |
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|  | Litterworks Pet Stairs Steps for Cabinet Littermaid
$36.89 |
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 | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS flea control CATS/KITTENS EPA!!
$35.50 |
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|  | 2 Nautical Anchor Cat Toys Catnip feline Red Cream NEW
$2.95 |
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Beastie Bands skeletons Halloween black cat collar
$5.99 |
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|  | PET LOVER HANDBAG TOTE BRAG BAG NWT DISPLAYS 3 PHOTOS
$32.00 |
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 | SALE!!! 8 months FRONTLINE PLUS KIT CATS/kittens EPA!
$18.50 |
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|  | PetSafe 4 Way Locking Deluxe Cat Flap Doors P1-4W-11
$14.95 |
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 | DISCOUNT! 16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/kittensEPA!
$35.50 |
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|  | TWO Zanies Fluffy Mice -CAT TOY-TOYS-PET
$2.52 |
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 | PetSafe Staywell 4 Way Locking Infra-Red Cat Flap Doors
$79.95 |
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|  | Litterworks Cabinet Pet Cat TENT Littermaid LW410-TENT
$40.89 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Kitty Hut Cat Kitty Heated Beds Pads
$39.95 |
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|  | PetSafe Cat Window-Mounted Entry Kitty Cat Flap Doors
$72.95 |
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 | Mr. Herzher's Craftsman Series Cat Scratching Platform
$59.99 |
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|  | K&H Manufacturing Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch Stands
$29.95 |
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 | FARNAM COMFORT ZONE 48ML REFILL BEHAVIOR CONTROL $29+
$15.99 |
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|  | 1/4" Sisal Rope 100' CAT SCRATCHING POST Bird Toys Toy
$5.24 |
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 | CAT KITTEN CHARITY RESCUE HALLOWEEN FOOD LITTER TOYS
$2.00 |
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|  | 12 COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY REFILL LOT + 2 BONUS DIFFUSERS!
$191.00 |
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 | UP COUNTRY 12" Ribbon Cat Collar Leopard Quick Release
$7.99 |
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|  | 15 9LIVES DRY CAT FOOD COUPONS
$1.30 |
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 | DISCOUNT!!! EPA- 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/kittens
$35.50 |
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|  | Feather Bom CatNip Cat Toy 25 in all
$15.95 |
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 | lot of 30 cat kitten plastic rings bird toy parts NEW
$5.50 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR St Patricks Day Clovers Green 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Crinkle Sack Heated Cat Kitty Pet Beds
$40.95 |
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|  | CATSWELL 2oz BREATHIES Chicken Breast Feline Treats
$2.95 |
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 | Cat Dancer Mouse In The House Automatic Kitty Toys
$49.95 |
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|  | Littermaid Mega LM900 Automatic Litter Box 08 FREE SHIP
$129.89 |
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 | NEW Large Cat Small Dog Pet House Condo Bed SHIPS FREE
$87.89 |
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|  | 6 Wooden Cat / Ark Pencils made by Creatively Yours
$5.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT DOGS 10-20 lbs 4 dose~*~*~
$24.95 |
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|  | Penn-Plax COTTAGE & ACTIVITY TOWER Cat Kitty Scratchers
$99.99 |
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 | Littermaid Self-Cleaning Litter Box LM500 New Sealed
$101.99 |
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|  | Cat pet memorial grave head stone wood personalized
$19.50 |
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 | Littermaid Mega Self-Cleaning Litter Box LM900 New
$127.99 |
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|  | K&H Thermo Heated Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch Stand
$39.95 |
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 | PetSafe Staywell Big Cat 4 Way Locking Cat Flap Doors
$25.95 |
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|  | DEAL!!! 8 month KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/kittens EPA !!
$18.50 |
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 | CATSWELL CHICKEN BREAST BREATHIES 2OZ,JERKY MINT
$2.79 |
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|  | LITTER ROBOT Beige Self Cleaning Box Pan Cat Electric+
$329.00 |
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 | FIVE TWO TONE FUR MICE W/RATTLE CAT TOY PET TOYS
$2.79 |
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|  | ONE SAVVY TABBY FLUFF-A-FLUTTER TEASER CAT TOY-PET-TOYS
$2.99 |
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 | Our Pet SmartScoop PLUS Automatic Cat Kitty Litter Box
$99.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Tan
$11.95 |
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 | SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box - Cat Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | PetSafe Cat Veranda Window-Mounted Entry Cat Flap Doors
$99.95 |
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 | NEW Littermaid ELITE Mega LME9250 Automatic Litterbox
$149.89 |
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|  | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self Cleaning Electric Litterbox BLACK
$329.00 |
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 | DEAL!!- FRONTLINE PLUS 16 MONTH KIT CATS/kittens EPA!!
$35.50 |
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|  | FEATHER BOM CATNIP CAT TOY TOYS !!!!
$2.99 |
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 | EPA!! 8 months FRONTLINE PLUS KIT CATS/kittens- SALE!!!
$18.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Water Fountain Pet Dog Cat Dish NEW
$58.99 |
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 | (12) Wild Tail Motorized Pet Toy Cats Ferrets Dogs Lot
$60.00 |
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|  | Staywell Infra-Red Cat Door Extra Collar Key NEW
$24.99 |
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 | Penn-Plax COTTAGE & TOWER Post Cat Kitty Scratchers
$69.99 |
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|  | NEW TIDY CAT BREEZE LITTER BOX SYSTEM ODOR CONTROL MEOW
$49.95 |
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 | K&H Heated Kitty Camper Outdoor Cat Bed House NEW
$64.99 |
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|  | FLEA & TICK med 8 dose supply FRONTLINE PLUS 4 CATS
$25.95 |
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 | NEW ECO Cat Litter Box Robot Supply Self Cleaning Liter
$329.00 |
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