| 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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 | Cat toy 3 Furry Mice +++1 Wobbly & roll Mice, Brand New
$0.99 |
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|  | Catnip toy socks set of 3
$3.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$0.99 |
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|  | BRAND NEW LITTERMAID SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX LM600
$49.99 |
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 | small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$23.75 |
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|  | New medium leopard print pet cat or dog bed kitty cats
$14.64 |
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 | Frontline Plus For Cats & Kittens, For 8 Weeks or Older
$30.50 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | PSI OLD FASHION CATNIP TUB 1 1/2 OZ NEW
$6.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
$0.99 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Cap Large Cat Stop Scratching
$7.99 |
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|  | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Caps (Kitten's 1st Year size)
$7.99 |
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|  | Set of 2 Christmas Pet Ceramic Bowls Cat Dog Lover
$1.99 |
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 | HARTZ Expandable Cat Collar (New)
$2.50 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats
$39.99 |
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 | COSMIC ALPINE SCRATCHER NEW
$15.99 |
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|  | Advantage Flea Treatment for Cats 9+ lbs
$53.99 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | Cat Toy lot 6 Bouncy Atom Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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|  | Cat Toy 3 Squeaky Mice/Pet toy mouse brand new
$0.99 |
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 | Advantage for Cats & Kittens Over 9lbs 6 Month Supply
$30.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs 89-132 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$62.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | THE PURRFECT CAT HOLE FOR YOUR PET- FOR INTERIOR DOORS
$39.99 |
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 | Holiday Zanies Cat Toys Value 6 Pack
$2.99 |
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|  | Petmate Litter Locker LitterLocker cat litter disposal
$14.55 |
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 | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | Advantage for Cats 9lbs and under & Over 8 weeks old
$18.00 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$0.99 |
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|  | 6 Month Frontline Top Spot For Cats & Kittens
$42.00 |
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 | Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training System AS SEEN ON TV
$59.99 |
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|  | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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 | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | 10 Coupons Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys $1/6 cans 5/09
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$1.80 |
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|  | RUBY WINTER WONDERLAND SWAROVSKI SPARKLIN CAT/DOG COLLA
$19.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | COSMIC ALPINE SCRATCHER REPLACEMENT PACKS w 1 CATNI NEW
$12.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
$0.99 |
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|  | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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 | Large Dark MINK Catnip Body Pillow
$10.99 |
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|  | NEW SANTA CAT TOY FILLED WITH CATNIP NEW IN PACKAGE !!!
$1.00 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
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|  | 15 Max cat-Natural Choice Coupons
$0.50 |
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 | BRAND NEW Plush Pet Cat Mushroom HOUSE / BED -VERY NICE
$39.99 |
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|  | pet bed, designer cat quilt,"Classey Cat" $36.00 inc sh
$36.00 |
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 | Cat Toy 4 Long Furry Rattle Furry Mice Catnip Brand New
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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|  | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3001
$0.99 |
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 | New Hood for Scoop Free HP1 Litter Box NR Fast Shipping
$11.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F601-B
$0.99 |
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 | .006: NEW 4 Level Cat CONDO w/ 6 Scratch POSTS: 2 BEDS
$24.99 |
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|  | Catnip toy socks set of 3
$3.39 |
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 | Catnip toy socks 4
$3.99 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | 10 Coupons Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys $1/6 cans 5/09
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | Catnip toy socks set of 3
$3.39 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | 1 Littermaid Carpet New Use under littermaid litter box
$9.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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|  | CAT CHRISTMAS Holiday Stocking with Photo Pocket NEW
$3.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses cats kitten 0-10 lb
$17.95 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | So Cute...Quality Cat Design Wrapping Paper-2 Sheets
$1.99 |
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 | 10 Coupons Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys $1/6 cans 5/09
$0.99 |
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|  | 15 Max cat-Natural Choice Coupons
$0.50 |
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 | Advantage Flea Treatment for Cats 9 lbs and Under
$29.99 |
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|  | Catnip toy socks set of 3
$3.39 |
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 | Furniture Cat Litter Box Cabinet On eBay New N/R
$204.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | LITTERMAID ELITE EXCELLENT CONDITION USED 1 DAY
$64.00 |
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|  | 38 Littermaid Waste Receptacles New
$26.01 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
$99.99 |
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|  | Disney The Aristocats Pet Food Dish Bowl For Cats NEW
$2.99 |
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 | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F71
$0.99 |
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|  | Antiqued Cast Iron Cat & fish key hook, 5 hooks
$4.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
$17.95 |
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|  | Catnip toy socks set of 3
$3.39 |
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 | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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 | SCOOPFREE Automatic Litter Box + Hood barely used!
$50.00 |
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|  | Super Deal Kitten Cat Frontline Plus 8mth^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
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|  | Long Hair White Fox Catnip Body Pillow
$9.99 |
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 | Pampered Kitty Cat Faux Fur "ROSE" Jeweled Bed
$5.24 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F40
$0.99 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Cap Medium Cat Stop Scratching
$7.99 |
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|  | Advantage For Cats 8 weeks & older And OVER 9lbs
$18.00 |
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