| 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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 | Cat condo scratching Sisal post furniture
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|  | Cat Toy MOUSE in a HOUSE automatic Cat will LOVE New It
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A4301
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS 8 dose supplyFLEA & TICK med ~*~ CATS
$17.95 |
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 | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY REFILL FOR CATS
$8.11 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | 11 Litter Maid Waste Receptacles (NEW IN BOX!)
$5.00 |
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|  | .006: NEW 4 Level Cat CONDO w/ 6 Scratch POSTS: 2 BEDS
$29.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
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 | Cat Fortress Activity Center
$139.00 |
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|  | LOT NATURAL RABBIT HIDE FOOT FEET KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS
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 | New Deluxe 42" Cat Tree Condo Furniture, BP-5022
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
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 | 20/$1.00/6 FANCY FEAST ELEGANT MEDLEYS CAT FOOD COUPONS
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|  | FOREVER Litter Tray - Scoop Free cartridge replacement
$59.95 |
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20 $2.00/1 HUGGIES DIAPERS (ANY) COUPONS EXP 11/14/08
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Kitten Pet Store Shop Supply
$24.88 |
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20 $1.00/1 WHOLESOME BY MEOW MIX COUPONS EXP 11/10/08
$0.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
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 | DANCING PAWS Botanical Flee Flea Spray for Dogs - 8oz
$6.80 |
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|  | Cat Bride Wedding Dress Halloween Costume
$10.95 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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|  | ♥7 LEVEL CAT CONDO FURNITURE TREE HOUSE SCRATCHING POST
$49.99 |
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 | BARGAIN 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$38.00 |
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|  | 6 Qpons for $5.00 off ANY Sz. Eukanuba Dry Cat Food Or
$0.75 |
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 | Frontline Plus Green 3 month cat Kitten EPA Approved
$22.95 |
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|  | 30 Packs GOODLIFE RECIPE treats Less than $1 a pouch!
$29.99 |
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 | Cat Fun House with 4 doors pink & yellow Brand new
$2.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
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 | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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 | Pet Rageous 4 pc. Cat Buffet - Multi-Colored - 4pc
$19.40 |
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|  | .185: CLOSEOUT SALE - PET CASTLE Cubby Platforms Towers
$24.99 |
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 | AQuA CaT DoG Melamine PeT Food Water Bowl Dish NeW
$4.85 |
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|  | SPECIAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | cat treats-wholesale lot of 72 packages-Petro
$29.00 |
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|  | Cat Castle Activity Center
$129.00 |
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 | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
$29.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
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20 $4.00/2 DiGIORNO PIZZAS WUB COKE COUPONS EX 11/30/08
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|  | GREAT 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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 | DEAL 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$21.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | Pet Rageous 4 pc. Cat Buffet - Red/Black - 4pc
$19.40 |
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|  | Scoop Free HP1 Litter Box Hood
$1.99 |
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 | ORGANIC OAT CAT GRASS SEEDS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Travel Pet Carrier for Cat - Dog
$9.90 |
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 | PET RHINESTONE NECKLACE STRETCH PUPPY Dog/Cat Collar 9"
$13.99 |
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|  | Personalized Ceramic Cat Bowl Feeding Dish Custom
$29.95 |
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 | **NEW** Original CatMouse LitterBox Odor Eliminator
$39.95 |
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|  | Deluxe Kitty Nest w/Fleece Sides Cat/Dog Bed -Assorted
$6.00 |
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 | ** Kitty Cat Toy Toys Furniture Tree Bed Condo House **
$0.99 |
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|  | DANCING PAWS Botanical Flee Flea Spray for Cats - 4oz
$5.00 |
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 | lulu pink pet bed
$10.00 |
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|  | 50 Peacock Feathers - Cat Kitten Scratcher Pet Toy
$24.97 |
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 | FOLDABLE FLEECE PET TENT - CAT-KITTEN-DOG-PUPPY - LOOK!
$16.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
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 | Cat Tree Toy Scratcher post furniture
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|  | NEW 41" LEOPARD Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | CHRISTMAS PLUSH CAT STOCKING
$5.99 |
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 | Plaid Kitty Nest Sleeper Bed w/Fleece Lining - Assorted
$6.80 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B4001
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 | Petmate Deluxe FreshFlow Pet Fountain
$2.25 |
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|  | Cat Toy Scratching Post Furniture
$0.01 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6401
$0.99 |
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|  | 32" Cat Kitten Pet Hide N Seek 3/Way Bed Toys Tunnel
$18.99 |
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 | 96"-109" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
$0.99 |
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|  | 4 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT DOGS 10-20 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | 6 CAT FURNITURE PLANS Build a Kitty Perch Stand Hammock
$9.95 |
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|  | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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 | 200 auto litterbox receptacle LINERS 4 your Littermaid
$7.99 |
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|  | Kitty Treehouse Activity Center
$110.00 |
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 | Lot of 50 nylon mice
$6.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$21.00 |
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 | Temptations Cat treats 30 packs, less than $1 each!
$29.99 |
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|  | 20SAVE $1.00 ON PURINA HEALTHFUL LIFE CAT FOOD COUPONS
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 | Temptations Cat treats 30 packs, less than $1 each!
$29.99 |
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|  | Purr-Pet Crinkler Sac and tunnel toy for cats and kit
$2.99 |
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 | DRONTAL ALLWORMER FOR CATS 4 PACK FREE SHIP
$16.00 |
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|  | Red Hot Chili Peppers Hand Bag Purse music grunge
$3.50 |
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 | 10/BOGO coupons on any Whiskas Purrfectly Pouch
$0.99 |
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|  | 32 pc.Country Cat Toy Sampler-SUPER SALE!!
$12.99 |
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 | 3 Pack of Whisker City Miracle Cat Beds - Assorted
$9.30 |
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|  | CAT TOYS!!! LOT OF 100 +
$16.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6601
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|  | DANCING PAWS Multi-Vitamin & Mineral for Cats - 90ct
$10.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6605
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
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 | 20 $1.00/1 COUPONS WHISKER LICKIN'S CAT TREATS
$1.29 |
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|  | ORGANIC BARLEY SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7801
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|  | Cat Fun Tunnel
$40.00 |
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 | Temptations Cat treats 30 packs, less than $1 each!
$29.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2903
$0.99 |
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 | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
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|  | Meow Town Cat House Kitty Cottage Kitten Hideaway NEW
$48.00 |
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