| 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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 | 18 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CANNED FOOD COUPONS $1/6
$0.99 |
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|  | Comfort Zone w/ Feliway - Cat Calmative Plug In
$25.90 |
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 | ABO GEAR Hammocat - Cat Hammock Bed Lounge w/ bag UEC
$24.50 |
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|  | $100 in Iams Coupons plus $80 Febreeze Coupons exp 2009
$0.99 |
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 | Littermaid LM900 ODOR KILLING Carbon Filters 6pack 72ct
$49.89 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$19.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 10-20 LBS 4 DOSES
$17.99 |
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|  | LITTERMAID MEGA LM990 Litterbox + Stainless Steel Scoop
$116.89 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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|  | 3 Pet Safety Light Blinker for Collar Charity Auction
$25.99 |
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 | ASIAN GIRL DOG DRESS JACKET SIZE XS PINK SATIN
$9.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
$0.99 |
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 | DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
$0.99 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40C
$19.99 |
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 | 32" Cat Kitten Pet Hide N Seek 3/Way Bed Toys Tunnel
$19.99 |
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|  | 62" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F28
$9.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Dog Pet Urine Odor Carpet Floor Urine Eliminator
$11.95 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL KIT FOR CATS 16 DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | NEW for Littermaid Mega 12 ODOR KILLING Carbon Filters
$9.89 |
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 | Posh Royalty Pet Carriers! Pink Princess & Blue Prince
$7.50 |
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|  | KITTYWALK PENTHOUSE Kitty Walk Outdoor Cat Habitat Bed
$159.95 |
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 | Oral Flea Control: Capstar for Dogs & Cats 2-25 lbs Fe
$19.35 |
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|  | SPECIAL BUY IT NOW PACKAGE FOR teach1964
$27.99 |
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 | NEW Littermaid LMT200 Cat Privacy TENT Kabana Cave Cove
$29.89 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
$0.99 |
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 | 3 Pet Safety Light Blinker for Collar Charity Auction
$25.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | CATNIP FILLED CAT BED, WASHABLE, REFILLABLE, ORTHO PAD!
$2.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control COMBO SM DOGS CATS
$37.95 |
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 | LOTUS Cat Condo REAL WOOD PERCH TOWER Furniture BIRCH
$279.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self-Cleaning Electric Litterbox BEIGE
$329.00 |
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|  | 3 Pet Safety Light Blinker for Collar Charity Auction
$25.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$9.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for cats
$40.00 |
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|  | 3 Pet Safety Light Blinker for Collar Charity Auction
$25.99 |
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 | Bio Spot Cats 5 Lbs. & Over 3 Month Supply New
$12.99 |
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|  | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | WOW 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | LOT NATURAL RABBIT HIDE FOOT FEET KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS
$9.38 |
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 | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F05
$9.99 |
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|  | 12 MONTH Advantage Purple for cats over 9lbs.
$104.99 |
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 | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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|  | Advantage 6 pack cats over 9 lbs
$38.16 |
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 | 62" Cat Tree Condo Furniture Scraching Post w Hammock
$0.99 |
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|  | Feliway Spray feline cat comfort
$17.95 |
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 | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets SALMON 9.6 oz (270 pockets)
$26.59 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Denim Blue Bandana ADJUSTABLE 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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 | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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|  | BAD KITTY CATNIP (Hydroponic Chronic)...Is it 4:20?
$1.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | Bach Rescue Remedy - Natural Stress Reliever (10 mL)
$9.99 |
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|  | Soft Claws for Kitten (New in Box)
$5.00 |
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 | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$36.75 |
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|  | 10 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$36.75 |
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 | ASIAN GIRL DOG DRESS JACKET SIZE SMALL PINK SATIN CUTE!
$10.99 |
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|  | 80" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2030
$15.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus for Cats
$40.00 |
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|  | 5 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT cats 10 lbs up
$18.95 |
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 | Urine off Odor & Stain Remover FOR CATS (GALLON)
$32.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture FC01
$19.99 |
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 | Urine Off Odor & Stain Remover FOR DOGS (GALLON)
$32.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | Bach Rescue Remedy -Stress Reliever Spray(20mL)
$14.99 |
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 | Red Dog/Cat/Puppy Collar with Pearl & Bell Small
$5.00 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Water Fountain Pet Dog Cat Dish NEW
$58.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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|  | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets CHICKEN 9.6 oz (270 pockets)
$26.59 |
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 | Cat Urine Pee Spray Stain Odor Remover & Black Light
$17.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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 | PETMATE BOUTIQUE "LEATHER" cat TOY BOX new RARE NICE
$3.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
$0.99 |
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 | Toilet Potty Train Your Cat !! Video included!!
$1.25 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$0.99 |
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 | KITTYWALK GRAND PRIX PENTHOUSE Kitty Walk Cat Habitat
$388.95 |
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|  | 8 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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 | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self-Cleaning Electric Litterbox BLACK
$329.00 |
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|  | .026 PET TOY - CURIOSITY CUBE w. HANGING TOY HEMP ROPE
$0.01 |
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 | (20) $2.00/1 WORLD'S BEST CAT LITTER COUPONS 9/30/08
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F2029
$19.99 |
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 | PETMATE BOUTIQUE "LEATHER cat Litter box privacy screen
$49.99 |
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|  | Litterworks LINERS 3 Pack for Littermaid Receptacles
$34.89 |
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 | NEW LITTER ROBOT Self-Cleaning Electric Litterbox BEIGE
$329.00 |
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|  | CAT OWNERS~~ WHY USE A LITTER BOX~~~~~FREE SHIPPING
$4.00 |
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 | LITTERWORKS CABINET STAND KIT for Littermaid Litter box
$49.89 |
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|  | Fancy ~9Level~ Cat Tree House Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | 20 grocery coupons $1/24 cans FANCY FEAST CAT FOOD hcts
$1.75 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
$0.99 |
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 | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets LARGE 45.6 oz (180 pockets)
$39.95 |
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