| 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
$21.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
$19.99 |
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|  | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY PLUG IN DIFFUSER 2 KITS
$53.98 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3001
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|  | Halloween Pet Bed - Unique! - Cat Dog Basket Black Fall
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 | 8 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!
$3.49 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
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 | .006: NEW 4 Level Cat CONDO w/ 6 Scratch POSTS: 2 BEDS
$29.99 |
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|  | 17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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 | M.A.X. Dachshund Cat Scratching Pad
$29.95 |
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|  | PEDI PAWS ROTARY NAIL TRIMMER - NIB
$14.11 |
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 | COLLAR~ CAT CHARM ~FOR YOUR PET: NEW IN BOX
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|  | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
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 | *~FRONTLINE PLUS SECRET~* SAVE $$$ ON DOGS & CATS!!!
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|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | cat toy wand with feather attachment cat teaser
$3.99 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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|  | 18 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CAT FOOD COUPONS $1.00/6
$0.99 |
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 | 2oz. Certified Organic Catnip
$3.95 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Kitty Hide N Seek Sack Tunnel Crackle Bed
$9.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats & kittens Sealed 6 dose cat pk
$28.01 |
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|  | Litter Locker by Petmate~EUC Blue & White Litter Scoop
$7.00 |
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 | 32" Cat Kitten Pet Hide N Seek 3/Way Bed Toys Tunnel
$19.99 |
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|  | Littermaid Litterbox BRAND NEW LM500
$35.00 |
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 | NEW Blue Fluffy Cat or Dog Pet Bed 20x20"- Pet Supply
$11.50 |
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|  | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY PLUG IN DIFFUSER ONE KIT
$26.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
$0.99 |
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| Kitty Kickers 11" Organic Catnip Pillow Cat Toy
$6.00 |
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 | CATS Cat Grooming Bathing Bag Restraint System * MEDIUM
$19.99 |
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|  | M.A.X. Tiger Cat Scratching Pad
$178.95 |
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 | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
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 | tiny CATNIP BAGS! CAT TOYS! HOME GROWN! BUY 1 up to 25
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | WOW 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | LOT 8 - PETMATE Waste Box Bags PURRFORMA Litter Boxes
$3.99 |
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|  | Cool New Cat or Dog Pet Bed Pad Mat Pillow for Crate
$12.34 |
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 | GREAT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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| Frontline Plus Cat Kitten
$5.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | "DIVA POLKA DOT" MEOW Cat Dish Bowl SET - 8 oz.
$14.99 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
$24.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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|  | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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 | Cat Treat Baking Kit / Recipe Book
$16.99 |
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|  | QUALITY Hospital Bed Pads Reusable Cotton Quilted
$24.00 |
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 | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | 24 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers NIB
$21.95 |
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 | Miracle Coat Quick Finder Nail Clippers Cats NIP
$14.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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 | 3 Hills Science Diet Coupons - $5 off ANY product
$2.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE® FLEA GENUINE BAYER 6 DOSES 4 CATS OVER 9 LBS
$30.95 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6501
$0.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | 20 grocery coupons $1 TIDY CATS CAT LITTER x 12/14 hcts
$3.50 |
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|  | 12 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers NIB
$10.99 |
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 | One-Quarter Pound, Powerfully Strong Catnip Buds
$3.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | NEW Super stylish Whiskas cat bed house
$99.99 |
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|  | CAT FEEDER BOWLS W/ STAND BLACK
$7.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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|  | 5 Purina Kitten Coupons total saving $55
$0.99 |
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 | Soft Claws Nail Caps for Cats & Kittens Small 4 Sets
$9.99 |
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|  | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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 | SUPER 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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|  | PEDI PAWS ROTARY NAIL TRIMMER - NIB
$11.49 |
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 | Travel Pet Carrier for Cat - Dog
$9.90 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | M.A.X. Leopard Sofa Scratching Pad
$24.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$0.99 |
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 | Nutro cat food rebate coupon - Receive $10, $5, and $4!
$0.99 |
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|  | One-Half Pound, Powerfully Strong Catnip Buds
$6.00 |
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 | Whimsical Cat Motif Wall Mount Key Hook Holder -Brass-
$8.25 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 72B
$24.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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 | .039-XS PET TUNNEL w. PLATFORM + SWAT TOYS - COLORFUL
$4.99 |
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|  | Hartz ultra guard Flea & tick Collar for Large Dogs
$4.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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 | NEW CAT KITTEN KITTY MAGIC CATNIP 4 TOYS BEDS ~RATED #1
$6.99 |
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|  | GREAT DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
$0.99 |
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 | Assorted lot of Cat toys, feathers, mice, balls
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7463
$0.99 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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