| 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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 | Double Wide Cardboard Scratch Post For Cats
$5.70 |
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|  | Gripsoft Double Sided Cat Brush Grooming Tool
$3.20 |
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 | NEW ~Mind the Cat~ Hanging Sign Wall Door Hanging
$4.77 |
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|  | Pink Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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 | Value Pack Assorted Cat Balls 9 Pack
$4.70 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Bouncng Cat Toy Assorted
$2.40 |
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 | Wee Wee Stain/Odor Remover 16Oz
$3.20 |
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|  | Shimmer Balls Cat Toy 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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 | Pc Bath Wipes-Cat Deodorizing 24Pk For Between Baths
$4.40 |
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|  | Ammo-Cat Litter Additive 48oz Keeps Litter Fresh Longer
$5.60 |
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 | Pointer Spotbrites Laser Mouse Toy For Cats
$3.20 |
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|  | Laxatone 2. 5Oz For Cat Hairballs
$4.50 |
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 | Cup Catnip 4.5 Ounces Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$3.60 |
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|  | Feline Pine Cat Litter 7 lb Bag
$4.30 |
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 | Plaid Kitty Nest Sleeper Bed w/Fleece Lining - Assorted
$6.20 |
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|  | Wooden Pin Brush For Cats
$3.20 |
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 | Nutri-Cal For Cats Medium Energy Supplement
$5.80 |
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|  | Toy Rainbow Mice 9Pk Toys For Cats
$4.80 |
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 | Cat Pan Liner Drawsrtring 12 Pack Large
$2.50 |
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|  | Kitty Cactus W/Toy 24 In Assorted
$36.70 |
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 | Sport Ping Pong Balls Cat Toy - 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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|  | Small Frame Bed For Dogs Keeps Pets Off Ground
$28.20 |
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 | Sponge Soccer Ball 2Pk Cat Toy
$1.10 |
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|  | Eye Wash Opticlear For Cats
$4.70 |
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 | Sifting Cat Litter Pan With Frame Large Assorted
$12.20 |
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|  | Cat Litter Pan Assorted Colors Giant
$5.70 |
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 | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.80 |
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|  | Catnip Extract 5Oz Spray On Objects
$3.20 |
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 | Allergy Reducing Wipes For Cats 8 Count
$2.50 |
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|  | Atomic Bouncing Ball 2 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | Jumbo Neon Lattice Ball With Bell
$1.20 |
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|  | 3 Pack of Whisker City Miracle Cat Beds - Assorted
$8.90 |
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 | Cat Scratching Mouse In
$11.90 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Squeaky Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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 | Cotton Catnip Pillow Filled W/The Finest Catnip
$1.10 |
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|  | Laxatone Tuna Flavor Medium Treats Hairballs In Cats
$4.50 |
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 | 2In1 Flea And Tick Powder For Cats
$2.50 |
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|  | Catnip Boa Feather Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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 | Pc Bath Wipes-Cat Deodorizing 12Pk For Between Baths
$3.20 |
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|  | Catnip Cup 0.5 Ounce Fresh And Aromatic Catnip
$1.20 |
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 | Simple Solution Oxy Solution Stain Remover 32 oz
$8.00 |
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|  | Pet Rageous 4 pc. Cat Buffet - Multi-Colored - 4pc
$19.30 |
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 | Organic Catnip 1/2 Oz For Cats
$1.20 |
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|  | (combo) BAG-it & PERMA-lid for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$23.99 |
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 | Toy Cleaning Brush Red Small
$4.60 |
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|  | Scratch -N'- Buddies Cat Toy/Scratcher - Robbie Rabbit
$1.60 |
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 | Cheese Chase Multicolor Cat Toy
$11.50 |
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|  | Zeolite Filter Large
$1.20 |
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 | Slotted Balls Cat Toy 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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|  | Cfa Cat Nip House Mouse Cat Toy
$2.30 |
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 | Extreme Catnip 4Oz Spray For Cats
$3.60 |
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|  | Cozy Calming Mat Provides Warmth For Cats
$5.80 |
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 | Scratch -N'- Buddies Cat Toy/Scratcher - Katie Kitty
$1.60 |
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|  | Sisal Rope Cat Scratching Post 5 Year Warranty
$17.20 |
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 | Ear Miticide For Cats 1Oz
$5.80 |
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|  | Featherlite Boas Cat Toy
$2.20 |
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 | Graffiti Ping Pong Balls 4 Pack
$1.10 |
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|  | Toy Cleaning Brush Red Large
$4.50 |
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 | Cfa Feather Wand Cat Toy
$4.70 |
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|  | 18 Kity Cactus W/Cover Multicolor
$27.80 |
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 | Pet Aid Anti Itch Spray 8 Oz
$4.70 |
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|  | Cfa Feather Teaser Balls Cat Toy
$2.30 |
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 | Hair Ball Remedy 1.75 Oz
$3.30 |
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|  | Mat Removing Comb Removes Mats Painlessly
$7.90 |
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 | Cat Pan Liner 8 Pack Giant
$2.50 |
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|  | Dental Fresh For Cats Cleans Teeth/Breath
$3.20 |
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 | Anti Allergen Cat Mousse 6Oz
$4.60 |
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|  | Boogie Mat De Cat Fishies For Catnip
$6.10 |
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 | Zeolite Replacement Filter for Litter Boxes
$1.20 |
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|  | Cat Cuddle Coil Colorful Cat Toy
$16.40 |
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 | Catnip Treat Fish 3 Ounces Cat Treat
$1.30 |
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|  | Cat Litter Deodorizer 20 Ounce
$2.50 |
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 | Simple Solution Concentrated Stain Odor Remover 16 Oz
$4.70 |
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|  | 16Ga 1 X 1 Welded Wire 24 X 15' For Cages/Fences
$12.10 |
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 | Cat Nail Clipper Grooming Tool
$5.90 |
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|  | Cfa Fish Wand With Suction Cat Toy
$3.50 |
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 | Laser Fun Chase Cat Toy
$7.70 |
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|  | Drawstring Cat Pan Liner 15 Pack Extra-Giant
$5.80 |
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 | Air Filter For Various Cat Litter Pans
$1.00 |
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|  | Zeolite Filter 2Xl
$2.50 |
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 | Safety Cat Lead & Harness
$2.50 |
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|  | Lattice Plastic Balls With Bells 4 Pack
$1.20 |
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 | Adjustable Size Cat Shedding Blade Comb
$6.00 |
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|  | 4Paws Crystal Eye 4Oz
$3.40 |
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 | Twin Miami Mice 2 Fur Black And White
$1.10 |
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|  | Cfa Sisal Feather Dangler Cat Toy
$4.60 |
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 | Doofus Dog Assort 8.5In Catnip Cat Toy
$2.30 |
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|  | Feather Dangler Cat Wand
$2.50 |
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 | Comb Medium Grooming Black For Cats/Dogs
$6.10 |
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|  | CAT-N-ROUND 15 CAT BED
$17.40 |
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 | Drawstring Cat Pan Liner 20 Pack Large
$5.80 |
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|  | Dental Kit For Cats To Clean Teeth Red
$4.60 |
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 | Boogie Mat De Cat Birds For Catnip
$6.10 |
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|  | Green Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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 | Blue Bowl Cat 12Oz W/ 4 Liners
$5.70 |
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|  | Ultimate Touch Kitty Curry Brush
$3.30 |
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 | Catnip Boa Springy Cat Toy Assorted
$2.50 |
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|  | Booda Dual Charcoal Air Filters for litter boxes
$2.50 |
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 | Boogie Mat De Cat Oriental For Catnip
$6.10 |
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|  | Fresh N Clean Litter Deodorizer 20 Ounce
$2.50 |
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