| 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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 | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer Dish
$43.89 |
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|  | Save $16 IAMS Dry Cat Coupons Exp 12-31-08 Any Size
$0.99 |
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 | CAT DOG ORGANIC GRASS SEEDS digestive aid *BUY-1-GET-1
$2.50 |
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|  | (15) $1/15 PURINA FRISKIES CANNED CAT FOOD Coupons
$0.80 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA AND TICK MEDICINE FOR DOGS (21-55LBS)
$33.00 |
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|  | Save $10.00 IAMS Dry Cat Food Coupons Exp 12-31-08
$0.99 |
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 | SmartCat Kitty Ultimate Litter Box
$10.95 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
$24.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA AND TICK MEDICINE FOR DOGS (55 upLBS)
$34.00 |
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|  | Kelly Green Dog/Cat Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$2.50 |
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 | Littermaid ELITE LME5000 Automatic Electric Litter Box
$89.89 |
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|  | SmartCat Kitty Cat Corner Litter Box - Tan
$11.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | Antique Flea-Tox Flea Powder Tin For Dogs & Cats 1936
$9.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS 8 dose supply
$17.95 |
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 | CAT KITTEN GRAY FOUR WAY LOCK CAT DOOR FLAP CATMATE309
$18.88 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
$0.99 |
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|  | Deluxe QuickFinder Clipper from MiracleCorp
$54.99 |
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 | 2 litter boxes, some cat toys, food/water bowl
$25.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA AND TICK MEDICINE FOR DOGS (21-55LBS)
$40.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
$0.99 |
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| Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 78B
$24.99 |
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 | 6 pcs adjust nylon cat collars wt bell@
$15.20 |
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|  | Coastal pink breast cancer ribbon breakaway cat collar
$4.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for Cats (3 applications) FREE SHIPPING
$26.99 |
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 | Cat Veranda with Lockable Entry Flap
$99.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
$17.95 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7802
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE (ORANG) FOR CATS 9LBS AND UNDER 4pk
$25.99 |
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 | Weazel Ball Motorized Appears Alive Cat Dog Toy Weasel
$5.49 |
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|  | 9 lives Cat Toy - with Ball and Mouse
$0.99 |
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 | .021 PET TUNNEL w. PLATFORMS + HANGING TOY - CAT FERRET
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2501
$0.99 |
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|  | 20 Coupons - WHISKAS Catfood
$0.99 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Kitty Hide N Seek Sack Tunnel Crackle Bed
$9.99 |
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 | 2 SELF-WATERING TANK DISHES - Plastic - Great Shape!!!
$3.00 |
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|  | Save $20.00 IAMS Dry Cat Food Coupons Exp 12-31-08
$0.99 |
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 | Jungle Cat Leopard catnip toy NEW!
$0.99 |
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|  | 11x11x7 Hand Painted Wood Cat Storage Box Crate Handles
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
$17.95 |
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|  | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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 | WHOLESALE LOT OF DOG AND CAT BOWLS. GREAT DEAL!
$13.37 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS & KITTENS 8 WEEKS OR OLDER
$29.00 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$15.99 |
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|  | Save $10.00 IAMS Dry Cat Food Coupons Exp 12-31-08
$1.37 |
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 | Lilly Pulitzer *Pink & Green Fabric" Cat Safety Collar
$12.95 |
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|  | Bio Spot Flea & Ticks for Cats 5 lbs over 1 year new
$0.99 |
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 | LitterMaid Elite Automatic Self Cleaning Litter Box
$36.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 72B
$24.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | Alpinestars hairless cat / small dog outfit clothes pet
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Litter 10 Coupons Fresh Step $3.00 OFF Save $30.00
$1.25 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$17.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
$17.95 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Wicker Rattan 1805
$49.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for cats kitten 8 week or older 6 month
$2.25 |
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|  | LitterMaid Kitty Kabana Tent New
$19.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$17.95 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 80C
$24.99 |
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 | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
$2.99 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$109.99 |
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 | 6 Comfort Zone Feliway Diffusers - Empty ~ 1 Lot
$10.99 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM Pet Fountain FILTERS 12PAC FREE SHIP
$27.69 |
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 | New~Wrought Iron CAT FEEDING DISH w/Ceramic Bowls
$9.99 |
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|  | 60 Real Furry Mice BY ZANIES Cat TOY-Toys-PET-BULK LOT
$18.00 |
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 | Cat Kitten Dog Puppy Pet Companion BRUNO
$12.88 |
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|  | Fresh Dried Catnip, TREAT your special cat w/ NIP XMAS
$1.25 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$124.56 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post
$47.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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|  | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN USA EPA 3 6 12
$34.00 |
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 | New Safe Cat 8-12" Snowman Collar with Bell
$4.99 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$28.89 |
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 | NEW Cat Mate C20 Automatic Timer Pet Feeder CatMate
$16.49 |
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|  | FURMINIATOR PROFESSIONAL DOG & CAT DESHEDDING TOOL
$9.98 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7101
$0.99 |
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|  | Dept 56 I'm Fluffy, Not Fat Cat Kitten Ceramic Bowl
$6.99 |
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 | NIB Cat JUNGLE GYM Space Saving Corner Design LoShip
$7.99 |
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|  | TWO Catnip Sack Toys -GREAT CAT TOY FOR PET TOYS
$2.25 |
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 | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN USA EPA 3 6 12
$34.00 |
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| Beastie Bands pumpkin Halloween black cat kitten collar
$5.99 |
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 | DISCOUNT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7802
$0.99 |
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 | CAT KITTEN GRAY FOUR WAY LOCK CAT DOOR FLAP CATMATE309
$18.88 |
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