| 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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 | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY HUT Pet Bed Cup House SAGE
$44.89 |
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|  | K+H Heated Thermal Fleece Cat KITTY MAT Pad Bed MOCHA
$28.89 |
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 | Petsafe CAT FLAP door NEW FAST FREE SHIP entry
$19.88 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat Fleece WARM KITTY BED Cup Kup 16" MOCHA
$42.89 |
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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer Dish
$59.99 |
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|  | K&H Thermo-Kitty Cabin-Mocha Ships Free Buysafe w/Bond
$57.82 |
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 | NEW BERGEN TURBO SCRATCHER CAT KITTEN TOY SCRATCH PAD
$26.95 |
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|  | Catnip Blanket Cat Toy- Personalized w/Embroidery-Kitty
$4.99 |
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 | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY CRINKLE SACK Bed Cup MOCHA
$39.89 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY CABIN Bed Cup House MOCHA
$44.89 |
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 | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY CABIN Bed Cup House SAGE
$44.89 |
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|  | Hagen CatIt Pet Water DRINKING FOUNTAIN for Cats & Dogs
$32.99 |
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 | Millers Forge Curved Grooming Scissors
$9.17 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY LOUNGER Bed Cup 20" MOCHA
$49.89 |
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 | Kitten Waving Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat Fleece WARM KITTY BED Cup Kup 16" SAGE
$42.89 |
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 | 3 x PETMATE FRESH FLOW WATER FOUNTAIN FILTER FREE SHIP
$7.99 |
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|  | Lupine 1/2" Safety Cat Collar 8"-12" Black Cherry NEW
$5.75 |
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 | Pet Doggie Cat Entertainment Rolling Small Cloth Ball
$8.00 |
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|  | NEW! 6-PACK Greenies Feline (3 oz ea.) CHICKEN
$15.99 |
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 | SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box - Cat Toy
$19.95 |
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|  | NEW Outdoor Heated Kitty Cat Lectro Pad COVER ONLY SM
$7.89 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed - Mocha Free Ship - Buysafe w/Bond
$57.75 |
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|  | DESPERATE HOUSECAT Pet Collar Jewelry CHARM Cat Tag New
$3.25 |
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 | Hot Spot Itch Relief Shampoo Soothing Aloe (8oz)
$6.99 |
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|  | NEW Outdoor Heated Kitty Cat Pad Thermal Lectro Kennel
$39.89 |
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 | British Shorthair Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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|  | Frame with Angel & Cat/ Pet Memorial Loss
$39.95 |
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 | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Tan
$11.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Cat Climber Multi-level Climbing Platforms
$99.95 |
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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM FOUNTAIN +Garden+Brush+10 Filter+Mat
$79.89 |
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|  | Frontline® 1 LARGE vial+kit no collar FLEA KILLER - CAT
$24.99 |
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 | NEW for Drinkwell Pet Fountain - 50oz RESERVOIR ONLY
$13.99 |
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Lrg /mat
$37.95 |
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 | Casual Kitty Fuzzy Pink Cat Sweater Large
$8.90 |
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|  | American Shorthair Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | 2 oz CATNIP + 4,000+ (Nepeta Cataria) perennial seeds
$3.95 |
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|  | CAT PET DOG URINE ODOR ELIMINATOR REMOVER
$5.99 |
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 | Advantage 6 pack CATS 9LB and under New EPA USA box
$40.00 |
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|  | LU LU Pink Faux Fur Pet Bed 18"x15" NWT
$12.00 |
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 | Devon Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY LOUNGER Bed Cup 20" SAGE
$49.89 |
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 | LUXE ULTRASUEDE PAISLEY CAT DOG PET LOVE SEAT BED 24"
$17.99 |
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|  | Cat Stretching Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | Cat Flea&Tick FRONTLINE PLUS 16dose/48mon SAVE$100s USA
$44.99 |
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|  | NEW! SulfOxyDex Shampoo (8 oz)
$10.73 |
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 | The Cat Intelligence Test Book, How Smart is Your Cat
$5.50 |
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|  | NEW Drinkwell BRAND Pet Fountain FILTERS 3PAC FREE SHIP
$6.99 |
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 | NEW Pet Kitten Cat Food / Water Bowl SET of 2 **25% OFF
$17.99 |
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|  | SHERPA PET Medium Size Animal Dog Cat Carrier Black 18"
$29.99 |
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 | Cat Name Paw Vehicle Vinyl Decal Sticker Pawprint
$3.00 |
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|  | Frame with Angel & Cat/ Pet Memorial Loss
$39.95 |
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 | Arabian Wildcat Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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|  | Birman sitting Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | K+H Heated Thermal Fleece Cat KITTY MAT Pad Bed SAGE
$28.89 |
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|  | Hartz Ultra Guard Plus Drops for CATS 5lbs and over
$8.50 |
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 | NEW Pet Kitten Cat Food / Water Bowl "Meow" *20% OFF
$9.59 |
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|  | Burmese Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | (10) sets MEOW MIX Cat Food coupons expire 1/10/09
$1.50 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY HUT Pet Bed Cup House MOCHA
$44.89 |
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 | Christmas Cat Treat Gift Basket
$11.10 |
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|  | Cornish Rex Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | American Bobtail Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY CRINKLE TUNNEL Toy MOCHA
$35.89 |
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 | LITTER KWITTER Cat Toilet Training System Litterbox Box
$59.95 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY CRINKLE SACK Bed Cup SAGE
$39.89 |
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 | K&H Thermo-Kitty Cabin-Sage Ships Free - Buysafe w/Bond
$57.82 |
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|  | Lupine 1/2" Nylon Adj.Dog Collar 8"-12" Sea Ponies NEW
$5.75 |
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 | K&H Mfg Thermo Kitty Throw Heated Cat Bed
$53.95 |
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|  | ARIA HEART CHARM FOR CAT DOG COLLAR PAVE JEWELS VARIOUS
$8.99 |
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 | NEW! 6-PACK Greenies Feline (3 oz ea.) SALMON
$15.99 |
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|  | Lupine 1/2" Safety Cat Collar 8"-12" Muddy Paws NEW
$5.75 |
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 | "I Love my Sterile Feral!"car ribbon magnet QUALITY Cat
$4.99 |
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|  | NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Aqua Garden Hydroponic Grass
$8.25 |
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 | NEW Heated WARM Thermo Pet Mat Cat Dog BED 14x28 MOCHA
$29.89 |
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|  | Catnip filled plush Toy, Pineapple Cat toy. New,FreeSH
$6.00 |
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 | Zanies Skedaddles Interactive Cat Toy Various Types
$4.99 |
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|  | Bengal Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | K+H Heated THERMO PET THROW Cat Dog Bed Mat Blanket CAR
$44.89 |
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|  | NEW! DERMACOOL HC by Virbac (120 mL)
$16.99 |
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 | Reuse Littermaid Receptacles LitterGard System SAVES $$
$9.99 |
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|  | AMETHYST JEWEL GOLD CERAMIC PET CAT DOG FOOD BOWL DISH
$6.99 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain + 50oz RESERVOIR NIB
$41.89 |
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|  | K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed - Sage Free Ship - Buysafe w/Bond
$57.75 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog FREE SHIPPING
$38.89 |
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|  | NEW Pet Kitten Cat Food / Water Bowl "Purr" *20% OFF
$9.59 |
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 | Balinese Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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|  | CAT PET DOG URINE ODOR ELIMINATOR REMOVER
$5.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Aqua Garden Replacement Seed Pods Set of 2
$6.77 |
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|  | Exotic Shorthair Cat Wood Personalized Ornament
$9.00 |
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 | UP COUNTRY 12" Ribbon Cat Collar BlueFish Quick Release
$7.99 |
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|  | String Connectors for Cats Leash
$4.99 |
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 | TUNA BREATH Fish Pet Collar Jewelry CHARM Cat Dog Tag
$3.25 |
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|  | NEW K&H Heated Thermo Cat Bed KITTY SILL WINDOW PERCH
$38.89 |
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 | NEW K&H Unheated Cat Fleece Bed KITTY SILL WINDOW PERCH
$24.89 |
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|  | K+H Heated Cat THERMO KITTY CRINKLE TUNNEL Toy SAGE
$35.89 |
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 | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
$54.95 |
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|  | Pet lost-prevention ALARM ANTI-LOST-Cat Collar SECURITY
$4.98 |
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 | Lupine 1/2" Cat Collar w/ Bell 8"-12" Muddy Paws NEW
$6.30 |
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|  | CATS 8 dose supply FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$17.75 |
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