| 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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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | HOW TO MIX 82 NON-TOXIC FLEA & TICK CONTROLS 4 YOUR CAT
$7.57 |
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 | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
$0.49 |
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| Advantage -Cats over 9lb
$39.00 |
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Cat It Fresh &Clear 100oz. Pet Water Fountain+Food Dish
$8.99 |
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|  | Small Alderwood Pet Urn, Hand Crafted, FREE ENGRAVING
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
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 | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
$0.01 |
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|  | Gorgeous RED Leather DOG Collar with Brass COWS 26"
$8.00 |
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 | 16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS EPA APPROVED!
$34.50 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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 | Zanies Glitter, Fuzzy, Fur Cat Toys (Set of 30)
$15.99 |
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|  | Littermaid Elite Mega Litterbox LME9000 NEW IN BOX!!
$79.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F21
$9.99 |
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|  | COMFORT ZONE SPRAY WITH D.A.P PHEROMONE 60ML
$5.00 |
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 | Kay's Homemade Catnip Toys
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS 6 MONTH KIT SMALL DOGS 0-22LBS EPA!!!
$19.90 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F18
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
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 | Litter Maid Self Cleaning litter box NEW
$49.99 |
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|  | Dog Bed - Soft and Cozy - Medium Size Pet Bed
$9.03 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 16 DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$9.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
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$30 OFF MEOW MIX DRY MARKET SELECT CAT 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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| $30 OFF MEOW MIX DRY CAT FOOD 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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 | Zanies Glitter Ball Cat Toys (Set of 72) On Sale!!!
$24.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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 | Parisienne cat ceramic food/water bowl eiffel tower
$4.50 |
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| $30 OFF MEOW MIX DRY MARKET SELECT CAT 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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 | BARGAIN 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | Personalized Pet Memorial - Loving Hearts
$34.95 |
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 | Littermaid ELITE Mega LME9250 Automatic Litterbox Opene
$60.99 |
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| $30 OFF MEOW MIX CAT TREATS 30/$1 COUPONS
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 | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
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| $30 OFF MEOW MIX DRY CAT FOOD 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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 | Pet ID Tag! Cat or Kitten! High Quality! Super Sale!
$3.25 |
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|  | EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg
$19.90 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | 20 grocery coupons $1 FANCY FEAST GOURMET GOLD CAT FOOD
$2.85 |
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 | 69" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T42
$9.99 |
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|  | FOREVER Litter Tray - Scoop Free cartridge replacement
$59.95 |
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 | 2 COLOR REVERSIBLE SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER $14.99
$14.99 |
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|  | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | NEW Petsafe Simply Clean Automatic Cat Litter Box
$79.94 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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 | (7) $1.50 off Coupons ~ HEALTHFUL LIFE Purina Cat Chow
$1.55 |
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|  | Cat condo scratching Sisal post furniture
$0.49 |
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 | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Scratcher post furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW SmartScoop Adv Automatic Cat Litter Box Self Clean
$89.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Condo Post Furniture F21
$0.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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|  | HUGE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Cat Dog Fountain + Bonus Lot Cat Toys
$12.50 |
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|  | LOT OF 20 IAMS COUPONS DOG&CAT FOOD,$25 SAVINGS,EX 9/30
$1.99 |
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 | Ticks and Fleas Spray for Dogs&Cats - 500 ml. Cheapest
$35.99 |
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|  | 2 PET-EASE PHEROMONE PLUS SPRAY 2X (4FL OZ.) OR 118ML
$5.00 |
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$30 OFF MEOW MIX CAT TREATS 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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|  | New Blue Stainless Steel Cat Nail Clippers-Free S/H
$6.99 |
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 | Lot of 19 Bags Meow Mix Ocean Explosion Cat Treats
$4.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | COMFORT ZONE SPRAY WITH D.A.P PHEROMONE 60ML
$5.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7101
$0.99 |
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|  | 17~Pedigree Buy ONe Get One FREE Butchers Select Can
$0.49 |
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 | 42 HEAD LASER POINTER ~ ULTRA BRIGHT ~ LAZER BEAM
$4.50 |
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| $30 OFF MEOW MIX DRY MARKET SELECT CAT 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Condo Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
$15.99 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS KIT FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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 | Lot of 50 nylon mice
$6.99 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.95 |
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 | Lot of FIVE Pawbreakers - Catnip Toy / Treat for Cats
$6.97 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$9.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Toys Kitten Scratcher Pet Toy
$24.85 |
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 | Natural Defense: Flea & Tick Powder for Cats & Kittens
$2.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$19.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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| $30 OFF MEOW MIX CAT TREATS 30/$1 COUPONS
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$30 OFF MEOW MIX CAT TREATS 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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|  | Deluxe 73" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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 | 17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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|  | CatBerry Healthy Cat treats with cranberry
$0.99 |
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 | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5801
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$0.99 |
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|  | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$0.99 |
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$30 OFF MEOW MIX DRY CAT FOOD 30/$1 COUPONS
$0.99 |
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|  | Hartz Ultra Guard plus drops for cats -fleas and ticks
$5.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9LBS - EPA Approved
$32.39 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 1-9 LBS - EPA APPROVED
$30.36 |
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