Abstract: The invention provides (1) methods for modulating gene expression in senescent mammals by administering antioxidant-comprising compositions to the mammals and (2) antioxidant-comprising compositions that modulate gene expression and/or reduce the oxidative stress of such mammals.

Abstract: A method for influencing behavior in young, adult or aged pet animals which comprises systemically administering a behavior influencing quantity of an omega-3 fatty acid or mixture of omega-3 fatty acids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful to enhance neurologic development of a growing animal are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful to enhance the development of the immune system of a growing animal are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing lean muscle mass and/or reducing fat gain in growing animals by feeding the animals a composition having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 2.5 to about 6 g/Mcal and comprising (a) arginine in a total arginine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.1 to about 1.6; (b) isoleucine in a total isoleucine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.3; (c) leucine in a total leucine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.8 to about 3.0; (d) valine in a total valine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.4; and (e) methionine and cystine in a total methionine plus cystine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.7.

Abstract: A method for influencing behavior in young, adult or aged pet animals which comprises systemically administering a behavior influencing quantity of an omega-3 fatty acid or mixture of omega-3 fatty acids.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function comprising at least two ingredients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors in amounts sufficient for preventing or treating kidney disease or for improving kidney function and methods for preventing and treating kidney disease or improving kidney function comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease or impaired kidney function. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function, particularly in senior animals.

Abstract: A method for influencing behavior in young, adult or aged pet animals which comprises systemically administering a behavior influencing quantity of an omega-3 fatty acid or mixture of omega-3 fatty acids.

Abstract: A method for increasing the longevity of an old animal comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising one or more antioxidants in a total antioxidant amount sufficient to increase the longevity of the animal.

Abstract: A method for increasing the longevity of an old animal comprising administering to the animal a composition comprising one or more antioxidants in a total antioxidant amount sufficient to increase the longevity of the animal.

Abstract: A food composition comprises an antioxidant component comprising at least one of alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine, said composition meeting ordinary nutritional requirements for an adult canine or feline.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function comprising at least two ingredients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors in amounts sufficient for preventing or treating kidney disease or for improving kidney function and methods for preventing and treating kidney disease or improving kidney functions comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease or impaired kidney function. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function, particularly in senior animals.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function comprising at least two ingredients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors in amounts sufficient for preventing or treating kidney disease or for improving kidney function and methods for preventing and treating kidney disease or improving kidney function comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease or impaired kidney function. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function, particularly in senior animals.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting a decline in learning and/or memory in an animal comprising maintaining the animal on an antioxidant-fortified diet for a period of at least about 3 years. The diet comprises at least one antioxidant in a total antioxidant amount effective to achieve such inhibition. Suitable antioxidants include vitamin E, vitamin C, ?-lipoic acid and antioxidant-containing plant meals. The methods are particularly useful for young adult canines such as dogs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing the quality of life of a growing animal by feeding the animal a quality of life enhancing amount of a composition comprising about 10% by weight protein, about 4% by weight fat, and about 0.05% by weight of at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Enhanced quality of life is shown by an improvement in one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of trainability, cognitive function, motor skills coordination or agility, retinal development, cartilage protection, maintenance of muscle mass, and skin and pelage quality.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function comprising at least two ingredients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors in amounts sufficient for preventing or treating kidney disease or for improving kidney function and methods for preventing and treating kidney disease or improving kidney function comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease or impaired kidney function. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function, particularly in senior animals.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function comprising at least two ingredients selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors in amounts sufficient for preventing or treating kidney disease or for improving kidney function and methods for preventing and treating kidney disease or improving kidney function comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease or impaired kidney function. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating kidney disease and improving kidney function, particularly in senior animals.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing lean muscle mass and/or reducing fat gain in growing animals by feeding the animals a composition having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 2.5 to about 6 g/Mcal and comprising (a) arginine in a total arginine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.1 to about 1.6; (b) isoleucine in a total isoleucine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.3; (c) leucine in a total leucine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.8 to about 3.0; (d) valine in a total valine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.4; and (e) methionine and cystine in a total methionine plus cystine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.7.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing lean muscle mass and/or reducing fat gain in growing animals by feeding the animals a composition having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 2.5 to about 6 g/Mcal and comprising (a) arginine in a total arginine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.1 to about 1.6; (b) isoleucine in a total isoleucine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.3; (c) leucine in a total leucine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.8 to about 3.0; (d) valine in a total valine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.4; and (e) methionine and cystine in a total methionine plus cystine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.7.

Abstract: A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements for an aged pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of antioxidant or mixture thereof, to inhibit the deterioration of the mental capacity of an aged companion pet.