Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of 3-methylhistidine before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in decreasing the levels of 3-methydlhistidine post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The pet foodstuff described is fed to a companion animal for use in reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia. The present invention also relates to methods of feeding the pet foodstuff described and/or dietary regimes to provide the companion animal with the benefit of reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of endogenous margaric acid before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in increasing the endogenous levels of margaric acid post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The invention also relates to methods of determining levels of lipid metabolites, such as palmitic acid, diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglycerols (TAGs) and ceramides before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in controlling, regulating and stabilizing lipid metabolites post-prandially to prevent and/or reduce lipotoxicity in the companion animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of 3-methylhistidine before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in decreasing the levels of 3-methydlhistidine post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The pet foodstuff described is fed to a companion animal for use in reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia. The present invention also relates to methods of feeding the pet foodstuff described and/or dietary regimes to provide the companion animal with the benefit of reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising feeding a cat a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis, and measuring the level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in a blood sample from the cat before and after feeding the foodstuff. A reduction in GIP levels and/or maintaining low levels of GIP post-prandially is indicative of a foodstuff useful in preventing accumulation of and/or reducing body fat in a cat and therefore controlling the body weight of a cat.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising feeding a cat a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis, and measuring the level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in a blood sample from the cat before and after feeding the foodstuff. A reduction in GIP levels and/or maintaining low levels of GIP post-prandially is indicative of a foodstuff useful in preventing accumulation of and/or reducing body fat in a cat and therefore controlling the body weight of a cat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dietary regime comprising a first stage pet foodstuff and a second stage pet foodstuff, wherein the first stage pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein:fat of 1:0.67 to 1:0.80 on a gram:gram or a dry matter basis and the second stage pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein:fat of 1:0.77 to 1:1.1 on a gram:gram or a dry matter basis for feeding a companion animal, wherein the first stage pet foodstuff is for feeding to a companion animal aged less than 6 months and the second stage pet. The present invention also relates to the use of the foodstuffs in combination to provide health benefits to the companion animal. The present invention also relates to the method of feeding the pet foodstuffs described and/or dietary regimes described to optimise the growth and development of the companion animal and kits comprising the first stage and second stage pet foodstuffs described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of 3-methylhistidine before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in decreasing the levels of 3-methylhistidine post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The pet foodstuff described is fed to a companion animal for use in reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia. The present invention also relates to methods of feeding the pet foodstuff described and/or dietary regimes to provide the companion animal with the benefit of reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of endogenous margaric acid before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in increasing the endogenous levels of margaric acid post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The invention also relates to methods of determining levels of lipid metabolites, such as palmitic acid, diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglycerols (TAGs) and ceramides before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in controlling, regulating and stabilizing lipid metabolites post-prandially to prevent and/or reduce lipotoxicity in the companion animal.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising feeding a cat a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis, and measuring the level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in a blood sample from the cat before and after feeding the foodstuff. A reduction in GIP levels and/or maintaining low levels of GIP post-prandially is indicative of a foodstuff useful in preventing accumulation of and/or reducing body fat in a cat and therefore controlling the body weight of a cat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nutritionally complete pet food product comprising at least two compositions for use in a method of reducing calorie intake in a companion animal, wherein the compositions differ in their level of fat, protein or carbohydrate on an energy ratio basis by 6% to 50% and wherein the compositions are consumed on consecutive days, each composition being consumed on a different day. The invention also relates to such a food product in the prevention of weight gain after surgical procedures to neuter a companion animal, and also to the food product in a weight loss regime. It also relates to a method of reducing calorie intake in a companion animal, comprising feeding the companion animal the pet food product of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nutritionally complete pet food product comprising at least two compositions for use in a method of reducing calorie intake in a companion animal, wherein the compositions differ in their level of fat, protein or carbohydrate on an energy ratio basis by 6% to 50% and wherein the compositions are consumed on consecutive days, each composition being consumed on a different day. The invention also relates to such a food product in the prevention of weight gain after surgical procedures to neuter a companion animal, and also to the food product in a weight loss regime. It also relates to a method of reducing calorie intake in a companion animal, comprising feeding the companion animal the pet food product of the invention.