| 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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 | 42 HEAD LAZER POINTER ~ LASER BEAM BRAND NEW
$3.95 |
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|  | Ceramic Pet Food Bowl ~ Southwestern Style
$10.50 |
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 | PArt only:Soft Bed 4 Cat Condo,Tree,House,Pet Furniture
$10.00 |
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|  | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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 | Nu-Cat by Vetri-Science (100 tablets)
$6.99 |
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|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$24.99 |
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 | CATS FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose FLEA & TICK med ~*~
$23.84 |
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|  | 78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tunnel,40",Pet Toy,Noisy, Soft, for use with condo
$15.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B8201
$0.99 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID LME9250 ELITE MEGA Automatic Litterbox
$56.00 |
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|  | MR. PET DOG & CAT ELECTRIC 24hr FEEDER INDOOR USE VGC
$16.99 |
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 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | shaking & rattling fur mouse short hair-50 piece lot
$9.99 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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|  | BIG SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | 3 Months Frontline Plus For Cats 3 Pipettes Box, EPA
$38.99 |
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|  | BRAIDED RUG CAT Dish Kitty Mat L@@K! Fall Colors!!
$9.99 |
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 | Meow Town Flower Power Cat Climbing Fun Playing Tower
$59.99 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Nail Cap Small Cat NEW CHRISTMAS COLORS
$3.25 |
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|  | 10 ZANIES RAINBOW FUR MICE 2"-CAT TOYS FOR PET
$0.01 |
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 | Buddha Pet Collar Charm Handcrafted
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW RINGSLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER PAWPRINTS $10.99
$10.99 |
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(10) $1 off Fresh Step Cat Litter Coupons
$2.75 |
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|  | HOLIDAY REINDEER Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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 | DISCOUNT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | De-Flea them Critters- Frontline Plus ^KIT^ Dogs & Cats
$31.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN CAT DOG WATER DISH BOWL
$59.95 |
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|  | Flint River Ranch~Lite Cat Food 9 lbs
$17.99 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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|  | LOOK AT THIS GREAT CAT TUNNEL FOR CATS AND DOGS
$0.01 |
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 | Meow Town Flower Power Cat Climbing Fun Playing Tower
$59.99 |
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|  | 74" Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F60
$9.99 |
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 | "Happy Cat" Meow Cat Dish Hand Painted & Crafted
$9.25 |
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| (20) $1.00/2 COUPON PURINA WHISKER LICKIN'S CAT TREATS
$0.99 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
$59.99 |
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|  | * Kitty Christmas Cat Toys by Pet Holiday*
$0.99 |
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 | 2 OUNCE PURE FRESH CANADIAN CATNIP -LOVE YOUR CAT!
$3.99 |
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|  | SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$9.99 |
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|  | WOVEN CAT MAT
$3.99 |
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 | Flint River Ranch~Cat Hair Ball Remedy Food 6lbs
$16.99 |
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|  | CHRISTMAS PINK SPARKLES SWAROVSKI CHARM CAT COLLAR
$20.99 |
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 | 4 pcs Set Diamante Cat Collars-Can fastened at any pt.#
$12.08 |
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|  | 51" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$0.99 |
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 | DEAL 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-05
$59.99 |
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 | FREE bag Nutro Natural Choice Dog Food - helps rescue!
$7.99 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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 | CAT STAND TALL LARGE CUSTOM MADE PICK UP TRI CITIES WA
$35.00 |
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|  | DISCOUNTED 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Cat Keychain- I Love My Russian Blue- Pewter
$1.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | Meow 4x 6 Cat Frame in Brown
$1.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs SALE~~
$23.99 |
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 | BIO SPOT FLEA & TICK CONTROL FOR CATS
$6.50 |
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|  | BRAND NEW LITTERMAID LM900 AUTOMATIC LITTERBOX
$16.99 |
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 | Sift Clean Sifting Cat Litter Box/Pan Liners. 6-months
$31.95 |
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|  | Indoor Pet Containment and Dog & Cat Fences (Padlock)
$38.88 |
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 | Brand New Cat Collar Teal w/ Bell
$2.00 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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 | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2038
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$9.99 |
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 | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER TOTE CAT PURSE BLK
$24.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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| 4 coupons - Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys
$0.79 |
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 | DISCOUNTED 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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|  | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$89.99 |
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 | Flint River Ranch~Cat & Kitten Food 40 lbs
$68.99 |
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|  | SANTA'S BEST CAT, CHRISTMAS FEEDING DISH
$7.99 |
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 | 60 Mice-mouse pet, cat, furry toy,
$10.00 |
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|  | PINK ANIMAL **PRINCESS BED** WITH BOW AND RHINESTONE
$7.95 |
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 | LOOK 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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| (8) $4 off any Bag of Iams Cat Food Coupons
$1.25 |
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 | SANTA PAWS CAT TREAT JAR NEW IN BOX DILLARD'S CERAMIC
$5.99 |
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|  | NEW PET BED OR HOUSE FOR SMALL DOG OR CAT BED FURNITURE
$10.98 |
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 | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER TOTE CAT PURSE RUST
$24.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs SALE~~
$23.99 |
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 | Watermelon Cat Bed - Brand New - Very Cute
$19.99 |
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|  | Kitty Cat Christmas Stocking - NEW!
$9.00 |
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 | CHRISTMAS BE MY LOVE SWAROVSKI GOLD PLATE CAT COLLAR
$18.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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|  | LOOK 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | Cat / Kitty HAMMOCK - WOW Christmas gift for Kitty too!
$16.99 |
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|  | WOW 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | 2 COLOR REVERSIBLE SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER $14.99
$14.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | *CARPET Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | 10 SCIENCE NATURE'S BEST CAT/DOG FOOD COUPONS $10.00/1
$0.99 |
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|  | 30 Science Diet Indoor Cat Food coupons ($3 on 1) = $90
$3.00 |
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