| 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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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Nylon Zippered Cat Grooming Washing Restraint Bag Sm
$12.95 |
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 | 20 grocery coupons $1 FANCY FEAST GOURMET GOLD CAT FOOD
$3.26 |
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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 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA KIT FOR CATS 8 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Litter Maid Ultimate Self-Cleaning Litter Box Cat U
$71.00 |
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|  | Matatabi powder in a handy bottle
$5.20 |
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 | Hip CAT COLLAR Clemson University TIGERS Adjusts 7-11"
$5.95 |
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|  | Cat Hut/Bed - Never Used
$10.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3001
$0.99 |
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|  | New Cat Dog Tyco Pet Bed
$60.00 |
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 | 6 packs of Friskies party mix cat treats
$2.99 |
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|  | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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14 Tuna Flavor All Natural Temptations Cat Treat Bags
$12.27 |
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|  | 4 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC cat toy green - FRESH!
$1.99 |
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 | 2 FREE Purina ONE Kitten Cat Food Coupons value $15.98
$6.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER COVER MULTIPLE CAT HOME
$139.99 |
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|  | NEW Drinkwell BRAND Pet Fountain FILTERS 3PAC FREE SHIP
$7.87 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain + 50oz RESERVOIR NIB
$41.89 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 16 MONTHLY DOSES
$34.99 |
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|  | 20 Coupons B1G1 Whiskas Pouch Cat Food
$2.32 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 40B
$19.99 |
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|  | Coupons! Save $10 off Fresh Step Cat Litter - Rescue
$0.49 |
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 | 2 FREE Purina ONE Kitten Cat Food Coupons value $15.98
$6.50 |
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|  | NEW Drinkwell BRAND Pet Fountain FILTERS 3PAC FREE SHIP
$7.87 |
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 | 2 FREE Purina ONE Kitten Cat Food Coupons value $15.98
$6.50 |
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|  | LOT OF 2-COMFORT ZONE Feliway Plug In Diffuser Refills
$31.00 |
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 | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Blue cats
$2.75 |
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|  | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Cats-fun
$2.75 |
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 | 1 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANICALLY GROWN GREAT QUALITY!!
$0.75 |
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|  | Cat Charm- Aria Glamcat!
$0.99 |
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 | 94" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-09
$109.99 |
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|  | CHEAP 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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 | Petmate Cat Litter Box With Hood Pink Hooded New
$18.99 |
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|  | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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 | WICKER RATTAN BED HOME CAT LITTER COVER FREE SHIPPING
$119.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 8 month supply ~*~
$18.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS OVER 9LBS - EPA Approved
$40.00 |
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|  | FAT CAT Boogie Mat refillable catnip mat Whimsical!
$1.75 |
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
$0.99 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS KIT FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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 | 30" SISAL CAT SCRATCHING POST WITH PERCH CARAMEL
$42.99 |
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|  | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Cats-happy
$2.75 |
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10 Salmon Flavor All Natural Temptations Cat Treat Bags
$7.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Ticks and Fleas Spray for Dogs&Cats - 500 ml. Cheapest
$35.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS for CATS - EPA Approved
$22.22 |
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 | Buy this 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS{US-EPA}
$21.89 |
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|  | cat litter box furniture cabinet cover bathroom
$89.99 |
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 | 20 pouches all natural temptations cat treats
$13.50 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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 | Littermaid ELITE Mega LME9250 Automatic Litterbox Opene
$66.00 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
$0.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | NEW Drinkwell BRAND Pet Fountain FILTERS 3PAC FREE SHIP
$7.87 |
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 | 10 temptation cat treats
$7.16 |
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|  | Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Bowl Cat Dog NEW!
$34.89 |
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 | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Toys Kitten Scratcher Pet Toy
$24.85 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | NEW Booda 6 Pack Soft Bite Mice Cat Toy with Catnip
$1.99 |
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|  | ADORABLE CAT BED!!! Cats
$2.75 |
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 | CROSS BOW STRING 50LB HAND GUN STYLE crossbow NEW
$0.01 |
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|  | NEW Drinkwell BRAND Pet Fountain FILTERS 3PAC FREE SHIP
$7.87 |
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 | Cat condo scratching Sisal post furniture
$0.49 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7101
$0.99 |
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 | MEOW MIX single serving "Market Select" Cat Food!! LOOK
$4.00 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR SMALL DOGS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$18.99 |
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 | Frontline Plus, Cats & Kittens, 3 Dose, Sealed, New
$29.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL CATS & KITTENS 0-10 LBS 10 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
$1.04 |
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 | BARGAIN 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | 15 containers of Meow Mix cat treats
$2.99 |
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 | 10 meow mix cat treats
$5.01 |
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|  | Advantage Cats 9 lbs & UP 6 month Supply FREE SHIPPING
$25.01 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain + 50oz RESERVOIR NIB
$41.89 |
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|  | MR HERZHER 'S JUMBO WICKER RATTAN CAT LITTER COVER
$139.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 1-9 LBS - EPA APPROVED
$26.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 3 dose
$18.99 |
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 | 8 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!
$3.49 |
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|  | 42 HEAD LASER POINTER ~ ULTRA BRIGHT ~ LAZER BEAM
$4.50 |
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 | FREE 4 lb. BAG Nutro Natural Choice Cat Food Coupon
$5.01 |
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|  | SCRABBLE TILE PET TAG CAT DOG INITIAL BUY 1 GET 1 FREE!
$3.99 |
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 | Toy Shoppe Playables 17 Piece Cat Toy Set
$2.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4201
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Kitten Cat Cradle Bed Slumber Pet
$19.95 |
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|  | SALE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS 8 DOSE FLEA/TICK KIT (#5)6,12
$16.49 |
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|  | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain + 50oz RESERVOIR NIB
$41.89 |
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 | KITTY HAMMOCK
$9.99 |
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|  | Coupon - Free Purina One Cat Food Rebate - up to $8.99
$1.75 |
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 | Lot of 50 nylon mice
$6.99 |
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