| 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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 | *_* 68" Frolic Cat Tree Furniture House Scraching Post
$0.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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 | Cat Tree Toy Scratcher post furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$18.95 |
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 | ~ 74" Deluxe Cat Scraching Tree Furniture House Posts ~
$0.99 |
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|  | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72
$15.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | ~71"~ Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Furniture Pet Toy
$0.99 |
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 | 10 FREE WELLNESS CAT FOOD CANNED OR POUCHES COUPONS
$2.69 |
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|  | $32 3pc Luxury Kitten Set - Siamese
$5.14 |
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 | LITTERWORKS CABINET STAND 4 Littermaid ELITE LitterBox
$116.89 |
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|  | Drinkwell PLATINUM PET FOUNTAIN Cat Dog Water Dish Bowl
$47.89 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK 8 month supply
$5.55 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Bowl Cat Dog NEW!
$34.89 |
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 | Toilet Potty Train Your Cat !! Video included!!
$1.25 |
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|  | Cat Charm- Aria Glamcat!
$0.50 |
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 | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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|  | LITTERMAID MEGA LM990 Litterbox + Stainless Steel Scoop
$116.89 |
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 | HUGE 80" CAT CONDO TREE HOUSE PET FURNITURE L@@K
$0.99 |
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|  | Toilet Potty Train Your Cat !! Video included!!
$1.00 |
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 | LOT NATURAL RABBIT HIDE FOOT FEET KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS
$5.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-10
$25.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT KITTEN flea KIT 9 lbs **20** MONTHS
$32.97 |
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|  | L@@K^..^NEW 66" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$15.99 |
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|  | NEW for Littermaid Mega 12 ODOR KILLING Carbon Filters
$9.89 |
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 | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72
$15.99 |
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|  | 62" Cat Tree Condo Furniture Scraching Post w Hammock
$0.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE BOX FOR CATS UNDER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA 6
$33.99 |
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|  | Decorative Cat Litter Box Cover "Black Tie"
$37.99 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA CONTROL KIT SMALL DOG 0-10 LBS 10 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self-Cleaning Electric Litterbox BEIGE
$329.00 |
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 | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 20 DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T40
$9.99 |
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 | L@@K^..^NEW 78" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$18.95 |
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 | L@@K 52" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | LOTUS Cat Condo REAL WOOD PERCH TOWER Furniture BIRCH
$279.99 |
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 | Drinkwell Water Fountain Pet Dog Cat Dish Bowl +7PC Lot
$49.99 |
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|  | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | MUST ^..^ L@@K 43" Cat Tree Condo House Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | $32 3pc Luxury Kitten Set - Siamese
$5.14 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$19.99 |
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|  | Hip CAT COLLAR Desert Camouflage CAMO ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | FANCY FEAST Purina Gourmet Cat Food Dish BRAND NEW NIB
$0.01 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$9.99 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$149.95 |
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|  | New Lot PINK STONEWARE CAT Picture FRAME & PET BED
$5.99 |
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 | NEW-Petmate Deluxe Jumbo Fresh Flow Pet Drink Foutain
$1.25 |
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|  | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
$0.49 |
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 | $5.00 COUPON ANY SIZE BAG IAMS HEALTHY NATURAL CAT FOOD
$1.50 |
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|  | LITTERWORKS CABINET STAND KIT for Littermaid Litter box
$49.89 |
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 | Cat condo scratching Sisal post furniture
$0.49 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$9.99 |
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 | Reuse Littermaid Receptacles LitterGard System
$9.99 |
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|  | 9-LEVEL72"Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | Tapeworm Tabs Cat Kitten Tape Worm Wormer 3 Tabs 23mg
$13.99 |
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|  | ZODIAC FLEA COLLARS FOR CATS & KITTENS NEW!!!!
$15.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NIB 3-PACK
$14.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
$0.01 |
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|  | LITTERMAID LM900 MEGA LITTER BOX + LITTERWORKS CABINET
$199.89 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F601-R
$0.99 |
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 | ^..^L@@K 65" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | LOT OF 14 FRISKIES PARTY MIX CAT TREATS 3 FLAVORS!!
$3.58 |
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 | 3 PACK Feliway Diffuser REFILL (144 mL)
$42.00 |
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|  | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self-Cleaning Electric Litterbox BLACK
$329.00 |
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$1/1 Wholesome Goodness Dry Cat Food-20 Coupons 10/11
$1.00 |
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|  | ZODIAC FLEA COLLARS FOR CATS NEW!!
$6.99 |
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 | Fancy ~9Level~ Cat Tree House Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.99 |
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 | 73" Cozy Cat Scratching Tree Furniture House w Hammock
$0.99 |
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|  | Rhinestone Cat Safety Collar, Brand New
$9.75 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
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|  | SALE ~ Med 9-13 lbs ~ SOFT CLAWS PAWS Nail Caps Covers
$12.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F601B
$4.99 |
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|  | Lot of 50 nylon mice
$6.99 |
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 | KITTYWALK PENTHOUSE Kitty Walk Outdoor Cat Habitat Bed
$159.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Littermaid LM900 ODOR KILLING Carbon Filters 6pack 72ct
$49.89 |
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|  | LITTERWORKS CABINET STAND for Littermaid Litterboxes
$99.89 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T35
$15.99 |
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|  | KITTYWALK GRAND PRIX PENTHOUSE Kitty Walk Cat Habitat
$388.95 |
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 | PET CAT GROOMING BAG RESTRAINT WASHING NAILS, SMALL NIP
$9.99 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
$19.99 |
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| 5 Chicken Flavor All Natural Temptations Cat Treat Bags
$3.36 |
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 | Rustic Antiqued Cast Iron Cat Hooks, set of 6
$2.95 |
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|  | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$9.99 |
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 | PET CAT GROOMING BAG RESTRAINT WASHING NAILS, LARGE NIP
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT flea KIT up to 18 lbs **10** MONTHS
$32.97 |
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 | PET CAT GROOMING BAG RESTRAINT, BATHING,NAILS ,MED,NIP
$9.99 |
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|  | Litterworks LINERS 3 Pack for Littermaid Receptacles
$34.89 |
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 | NEW Littermaid LMT200 Cat Privacy TENT Kabana Cave Cove
$29.89 |
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|  | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture T43
$9.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT 10 doses SMALL DOGS 0-9 lbs
$18.95 |
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