Abstract: The invention provides dry pet food diet compositions that include visible micronutrient particles comprising micronutrients, and improved methods for their preparation. The methods provide pet food diet compositions that have improved palatability and retention of micronutrients.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising crude protein, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber consisting of insoluble fiber and soluble fiber is designed to shift the intestinal tryptophan metabolism of the companion animal from kynurenine pathway to indole pathway to produce indole derivatives. Methods of making and using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pet food compositions for treating or preventing—inter alia—struvite urolithiasis comprising at N least one of caprylic acid and capric acid; and at least one of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for treating anxiety or stress in an animal, for reducing elevated levels of 4-EPS in an animal with elevated 4-EPS levels, for preventing elevated levels of 4-EPS in an animal and for promoting growth of beneficial microbes in an animal's microbiome and inhibiting growth of non-beneficial microbes. The methods comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of soy protein and vitamin C. Compositions are disclosed which comprise amounts of soy protein and vitamin C effective for use in the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new food compositions, particularly pet food compositions, which are resistant to microbial contamination, and methods for making the same. The compositions comprise an ingredient in an effective amount to impart antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising: a beta glucan; and a pentacyclic triterpene; wherein the weight ratio of the beta glucan to the pentacyclic triterpene, is about 1:1. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are kits for assessing the calcium oxalate titration test of an animal as well as methods for predicting the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. Further described herein are methods and compositions for—inter alia—lowering the specific gravity of urine and lowering the calcium oxalate titration test in felines. In particular, diets and methods utilizing certain amounts and ratios of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and/or method of identifying an activity of an animal. The activity may include the animal drinking, eating, urination, or defecating. Motion data of a first animal may be received, for example, via a sensor. Predetermined signatures of one or more second animals may be received. The predetermined signatures of the one or more second animals may be associated with one or more activities of the one or more second animals. A signature of an activity of the first animal may be determined based on the motion data of the first animal. Based on the signature of the activity of the first animal and the predetermined signatures of the second animal, the activity of the first animal may be identified. The identified activity of the first animal may be displayed via a display device.

Abstract: A food composition for managing non-food allergies in companion animals is disclosed, along with a method of managing non-food allergies.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and/or method of determining a condition of an animal is provided. Movement data of the animal for a predetermined time period may be received. The movement data may include at least one of an acceleration and/or velocity of the animal, a distance traveled by the animal, a location of the animal, and/or steps taken by the animal. A gait of the animal may be determined for the predetermined time period based on the movement data of the animal. A duration and/or a frequency of the gait of the animal may be determined. An activity level of the animal for the predetermined time period may be determined based on at least one of the duration or the frequency of the gait of the animal. The activity level of the animal may be caused to be displayed via a display device.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising a Camellia extract obtained from the tissue of a tea which is greater than about 40% oxidized; and a fiber component, wherein the Camellia extract and the fiber component are present in an amount effective to provide, after about 24 hours post-ingestion, a fecal hydrogen sulfide concentration of less than 450 mg/L, and a colonic lumen pH of less than 5.0. Methods of making and using these pet food compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions that enhances the palatability of pet foods designed for companion animals, e.g. dogs and cats, with renal insufficiency, and for methods of their manufacture.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and/or method of determining a caloric requirement of an animal may be provided. In an aspect, animal characteristic data comprising a breed of an animal or a condition of the animal may be received. Durational parameters of the animal for a first predetermined time duration may be received. The durational parameters may include at least one of an activity level of the animal, a weight of the animal, or an amount of calories consumed by the animal during the first predetermined time period. A caloric requirement of the animal during a second predetermined time period may be determined. The caloric requirement of the animal may be based on the animal characteristic data of the animal and/or the durational parameters of the animal during the first predetermined time period. The caloric requirement of the animal during the second predetermined time period may be displayed via a display device.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and/or method of may determine a caloric requirement of an animal. Animal characteristic data including a weight, body type, or breed of the animal may be received. Movement data of the animal may be received (e.g., received via a sensor) for a first predetermined time period. The movement data may include a speed of the animal, a distance traveled by the animal, a location of the animal, and/or steps taken by the animal. An activity level of the animal during the first predefined time period may be determined based on the movement data of the animal. A caloric requirement of the animal during a second predetermined time period may be determined. The caloric requirement of the animal may be based on the activity level of the animal and/or the animal characteristic data of the animal. The caloric requirement of the animal may be displayed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for—inter alia—lowering the specific gravity of urine and lowering the calcium oxalate risk index of in felines. In particular, diets and methods utilizing certain amounts and ratios of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions for enhancing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and increasing levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidized form, the food composition including a protein, a carbohydrate, and a dietary fiber that includes insoluble fiber and soluble fiber in a weight ratio ranging from about 8:1 to about 14:1, whereby the dietary fiber is present in an amount ranging from about 2 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the food composition.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions for reducing circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in companion animals Methods of treatment and reduction of reducing circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines are also described. The pet food compositions may comprise more than 0.1 w % of polyunsaturated fatty acids having 20 or more carbons and a botanical as well as a nutritionally complete carrier. A dietary composition comprising epigallocatechin-3-gallate and more than 0.10 w % of arachidonic acid is also claimed.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing a biological sample obtained from the feline subject for the presence of two copies of major allele G of SNP A1_212891692 and/or to the concentration of betaine and/or 2-oxoarginine in the sample are disclosed. The methods are used in methods to identify a feline subject that would benefit from a treatment that reduces risk of calcium oxalate stone formation and in methods of treating a feline subject to reduce risk of calcium oxalate stone formation The treatment on comprises administering to the feline subject a composition that comprises an effective amount of one or more of ingredients selected from the group consisting of betaine, green tea, fenugreek and tulsi. Feline food composition that comprise effective amounts of betaine, green tea, fenugreek and tulsi are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of diagnosis, control and prophylaxis of inflammation and mitigation of inflammatory conditions, particularly arthritis and joint pain, in canines, comprising measuring inflammatory biomarkers wherein elevated levels of the biomarkers in blood correlates to reduced inflammation and reduced levels in blood correlates to increase level in the tissues. The invention further provides a method to treat or control inflammation comprising administering a diet comprising increased levels of one or more of DHA, EPA, vitamin C, vitamin E, and/or L-carnitine.

Abstract: Pet food compositions and methods for treating, inhibiting, reducing the severity of, or preventing diarrhea or constipation, improving stool characteristics, improving stooling behavior, and/or improving quality of life in a companion animal are disclosed. The pet food compositions may include psyllium or a derivative thereof, a polyphenol source, a high solubility fiber source, and a low solubility fiber source. The method may include administering an effective amount of the pet food composition to the companion animal in need thereof.