| 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 FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 1-9 LBS - EPA APPROVED
$26.00 |
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|  | Alpinestars hairless cat / small dog outfit clothes pet
$0.99 |
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20 B4G1 FREE Friskies Selects Indoor Cat food Coupons
$0.75 |
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|  | Coupons for 2 Free bags of Yesterday's News Cat Litter
$4.46 |
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 | 8 count cat and kitten toy play balls with bells inside
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 | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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|  | Gold-Tone St Saint Francis Cat Pet Medal Charm ~ NEW
$3.15 |
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 | 5 CATGENIE CAT GENIE SANISOLUTION SMART CARTRIDGE 15 OZ
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|  | BIG SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 1-9 LBS - EPA APPROVED
$36.00 |
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| 20 $1/1 ANY Purina Healthful Life Cat Coupons 11-30
$0.94 |
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 | CatWalk CAT DOOR CAT FLAP Magnetic BLACK Color
$47.00 |
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$15.00 |
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 | LOOK 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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|  | "KITTY FACE" Cat Kitten Pet Bowl Dish Food Feeder
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$6.00 |
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$21.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS - EPA Approved
$15.54 |
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 | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
$17.95 |
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|  | Large Round Kliban Cat Kissy Face Beanbag Bed
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9LBS - EPA Approved
$22.51 |
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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|  | Keychain Urn & Vial cremation urn for a black cat --
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
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 | PET DOG PICTURE FRAME
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$0.99 |
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 | DOG COLLAR-Groovy Lime-SM
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|  | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
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 | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | DISCOUNTED 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-3B
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|  | HALLOWEEN THEME CAT PLACEMAT
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | SmartCat Bootie's Combination Scratcher-Scratching Post
$19.95 |
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 | DOG COLLAR - I Look HOT! - SM
$6.49 |
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|  | 17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | SMALL CAT 6-8 lb Soft Claws Paws Nail Caps Feline Cats
$14.74 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | DOG COLLAR collars-Black and Hot Pink Pokadots-SM
$6.49 |
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 | DOG COLLAR-Color Me Happy-SM
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| 20 $1.00/15 Cans Purina Friskies Wet Cat Food Exp 12-15
$0.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | 51pk MYLAR CRINKLE BALLS Cat Kitten Toys Cats
$30.14 |
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 | MEDIUM CAT 9-13 lb Soft Claws Paws Nail Caps 4 Cats Pet
$14.74 |
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|  | DISCOUNT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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20 B4G1 FREE Friskies Selects Indoor Cat food Coupons
$0.75 |
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|  | 60 MICE-mouse: cat, furry toy
$7.99 |
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 | DOG COLLAR - I Look HOT! - SM
$6.49 |
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|  | Pet Carrier leopard print
$15.95 |
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 | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9LBS - EPA Approved
$33.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | REGULAR Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Kitty Litter Box
$39.99 |
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 | 20 Fancy feast save $1 on 24 cans coupons + BONUS 20
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|  | One 4pk PURRFORMA Waste Box Bags Petmate Litter Box
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 | Ceramic Dog Dish For Small or Medium Dogs
$7.99 |
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|  | 25 IAMS cat or kitten food coupons $4.00 off any sz !!
$10.50 |
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 | DOG COLLAR-Groovy Lime-SM
$6.49 |
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| 2 save $5.00 on any size cat purina pro plan food 12/08
$0.55 |
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 | $16 Value Iams ProActive Health Cat Food
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| Warm & Cozy 4-Way Machine Washable Pet Bed (Cats/Dogs)
$19.95 |
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 | cat food bowl pet wooden shaped stainless steel bowl
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|  | Double cat food bowl- CUTE!
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 | FRONTLINE FLEA AND TICK MEDICINE FOR CATS
$25.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS KIT flea tick 4 cats kittens 8 months
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | DEAL 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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20 $.50/1 Temptations Treats for Cats Coupons Exp 12-13
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|  | LARGE CAT 14 lb Soft Claws Paws Nail Caps Cats Feline
$14.74 |
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 | LOOK 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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|  | Staywell Infra-Red Cat Flap - White
$39.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | DOG COLLAR-Color Me Happy-SM
$6.49 |
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 | DOG COLLAR collars-Black and Hot Pink Pokadots-SM
$6.49 |
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|  | WOW 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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 | DOG COLLAR collars-Retro Tie Dye-Medium
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|  | NEPETA CATARIA SEEDS - A CATS FAVORITE - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | KITTEN CLEAR 2-5lb Cat Soft Claws Nail Caps Feline Pet
$14.74 |
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|  | 7 giant Litter box liners for cats and kittens
$0.50 |
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 | 10 real furry mice BY ZANIES- Cat Toys-TOY-PET
$0.55 |
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|  | Dog Pet Toy Cricket Baseball Tennis Ball Pink w Clip
$9.00 |
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 | SWAROVSKI RARE CUT CRYSTAL EMERALD CHARM CAT COLLAR
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|  | cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~FRONTLINE PLUS
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS - EPA Approved
$16.09 |
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 | Cat MULTI-LEVEL Floor-Ceiling Kitty Sky Tower Hideaway
$71.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$17.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | One Pound, Powerfully Strong Catnip Buds
$12.00 |
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2 save $2.00 any size cat purina kitten chow food 12/08
$0.01 |
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|  | Halloween Cat Costume Outfit Pretty Princess Ballerina
$6.99 |
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