| 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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|  | Pet ag kmr powder 6 oz milk replacer for kittens.
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 52B
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 | Paw Print "I Love Chihuahuas!" car magnet QUALITY
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|  | K&H Thermo HEATED Kitty Cat LOUNGER Bed MOCHA New!
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 | SMARTSCOOP AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SELF CLEANING NIB
$109.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$129.99 |
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 | NEW Littermaid Mega LM950 Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
$49.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY
$34.95 |
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 | Natures miracle just for cats 1gal natural enzymes enha
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|  | SMARTSCOOP AUTOMATIC CAT LITTER BOX SELF CLEANING NIB
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 | Warning trained SIAMESE decal for pet tabby point cat
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|  | GREEN NYLON WITH HEART SLIDES CAT COLLAR
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 76C
$189.99 |
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|  | Savvy Tabby Wooden Window Seat
$98.99 |
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 | Molly & Friends 5' 5" Cat Condo & Sisal Scratching Post
$449.00 |
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|  | Pink Girl Cat Kitten Puppy Toy Dog Pet Bed Bassinet
$19.99 |
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 | K&H Thermo HEATED Kitty Cat CRINKLE TUNNEL Bed SAGE
$35.89 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 52C
$71.99 |
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 | * CAT PAW PRINT pet decals LOT OF 18 DECALS
$5.49 |
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|  | Precious cat's Daydreamer Suede/plush pet beds 5 pieces
$256.81 |
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 | Marchioro lg economy enclsd cat pan
$11.60 |
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|  | PetAlive Thyro-Pet & Energy Tonic Combo for Cats & Dogs
$46.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 20 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$34.95 |
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|  | Book - All You Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 76B
$189.99 |
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|  | 6 MONTH Frontline PLUS for Cats
$59.99 |
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 | KH Thermo Pet Dog Cat Mat Mocha Buysafe Free Ship
$42.95 |
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|  | Precious Cat's Cradle Simply Suede/plush pet beds 3 pc.
$149.46 |
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 | Slumber Pet Thermal Cat Kitty Warm Fleece Mat
$14.99 |
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|  | K+H KITTY CAMPER Heated Cat Bed Pet In/Outdoor Shelter
$47.89 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64C
$135.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
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 | Warning trained CAT decal sticker, calico kitty kitten
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 80B
$193.99 |
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 | BULK CAT DOG ORGANIC oat GRASS digestive track aid SEED
$7.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.99 |
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 | Natures miracle just for cats 32 oz natural enzymes enh
$7.62 |
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|  | Booda Dome Pearl Clean Step Cat Kitty Litter Pan Boxes
$32.95 |
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 | 4-Tier Cat Tree Condo & Sisal Scratching Post
$359.00 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 72B
$154.99 |
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 | SAVE $1.00 ON 1 IAMS DRY DOG/CAT FOOD(20)COUPONS 11/30
$1.00 |
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|  | Healthy Scooper 2! The ultimate kitty litter scooper!
$26.95 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 80C
$193.99 |
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|  | KH Thermo Pet Dog Cat Mat Sage Buysafe Free Ship
$42.95 |
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 | CAT PAW PRINT pet DECAL SHEETS
$4.99 |
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|  | Lambert boundry cat 14 oz
$8.05 |
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 | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 100 pk
$7.49 |
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|  | Molly & Friends 35" Cat Tower & Sisal Scratching Post
$124.99 |
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 | Lk boundry spray cat 22 oz
$8.80 |
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|  | CAT OWNERS MANUAL, Book of Operating Instructions/Tips
$15.00 |
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 | Marchioro xl deluxe enclsd cat pan
$19.47 |
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|  | NMIR CAT LITTER 10LB
$11.68 |
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 | Booda Dome Pearl Pink Clean Step Cat Kitty Litter Pan
$24.95 |
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|  | The Cat Dancer Complete Action Cat Toy - BEST TOY EVER!
$3.55 |
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 | K&H Thermo Kitty Hut Heated Cat Bed w/ Hood Mocha Sage
$39.99 |
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|  | K&H Heated Ortho Thermo Dog Bed Year Round Large NEW
$54.98 |
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 | Marchioro lg delux enclsd cat pan
$15.07 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$67.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
$67.99 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73C
$189.99 |
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 | Meow Town Scratch N Slide Cat Kitty Scratching Post
$39.99 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 78B
$189.99 |
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 | While You Are Gone: Music Cats Love
$14.95 |
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|  | K&H Lectro Soft Outdoor Heated Med Dog Bed Free Cover
$54.98 |
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 | Customize Your Own Stainless Steel & Enamel Pet ID Tag
$11.00 |
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|  | The Original Cat Dancer - BEST TOY EVER for CATS!!!
$3.25 |
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 | Kity cat condo condos tree house bed toys furniture 48C
$103.99 |
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|  | Outdoor Heated Thermo Cat Bed Pet Mat & Fleece Cover
$39.99 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 72C
$154.99 |
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|  | Four Paws wide cardboard scratch post
$9.46 |
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 | Safari cat shedding comb
$8.08 |
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|  | *NEW* Lupine 1/2" Cat Rabbit Lizard Harness & Leash
$20.98 |
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 | Pet ag kmr powder 12 oz milk replacer for kittens.
$15.30 |
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|  | LP DELUXE WINDOW PERCH W/ TOY
$29.47 |
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 | Nala no-scratch 16 oz no-scratch helps protect furnitur
$9.00 |
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|  | Millers forge cat claw scissor these small durable scis
$8.70 |
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 | Retro Christmas Bells Engraved I Love My Cat - Set of 4
$9.99 |
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|  | Zodiac Spot On Plus Cat and Kitten 5 lbs and under NEW
$9.99 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$24.50 |
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|  | Marchioro xl economy enclsd cat pan
$16.00 |
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 | ALESSI "Tigrito" Cat Bowl, "NIB"
$68.00 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66C
$139.99 |
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 | Jw cat slicker brush
$7.48 |
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|  | Nala no-stay furniture spray to train pets to stay off
$9.00 |
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 | Natures miracle litter treatment 32 oz uses natures enz
$9.48 |
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|  | CAT OWNERS MAINTENANCE LOG, Book to Record Cat Info
$12.95 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64C
$135.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 78C
$189.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64B
$135.99 |
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|  | Booda Dome Iris Clean Step Cat Kitty Litter Pan Boxes
$32.95 |
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 | Luxury Baby Blue Cat Kitten Puppy Dog Pet Bed Bassinet
$19.99 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
$189.99 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$139.99 |
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|  | Healthy Scooper! The ultimate kitty litter scooper!
$26.95 |
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