| 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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 | Dog Halloween Smoocher Collar Costume size 10" apparel
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|  | GOOD KITTY CAT BOWL Feeding DISH Food Cats Kitten
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 | CATCH of the DAY Blue CAT BOWL Feeding DISH Food Cats
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|  | TRIM TREATS for Your Cat - Variety Pack - Three Flavors
$6.28 |
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 | Triple Bowl Raised Cat Feeding Dishes Pet Feeder NEW
$22.00 |
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|  | MY CAPE COD LOBSTER CATNIP CAT TOY 7" Long
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 | SmartCat Kitty Ultimate Litter Box
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|  | Lobster Claw Catnip Cat Toys BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
$4.00 |
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 | Disney Cats Pet Dish Cheshire Cat NEW
$12.90 |
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|  | Springy Worms Cat Toys
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 | Crinkle Ball w/Feathers
$5.95 |
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|  | TRIM TREATS for Your Cat - Shrimp & Salmon
$1.95 |
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 | K&H Thermo Cat Mat Sage- Buysafe Free Shipping
$47.55 |
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|  | Pet Carrier Crate Petmate Kennel Cab Cat +Treats sm Dog
$9.99 |
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 | TAPESTRY CAT CARRIER WITH MESH SIDES-NIB
$16.99 |
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|  | FINICKY Kitty CAT BOWL Feeding DISH Food Cats Feeder
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 | SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post with Perch
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|  | BARGAIN! 8 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CATS/KITTENS
$18.50 |
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 | Tick Tock Teaser From Smartcat
$18.49 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT DOGS 10-20 lbs 4 dose~*~*~
$24.95 |
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 | NEEW PETSAFE CAT VERANDA OUTDOOR CAT LOOKOUT
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|  | Dog Halloween Smoocher Collar Costume size 14" apparel
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 | Blue Cat Nail Clippers for Pet Rescue Charity =^..^=
$4.00 |
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| $5/1 Purina Breeze Tidy Cat Litter System-20 Coupons
$1.00 |
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 | K&H Thermo Cat Mat Mocha- Buysafe Free Shipping
$47.55 |
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|  | Dog Halloween Smoocher Collar Costume size 12" apparel
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 | 6- PK TUNA FELINE GREENIES DENTAL TREATS CATS 3 oz ea.
$22.99 |
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|  | Dog Halloween Smoocher Collar Costume size 20" apparel
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 | Her MAJESTY Princess Crown GANZ Pet COLLAR Charm NEW
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|  | COSMIC CAT TUNA FLAKES a healthy treat 0.5oz canister
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 | K&H Thermo Kitty Heated Lounger 16 x 20 Cat or Dog
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|  | 15 PURINA FRISKIES SEARED FILETS OR FINE CUTS COUPONS
$1.30 |
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 | 9 Furry Mice Realistic Fur Mouse Zanies Cat Kitten Toy
$2.99 |
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|  | RUFF & READY PET CARRIER-BLACK
$19.00 |
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 | Black Cat Nail Clippers for Pet Rescue Charity =^..^=
$4.00 |
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|  | Pet Prayers & Blessings by Laurie Sue Brockway
$14.95 |
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 | NEW TURBO SCRATCHER CAT TOY REPLACEMENT SCRATCH PAD SET
$14.49 |
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|  | Triple Bowl Raised Cat Feeding Dishes Pet Feeder NEW
$22.00 |
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 | 15 PURINA CAT CHOW COUPONS
$1.30 |
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|  | HARTZ CAT ACTIVITY CENTER NEW IN BOX POUNCE AROUND TOY
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 | 6- PK CHICKEN FELINE GREENIES TREATS - CATS 3 oz ea.
$22.99 |
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|  | K&H HEATED CAT KITTEN PET BED Thermo Kitty Hut, Mocha
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 | LOT OF 6 KITTY WONDERBOX DISPOSABLE LITTER TRAYS LINER
$17.99 |
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|  | 6- PK BEEF FELINE GREENIES DENTAL TREATS CATS 3 oz ea.
$22.99 |
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 | Dog or Cat Small Animal CARRIER SKIPPER 1 BLUE *NEW*
$27.75 |
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|  | TRIM TREATS for Your Cat - Tuna Flavor
$1.95 |
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 | LitterMaid 15 Cat Litter Waste Receptacles Containers
$15.97 |
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|  | 15 PURINA NATURALS CAT CHOW COUPONS
$1.30 |
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 | Kitten Face Kitty Cat Whiskers Pet ID Tag! MEOW!
$2.99 |
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|  | CAT COLLAR IN BOX, PEARL BEADS, CRYSTAL PAWPRINT, NEW
$12.97 |
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 | 400 NEW LINERS for LITTERMAID WASTE RECEPTACLES
$22.00 |
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|  | Disney Cats Pet Dish Mat Cheshire Cat Figaro NEW
$10.90 |
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 | 10 2" FUR BALLS BY PURR-PET CAT TOY-TOYS-BULK LOT
$3.99 |
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|  | original DRAGONFLY CAT TOY-WIRE-TOYS-GREAT FOR PETS
$14.99 |
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 | Kitty Cat - Memory - Keepsake - Photo Album - 7" x 7"
$6.75 |
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|  | Catit Cat Grass help for hairballs treats for cats!
$5.93 |
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 | PINK Lined CAT Pet Grooming Full Face MUZZLE 3 pc Set
$9.99 |
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|  | 6- Pak CHICKEN PILL POCKETS for CAT 1.6oz
$32.99 |
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 | CATS AND BATS Kitten Collar Collars cat
$5.99 |
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|  | Dog Halloween Smoocher Collar Costume size 8" apparel
$8.99 |
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 | NEW! Beautiful, Ceramic Pet Bowl, Personalized!!!!
$29.95 |
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|  | 6- PK OCEAN FISH FELINE GREENIES - CATS 3 oz ea.
$22.99 |
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 | HammoCat Portable Cat Dog Pet Hammock Bed
$34.96 |
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|  | 10 PURINA FRISKIES COUPONS
$1.30 |
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 | K&H Thermo Kitty Furniture Warmer 12"x16" NEW
$29.99 |
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|  | 15 PURINA NATURALS CAT CHOW COUPONS
$1.30 |
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 | Blue Lined CAT Pet Grooming Full Face MUZZLE 3 pc Set
$9.99 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootsie's Bunkbed and Playroom
$28.95 |
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 | Triple Bowl Raised Cat Feeding Dishes Pet Feeder NEW
$22.00 |
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|  | DR. DANIELS PUMPKIN CATNIP TOY CAT TOY
$3.15 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Cat Hut Bed Sage 18" Dia Buysafe Free Ship
$55.77 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
$54.95 |
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 | SmartCat Tick-Tock-Teaser - Interactive Cat Toy
$16.95 |
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|  | K&H Thermo Kitty Heated 16" Bed Sage or Mocha NEW
$29.99 |
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 | RHINESTONE PET DOG CAT COLLAR - VELVET BLACK 3 ROWS!
$24.99 |
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|  | K&H Heated Kitty Camper Outdoor Cat Bed House NEW
$64.99 |
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 | DR. DANIELS BLACK CAT CATNIP HALLOWEENTOY
$3.50 |
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|  | 15 PC Crop of Cat Balls Toys Great Pet Gift -Bulk lots
$9.99 |
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 | Dog or Cat Small Animal CARRIER SKIPPER 1 BLUE *NEW*
$28.88 |
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|  | 10 Catnip Sisal Witch W/ rattle Halloween toys for Cats
$7.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | 10 PURINA FRISKIES COUPONS
$1.30 |
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 | 15 PURINA FRISKIES SEARED FILETS OR FINE CUTS COUPONS
$1.30 |
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|  | Red Cat Nail Clippers for Pet Rescue Charity =^..^=
$4.00 |
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 | Bear Catnip Cat Toys 5" - Buy 1 Get 1 Free
$4.50 |
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|  | Pet Hair Lifter Sponge The Gonzo NEW!!! FREE SHIPPING!
$7.99 |
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 | 1 JESTER WAND+1 FEATHER POLE-CATTOY-TOYS-PET
$4.50 |
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|  | Triple Bowl Raised Cat Feeding Dishes Pet Feeder NEW
$22.00 |
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 | Bamboo FurBuster Brush PINK LARGE Dog Cat DeShedding
$11.50 |
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|  | 6- PK OCEAN FISH FELINE GREENIES TREATS CATS 3 oz ea.
$22.99 |
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$1.5/2 Purina Friskies Cat Food 3.15 Lb-20 Coupons12/15
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|  | Cat Toy Disney Remy Mouse Cat Pet Toy! Great Gift!
$8.99 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Cat Hut Bed Mocha 18" Dia Buysafe Free Ship
$55.77 |
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|  | Dog Halloween Smoocher Collar Costume size 16" apparel
$8.99 |
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 | CATCH of the DAY Black CAT BOWL Food DISH Feeding Cats
$9.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Cat Climber Multi-level Climbing Platforms
$99.95 |
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 | Dog Cat Pet Odor Stain Eliminator Best Urine Remover
$9.95 |
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|  | RATTAN WICKER CAT Dog Pet LITTER PAN COVER Small KITTY
$44.95 |
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 | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Gray
$11.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
$47.95 |
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