| 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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15 B1G1 Mighty Dog Canned Food!! Exp 7/27
$0.99 |
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SALE ~ Med 9-13 lbs ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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NEW Panic Mouse cat toy unopen SPECIAL BUY NOW PRICE !!
$8.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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BRITE PINK STRIPES ~ Breakaway CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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Hip CAT COLLAR Hot Rod Flames Orange ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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Fun Fur 2in1 Snuggle Cats Dogs Pets Bed Mat SizeL A0B1
$2.98 |
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.135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$36.99 |
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NEW KITTY NEST FOR CAT OR DOG PET BED PAW PRINT DESIGN
$8.36 |
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ADVANTAGE flea control cats 9 lbs & under 4 pack EPA+
$32.11 |
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ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$36.99 |
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Zanies Pop Up Kitty Teasers - 8 in package
$0.99 |
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PURPLE BANDANA ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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DRINKWELL 3 PIECE PET FOUNTAIN CLEANING BRUSH KIT
$9.35 |
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.136 CAT Tower: Double Platform HEMP Column Scratcher
$0.99 |
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COLORED STARS ON BLUE ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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FREE Purina One cat food coupon
$7.00 |
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45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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Coupons - Nutro MAX Cat or Natural Choice Pouches $12
$2.32 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$36.99 |
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PLANT CAT/DOG ORGANIC GRASS digestive aid *BUY-1-GET-1
$2.50 |
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10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F09
$0.99 |
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Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$0.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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NEW HIDDEN CAT PET LITTER BOX w HOOD PLANT OR DOG HOUSE
$78.95 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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SKULLS / BLACK ~ Breakaway CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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SMALL 6-8 lb ~ Soft Claws Paws ~ Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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1 Coupon for Free Bag of Natural Choice Cat Food
$7.75 |
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NUTRO Natural Choice cat food coupon
$6.01 |
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8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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Coupon Lot - MAX Cat Gourmet Classics Cat Food& Treats
$0.99 |
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PETMATE FRESH FLOW DELUXE CAT WATER FOUNTAIN NEW+SEALED
$23.99 |
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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$18.95 |
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PLANT CAT/DOG ORGANIC oat GRASS *digestive track aid
$7.50 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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Lot of 30 Cat(Gatto)-Zanies Rainbow Mice
$9.99 |
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K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$19.99 |
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10 WHISKER LICKIN'S BRAND CAT TREAT COUPONS
$0.75 |
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17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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.136 CAT Tower: Double Platform HEMP Column Scratcher
$0.99 |
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LARGE 14+ lb ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS ~ Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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COLORED STRIPES & DOTS ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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Kat Kandy All Natural Lrg Flake Cat Treat 3.5 Ounce Bag
$9.95 |
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78" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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Hartz Mystic Kitties Cat Toy NEW catnip jingles NIP
$1.50 |
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Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New Red
$9.50 |
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Set 4 Adjust Nylon cat collar wt bell (fish pattern)
$9.90 |
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Zodiac Spot on Flea & Tick Control For Medium Dogs
$9.99 |
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LITTER MAID Cat Litter Waste Receptacles! LITTERMAID
$11.06 |
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8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
$0.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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Crunchkins / Purr-fect Greetings / Catnip card for cats
$4.99 |
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EZ Fill Keychain Urn pet memorial locket pendant $8.99
$7.50 |
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SALE ~ Large 14+ lb ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F15
$0.99 |
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TEAL LEAVES ~ Breakaway SAFETY CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-10
$25.99 |
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48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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"HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$9.99 |
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72" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-13
$149.99 |
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Coupon Lot - MAX CAT & Natural Choice Cat Food
$0.99 |
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ADVANTAGE flea control cats over 9 lbs 4 pack EPA APRV
$33.25 |
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SALE ~ Small 6-8 lb ~ Soft Claws Paws Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New, Purple
$9.50 |
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16" TALL SCRATCHING POST, BRAND NEW, ROPE AND CARPET
$4.45 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$0.99 |
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MEDIUM 9-13 lbs ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS ~ Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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SALE ~ Small 6-8 lb ~ Soft Claws Paws Nail Caps Covers
$6.99 |
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Cat Kitten Feline Clipart Graphics CD Clip Art
$9.99 |
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DAISIES ON BRITE PINK ~ Breakaway CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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BRAND NEW CAT BED SOFT PILLOW AND TOY INCLUDED! CUTE!!!
$8.00 |
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72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2040-Blue
$0.99 |
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7 pc Cat Toy Lot From PetSmart All New & Still Packaged
$0.99 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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Coupon Lot - Nutro MAX Cat Food & Gourmet Kitty Treats
$0.99 |
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FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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