| 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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 | .196 NEW BLUE Pet Scratch Tower - Hang toy cubby + MORE
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|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
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 | Outside CAT DOG TUNNEL Playpen for small animals!
$6.50 |
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|  | 72 pouches Whiskas PURRFECTLY FISH Sardine & Mackerel
$15.00 |
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 | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
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|  | 3 Step Pet Condo for your Cat/Dog, Carpeted Inside/Out
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 | 72 pouches Whiskas PURRFECTLY FISH Sardine & Mackerel
$15.00 |
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|  | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
$19.99 |
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 | Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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| 24 Littermaid LMF200 Carbon Fltrs+24 LMR200 Containers
$32.50 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain 50 oz Accessory Kit With Brushes
$25.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain Filters-12 Pak FREE Shp
$26.50 |
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 | 100"-112" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
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|  | Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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 | NEW SSSCAT Cat Dog Training Spray Repellent Multivet
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|  | LIFE GUARANTEE LUPINE CAT SAFETY COLLAR 8-12"BLK CHERRY
$6.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | PETMATE FRESH AND CLEAR DRINKING FOUNTAIN CATS DOGS MED
$10.50 |
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 | CAT SITTER DVD Vol. 1, 2, 3..Videos Cats Kittens Watch
$10.49 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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| Ergo 8 Day Auto Talking Digital Pet Feeder+FREE Toy!
$78.99 |
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Sherpa Deluxe Cat/Dog Carry Bag 15x10x10 VGC NR
$4.99 |
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| New Littermaid LMC100 Cat Carpet - FREE Ship!
$19.95 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$19.99 |
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| PURINA BREEZE TIDY CATS LITTER SYSTEM $20 COUPON
$12.00 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3Brush Kit+1Yr Filters
$54.95 |
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|  | Pet Keychain Urn & Vial cremation jewelry pet memorial~
$8.00 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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| Littermaid Kitty Kabana (Tent) - Brand New
$21.50 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS - SINGLE DOSE
$9.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$102.50 |
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 | Turbo Scratcher Replacement Pads Cat Toy Scratch NEW
$5.94 |
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|  | 72 pouches of Whiskas PURRFECTLY FISH Tuna & Whitefish
$15.00 |
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Brand New Ergo Automatic Digital Pet Feeder - Large
$138.99 |
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|  | 48 Sheba Premium Cuts
$13.15 |
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THREE Scoop Free Automatic Cat Litter Box Cartridges
$42.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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 | LIFE GUARANTEE LUPINE CAT SAFETY COLLAR 8-12"MUDDY PAWS
$6.99 |
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|  | Cat toy 50 Furry Mice+++2Wobbly & roll Mice, Brand New
$9.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+ ONE Year of Filters
$39.50 |
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|  | Petmate Fresh Flow Jumbo Dog or Cat Water Fountain
$29.97 |
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 | 3 Save $2 on any size Purina Kitten Chow expires 4/09
$1.26 |
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|  | Clean Step Litter Box - Pearl
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain 70 oz Accessory Kit With Brushes
$30.95 |
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 | NEW PINK CAT DOG PAW PRINT PET BED FOR CATS OR DOGS
$10.41 |
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|  | CHEAP 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | 24 Littermaid LMF200 Carbon Filters-Brand New-Free Ship
$14.50 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - LITTLE TRUDY - PERENNIAL - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | cat litter box furniture cabinet cover bathroom odor
$99.99 |
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|  | 250 Catnip Herb Seeds Seed Make Cat Toys Cats love it
$3.45 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$49.95 |
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 | PET RHINESTONE NECKLACE STRETCH PUPPY Dog/Cat Collar
$9.99 |
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|  | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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 | (1) FREE PURINA BREEZE TIDY CATS LITTER SYSTEM COUPON
$15.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir-Fresh!
$41.95 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70oz Reservoir+FREE Fat Cat Toy!
$46.95 |
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|  | Cat Toy lot 30 Crystal Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$9.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
$0.99 |
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| FREE CAT FOOD at petsmart
$0.30 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+ Brush Kit + One Year Filters
$45.95 |
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|  | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 16 HANDMADE POTENT CATNIP TOYS GIANT KICKER TOY & MORE
$2.99 |
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|  | CAT & CRITTERS HANDMADE QUILTED CAT PAD + 4 FREE TOYS
$2.99 |
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 | 72 pouches of Whiskas PURRFECTLY FISH Tuna & Whitefish
$15.00 |
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| NEW 48 Littermaid Containers LMR200
$44.95 |
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 | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN USA EPA 3 6 12
$34.00 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for cats, kitten 8 week or older 3 month
$17.50 |
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 | Lucky Litter Scoop Free Automatic Litter Box
$36.00 |
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|  | ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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 | Littermaid Elite LME5500 - Brand New
$89.95 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
$24.99 |
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 | Cute PAW PRINTS Cat/Dog Food Bowl Blue/White Stoneware
$7.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+Brush Kit+1 Yr Filters
$59.95 |
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 | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+3 Brush Kit
$54.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+50oz Reservoir + 1 Yr Filters
$47.95 |
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 | DELUXE Pet Carrier. Very nice and DURABLE!
$20.37 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain+70 oz Res+1 Yr Filters
$52.50 |
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 | SELF FILLING WATER BOWL PETS CATS DOGS SMALL PURPLE NEW
$3.99 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$29.89 |
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 | Petmate Hybrid Pink Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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|  | Original CatMouse LitterBox Odor Eliminator-Closeout
$19.95 |
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 | Brand New Wicker Cat Litter Box Cover
$57.53 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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 | Cat kitten crinkle scratcher toy door hanging NEW fun
$9.99 |
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|  | ScoopFree Automatic Cat Litter Box + Hood - Brand New
$108.50 |
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 | LIFE GUARANTEE LUPINE CAT SAFETY COLLAR 8-12" WING IT
$6.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus for cats, kitten 8 week or older 3 month
$17.50 |
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 | Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain Filters-6 Month Supply
$5.25 |
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|  | Clean Step Litter Box - Titanium
$0.99 |
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