| 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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 | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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|  | Natural Holistic grain Free Beef/Salmon Cat Food 3 lbs
$9.49 |
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 | SAVVY TABBY TINY TWEETERS-CATNIP TOY-CAT TOYS-PET
$3.29 |
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|  | Play box and scratcher for a kitten(s) or cat
$19.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CATS UNDER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY 1 4 6 8
$17.99 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/ wild salmon 2.5 lbs
$7.75 |
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 | Natural Holistic Cat Food Chicken/Wild Salmon 16 lb
$22.95 |
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|  | 60 Real Furry Mice BY ZANIES Cat TOY-Toys-PET-BULK LOT
$18.00 |
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 | Lot #3 New CHRISTMAS CaT TOYS PRINCESS STOCKING LOT
$4.99 |
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|  | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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 | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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|  | 12) $.50 Whiskas Temptations CAT Treats Coupons 1/17/09
$0.27 |
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 | Me-Ow Cat Face Bowl
$8.00 |
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|  | NEW Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Kitty Litter Box NIB
$17.79 |
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 | 20 Coupons - $1.00 off Any 1 Crisco product Exp 1/31/09
$2.49 |
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|  | BOODA 3-PLY JUMBO Clean Step Litter Box Liners 17-PACK
$13.49 |
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 | GREENIES Cat Treat Sample 1 oz Chicken
$1.99 |
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|  | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | SHIMMER BLUE ~ Breakaway SaFeTy CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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|  | 6 KITTY KEY CHAIN, IF YOUR A CAT LOVER THIS IS A MUST.
$4.20 |
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 | FREE bag Nutro Natural Choice Dog Food - helps rescue!
$7.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | NEW LitterMaid Self-Cleaning Automatic Litter Box
$66.99 |
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|  | Royal Splendor Pet Bed For Cats & Dogs
$79.95 |
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 | Safari Print Pet Bed For Cats and Dogs
$79.95 |
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|  | Comfort Zone CAT refill Feliway by Farnam
$16.50 |
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 | (16) BOGO B1G1 WHISKAS Purrfectly Pouch Coupons 12/6/08
$0.16 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Scoop Free HP1 Litter Box Hood
$1.99 |
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|  | BIO SPOT FLEA & TICK CONTROL FOR CATS
$6.50 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Mini Teal Blue Bandana ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Squeaking Feather Mouse Bungee Post Toy Ball
$7.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain 50 oz Accessory Kit With Brushes
$25.95 |
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|  | 5 LBS Plastic Pellets Refill Granules For Cat Genie
$19.00 |
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 | TEN JINGLE BELLS BY ZANIES CAT TOYS-PET-BULK LOT
$5.55 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - ORGANIC OATS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | ROSES ON DUSTY BLUE ~ Breakaway SaFeTy CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Snow Flurry Blue Adjusts 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | Lot #4 CHRISTMAS CaT TOYS...HUGE LOT WORTH $55 NEW!!!
$12.49 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Mini Yellow Bandana ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | 6 Fresh Comfort Zone CAT REFILLS Feliway by Farnam NEW
$99.50 |
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|  | Litter Robot II (BEIGE) FULL WARRANTY! TOY INCLUDED
$329.00 |
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 | 10~Buy1Get1 Free Purina Pro Plan Wet Cat Food 3oz can
$0.99 |
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|  | PetMate Cat or Dog Carrier Almost Brand New
$8.99 |
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 | 20 Coupons - $1.00/1 KELLOGG'S KIDS CEREAL
$2.49 |
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|  | FELIWAY PHEROMONE SPRAY ~Barely used~ GREAT DEAL!!
$1.99 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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|  | K & H KITTY SILL UNHEATED NIB
$33.24 |
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - ORGANIC OATS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | New Breeze Cat Litter Odor Control System Tidy Cat NIB
$29.95 |
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 | LUXURIOUS NEW CAT BED - POLYESTER & WASHABLE- ROUND
$12.50 |
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|  | New 14x12 Soft Pink Polka Dot Print Dog or Cat Pet Bed
$20.65 |
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 | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Lot #1 New CHRISTMAS CaT TOYS NAUGHTY STOCKING LOT
$4.99 |
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 | Casual Canine Cat Dog Hoodie Sweater Dress Apparel XXS
$7.99 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Great Life Cat Food chicken 4 lbs
$9.79 |
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 | 10~PURINA PRO PLAN Dry Cat Food Coupons SAVE $3.00/1
$0.99 |
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|  | CUTE CAT PICTURE FRAME
$5.00 |
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 | 3 Small Plaid Collar - 3 colors - New
$0.99 |
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|  | HORIZONTAL STRIPES ~ Breakaway SaFeTy CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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 | Kitty Christmas Toys - A Total of 12 Holiday Toys
$0.99 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - ORGANIC WHEAT - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/wild salmon 6.5 lbs
$14.79 |
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|  | DOTTED CIRCLES ~ Breakaway SaFeTy CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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(20) $1.00/2 COUPON PURINA WHISKER LICKIN'S CAT TREATS
$0.99 |
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|  | GO CAT TOY-ORIGINAL Da Bird 2 PICE POLE-CAT TOYS-PET
$7.00 |
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 | Kitty Condo Tree
$40.00 |
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|  | New Charm Purse Dog Cat Rhinestone Crown Princess
$2.10 |
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 | FLEA COLLAR Hartz 2in1 Advanced Care for KITTENS
$4.50 |
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|  | BRAND NEW DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN FOR CATS & DOGS!!!!!!!
$44.88 |
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 | 8 Months Frontline Plus for Cats FREE SHIPPING 3 6
$19.90 |
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|  | BRAND NEW DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN FOR CATS & DOGS!!!!!!!
$39.99 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Denim Blue Bandana ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Brand Pet Fountain Filters-3 PACK
$4.50 |
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 | NEW SPOTBRITES LED LIGHT DOGBONE CAT OR DOG CLIP ON
$0.25 |
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|  | Lot #2 New CHRISTMAS CaT TOYS PRINCESS STOCKING LOT
$4.99 |
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 | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Cat / Kitty HAMMOCK - WOW Christmas gift for Kitty too!
$15.99 |
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 | KITTY CAT Stocking Christmas Holiday Blue Soft NEW Tags
$0.99 |
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|  | Santa Paws Hat Toy for cats and kittens! Great Gift!
$4.99 |
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 | M.A.X. Fish Bone Cat Scratching Pad
$13.95 |
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|  | Natural Holistic Great Life Cat Food chicken 8 lbs
$11.29 |
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 | Drinkwell Brand Pet Fountain Filters-12 Pack Free Ship!
$21.50 |
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|  | ALLIED HEATED PET BED MEDIUM NIB
$57.00 |
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 | ALLIED HEATED PET BED SMALL NIB
$47.00 |
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|  | Adjustable Nylon CAT Walking HARNESS & LEASH Lead Cats
$12.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$17.99 |
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|  | New Fresh and Clear Water Fountain for Cats and Dogs
$24.99 |
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 | PETSAFE CAT WINDOOR WINDOW DOOR NEW
$78.99 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - ORGANIC WHEAT - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Cat Bowl Set
$12.99 |
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|  | Beastie Bands " Merry Christmas " red cat collar
$5.99 |
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 | ORGANIC GRAIN GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Natural Holistic Cat food chicken/ wild salmon 2.5 lbs
$9.99 |
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|  | BN LUXURY FUR CAT CUSHION 20" Bed Kitten Small Dog Pets
$26.99 |
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 | Purr-Fectly Cute Cat Dish
$8.00 |
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|  | K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad FREE Cover 12.5 x 18.5 NEW
$44.98 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Christmas Candies Red ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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