| 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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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
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 | AMETHYST DIAMOND SWAROVSKI CHARM CAT COLLAR
$20.50 |
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|  | NIB Hagen CAT IT Small Drinking Fountain for Pets/Cats
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|  | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
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 | CUSTOM FINISHED WOOD CAT LITTER BOX CABINET / PLAYHOUSE
$69.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
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 | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | Dog / Cat / Pet Memorial: Rainbow Bridge Story
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 | "DIVA POLKA DOT" MEOW Cat Dish Bowl SET - 8 oz.
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| Kitty Kickers 11" Organic Catnip Pillow Cat Toy
$6.00 |
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 | SUPER 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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|  | Argo aero-pet airline approved dog & cat carrier pink S
$105.00 |
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 | 10 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS 9LBS KIT EPA
$17.95 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM FOUNTAIN +Garden+Brush+10 Filter+Mat
$79.89 |
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 | Luxurious Furry Cat, Small Dog, Pet Bed by Lulu Pink
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|  | Fresh dried CATNIP -- CATS LOVE IT!!
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 | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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|  | Fresh pure Icelandic salmon oil-17 oz-Omega-3 rich!
$20.00 |
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 | Littermaid Plus LM700 Self Cleaning Litter Box-used
$45.00 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
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 | CATS Cat Grooming Bathing Bag Restraint System * MEDIUM
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|  | GREAT DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | ATTACK CAT Security Caution Sign AREA PATROLLED Pet
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$11.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
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|  | Lot of 3 Kookamunga Door Cattie Cat Toys w/Catnip
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 | Fresh pure sardine-anchovy oil-8.75 oz-Omega-3 rich!
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|  | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
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 | Feline Pine Cat Litter 7 lb Bag
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7463
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 | FLEA & TICK Control Spot on Plus - Zodiac - Under 5lb.
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|  | WOW 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Cap Stop Cat Scratching Kitten
$1.04 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
$17.95 |
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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|  | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$19.99 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-08
$99.99 |
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 | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$17.95 |
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|  | .193 - DELUXE Multi Level Cat SCRATCH Playset Tower
$49.99 |
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 | 5 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS KIT EPA
$17.95 |
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|  | Cool New Cat or Dog Pet Bed Pad Mat Pillow for Crate
$12.34 |
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 | NEW Petmate Large HOODED CAT LITTER PAN Puppy PET HOME
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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|  | 24 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers NIB
$21.95 |
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 | Pet Tag GUARDIAN ANGEL Protect Me CAT Tag Pewter w/clip
$6.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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PET CENTER CHICKEN NIBBLETS DOG AND CAT TREATS, 1LB.
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$3.00 |
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 | 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS KIT EPA USA
$17.95 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | Leopard Cat Crinkly Tunnel - NEW! ~ SAVE GAS & TIME!
$26.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6501
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 | Kitty Cactus W/Pom Pom 16In Assorted
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
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|  | cat toy wand with feather attachment cat teaser
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
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|  | New Deluxe Beige 52" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher 5067
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 | .039-XS PET TUNNEL w. PLATFORM + SWAT TOYS - COLORFUL
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
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 | New no hassle pet carriers that does the work for you!
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|  | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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 | Breeze Litter box system
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|  | NWOT Littermaid Cat Paw Cleaning Litter off Ramp
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 | 6 $5off Purina Pro Plan or selects Kitten Food save $30
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | Pet Tag GUARDIAN ANGEL Protect Me CAT Tag Goldtone
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|  | 10 FREE CANS OF MERRICK DOG FOOD INSTANT COUPONS
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 | 32" Cat Kitten Pet Hide N Seek 3/Way Bed Toys Tunnel
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|  | PET CAT GROOMING BAG RESTRAINT WASHING NAILS, SMALL NIP
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 | KITTY KEY CHAIN, IF YOUR A CAT LOVER THIS IS A MUST.
$1.25 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
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 | FOREVER Litter Tray - Scoop Free cartridge replacement
$59.95 |
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|  | LeBistro Automatic Waterer - Small Dog /Cat ebay store
$9.89 |
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1 Science Diet coupon
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|  | Spring and Ball Cat Toy
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 | ** Kitty Cat Toy Toys Furniture Tree Bed Condo House **
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 | Eye Wash Opticlear For Cats
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3001
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 | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | HUGE Lot of coupons for all your CAT essentials! SAVE$!
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 | flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose FRONTLINE PLUS
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
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