Abstract: A specific type of organ health marker in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker. The specific type of organ health marker can be one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Abstract: Bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3.

Abstract: Bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3.

Abstract: White blood cells and/or neutrophils in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the white blood cells and/or neutrophils or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the white blood cells and/or neutrophils.

Abstract: Cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, or low-density lipoproteins or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, or low-density lipoproteins.

Abstract: The invention provides composition and methods for improving hydration and water intake in an animal. In one embodiment, a hydration composition can comprise water and a hydration additive, where the hydration additive consists essentially of a sugar alcohol and a protein, where the sugar alcohol includes glycerol and the protein includes whey. Additionally, a method of improving hydration and water intake in an animal can comprise administering the hydration composition with water to the animal.

Abstract: A specific bacterium in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium or to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium. The specific type of bacterium can be one or more of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, or Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.

Abstract: A specific bacterium in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium or to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium. The specific type of bacterium can be one or more of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, or Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.

Abstract: A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.

Abstract: White blood cells and/or neutrophils in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the white blood cells and/or neutrophils or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the white blood cells and/or neutrophils.

Abstract: A specific type of organ health marker in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker. The specific type of organ health marker can be one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Abstract: A specific bacterium in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium or to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of bacterium. The specific type of bacterium can be one or more of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, or Clostridium perfringens.

Abstract: Bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the bone mineral content, 25(OH) vitamin D3, or 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3.

Abstract: A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.

Abstract: The invention provides composition and methods for improving hydration and water intake in an animal. In one embodiment, a hydration composition can comprise water and a hydration additive, where the hydration additive consists essentially of a sugar alcohol and a protein, where the sugar alcohol includes glycerol and the protein includes whey. Additionally, a method of improving hydration and water intake in an animal can comprise administering the hydration composition with water to the animal.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for improving canine exercise performance. The compositions are pre-exercise supplements that generally comprise (a) about 35% to about 60% protein or amino acids, comprising one or more structural proteins, one or more bioavailable proteins and one or more branched chain amino acids; (b) about 20% to about 38% fat, comprising at least one source of medium chain triglycerides; and (c) about 5% to about 25% carbohydrate. The methods involve administering the supplement to the animal within about 30-60 minutes before the beginning of the exercise session. The supplements can be administered in conjunction with one or more other exercise performance-enhancing or recovery agents.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for improving canine exercise performance. The compositions are pre-exercise supplements that generally comprise (a) about 35% to about 60% protein or amino acids, comprising one or more structural proteins, one or more bioavailable proteins and one or more branched chain amino acids; (b) about 20% to about 38% fat, comprising at least one source of medium chain triglycerides; and (c) about 5% to about 25% carbohydrate. The methods involve administering the supplement to the animal within about 30-60 minutes before the beginning of the exercise session. The supplements can be administered in conjunction with one or more other exercise performance-enhancing or recovery agents.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for improving canine exercise performance. The compositions are pre-exercise supplements that generally comprise (a) about 35% to about 60% protein or amino acids, comprising one or more structural proteins, one or more bioavailable proteins and one or more branched chain amino acids; (b) about 20% to about 38% fat, comprising at least one source of medium chain triglycerides; and (c) about 5% to about 25% carbohydrate. The methods involve administering the supplement to the animal within about 30-60 minutes before the beginning of the exercise session. The supplements can be administered in conjunction with one or more other exercise performance-enhancing or recovery agents.