| 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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|  | LOT 12 RABBIT FUR FOOT FEET WHITE KEYCHAINS CAT TOYS NR
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$19.00 |
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|  | Cat Toy 1 Shiny Rattle Mice w Feather Tail/Catnip New
$0.79 |
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 | 56" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F3031
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
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$32.95 |
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$3.00 |
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$52.99 |
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10 Arm & Hammer Cat kitty Litter coupons
$2.10 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
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 | Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill Lot of 9 Cat Supply
$133.50 |
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|  | Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill Lot of 2 Cat Supply
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F15
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | Cat Toy Lot 12 ASSORTED Rattle Balls/Pet Toy Brand new
$1.04 |
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|  | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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|  | .135: Cat HOME: Double Tower Platforms w/ Cave Tunnel
$7.20 |
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 | Multi Level Cat Tower Treehouse Scratcher Condo TM-9110
$9.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B8201
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 | QuickFinder 3483 Safety Nail Clipper for Cats
$6.95 |
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|  | FURminator Small Purple Cat DeShedding Tool Brush Rake
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 | Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F14
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 | Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill Lot of 6 Cat Supply
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|  | New Kitty Cat Scratcher Tree Post Pet Furniture w Toy
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 | 38" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F38
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|  | 6 Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill lot + 1 diffuser
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 12 mon
$35.00 |
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 | Cat Kitties Photo Display Box
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|  | Cat Shaped 2 Piece Ceramic Food & Water Dish Set
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 | Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill Lot of 8 Cat Supply
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|  | 42 HEAD LAZER POINTER ~ LASER BEAM BRAND NEW
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66C
$15.99 |
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|  | 50" Cat Tree House Toy Condo Furniture *FREE SHIPPING*
$89.00 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2501
$0.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy 2Holiday Shiny Balls W/Catnip/Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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 | New Kitty Cat Fun Play Tunnel 4 Feet Long Pet Cats Toy
$9.41 |
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64B
$15.99 |
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 | .194 - Deluxe Multi Level Cat Scratching Playset Tower
$24.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT all sizes dogs cats stock UP
$17.95 |
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 | Cat litter box (Litter Robot)
$200.00 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
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 | RYE CAT GRASS SEEDS - FAST GROWING - FREE SHIPPING
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL KIT ALL SIZES dogs cats SAVE!!!!
$23.75 |
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 | Catnip Cat Blanket-Bright Yellow W/Log Cabin Pattern
$14.00 |
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|  | 74" Cat Tree Toy Bed House Scratcher Post Furniture F60
$9.99 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$15.99 |
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|  | Cat Toy 2 Sparkle Balls w/ Catnip/Pet toy,brand new
$0.89 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7301
$0.99 |
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|  | (18) PURINA FRISKIES PARTY MIX COUPONS-BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
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 | Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill Lot of 8 + DIFFUSER
$129.65 |
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|  | Cat condo scratching Sisal post furniture
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 | Beautiful Dog Bed with Black and Pink Comfy pillow
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7463
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|  | CAT GRASS SEEDS - ORGANIC WHEAT - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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 | BAD KITTY CATNIP (Hydroponic Chronic)...Is it 4:20?
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|  | Feliway Comfort Zone Outlet Refill Lot of 2 Cat Supply
$32.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B6802
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|  | LOT of 24 Feliway Comfort Zone Diffuser Outlet Refill
$330.00 |
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 | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F71
$0.99 |
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|  | ORGANIC CATNIP CAT TOY HANDMADE 100% to PET CHARITY
$2.65 |
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 | 3 ORGANIC CATNIP KNOTS CAT TOY 100% to PET CHARITY
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|  | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 80B
$24.99 |
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 | Kity cat condo condos tree house bed toys furniture 48C
$19.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS CAT 6 MONTHS FREE SHIPPING
$32.95 |
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 | CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY PLUG IN DIFFUSER + 3 REFILLS
$63.00 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$17.95 |
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 | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY SPRAY 3--75ML BOTTLES
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|  | Cat condo scratching Sisal post furniture
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 64C
$15.99 |
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B2501
$0.99 |
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 | NEW GREEN SAFETY CAT COLLAR WITH BELL CUTE
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B3803
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 | K & H HEATED CAT KITTEN PET BED Thermo Kitty Hut Mocha
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B5701
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 | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY PLUG IN DIFFUSER 2 KITS
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|  | 5 VINTAGE CAT TOYS - 1960'S - NOS - JZB - (MICE)
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 | K & H HEATED CAT KITTEN PET BED Thermo Kitty Hut Mocha
$35.75 |
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|  | New Deluxe Beige 52" Cat Tree Condo Scratcher 5067
$51.88 |
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 | NEW Cookies For Santa From The Cat Holiday Plate/Dish
$6.00 |
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|  | CATS, EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE for CATS - fAST Shpg
$17.85 |
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 | 100"-112" ADJ CAT TREE FURNITURE CONDO HOUSE SCRACHING
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|  | Large 20x24 Dog/Cat Paw Print Deep Pet Bed:Pet Supplies
$12.44 |
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 | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY SPRAY 1-75ML BOTTLE
$24.99 |
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|  | (18) PURINA FRISKIES BRAND DRY CAT FOOD COUPONS $1.50/2
$0.99 |
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 | CAT GRASS SEEDS - A MIX CATS LOVE - FREE SHIPPING
$3.00 |
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|  | Cat Toy One Fur Roller Mice w/ bell pet toy Brand new
$0.79 |
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