| 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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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$19.99 |
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16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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20 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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Feed a Feral Cat Colony - Cats/Kittens Rescue Charity
$0.99 |
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42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F15
$0.99 |
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CAT CATCHER wand cat toy pole toys kitten ferret go cat
$6.25 |
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Green Camouflag sleeping bag/travel bed med/ large dog
$17.50 |
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78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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SWAROVSKI BABY BLUES & PEARLS HEART CHARM CAT COLLAR
$25.99 |
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16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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10 $5.00 PURINA CAT FOOD FRISKIES FANCY FEAST COUPONS
$23.06 |
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16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F602-B
$0.99 |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON INTERACTIVE CAT TOY
$7.00 |
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$32 3pc Luxury Kitten Set - Siamese
$5.14 |
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ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box - Brand New
$99.95 |
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74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
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8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box - Brand New
$99.95 |
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Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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Cat Collar - Designer Red Glam Rock Swarovski Crystals
$19.99 |
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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$19.99 |
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5 Head Dolphin Laser Pointer Cat Toy for Kitten Charity
$4.00 |
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CAT-OPOLY / CATOPOLY / New Cat Monopoly Game
$12.79 |
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MEDIUM 9-13 lbs ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS ~ Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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.136 CAT Tower: Double Platform HEMP Column Scratcher
$0.99 |
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20 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS - fAST Shpg
$22.50 |
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ADVANTAGE flea control cats over 9 lbs 4 pack EPA APRV
$30.00 |
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32" Cat Kitten Pet Hide N Seek 3/Way Bed Toys Tunnel
$19.99 |
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Flint River Ranch 50 samples Cat Kitten Food Lamb Chick
$34.50 |
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17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 12 mon
$36.75 |
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8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$36.99 |
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5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
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10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 6 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$58.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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NEW 41" Cat Kitten Kitty Pet Hide Out Bed Toy Tunnel
$26.99 |
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ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$34.99 |
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Petsafe Cat Flap Pet Door Cat Door
$7.75 |
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10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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CAT DVD video movie toys WITH BIRDS, MICE, FISH, BUGS !
$9.98 |
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Cat Picture Frame (3x5)
$0.99 |
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10 PURINA WHISKER LICKIN'S BRAND CAT TREAT COUPONS
$0.75 |
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Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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Comfort Zone Feliway Plug In KIT for Cats New!
$15.00 |
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ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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Custom Made All Wood Cat Litter Box Cabinet Furniture
$89.99 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$19.99 |
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Cat Fence Topper Wood Outdoor Garden Decor
$13.95 |
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SCOOPFREE Automatic Cat Kitten LITTER BOX
$49.95 |
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3 SERGEANT'S DUAL ACTION FLEA AND TICK COLLAR FOR CATS
$4.99 |
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Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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Cat Collar - Pink Paisley
$5.75 |
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SMALL 6-8 lb ~ Soft Claws Paws ~ Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses cats kitten 0-10 lb
$18.95 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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$32 3pc Luxury Kitten Set - Siamese
$5.14 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS 12 MONTH SUPPLY
$67.00 |
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PVC Pet Bed Black Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$15.50 |
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20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-10
$25.99 |
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Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box - Brand New
$99.95 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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17 COUPONS $2 & $1 FOR CATS TREATS, FOOD, LITTER
$0.99 |
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LITTERMAID PLUS AUTOMATIC LITTER BOX + NEW BOX OF RECEP
$49.99 |
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Zanies Kitty Cat Krackling Hide and Seek Play Fun Sack
$10.99 |
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LitterMaid Plus Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
$53.48 |
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NEW SMALL PINK PAW PET BED FOR CAT DOG 10 X 10 X 16
$10.43 |
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38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
$0.99 |
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17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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ADVANTAGE flea control cats 9 lbs & under 6 pack EPA+
$33.50 |
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MYPETMAGNET© Custom 5" Pet Photo Magnet
$1.00 |
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QUICKFINDER® Safety Nail Clipper - Cats & Small Animals
$21.69 |
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Cat Licking It's Lips,5 Cards & Envelopes, FREE SHIP
$5.00 |
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FRONTLINE flea & tick spray - NEW - 500mL / 17 oz
$50.80 |
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LARGE 14+ lb ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS ~ Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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10 $5.00 PURINA CAT FOOD FRISKIES FANCY FEAST COUPONS
$24.37 |
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(2) Hills Science Diet Cat Food Coupon~Worth $16
$4.76 |
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SAVE on TWO Brand NEW Littermaid Elite MEGA LME9000
$229.95 |
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