Abstract: A freeze-dried pet food meal bar that is 100% nutritionally complete consisting of more than 30% crude protein, 35% crude fat, less than 20% carbohydrate and less than 10% moisture. The product will consist primarily of animal protein. Vitamins and mineral will be supplied via fruits and vegetables. Since the product is freeze dried the product will be semi-fractural and can be broken into smaller pieces for feeding. Each bar will be approximately 5 to 6 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide, approximately ½ inches thick and weigh 2 to 3 ounces. A single bar will be targeted to feed a 40 pound dog. Dogs below 40 pounds would feed less than one bar (ex. 20 pound dog gets ½ bar). Dogs above 40 pounds would feed more than one bar (ex. 80 pound dog gets 2 bars).

Abstract: A freeze-dried pet food meal bar that is 100% nutritionally complete consisting of more than 30% crude protein, 35% crude fat, less than 20% carbohydrate and less than 10% moisture. The product will consist primarily of animal protein. Vitamins and mineral will be supplied via fruits and vegetables. Since the product is freeze dried the product will be semi-fractural and can be broken into smaller pieces for feeding. Each bar will be approximately 5 to 6 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide, approximately ½ inches thick and weigh 2 to 3 ounces. A single bar will be targeted to feed a 40 pound dog. Dogs below 40 pounds would feed less than one bar (ex. 20 pound dog gets ½ bar). Dogs above 40 pounds would feed more than one bar (ex. 80 pound dog gets 2 bars).

Abstract: A freeze-dried pet food meal bar that is 100% nutritionally complete consisting of more than 30% crude protein, 35% crude fat, less than 20% carbohydrate and less than 10% moisture. The product will consist primarily of animal protein. Vitamins and mineral will be supplied via fruits and vegetables. Since the product is freeze dried the product will be semi-fractural and can be broken into smaller pieces for feeding. Each bar will be approximately 5 to 6 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide, approximately ½ inches think and weigh 2 to 3 ounces. A single bar will be targeted to feed a 40 pound dog. Dogs below 40 pounds would feed less than one bar (ex. 20 pound dog gets ½ bar). Dogs above 40 pounds would feed more than one bar (ex. 80 pound dog gets 2 bars).

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the quality of life of a senior or super senior animals by feeding the animal a composition comprising at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and various combinations of amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants in amounts effective to enhance alertness, improve vitality, protect cartilage, maintain muscle mass, enhance digestibility, and improve skin and pelage quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pet food composition having amino acids in an amount at least 7% by weight of the formulation and less than about 1% phosphorous by weight of the formulation.

Abstract: Zeolite is added to animal food compositions in amounts sufficient to enhance palatability, preferably in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 4% by weight of the composition. The compositions containing zeolite are ingested more frequently and at a higher rate by animals, particularly finicky animals or older animals that tend not to eat enough food to maintain their health.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the quality of life of a senior or super senior animals by feeding the animal a composition comprising at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and various combinations of amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants in amounts effective to enhance alertness, improve vitality, protect cartilage, maintain muscle mass, enhance digestibility, and improve skin and pelage quality.

Abstract: Methods for (1) evaluating feline kidney function by determining ghrelin level in feline tissue or biofluid and correlating the ghrelin level directly to kidney function and (2) diagnosing kidney disease in a feline comprises determining an observed ghrelin level in a tissue or biofluid of the feline and comparing the observed ghrelin level to a reference ghrelin level indicative of normal kidney function, wherein an observed level lower than the reference level is indicative of kidney disease or susceptibility thereto.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving animal skin health and/or pelage quality that utilize one or more omega-6 fatty acids and one or more omega-3 fatty acids at a total omega-6 to total omega-3 fatty acid ratio of from about 1 to less than 5.

Abstract: Methods for altering and therefore improving stool quality and/or stool frequency for an animal by adjusting the balance of metabolizable cations to metabolizable anions consumed by the animal.

Abstract: This invention provides diets useful for promoting fat loss in animals having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 6 to about 10 g/Mcal. This invention also provides compositions for promoting fat loss in animals, methods for preparing the compositions, methods for using the diets and compositions, articles of manufacture comprising the diets and compositions, and means for communicating information or instructions about such diets, compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for altering average food intake by an animal by adjusting the balance of metabolizable cations to metabolizable anions consumed by the animal by an amount effective to alter average food intake. The invention also provides articles of manufacture for use with the methods and means for communicating information about the methods and the articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for deriving a wellness related index for a composition for consumption by an animal by (a) evaluating an effect of the composition, relative to the effect of one or more comparative compositions, on each of a plurality of parameters indicative of the health or wellness of the animal; (b) expressing the relative effect of the composition on each parameter as a numerical score; and (c) computing the wellness related index using an algorithm that takes into account the numerical scores of the composition for the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A method for providing nutrition for an animal by identifying a genome-based breed cluster to which the animal belongs and selecting a food for the animal having a nutritional formula matched at least in part to the nutritional needs of animals in the breed cluster. Optionally, the method further comprises preparing a food by compounding ingredients providing bioactive dietary components in amounts and ratios consistent with the nutritional formula.