| 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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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE flea control cats over 9 lbs 4 pack EPA APRV
$32.00 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F601B
$4.99 |
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|  | Ikea - Bastis Play Cat Tunnel - Blue/Green
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|  | Wrought iron PET Cat Dog Bed Royal Bed
$29.65 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T43
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$32.49 |
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 | Cat Tree
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$19.99 |
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 | Creepy Mask Halloween Goth Dog/Cat Collar Charm - New!
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|  | WATCH 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
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 | PINK DRINKWELL Limited Edition Pet Cat Water Fountain
$34.89 |
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|  | Framed Needle work Birdies Welcome Cat on Birdhouse
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 | Lot 3 Science Diet Nature's Best Cat Food Coupons!Save!
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|  | The Claw Goth Halloween Dog/Cat Collar Charm - New!
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 | Ikea - Bastis Play Cat Tunnel - Orange/Pink
$8.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New Pink
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 | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12 KIT
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F14
$4.99 |
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|  | Flint River Ranch Cat & Kitten Food 6lb
$18.99 |
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 | Certified Organic Catnip ( 1 oz. package)
$3.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2041
$15.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg
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 | 15 COUPONS-$3.00 OFF EACH-FRESH STEP CAT LITTER
$6.51 |
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|  | TUNA BREATH Fish Pet Collar Jewelry CHARM Cat Dog Tag
$3.25 |
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 | Elegant Fleur de Lis Dog/Cat Collar Charm - Handcrafted
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|  | 8 DOSE FRONTLINE PLUS KITTEN CAT TICK FLEA GREEN 3 6 12
$17.97 |
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 | Cat COLLARS - LADY BUG/RED/PASTEL~All 3~ - **NWOT**
$1.84 |
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| Natural Choice Complete Care Cat Food FREE 4 lb. bag
$4.29 |
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 | 72 pouches of Whiskas PURRFECTLY FISH
$15.00 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Orange Halloween Camo ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
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 | Purina Pro Plan Kitten Food Coupons
$7.50 |
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|  | Reuse Littermaid Receptacles LitterGard System SAVE $$$
$9.99 |
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 | Oral Flea Control: Capstar for Dogs & Cats 2-25 lbs Fe
$19.35 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | PETMATE FRESH FLOW CAT DOG WATER FOUNTAIN IVORY WHITE
$29.49 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | (20) $2.00/1 WORLD'S BEST CAT LITTER COUPONS 9/30/08
$0.99 |
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|  | Baby Pink Pet Dog/Cat Collar Rhinestone Bell Terrier S
$5.00 |
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 | Cat COLLARS - BLUE/GREEN/GOLD GLITTER~All 3~ - **NWOT**
$1.54 |
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|  | PLANT CAT/DOG ORGANIC GRASS digestive aid *BUY-1-GET-1
$2.50 |
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 | 72 pouches of Whiskas PURRFECTLY FISH
$15.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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 | PINK DRINKWELL Limited Edition Pet Cat Water Fountain
$34.89 |
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|  | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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|  | LOT OF 2 SCOOPWELL CAT LITTER BOX CLEANER SCOOPER nwt
$18.99 |
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 | Oral Flea Control: Capstar for Dogs & Cats 2-25 lbs Fe
$19.35 |
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|  | NEW Blue Fluffy Cat or Dog Pet Bed 20x20"- Pet Supply
$11.50 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | New Debby Carman 5 Inch Meow Cat Dish FREE SHIPPING
$8.00 |
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|  | NWOT CAT TOYS SOME WITH CATNIP
$0.50 |
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 | 15 COUPONS-$3.00 OFF EACH-FRESH STEP CAT LITTER
$6.26 |
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|  | GREAT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F12
$6.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS + KIT flea tick cat kitten 8 mos
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 | Lot of 8 Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats 4 Flavors NIP
$4.75 |
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|  | Cat COLLARS -HOT PINK/PURPLE/BLUE~All 3~ - **NWOT**
$2.01 |
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 | HAGEN Catit Water Fountain Drinking Bowl Cat it Pet
$24.99 |
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|  | LARGE Omega Paw Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box W/Mat
$39.95 |
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 | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T40
$9.99 |
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 | 15 COUPONS-$3.00 OFF EACH-FRESH STEP CAT LITTER
$12.86 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | Flint River Ranch HAIRBALL cat food 6lb
$19.99 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Butterfly Black Gold Adjustable 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$6.50 |
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|  | Skull Pirate Halloween Goth Dog/Cat Collar Charm - New!
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
$19.99 |
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|  | FUR BALL Black Pet Collar Jewelry Cat Dog CHARM Tag New
$3.25 |
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 | STAYWELL INFRA-RED COLLAR KEY PACK 2 PACK- BLUE
$21.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2040B
$19.99 |
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 | Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys 1.00/6 Coupons
$0.79 |
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|  | World's Best Cat Litter 2.00/1 Coupons
$0.99 |
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 | Cute Pink fabric leather washable Pet Dog/Cat Carrier S
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK 8 month supply
$5.07 |
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 | Life's Abundance Premium Cat Food Sample Pack
$3.95 |
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|  | (75)COUPONS $1.00 OFF MEOW MIX FOOD AND TREATS
$0.50 |
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 | EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg
$19.90 |
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|  | Lot of 12 Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats 4 Flavors NIP
$5.76 |
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 | CAT'S 5 PIECE BOWL GIFT SET, NEW
$2.50 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F51
$9.99 |
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 | GREAT DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
$39.99 |
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|  | (20) $2.00/1 WORLD'S BEST CAT LITTER COUPONS 9/30/08
$0.99 |
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