| 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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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KITTENS & CATS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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 | Creeps Cat Toy
$1.60 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 MONTH
$17.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | K&H THERMO KITTY CAT SILL HEATED WINDOWSILL PERCH BED
$44.49 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTHS
$18.99 |
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 | Swatical Cat Toy
$2.80 |
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|  | NEW! Epi-Otic ADVANCED Ear Cleanser (4 fl oz)
$9.99 |
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 | Pps 3/8InX10In Safety Collar Blue For Cats
$3.70 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Designer Personalized Cat collar GIFT SIAMESE HEART PET
$15.00 |
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|  | 16Ga 1/2 X 1 Welded Wire 30X For Cages/Fences
$13.80 |
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 | Kittyvite Vitamin Moist Treat -Kittens/Adult Cats
$2.80 |
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|  | Farnam's Scratchex Flea & Tick Shampoo for Pets
$3.80 |
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 | Fur Feather Teaser W/2Toys Assorted For Cats
$3.70 |
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|  | Cat Condo Four Levels with 5 Sections of Sisal
$79.99 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 MONTHS
$18.99 |
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|  | Roll A Treat Cat (Small Dog) Ball
$2.80 |
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 | Cat Dental Treats Plus 50Ct Reduct Plaque/Tartar
$6.60 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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 | Flashing Cat Ball
$1.50 |
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|  | FAT CAT Yellow Funny Pet Collar Jewelry CHARM Tag New
$3.25 |
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 | Kookamunga Salmon Treats 5 Ounce
$1.60 |
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|  | Mini Teaser Cat Wand
$1.60 |
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 | Cat Dental Treats Plus 20Ct Reduce Plaque/Tartar
$3.80 |
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|  | Bizzy Kitty Center Cat Toy Red/White
$6.30 |
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 | Nature's Miracle Cat Litter 10Lb
$9.00 |
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|  | 24 Inch Slipper Bed
$20.30 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$34.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTHS
$18.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats - over 8 wks
$46.90 |
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|  | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Red For Cats
$3.80 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | Ps 3/8In Adjustable Break-Way Collar Red For Cats
$3.80 |
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 | Wacky Rollers Cat Toy 7Pk
$1.50 |
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|  | Composure Liquid for Dogs and Cat (188 SERVINGS)
$37.99 |
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 | Cat Kitty-Vite 2.5 Ounce
$2.70 |
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|  | Framed Cat Litter Pan Large Assorted
$4.90 |
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 | Sleep Right Rite Thermal Self Warming Cat Cushion
$19.00 |
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|  | NWT Pet Cat Christmas Stocking Cute Feline Gift!
$6.99 |
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 | Gay Lesbian Pride RAINBOW CAT Collar, SAFETY-Breakaway
$6.95 |
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|  | Plush Cat Scratching Post 24" high W/Animal Head RED
$37.12 |
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 | Kitty Condo W/Perch 20.5In Assorted
$44.70 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | 4Paws Ear Wash 4Oz
$5.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 MONTH
$17.99 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$34.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | "I LOVE MY GRAND CAT" car ribbon magnet QUALITY
$4.99 |
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 | Milk Replacer Rtu Liquid Kit 8Oz
$2.70 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 MONTHS
$34.95 |
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 | Ps 3/8In Adjustable Break-Way Collar Blue For Cats
$3.80 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Cat Pan Drawstring Liner 10 Pack Small
$2.80 |
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|  | Cfa Cat Nip Wool Mouse 2Pack Cat Toy
$2.70 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Rattle and Roll Neon Mouse - Cat Toy 2 Pack
$1.60 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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 | Teaser Fleece Wand With Acrylic Rod Cat Toy
$1.50 |
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|  | Scoop Away Plus Crystals 25LB Cat Litter
$13.60 |
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 | Flea & Tick Collar For Cats Works up to 8 Months
$5.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Cfa Cat Nip Porcupine Cat Toy
$2.80 |
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|  | Hamilton Pps 3/8In X 14In Safety Collar Black For Cats
$3.90 |
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 | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Purple For Cats
$3.90 |
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|  | Zeolite Filter Deluxe Large
$2.80 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | Heated Pet Mat - Small
$46.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS & UP 5 MONTHS
$17.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | 2Nd Step Weaning Formula For Kittens 14Oz
$6.30 |
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|  | Liner 12 oz. Cat Bowl 12Pk
$2.80 |
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 | Air Freshener-Clean Cotton 6.6Oz For CV Dispenser
$5.00 |
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|  | Booda Dome Clean Step Filter 2 Pack
$1.60 |
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 | Cat Grass Plus Premium Catnip Seed
$2.70 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$34.95 |
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 | Catnip Smiley Face Cat Toy Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.50 |
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|  | Pps 3/8InX12In Safety Collar Blue For Cats
$3.70 |
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 | Cat Kitty Toybox Feline Toy Box - NEW
$9.99 |
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|  | Palm Flea Comb W/One Row Of Fine Metal Teeth
$2.70 |
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 | Hooded Pan Set Blue Large For Cats
$13.30 |
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|  | Chrome Litter Scoop With Plastic Handle
$1.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Catmeister Cat Toy
$1.60 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 MONTH
$17.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KITTENS & CATS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Air Freshener-Vanilla Caramel 5.3Oz For CV Dispenser
$4.90 |
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|  | Pink Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 2 Liners
$2.80 |
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 | Ski Slope Scratcher In W/Catnip And Toy Mouse
$9.40 |
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|  | Spray W/ Cortisone 4Oz For Cats/Dogs
$6.60 |
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