| 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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 | Matatabi dried fruits
$5.60 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$18.95 |
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 | Iams dry cat or kitten food 20-$4.00 OFF save $80.00!
$3.25 |
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|  | Fish shaped Cat Kitty Pet food dish So cute
$5.99 |
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 | 6 Pack Frontline for cats of any weight Long dated
$49.00 |
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|  | Matatabi powder in stick packs
$6.00 |
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 | SLUMBER PET NAP MAT DOG BED 26"L x 17"W bedding dogs
$0.99 |
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|  | Leopard Print Cat Crinkly Tunnel - 51" Long - NEW!
$30.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Hand Crafted 3 Bowl Raised Feeder, "PRIDE" Series 03
$49.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med dogs 23-44 lbs 3 mon
$19.99 |
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 | Rustic Antiqued Cast Iron Cat Hanger, with 7 tail hooks
$4.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F3031
$9.99 |
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 | PREMIER COME WITH ME KITTY CAT HARNESS + BUNGEE LEASH
$14.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Automatic Cat Litter Box NEW
$286.88 |
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 | 17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
$19.99 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | Matatabi with dietary fiber- Japanese catnip
$5.80 |
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|  | PERMA-lid: A PERMANENT LID for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$11.99 |
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 | BAG-it & PERMA-lid COMBO for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$21.99 |
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|  | Metal Art Raised Cat Dish, Elevated Bowls, Pet Bowl
$14.99 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 6 Sani Solution
$89.95 |
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10 1.00 Coupons on (1) HEALTHFUL LIFE CAT Chow 11/30
$1.00 |
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| 10 Coupons Buy (4) Friskies Select Get 1 FREE 11/30
$1.00 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$9.99 |
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|  | VIOLET&TANZINITE QUEEN SWAROVSKI CROWN TIARA CAT COLLAR
$22.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$19.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$35.99 |
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 | Cat litter box liner pad keeps box dry set of 10
$5.00 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T41
$9.99 |
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 | CATS Cat Grooming Bathing Bag Restraint System * MEDIUM
$19.99 |
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|  | SPARKLING SWAROVSKI DADDYS PRINCESS CHARM CAT COLLAR
$23.99 |
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 | * EPA 20 Month Advantage 4 Cats up to 9 Pounds USA 6 12
$35.95 |
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|  | Scratcher Board: pet, cat toy w/ condo, furniture, tree
$9.99 |
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 | Bio Spot Spot On 6 Month Supply 5 + lbs for Cats NIP
$20.00 |
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|  | Temptations Cat Treats $0.50 off coupon (Lot of 15)
$0.55 |
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 | 10 Coupons $1/24 FANCY FEAST CANNED CAT FOOD 9/30/08
$1.49 |
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|  | Cat Tunnel Tower Climb Scratch Play Hide Sleep free S&H
$84.89 |
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 | FUN Tabby Cat Painting! ORIGINAL Signed FOLK Art Wow!
$7.95 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cat 6 month USA EPA Flea Tick Feline
$38.99 |
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 | PETMATE FRESH FLOW PET WATER FOUNTAIN BLUE - 2 DAY SHIP
$21.77 |
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|  | Hand Crafted 3 Bowl Raised Feeder, "PRIDE" Series 01
$49.99 |
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 | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Playful kittens
$2.75 |
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|  | cat treats Mackeral flavored 3oz. custom made.
$4.00 |
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 | 6 FREE CANS WELLNESS 12.5 OZ. DOG FOOD COUPONS
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Automatic Litter Box With Dome and Extras NEW
$347.99 |
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 | Arm & Hammer cat kitty litter coupons 35-$2.00 OFF !!
$3.75 |
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|  | Deluxe 73" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | BAG-it: A PERMANENT SOLUTION for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
$11.99 |
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|  | CHEETAH PRINT CAT DISH FOOD WATER BOWL LILLIAN VERNON
$0.99 |
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 | TWO Zanies Fuzzy Ball-RETAIL $.99 CAT TOY-TOYS-PET
$1.39 |
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|  | SPRAY SENTRY MOTION DETECTOR CAT DETERRENT FROM PREMIER
$39.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | 2 FREE BAGS OF FELINE FRESH CAT LITTER COUPONS
$0.99 |
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 | CAT Clothes PINK Camoflauge Tee Shirt Himilayan Medium
$10.99 |
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|  | Saltwater Aquarium Video DVD - Relaxation Great 4 cats
$9.99 |
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 | PINK PRINCESS SWAROVSKI CROWN CHARM SPARKLIN CAT COLLAR
$26.99 |
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|  | Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain Medium Water NIB
$11.00 |
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 | KITTY LITTER FRESHENER 24oz
$4.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T43
$9.99 |
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|  | 6 Animal Pom Pom -CAT TOYS-TOY-PET
$2.83 |
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 | Pretty Scratcher:pet, cat toy, for use with condo, tree
$6.99 |
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|  | EPA 10 Month Advantage for Cats 1 - 9 Pounds USA 4 6 12
$18.50 |
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 | * EPA 10 Month Advantage 4 Cats over 9 Pounds USA 6 12
$35.95 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Cat Sm Dog Drinking Water Fountain
$9.99 |
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 | 10 FREE WELLNESS CAT FOOD CANNED OR POUCHES COUPONS
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Genie Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box 3 Sani Solution
$45.00 |
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 | EPA 8 Month Frontline Plus 4 All Cats Pounds USA 3 6 12
$18.50 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Littermaid Made Cat litter box furniture cabinet cover
$189.89 |
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|  | 10 real furry mice BY ZANIES- Cat Toys-TOY-PET
$0.01 |
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 | Yellow Ear Pitiful Kitty Cat Dish So Cute New
$5.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS KIT flea tick 16 months cats kittens
$30.97 |
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 | GLITZY KITTY ~ Breakaway CAT Collar
$3.99 |
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|  | 69" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T42
$9.99 |
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 | DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN CAT DOG WATER DISH PACKAGE
$54.95 |
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|  | Rustic Antiqued Cast Iron Cat Hooks, set of 6
$2.95 |
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 | Kitty starter kit 2 bowls, 12 linners, toy, window lock
$12.00 |
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|  | 30 lot RAINBOW CATNIP FURRY MICE cat toy fur toys bulk
$3.75 |
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 | 60 Mice mouse pet cat, leather toy, for use with condo
$7.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-10
$25.99 |
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 | EPA 16 Month Frontline Plus All Cats Pounds USA 3 6 12
$35.95 |
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|  | 16~Friskies Selects Indoor Cat Food B4G1 FREE X~11/30
$1.02 |
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 | EPA 5 Month Advantage for Cats over 9 Pounds USA 4 6 12
$18.50 |
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 | MIRACLE COAT® Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for Cats - 10 oz
$8.99 |
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|  | PArt only:Soft Bed 4 Cat Condo,Tree,House,Pet Furniture
$9.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA KIT FOR CATS 8 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Hand Crafted 3 Bowl Raised Feeder, "PRIDE" Series 02
$49.99 |
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|  | Lil' Paw Suede Jewel Heart Petite 5" - 7" Dog Collar
$0.99 |
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 | CAT Tunnel,40",Pet Toy,Noisy, Soft, for use with condo
$15.00 |
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|  | Frontline Plus 89-132lb X Large dog 6 months From USA
$42.99 |
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture NEW
$0.99 |
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|  | Drinkwell Big Dog Drink Fountain 2.25 Gallons - NEW!
$49.95 |
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 | Litter Robot Self-Cleaning Litter Box BEIGE - NEW!
$329.00 |
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