| 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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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A5201
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|  | 6 Colors adjust Nylon cat collars wt bell!
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|  | 16 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FOR ALL SIZE CATS USA EPA 6 12
$34.50 |
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 | ORANGE CONFETTI Cat Collar Collars
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|  | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A7401
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 | PACK N' PAWS CLASSY LASSIE CORDUROY PET CARRIER $70
$49.99 |
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|  | Staywell 590US Transormer for 500 Infra-Red Cat Door
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 | Petsafe 4-0110-11 Classic Door Replacement Flap Small
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|  | Staywell 740US Staywell White Plastic Pet Door Medium
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 80C
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|  | Lucky Litter Scoop Free Automatic Litter Box
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 | Staywell 919US Standard Cat Door Flap without Tunnel
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|  | 72" Cat Tree House Scratcher Post Furniture F2041-Blue
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 | 10 MONTH ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 POUNDS USA EPA 6 12
$35.50 |
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|  | HAPPY SKULLS Cat Collar Collars
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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|  | Saltwater Aquarium Video DVD - Relaxation Great 4 cats
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 | 16 Month Frontline Plus For All Size Cats USA EPA 6 12
$34.95 |
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|  | Staywell 715US Staywell White Plastic Pet Door Small
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 | WOW!! EPA!! 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS kit CATS/KITTENS
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|  | TERRIFIC FRESH PET AREA DEODORIZER/AIR PURIFIER - NIB
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 | PetSafe Cat Fence Receiver
$99.95 |
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 | BARGAIN!! 16 month FRONTLINE PLUS KIT CATS/KITTENS EPA!
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| Warm & Cozy 4-Way Machine Washable Pet Bed (Cats/Dogs)
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 | 5 Head Laser Pointer With Spare Batteries
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 | 10 Month Advantage For Cats 0 - 9 Pounds USA EPA 4 6 12
$18.50 |
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|  | 67" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-15
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|  | BARGAIN! 8 MONTHS FRONTLINE PLUS CATS/KITTENS KIT
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 | 45" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F04
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|  | K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Kitty Bed w/ FREE cover
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 | Mylar Balls 4 Pack
$2.10 |
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|  | Staywell 480US Key Pack Magnetic 400 Series
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 | Colorful Springs Thin 10 Pack
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|  | 8 MONTHS FRONTLINE PLUS KIT CATS/KITTENS -GREAT BUY!
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 | 42" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-07
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|  | NWT - PET CARRIER FOR CAT OR DOG -W@W
$9.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #A6202
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|  | 10 MONTH ADVANTAGE FOR CATS UP TO 9 POUNDS USA EPA 6 12
$17.99 |
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 | 5 Month Advantage for Cats over 9 Pounds USA EPA 4 6 12
$18.50 |
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|  | Staywell 917US Standard Cat Door Flap with Tunnel
$27.89 |
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 | Staywell 400US Magnetic Cat Locking Door Flap White
$45.89 |
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|  | New First Aid Kit for Cats or Dogs Plus 1st Aid Book
$2.99 |
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 | Armarkat Cat Tree Pet Furniture Condo Scratcher #B7701
$0.99 |
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|  | 42 Head Super Powered Laser Pointer Key Chain ! NIB !
$2.25 |
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 | Staywell 980US 2 Pack Extra Collar Keys for 932US
$14.89 |
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|  | 8 MONTH DOSE FRONTLINE PLUS KIT CATS/KITTENS
$18.50 |
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 | Cat Collar -Bright Kitties on Black
$5.75 |
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|  | Iams Cat Food $4 off any size bag 2 Coupons - RESCUE
$0.99 |
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 | Cat Tree House Furniture Condo Scratcher Bed Toys 62C
$9.99 |
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|  | 65" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-14
$99.99 |
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 | Staywell 500US Infra-Red Locking Cat Sm Dog Door Flap
$86.89 |
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|  | PIGS PRINT Cat Collar Collars
$5.99 |
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 | Catnip Bubbles 8 Oz Blow Bubbles For Your Cat
$2.52 |
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|  | CAT LOT 20 TOYS, REMOTE Ctrl MOUSE, GREENIES, Scratcher
$19.07 |
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 | Staywell 932US 4-Way Magnetic Locking Cat Door Flap
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|  | ONE OZ 100% NATURAL ORGANIC CAT NIP
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 73B
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|  | DISCOUNT 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$36.00 |
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 | 10 Month Advantage For Cats over 9 Pounds USA EPA 6 12
$35.95 |
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|  | DEAL!--16 MONTH KIT FRONTLINE PLUS cats/kittens
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 | 20" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-12
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|  | Staywell 300US Cat 4-Way Locking Door Flap White
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 | Pamper Your Cat Kitten FelineTreats Recipes eBook on CD
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|  | Staywell 270US Big Cat 4-Way Locking Door Flap White
$26.89 |
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 | Kittywalk Deck &Patio Pet Cat Enclosure Portable System
$49.99 |
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|  | Cat Litter Box Cover Or Pet Hideaway Wicker Rattan 1805
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 78B
$24.99 |
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|  | Christmas Kitties Quilted Christmas Stocking
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 | Staywell 500 580US Infra-Red Cat Door Collar Key Blue
$25.89 |
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|  | Contech CatStop Ultrasonic Outdoor Cat Deterrent
$40.00 |
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 | Kitty cat condo condos tree house bed toy furniture 66B
$15.99 |
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|  | CAT Frontline Plus for Cats (6 month) ~NOTa KIT
$16.75 |
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 | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for dogs 21-55lbs
$41.00 |
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|  | 20 Month Advantage For Cats up to 9 Pounds USA EPA 6 12
$35.95 |
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 | 57" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-04
$59.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$19.00 |
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 | 8 Month Frontline Plus For All Size Cats USA EPA 3 6 12
$17.75 |
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|  | 16 months FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CATS/KITTENS epa!
$35.50 |
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 | 20 MONTH ADVANTAGE CATS UP TO 9 POUNDS USA EPA 4 6 12
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|  | 48" Cat Tree House Toy Bed Scratcher Post Furniture F43
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 | Catit Cat Puppy Waterer Fountain + Food Dish
$32.99 |
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|  | Petmate Hybrid Black Stainless Cat Dog Water Fountain
$29.99 |
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 | 5 MONTH ADVANTAGE FOR CATS OVER 9 POUNDS USA EPA 4 6 12
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|  | RING SLING PUPPY POUCH PET CARRIER CATS & DOGS $10.99
$10.99 |
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 | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for cats 9lbs and up
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|  | Omega Paw Self Cleaning Kitty Cat Litter Box - Reg /mat
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 | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FOR ALL SIZE CATS USA EPA 6 8 12
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|  | L@@K**ADVANTAGE flea control for dogs 55lbs and up.
$42.00 |
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 | Cat Toy Pet Shop Store Supplies - 50 Peacock Feathers
$24.99 |
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|  | Petsafe Indoor Wireless Deluxe Cat Fence Boundary
$138.99 |
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