| 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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 | 50 Peacock Feathers ~ Cat Toy Pet Shop Store Supplies
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
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|  | ** Kitty Cat Toy Toys Furniture Tree Bed Condo House **
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T40
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|  | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F09
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|  | Cat Collectibles Photo Frame
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|  | Petmate One-Touch Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box. NEW!
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | SOFT CLAWS Nail Caps for Cats Kittens MEDIUM Fall Color
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 | carpeted scratch post
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|  | Comfort Zone for DOGS 2 diffusers and 1 Refill EXP2011
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
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 | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
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|  | SOLD OUT! Max's [Kitty Cat Litter] Box & FREE Liner NR
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 | Advantage Cat Purple Over 9lbs (Multi) 6 Month NIB
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
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 | Cat Collectibles Photo Frame
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
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 | HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN Cat Tree Furniture Condo Toy BUILD
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|  | Get this EPA, FRONTLINE Plus for CATS - fAST Shpg
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 | $32 3pc Luxury Kitten Set - Siamese
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|  | 56" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F3031
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
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 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC03
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|  | Cat Key Rack/ Leash Hanger 5 Metal Hooks NEW Sm #07
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
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|  | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
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 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC04
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|  | FOX & HOUNDS Cat collar with Bell Buy One get One Free
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 | 17" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-11
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
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|  | 74" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
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|  | (10) Marcal + 2 FREE paper product coupons exp 9/30/08
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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|  | NEW Sasquatch! Big Foot Shoe Pet Bed - Midnight
$99.95 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F602B
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Cat Collectibles Photo Album
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 | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-10
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|  | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
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|  | (20) COUPONS BOGO FREE WHISKAS PURRFECTLY POUCH
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 | PFALTZGRAFF NAPOLI 2 NEW CAT PET FOOD DISHES
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
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 | Persian Kitty Condo NIB!!!
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|  | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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 | Cat Clothing-Casual Kitty Mouse Patrol Tees- Small
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|  | GREAT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
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|  | 6 CAT FURNITURE PLANS Build a Kitty Perch Stand Hammock
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 | $20 in Coupons - MAX CAT Cat Food
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
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|  | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F14
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | FURMINATOR Deshedding Tool Brush for Cats 1.75 in. NEW
$15.50 |
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|  | Cat Collectibles Cloisone Photo Frame
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|  | Deluxe 73" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
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|  | Tabby Kitty Condo NIB!!
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
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|  | (20) COUPONS $2.00 OFF WHISKAS MULTIPACK CAT FOOD
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 | LITTER ROBOT - SELF CLEANING CAT LITTER BOX - DEMO UNIT
$239.00 |
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|  | NEW Sasquatch! Big Foot Shoe Pet Bed - Lollipop
$99.95 |
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 | Black Wallet with Colorful Dog Cat Pet Paw Prints NWT
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|  | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
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 | Coupon Lot - Natural Choice Complete Care Cat Food $40
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|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
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 | 4 pk Advantage Cats 9-18 lb EPA Sealed Box (AUTHENTIC)
$36.00 |
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|  | Jungle Jabber Cat Toy
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7802
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|  | $32 3pc Luxury Kitten Set - Siamese
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 | Calico Kitty Condo NIB!!!
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|  | Cat Gifts Solid Brass Candle Holder
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 | Littermaid Supplies (Open Box)
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|  | Cute Baby Blue Dog/Cat Collar Rhinestone Bell Pet S
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 | ~71"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture Pet Toy
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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 | Soft Claws kitten clear
$7.50 |
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|  | Hills Science Diet Coupons - $5 off any product
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F18
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