| 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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|  | 11 Purina Cat Chow 3 lb bag/lgr .55/1 coupons 12/15/08
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 | La Mont Medium Rhapsody Pet Bed Skid Proof Bottom NEW
$39.93 |
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|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat ToyS TOY SET OF 5
$7.95 |
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 | NEW FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS 6 Month Supply
$42.00 |
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|  | 73" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-8C
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 | Organic Catnip Mouse Cat Toy Great for Christmas!
$3.95 |
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|  | Cat(small pet)carrier,box liners,food/water bowl & more
$1.10 |
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 | 24 Petmate Fresh Flow Water Fountain Filters Filter
$39.98 |
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|  | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$19.00 |
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 | Advantage For Cats Over 9lbs - 6 Month Supply
$19.50 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 12 MONTH FREE GIFTS
$60.35 |
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 | Pet Essentials Cat Scratcher Climber Wood Sisal 30" $55
$18.99 |
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|  | Red light lazer keychain laser pointer 5 head C NEW
$0.49 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
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|  | Petsafe Simply Clean Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
$96.99 |
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 | 65" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F45
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 | DEAL!!! 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS EPA!
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|  | Cattysak Catnip Toy
$4.99 |
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 | Santa Cat Costume Holiday Chrstmas Hat Scarf Set
$9.95 |
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|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat ToyS TOY SET OF 3
$5.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
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 | Merry Products Atmosphere Pet Bed Chocolate Brown Stain
$85.00 |
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|  | Custom Cat Tree Condo Sisal 3 Towers Scratchers w/Beds
$219.99 |
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 | Flint River Ranch Cat and Kitten Food 20 lbs
$45.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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Advantage Flea control Dog 55 lbs over (4 month) supply
$26.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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 | Flint River Ranch Cat and Kitten Food 9 lbs
$26.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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 | 3 pk Filters Foam Cartridges CatIt Small Fountain 50053
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
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 | Six Plain colors adjust nylon cat collars-bell&
$15.20 |
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|  | Flint River Ranch Cat and Kitten Food 40 lbs
$79.99 |
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 | CAT Photo Mouse Pad " SANTA KITTY "
$5.24 |
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|  | Cat teasers FEATHER BOW CAT TOY PINK !!
$7.95 |
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 | New Pink w Bears Tote Travel Pet Carrier for Dog or Cat
$9.20 |
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|  | DEAL!!! 16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS EPA!!!
$35.50 |
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 | *A Leg Up* fish shaped cat diner (oak) NEW
$30.00 |
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|  | Wholesale 4 laser pointer 5 head lazer NEW C Low S+H
$3.57 |
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 | La Mont Large Rhapsody Pet Bed Pine Wood Frame NEW
$54.56 |
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|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN RED
$3.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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 | CAT - PETMATE - SET
$11.95 |
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|  | FREE TIDY CATS BREEZE LITTER SYSTEM $29.99 VALUE COUPON
$15.00 |
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 | Flexi-Mat Fleece Cat Window Hammock Replacement Cover
$14.95 |
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|  | La Mont Large Funny Bone Shaped Pet Bed Light Blue NEW
$39.67 |
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 | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | Play-N-Squeak Mouse-N-Cheese $19.95 retail price NIP!
$5.99 |
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 | Holiday Cat Stocking
$8.99 |
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|  | New Deluxe Beige 52" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher 5067
$48.88 |
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 | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN YELLOW
$3.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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Advantage Flea control Dog 55 lbs over (4 month) supply
$26.00 |
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|  | La Mont Small Rhapsody Pet Bed Pine Wood Cotton Cushion
$33.00 |
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 | 8 MONTHS FRONTLINE PLUS KIT CATS/KITTENS EPA APPROVED!
$18.50 |
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|  | .006: NEW 4 Level Cat CONDO w/ 6 Scratch POSTS: 2 BEDS
$24.99 |
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 | NEW Catwalk Multi Magnetic 4 Way Locking Cat Door Gray
$42.89 |
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|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy IN BLACK
$3.99 |
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 | PetSafe Simply Clean Continous Self cleaning litter box
$1.04 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
$0.99 |
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|  | La Mont Small Chanterelle Pet Bed Ecru Fabric Cushion
$64.28 |
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 | Tapeworm Cat Kitten Tape Worm Wormer 3 Tabs 23mg
$12.98 |
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|  | 16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS EPA! DEAL!!
$35.50 |
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 | Fling Ama String Cat Toy
$19.99 |
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|  | Stylette Automatic bubbler Pet Fountain/1.5 Gal Cap/NEW
$7.99 |
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 | QuickFinder Safety Nail Clipper for Cats 3483
$12.95 |
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|  | Bounce Me Bird Cat Toy TOYS SET OF 3
$5.95 |
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 | Hometeam Pets Football Sport Animal Pet Plush Pad Bed
$29.96 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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 | La Mont Pawprint Pet Animal Pink Bed Fleece Cushion
$39.93 |
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|  | NEW Tonka Wicker Cat Dog Pet Bed & Cushion SHIPS FREE
$101.61 |
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Organic Catnip Mouse Cat Toy Great for Christmas!
$3.95 |
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|  | 18 Fancy Feast Gourmet cans cat food 1.00/24 coupons
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 | Stylish Catzilla Cat Food Ceramic Bowl- -Handpainted!!
$2.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$0.99 |
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 | Cat teasers FEATHER BOW CAT TOY NAVY BLUE !!
$7.95 |
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|  | 30 LOT P2 CAT TOY FUR BALLS MICE CATNIP PET TOYS $35 +
$10.50 |
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F10
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7801
$0.99 |
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 | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F71
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|  | Comfort Zone Diffuser with Feliway
$12.39 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS 6 MONTH KIT SMALL DOGS 0-22LBS EPA!
$18.50 |
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|  | 11 Friskies pouches Seared Filets or Fine Cuts 1.00/15
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Life Furniture w/toys - Style, Quality, Fun - catf9
$69.99 |
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 | La Mont Small Tonka Pet Willow Weave Animal Bed NEW
$60.89 |
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