| 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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 | 16 $1 GoodLife Recipe Cat Treats Food Coupons 01/09
$2.99 |
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|  | KITTY CAT Stocking Christmas Holiday Blue Soft NEW Tags
$0.99 |
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 | Littermaid Waste Receptacles With Lids- Pack of 11- NEW
$10.00 |
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|  | BLUE BEAST® HiOutput AAA BATTERY RED BEAM LASER POINTER
$5.99 |
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 | ZIG ZAG STRIPES Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | Squirrel Case Ball For Cats
$1.99 |
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 | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy lot 30 Crystal Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$9.99 |
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 | Cat Scratch Wave/Pet toy Furniture condo tree Brand new
$9.99 |
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|  | CHRISTMAS DISH FOR KITTY--REALLY CUTE! K1682
$4.99 |
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 | Cat Toy lot 6 Bouncy Atom Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
$0.99 |
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 | KENNEL-AIRE STAINLESS STEEL PET FOOD AND WATER BOWLS
$24.00 |
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|  | Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F13
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Toy Lot 2 Rattle Multi-Colored Mice/Pet Brand new
$0.99 |
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|  | NEW LITTERMAID ELITE MEGA LME9250 Automatic Litter Box
$77.59 |
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 | BLUE BEAST® HiOutput AAA BATTERY RED BEAM LASER POINTER
$5.99 |
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|  | 4 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT DOGS 10-20 lbs
$17.95 |
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 | Kitty Cat Sofa Bed with matching pillows Rose color
$29.99 |
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|  | HIDDEN CAT LITTER BOX W/ HOOD PLANT
$60.25 |
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 | Kitty Cat FOOD DISH pet supply feeding water Bowl NEW
$9.99 |
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|  | BIO SPOT TICK FLEA CATS 1 YEAR SUPPLY 5LBS AND OVER NEW
$3.54 |
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 | New PF10 Large Automatic Pet Digital Feeder Dog Cat
$49.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy Rattle Balls W/Catnip/Pet toy,brand new,in pack
$0.01 |
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 | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
$26.49 |
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 | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Set 3 pawprint adjust nylon cat collars wt a bell^
$7.58 |
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 | MAX CAT Gourmet Classics BUY12 GET6 Pouches FREE Form
$0.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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 | BRAND NEW Drinkwell Pet Fountain Water Dish Cat Dog NIB
$39.99 |
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|  | Fleece Cat Window Seat - See Note
$5.50 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC WHEAT SEEDS - CAT GRASS - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Soft Claws Clear Nail Caps Kittens/Cat Stop Scratching
$7.00 |
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| 3 NATURAL CHOICE MAX CAT COUPON/REBATES FOR FREE BAG
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6203
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64C
$15.99 |
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 | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy 2 Sparkle Yarn Balls W/Catnip/Pet toy,brand new
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7202
$0.99 |
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|  | BIO SPOT TICK FLEA CATS 1 YEAR SUPPLY UNDER 5LBS NEW
$2.99 |
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 | Max Cat FREE BAG of MAX CAT FOOD Mail-in Offer Form
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Playpen Cage Midwest Model 130 With FREE BED !
$99.99 |
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 | LULU PINK Princess DOG or CAT Pet Bed
$6.50 |
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|  | Kity cat condo condos tree house bed toys furniture 48C
$19.99 |
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 | Cat Pet Toy Tunnel 40/8" Noisy & Soft & Fun
$9.99 |
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|  | Eight Dose Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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 | LARGE - NEW CEDAR CAT HOUSE HEATED optional Insulated
$369.95 |
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|  | Cat Toy lot 6 Plastic Rattle Balls /Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | MUST^..^L@@K Cat Tree Condo Scratcher Pet Furniture
$0.99 |
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 | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Cap Medium Cat Stop Scratching
$8.00 |
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|  | Pet Lover Sign "Please Dont Let The Cat Out" Cute Kitty
$9.99 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 17.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
$9.99 |
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 | Eight Dose Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens^KIT^EPA
$16.50 |
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|  | KANGAROO POUCH IS YOUR DOG DREAM SNUGGLE PAL COMFY WARM
$19.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3803
$0.99 |
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|  | Petmate Purrforma XL Disposable Litter Box Liner New
$5.99 |
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 | Petmate Replacement Charcoal Filter NIP
$0.99 |
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|  | Nice Kitty Christmas Stocking ~Perfect for Holiday Toys
$24.00 |
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 | $12 NEW LASER POINTER PEN - CAT DOG PET TOY - 5 SHAPES
$3.99 |
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|  | Soft Claws 40 Clear Nail Caps LARGE Cat Stop Scratching
$3.00 |
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 | All-Weather Gear Kit For Your Cat Stroller 292162
$9.99 |
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|  | Fishy Fun Roll Cat Toy
$5.49 |
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 | CATNIP SEEDS - CATS LOVE IT!!!!!!!! - FREE SHIPPING
$2.50 |
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|  | 18 Purina Friskies Cat Chow Naturals Dry Food Coupons
$2.99 |
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 | Cat Toy lot 6 Colorful Stretchy Balls/Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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|  | FOLDING SOFT TRAVEL CARRIER ~ CAT DOG PET ~ COLLAPSIBLE
$14.99 |
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 | 10 Wholesale Lot NIP Safety Cat Breakaway Collar w/Bell
$17.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | CHRISTMAS POLKA DOTS Print Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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|  | Glazed Ceramic Pet Bowl Dish for His Majesty Dog or Cat
$2.99 |
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 | Set 3 pawprint adjust nylon cat collars wt a bell@
$7.58 |
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|  | Cat Toy Lot 2 Rattle Roped Mice/Pet mouse brand new
$0.99 |
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 | 11 Purina Party Mix Whisker Lickins Cat Food Coupons
$2.99 |
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|  | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66C
$15.99 |
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 | Star Chaser Cat Scratch Turbo Scratcher Pad Light Toy
$9.99 |
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|  | BLUE BEAST® HiOutput AAA BATTERY RED BEAM LASER POINTER
$5.99 |
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 | CATS, EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg
$17.85 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
$0.99 |
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 | LitterMaid Elite Self-Cleaning Litter Box
$52.76 |
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|  | KITTENS HOLIDAY CARD HOLDER CROSS STITCH 100% CHARITY
$2.00 |
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 | TERRIFIC FRESH PET AREA DEODORIZER/AIR PURIFIER - NIB
$9.99 |
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|  | KENNEL-AIRE STAINLESS STEEL PET FOOD AND WATER BOWLS
$18.00 |
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 | 4 doses ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT DOGS 10-20 lbs
$17.95 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A8001
$0.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5301
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Scratching Post 27.5 "/pet toy furniture condo tree
$9.99 |
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 | BLUE BEAST® HiOutput AAA BATTERY RED BEAM LASER POINTER
$5.99 |
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|  | new comfort zone for cats
$29.99 |
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 | Pet Lover Sign Cats Are Just Little People w/ fur coats
$9.99 |
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|  | Cat Sisal Scratch Me 19.5"/pet toy tree with catnip bag
$9.99 |
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 | Buy1 Cat toy 50 Furry Mice Get 1 Pack Rattle Balls Free
$8.99 |
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|  | Roll 'n Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box
$8.25 |
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 | NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE $7 Mail-in Form CAT FOOD
$0.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 24 m SPECIAL SALE
$51.99 |
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 | Cat Toy One Fur Roller Mice w/ bell pet toy Brand new
$0.79 |
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