| 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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 | K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Camper with Heated Pad
$55.99 |
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|  | Fleece CRINKLE CRACKLE HIDEY HOLE BAG Bed Toy Cat Dog
$14.99 |
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 | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for dogs 55lbs and up.
$41.00 |
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|  | 7 Handmade cat toys
$3.25 |
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$28.50 IN ASSORTED CAT FOOD COUPONS ~WHAT A DEAL~
$0.99 |
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|  | 100"-112" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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 | HUGE DISCOUNT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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|  | HUGE SAVINGS 16 MONTH SUPPLY FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.50 |
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 | NEW NWT PET BED DOG CAT PINK BROWN GIRL CHEETAH TOILE
$18.99 |
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|  | FULL CASE SCIENCE DIET CAT FOOD POUCHES TUNA FLAVOR
$9.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$16.99 |
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 | (18) GOODLIFE FOOD FOR CATS OR DOGS COUPONS $1.50/1
$0.99 |
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|  | EPA - 8 Months of EPA FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg
$17.85 |
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 | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Kitten Pet Store Shop Supply
$24.88 |
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|  | NEW Corner Litter Box w/ Cat track Mat
$39.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
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|  | .006: NEW 4 Level Cat CONDO w/ 6 Scratch POSTS: 2 BEDS
$24.99 |
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 | PET CHRISTMAS STOCKING - PAW PRINTS - CAT KITTEN DOG
$6.95 |
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|  | Program for cats up to 4.5kgs - 6 pack
$33.31 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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|  | New BR 3x12x4H Cat Dog Cage Pen Crate Kennel Free Ship
$399.00 |
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 | 24 dose CATS FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA & TICK med ~*~ sale
$48.75 |
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|  | Beautifully detailed, hand forged iron dog beds.
$215.00 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2050
$0.99 |
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|  | Kitty Rocking Roller Toy w/ Scratcher by Sport Pet NIB
$6.99 |
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 | Advantage Cat Flea Kit Under/Over 9lbs -Up to 10 Months
$16.49 |
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|  | HUGE DISCOUNT ADVANTAGE CAT 5 DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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Advantage for cats under 9lbs. (Orange)
$39.80 |
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|  | (8) Buy 10 Get 1 Free Iams Canned Cat Food
$0.99 |
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 | Littermaid Automatic Cat Litterbox with lots of extras!
$57.00 |
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|  | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | PINK & BROWN STRIPES ~ Breakaway SaFeTy CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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 | "HUGE"Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture FC6
$149.00 |
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|  | Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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 | LOT NATURAL RABBIT HIDE FOOT FEET KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS
$7.61 |
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|  | Small Purple FURminator Cat DeShedding Tool Brush Comb
$22.25 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS - SINGLE DOSE
$7.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
$0.99 |
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|  | K&H Heated Cat Kitten Pet Bed Thermo Kitty Hut SAGE
$35.74 |
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 | Pet Taxi - Cat or Small Dog
$7.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 5 MONTH SUPPLY 6
$16.50 |
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|  | 2 COLOR REVERSIBLE SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER $14.99
$14.99 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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|  | Antiqued Cast Iron Cat & fish key hook, 5 hooks
$0.99 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7801
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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|  | CAT NIP * MEOWY WOWEE * Napeta Cataria
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW LITTERMAID SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX
$90.00 |
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 | CAT KITTEN DISH - BOWL - DECORATION =^..^=
$4.50 |
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|  | 69" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F42
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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|  | HUGE DISCOUNT 16 MONTH SUPPLY FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE for CATS 9 Lbs. and Under 6 Tubes
$47.50 |
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 | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
$48.98 |
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|  | Cat Litter Box
$5.74 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTH EPA APPROVED 3 12 TOO
$32.95 |
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|  | SCOOPFREE AUTO CAT LITTER BOX CARTRIDGE. 6PK. NEW!
$79.99 |
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 | SHAVED DRIED BONITO FLAKES Katsuobushi - Cats Love'em!
$2.99 |
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|  | 6 Handmade cat toys
$3.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F14
$0.99 |
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|  | 100"-112" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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 | ALIVE? Wacky Crazy Weasel Ball Pet/Cat/Dog toy Weazel
$9.98 |
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|  | L@@K frontline plus for cats
$15.15 |
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 | 6 dose small dogs FRONTLINE PLUS flea control 0-22 lbs
$16.99 |
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|  | PRINCESS CAT CERAMIC FEEDING DISH - NEW***PINK & GOLD**
$0.99 |
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 | 10 Coupons Save $40 on Iams Dry Cat or Kitten Food
$15.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$0.99 |
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|  | Ionic Flea Pet Comb[1-10]you decide
$2.99 |
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 | HUGE SAVINGS ADVANTAGE CAT 10 DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Green Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Diamonds & Bell Small
$5.00 |
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 | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Kitten Scratcher Pet Toy
$24.97 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9 lbs 10 MONTH SUPPLY
$32.99 |
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|  | (20) 9LIVES DRY CAT FOOD PRODUCT COUPONS $1.00/1
$0.99 |
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 | (18) FANCY FEAST CANNED CAT FOOD COUPONS $1.50/1
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW SELF CLEANING LITTER BOX LITTERBOX KITTY CAT FAST
$11.60 |
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 | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 12 Tubes
$85.99 |
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|  | Catnip Blanket-Cat In A Basket Design W/Navy Blue Back
$11.90 |
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 | HUGE SAVINGS ADVANTAGE CAT 5 DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Toy Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F21
$0.99 |
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 | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for dogs 55lbs and up.
$36.97 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | (5) $4.00 Off / 8 Lb + bag Iams ProActive Health 01/31
$0.99 |
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|  | .194 - Deluxe Multi Level Cat Scratching Playset Tower
$24.99 |
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 | Advantage For Cats Over 9 LBS. 4 Tubes
$34.99 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | HUGE DISCOUNT ADVANTAGE CAT 10 DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS Flea Kit for CATS 8 Doses USA EPA 3 6 12
$18.95 |
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