| 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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 | Pottery Cat Dish, Blue Decoration, Excellent Condition
$5.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2501
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CAT : PET FOOD & TREAT COUPONS including IAMS
$0.50 |
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|  | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 100 pk
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 | 8 months FRONTLINE PLUS CAT US EpA #1 VET CHOICE
$7.77 |
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|  | 9 Pack HARTZ Ultra Guard Pro Flea & Tick Drops for CATS
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | Meow Mix Cat Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
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 | Meow Mix Cat Food Coupons Free Shipping
$1.50 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cat (6 mon.).. ~NOTa KIT.......EASY
$24.99 |
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 | RINGSLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER DOTS PAWPRINTS$10.99
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cat (6 mo.).. ~NOTa KIT.......EASY
$24.99 |
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 | Iams ProActive Cat Food Coupons - $20 Savings
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|  | Pet lost-prevention ALARM ANTI-LOST-Cat Collar SECURITY
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 | Dumb Cat Anti-Marking & Urine Remover - 1 Gal Refill
$29.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs up to 22 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$37.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs 45-88 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPPING!
$40.00 |
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|  | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 200 pk
$12.49 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
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|  | KITTEN ADVANTAGE CATS UP TO 1 9 LBS POUNDS 10 MONTHS
$19.96 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$19.99 |
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 | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
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|  | Cabin Kennel Pet Carrier 15"L X 8"H X 10"W
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 | NEW Drinkwell Big Dog Fountain Great for Dogs or Cats!
$44.50 |
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|  | Large Scat Mat Training Mat cats dogs scatmat new 48x20
$64.95 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
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|  | Cat Tree Toy House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F14
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 | 6 PACKS MIXED POUNCE CAT TREATS TUNA CHICKEN SALMON
$22.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses cats kitten 0-10 lb
$18.95 |
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 | 20 IAMS coupons can food buy 2 get 1 free exp. 3/31/09
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7101
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72
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 | ADVANTAGE CATS ORANGE 1 UP TO 9 LBS POUNDS 10 DOSES
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|  | 3-pack Drinkwell Platinum HighCapacity Filter Cartridge
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Cute Yellow Dog/Cat Pet Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
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|  | KITTYWALK CURVES
$20.00 |
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 | NO MORE MESS~NO NEED FOR LITTER BOX~~free shipping
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|  | Bright Yellow Dog/Cat Pet Collar with Bow & Bell Small
$3.99 |
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 | NEW Blue Fluffy Cat or Dog Pet Bed 20x20"- Pet Supply
$11.50 |
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|  | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 400 pk
$20.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CATS KITTENS 1 UP TO 9 POUNDS LBS 10 MONTHS
$19.96 |
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|  | Brand New MiniFluffy Pink Catty Cushion Cat Bed
$1.00 |
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 | PVC Pet Bed Prairie Ghost Hammock Cat Dog Ferret Gift
$15.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | NEW BAMBOO FURBUSTER 2" CAT DESHEDDING TOOL & 4 BLADES
$22.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs 23-44 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$40.01 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
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|  | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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 | CAT FLEA ADVANTAGE KITTEN UP TO 1 9 POUNDS LBS 10 DOSES
$19.96 |
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|  | Coupon - Free Purina One Cat Food Rebate - up to $8.99
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 | Cat Dog Animal Pet Outside Outdoor Tunnel Cage Pen
$29.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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 | "Knit This" CAT PET TOYS (learn-to-knit DVD) NIB
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|  | Cat Kitten Kitty Sleeping Bag
$9.99 |
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 | Scat Mat Training scatmat for Cat & Dog Medium 30x16!
$54.95 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats Flea & Tick Treatment Box of 3
$20.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs 89-132 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$55.00 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12 KIT
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12 KIT
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 | 8 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
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|  | 69" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F42
$0.99 |
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 | Pet Water Fountain With High Filtration Water Bowl
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|  | 20 MONTH ADVANTAGE FLEA CAT ORANGE UNDER UP TO 9 LBS 4
$35.96 |
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 | Brand New MiniFluffy White Lady Fi-Fi Cat House/Bed
$1.00 |
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|  | 12 LitterMaid Filters & 12 Waste Receptacles Containers
$19.95 |
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 | NEW Reflective Dog Leash - 6' Asstd Color Available
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|  | Da Bird feather wand cat toy and 4 Attachment refills
$15.99 |
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 | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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|  | Dumb Cat Anti-Marking & Urine Remover - 32oz Spray
$11.95 |
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 | Petsafe Micro ID Pet USB 128MB Collar For Cats (NEW)
$0.99 |
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|  | Paw Print Decorative Cat Pan Litter Box Cover
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 | Decorative Cat Collar - 10" fits normal sized cats
$0.01 |
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|  | LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Containers, 12 Pack, Litter Box
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 | Littermaid Made Cat litter box furniture cabinet cover
$189.89 |
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|  | FRONTLINE Plus Dogs 45-88 # 6 Month FREE SHIPPPING!
$69.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE Plus CATS # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$29.00 |
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 | GREAT DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | (20) $2.00/1 WORLD'S BEST CAT LITTER COUPONS 9/30/08
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens 6mos supply
$36.00 |
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 | adorable canvas cat carrier, carry strap, NEVER USED!
$1.25 |
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|  | Get this EPA, FRONTLINE Plus for CATS - fAST Shpg
$21.89 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | 4 pack cat toys, rubber balls for cats to chase around.
$0.01 |
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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
$17.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE Plus CATS # 6 Month FREE SHIPPING!
$56.99 |
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|  | 20 $1.00 off fresh step scoopable cat litter exp.10/09
$0.99 |
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 | SUPER 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE KITTENS CATS 1 UP TO 9 LBS POUNDS 10 DOSES
$19.96 |
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 | KITTYWALK LAWN VERSION
$20.00 |
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