Abstract: The combination of a substantially gas impermeable container and a dry pet food of high soluble fiber content that has a water activity within the range of 0.5 to 0.8. The result is long lasting, highly nutritious dog food that can be substantially free of added preservatives, antimycotics, and other unnatural chemicals.

Abstract: The combination of a substantially gas impermeable container and a dry pet food of high soluble fiber content that has a water activity within the range of 0.5 to 0.8. The result is long lasting, highly nutritious dog food that can be substantially free of added preservatives, antimycotics, and other unnatural chemicals.

Abstract: A dog food composition containing a small but sufficient amount of simmondsin component to provide simmondsin within the range of 0.1% by weight of said dog food dry matter mix to about 1.5% by weight of said dog food dry matter mix. Also disclosed as part of the invention is a method of weight reduction of companion pets by adding to pet food the above-defined range of simmondsin, contributed by simmondsin, simmondsin analogues or mixtures thereof, such as derived from defatted jojoba seed meal, and thereafter feeding the pet food to a companion pet on a regular and sustained basis to achieve weight reduction then weight maintenance.