| 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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|  | NEW! Drinkwell Platinum Deluxe Pet Drinking Fountain
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|  | (20) TEMPTATIONS CAT TREATS COUPONS $1.00/2 POUCHES
$1.29 |
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 | Petsafe Pet Door
$19.99 |
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$11.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
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 | (combo) BAG-it & PERMA-lid for LITTERMAID RECEPTACLES
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T41
$9.99 |
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 | 1000+ All Natural Minnesota Cat Wheat Grass Seeds
$3.25 |
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$19.99 |
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 | Lazy Pet Deluxe Window Perch, Navy Blue
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040B
$19.99 |
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 | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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|  | BEST 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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 | Hand made cat or even puppy toys
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$22.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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|  | DRINKWELL PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Waterer Dish
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
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|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Petmate Fountain REPLACEMENT PUMP PP333LV Jebao
$10.50 |
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 | 2 $5 OFF ANY HILL'S SCIENCE DIET cat/dog FOOD COUPONS
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|  | Lot of Cat Toys 6 Packs Kitty Cat Mouse Catnip Toys
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 | SPECIAL 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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|  | KITTY CAT WINDOW SEAT BED PERCH HAMMOCK DOG FERRET PET
$16.50 |
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 | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER TOTE CAT PURSE RUST
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
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 | Keychain Urn + Paw Charm cremation vial memorial urns
$9.99 |
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|  | Drontal Allwormers for Cats (10 tablets)
$36.00 |
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 | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med dogs 23-44 lbs 3 mon
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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|  | 8 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!
$3.49 |
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 | Flint River Ranch Cat Kitten Food 50 samples Lamb Chick
$34.00 |
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|  | 3/8" Sisal Rope 100' CAT SCRATCHING POST Gardening Bird
$7.49 |
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 | 14 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CANNED FOOD COUPONS $1/6
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 4 doses DOGS 10-20 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | ideal cat flap new never opened never used l@@K HERE$$$
$19.00 |
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|  | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER CAT PURSE TAN BROWN
$14.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Cat Sm Dog Drinking Water Fountain
$12.06 |
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 | NEW! Cat Genie 6 Pack Sani-Solution Smart Cartridge
$74.99 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN 3 6 12 GREEN KIT
$19.89 |
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 | 20 B1G1 FREE! WHISKAS PURRFECTLY POUCH BOGO Coupons
$1.59 |
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|  | 48" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T43
$9.99 |
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 | LAUREL BURCH FELINE FRIENDS LEATHER TOTE CAT PURSE BLK
$24.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | BRAND NEW DRINKWELL PET FOUNTAIN FOR CATS & DOGS!!!!!!!
$33.14 |
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|  | Single Round Pet Feeder Cat Dog Food Bowl Plastic Dish
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 | GREAT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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|  | WATCH 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F18
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Cat coupons Hill Science Diet Friskies Purina Meow Mix
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$19.99 |
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|  | 42 HEAD LASER POINTER ~ ULTRA BRIGHT ~ LAZER BEAM
$4.50 |
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 | BIG SALE 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F45
$9.99 |
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 | NEW! Drinkwell Pet Drinking Fountain
$33.12 |
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|  | LOT OF 2 SCOOPWELL CAT LITTER BOX CLEANER SCOOPER nwt
$18.99 |
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 | BIO SPOT for Cats 5lbs & Over-3 Month Supply-NEW IN BOX
$5.50 |
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|  | Cat Kitten Pet Play House Tunnel Bed Hide Seek FREE S/H
$8.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2041
$15.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK 8 month supply
$8.61 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | SISAL CAT SCRATCHING MAT
$14.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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 | DRINKWELL ORIGINAL / PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN AQUA GARDEN
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F11
$9.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | 1 LB. OF CATNIP 16 OZ. 100% ORGANIC * FRESH! * GREEN!
$6.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F21
$9.99 |
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|  | DISCOUNTED 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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 | Vintage TWA Original In Flight Pet Kennel
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|  | Cat's Rule Food Bowl White and Black Cat Crown
$15.00 |
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 | Cat Kitten Pet Soft Berber Window Seat Bed Perch Shelf
$32.99 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN KIT 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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 | Drontal Allwormers for Cats(20 tablets)
$58.00 |
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|  | 20 BOGO (1) FREE Wholesome Goodness Cat Food Coupons
$1.44 |
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 | **New** Heavy Duty Rustic Cast Iron Cat Hooks, set of 4
$2.95 |
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|  | 8 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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