Abstract: An interactive feeding device and method for animals. The device (10) includes an actuator (12) activatable by an animal, a container (18), a chute (20), a motor (14), a delivery mechanism (16) driven by the motor (14) to control passage of food from the food container (18) to the chute (20), and a controller device to operate the motor (14) subsequently to the actuator (12). The food delivery mechanism (16) preferably includes an upper (42) and lower (46) plates having upper and lower openings centered about the chute axis (48), and a disc (50) having an aperture (56) and being pivotally mounted between the plates. The aperture (56) of the disc (50) controls the passage of food from the container (18) to the chute (20) upon pivoting of the disc (50). The method includes the steps of receiving a request from an animal, providing a value of a parameter concerning the animal, retrieving a profile based on the value; and generating a command to the delivery mechanism using the profile.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for incorporating one or more compositions, each containing at least one active ingredient, into a preformed water-soluble pharmaceutical carrier device. Sustained delivery devices and methods of using such devices are also provided.