| 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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 | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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|  | CHEAP 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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 | 5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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|  | KITTY PIRATE SHIP TOY
$22.00 |
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 | Custom LEOPARD PRINT DOG/CAT/PET BOWL/DISH
$15.00 |
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|  | ~82"@11 LEVEL~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 5 HEAD LASER POINTER CAT TOY DOG AIRSOFT NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$19.99 |
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 | Set of Two Spoiled Kitty Dishes
$8.00 |
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|  | Free Breeze Tidy Cats Litter System Coupon $29.99 value
$18.00 |
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 | Frontline Plus cats, 6 pack, NIB
$35.00 |
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|  | 42" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 5 Head Laser Pointer Dog and Cat toy key chain Lazer NR
$0.01 |
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|  | Pet Hair Sticky Remover - Rollers + refills
$14.00 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Dogs 45-88lbs 6pk
$41.01 |
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|  | PETMATE FRESH FLOW DELUXE CAT WATER FOUNTAIN NEW+SEALED
$29.49 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | 2 - 5 HEAD LASER NEW POINTER CAT TOY DOG WORKOUT TOYS
$0.01 |
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 | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$35.99 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | Red Rhinestone velvet/leather collar small
$2.50 |
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|  | NWOT T-shirt or Tank With Rhinestone Cat Face Motif
$24.95 |
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 | HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN Cat Tree Furniture Condo Toy BUILD
$9.95 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Classic Red Bandana ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$19.99 |
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|  | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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 | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Beige
$0.99 |
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|  | 1 LB. OF CATNIP 16 OZ. 100% ORGANIC * FRESH! * GREEN!
$6.99 |
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 | 20 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | 20 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$36.99 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | CAT RESCUE GROOMING VET HEALTH CARE MUZZLE LARGE 12 LB
$0.99 |
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|  | BARGAIN 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$17.50 |
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 | L@@K^..^NEW 83" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | LOT OF 10 PETMATE CHARCOAL LITTER BOX FILTER LARGE NIP
$5.99 |
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 | Hills Science Diet Coupons 2 $10.00 off Dog Cat food
$2.07 |
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|  | PET CAT GROOMING BAG RESTRAINT WASHING MAILS, LARGE NIP
$9.99 |
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 | 5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | New Luxury Cleopatra Pet Cat Dog Doll Bed Chaise Couch
$43.00 |
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|  | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Cap Medium Cat Stop Scratching
$10.50 |
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 | 1 LB. OF CATNIP 16 OZ. 100% ORGANIC * FRESH! * GREEN!
$6.99 |
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|  | ^..^L@@K 65" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 3 $5.00 off Purina Pro Plan cat food
$2.52 |
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|  | 4 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC cat toy green - FRESH!
$1.99 |
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 | L@@K 57" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | Custom DARLING PINK-BOW DOG/CAT/PET BOWL/DISH
$15.00 |
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 | DRINKWELL 3 PIECE PET FOUNTAIN CLEANING BRUSH KIT
$9.35 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | .021 PET TUNNEL w. PLATFORMS + HANGING TOY - CAT FERRET
$0.99 |
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|  | Petmate Cafe Pet Cat Waterer White U
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Pet Meds Joint Enhancer for Cats
$0.99 |
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 | 6- PKs CHICKEN FELINE GREENIES TREATS - CATS 3 oz ea
$9.99 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer Dish
$47.89 |
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 | Cat Playpen Folding Cage Cages by Midwest Model 130
$103.97 |
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|  | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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 | NEW KITTY NEST FOR CAT OR DOG PET BED PAW PRINT DESIGN
$8.36 |
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|  | CHIC SMALL PET CARRIER TOTE/ HANDBAG
$3.00 |
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 | 50 Peacock Feathers ~ Cat Toys Kitten Scratcher Pet Toy
$24.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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 | Pet Bed - Dog Bed - Cat Bed
$0.99 |
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|  | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Cat / Dog Fountain MED U
$14.69 |
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 | $39 PET OTOSCOPE Home Vet Checkup for Dogs, Cats Health
$18.99 |
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|  | Bio Spot flea & tick cats over 5lb (12 )month supply
$16.06 |
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 | Advantage for Cats Over 9 Pounds 6 Pack
$34.33 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$36.99 |
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 | 2 Hills Science Diet $8 off cat food coupon + bonus
$8.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Fountain + Brush + 4 Filters NEW
$69.99 |
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 | STEWART Pet Food FLAVOR ENHANCER for Cats
$5.99 |
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|  | 1,5 Head Laser Pointer New Cats toy key chain Lazer NR
$0.01 |
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 | CROSS BOW STRING 50LB HAND GUN STYLE crossbow NEW
$0.01 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2040-Blue
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT ~ (6 MONTH supply)~ NOT a kit. #c17
$24.99 |
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|  | LUPINE Huge Selection Cat Collars - 1/2" Safety Collar
$5.49 |
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 | Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys 41 Cans Souffle New
$15.79 |
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|  | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 6 EPA
$35.95 |
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 | 8 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!
$2.99 |
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|  | CAT RESCUE GROOMING VET HEALTH CARE MUZZLE MEDIUM 6-12#
$1.04 |
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 | CAT RESCUE GROOMING VET HEALTH CARE MUZZLE SMALL 6 LB
$0.99 |
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|  | NIB Petmate Dlx Fresh Flow Fountain/Dish/Bowl! Dog/Cat!
$19.59 |
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 | Litter Maid 18 Waste Receptacles ~New In Box~
$9.95 |
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|  | Cat Lover's T-shirts M/L
$0.01 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT ~ (6 MONTH supply)~ NOT a kit. #c18
$24.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F602-B
$0.99 |
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|  | Litter Mat Flexible For Cats Assorted Colors
$2.99 |
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 | Petmate LeBistro Pet Cat Feeder XSm Linen U
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW! Caribbean Cruiser Cat Toy / Tunnel / Tent
$6.00 |
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 | 1 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANICALLY GROWN GREAT QUALITY!!
$0.75 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 0 - 9 LBS 4 6 1
$17.99 |
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|  | Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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 | 10 $3.00 off Fresh Step Cat Litter Coupons
$12.10 |
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|  | NUTRI-VET PET-EASE PHEROMONE PLUS SPRAY FOR CATS
$2.25 |
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