Abstract: Compositions and methods useful to enhance the development of the immune system of a growing animal are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for inhibiting histamine release pathways in a companion animal, for example, felines and in treating or preventing idiopathic cystitis or interstitial cystitis. The compositions and methods of the invention include an amount of lipoic acid that is effective in inhibiting histamine release pathways in a companion animal, for example, felines and in treating or preventing idiopathic cystitis or interstitial cystitis.

Abstract: A mouth-cleaning device (100) for a pet. The device includes a base (110) and a side wall (120) extending from the base. The base and the side wall at least partially define an internal volume configured to receive a product. A plurality of protrusions (112, 122) extends from the base or the side wall, or both. The protrusions are configured to engage an oral tissue of a pet.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a packaged product (100) and ensuring that the packaged product (100) is adequately filled. In one aspect, the method includes forming a product (101); introducing the product (101) into a package (103), thereby forming a packaged product (100); obtaining an x-ray image (201) of the packaged product (100); analyzing the x-ray image (201) utilizing a processor (118) to identify whether bounded contours (200) exist in the x-ray image (201) for each of the bounded contours (200), the processor (118) determining whether the bounded contour (200) is a threshold defect based at least in part on bounded area (208) of the bounded contour (200) for each of the threshold defects, the processor (118) classifying the threshold defect as one of a plurality of pre-determined defect types; and determining a source of at least one of the threshold defects in the packaged product (100) based at least in part on the classification of the at least one of the threshold defects.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an animal food product for promoting dental efficacy including a hydrolyzed protein including one or more amino groups, and a high amylopectin content starch including one or more reducing sugars; wherein the one or more amino groups in the hydrolyzed protein are covalently bonded to the one or more reducing sugars in the high amylopectin content starch. Methods of preparing the animal food product and using the animal food product to promote dental efficacy, such as teeth-cleaning efficacy in an animal are also provided.

Abstract: The current invention relates to animal food kibbles having a primarily disc shape and including botanicals such as curcumin. The current invention also relates to methods to reduce oral inflammation in an animal by feeding the animal with the food kibbles. The disc-shaped food kibbles induce a reduction of oral inflammation in the animal compared to control food kibbles having a different shape.

Abstract: The current invention relates to methods of reducing hyperthyroidism in an animal by feeding the animal with a diet including vitamin K. The vitamin K is in an amount effective to reduce factors such as creatinine, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The current invention also relates to pet food composition that include effective amount of vitamin K to reduce the circulating levels of creatinine, T3 and TSH. In addition, the methods of making such a food composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention encompasses pet food composition that delivers a slow, sustained-release amount of lipoic acid or a salt thereof when fed orally to a companion animal. The invention also encompasses methods of manufacture and use of the compositions.

Abstract: The invention encompasses pet food compositions for a companion animal that include ginger and methods for enhancing the quality of life of an animal by administering such pet food compositions in the diet of the animal.

Abstract: The disclosure includes methods of identifying a dog at risk of developing a an autoimmune disease or condition, for example a hypothyroid disease or condition, comprising testing whether the dog exhibits one or more selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), together with diagnostic kits for carrying out such methods, methods of treatment or prophylaxis of such autoimmune disease or condition, e.g., comprising administering an effective amount of tea extract to a dog in need thereof, and a canine diet or supplement comprising tea extract, useful for treatment of prophylaxis of such autoimmune disease or condition, or for maintenance of thyroid health in a dog.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods for improving the quality of the hair of a non-human animal and for increasing the 18-methyleicosanoic acid content of the hair of a non-human animal comprising feeding to the animal an edible composition comprising an effective amount of an amino acid selected from the group comprising isoleucine, threonine, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Compositions comprising docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and optionally one or more fatty acids selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (ARA), linoleic acid (LA), and ?-linoleic acid (ALA) are administered to felines for preventing or treating feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for enhancing the ability of a companion animal resist and/or overcome viral infections. The methods of the invention include an amount of lipoic acid that is effective in enhancing the antiviral immunity of a companion animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of abnormal conditions in a subject, wherein the abnormal condition affects the musculoskeletal joints of the subject.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising a balance between lysine and essential amino acids and metabolizable energy. The compositions are useful in methods to prevent or treat obesity in an animal without concomitant loss of lean muscle mass. The compositions may also be used in methods to preserve or to cause a gain in lean muscle mass in an animal in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention encompasses pet food compositions and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or disorders in companion animals, for example, for the treatment or obesity, including administering a pet food composition including pyruvic acid or a salt thereof to a companion animal, or lipoic acid or salt thereof and pyruvic acid or a salt thereof to a companion animal. The invention encompasses pet food compositions and methods for managing weight including administering a pet food composition including pyruvic acid or a salt thereof, or lipoic acid or a salt thereof and pyruvic acid or a salt thereof to a companion animal to a companion animal.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods for improving the quality of the hair of a non-human animal and for increasing the 18-methyleicosanoic acid content of the hair of a non-human animal comprising feeding to the animal an edible composition comprising an effective amount of an amino acid selected from the group comprising isoleucine, threonine, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An isolated DNA molecule comprising a fragment of the gene encoding the feline NIS is disclosed as well as methods of use thereof. Also provided are methods for rational diet design of food composition suitable for administration to feline companion animals afflicted with hyperthyroidism, comprising (a) accessing at least one database that comprises a first data set relating functional gene profile of a biofluid or tissue sample from an animal to physiological condition of the animal, where the functional gene profile is that of the feline NIS gene; (b) accessing at least one database that comprises a second data set relating effects of bioactive dietary components on the functional gene profile; (c) using an algorithm drawing on these data sets, processing input data defining physiological condition to derive a nutritional formula promoting wellness of a feline companion animal afflicted with hyperthyroidism; and (d) preparing a food composition based on the nutritional formula.