Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of age related conditions in animals, particularly in companion animals, in need thereof. The methods for treating or preventing an age-related condition in an animal in need thereof, comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one of a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a vegetable source, a fruit source, or a combination of two or more thereof. In this method, the protein source is selected from the group consisting of chicken, egg protein, corn gluten meal, and combinations thereof; the carbohydrate source is selected from the group consisting of millet, brewers rice, oat groats, and combinations thereof, the vegetable source is selected from the group consisting of carrots, spinach, tomato pomace, and combinations thereof, wherein the fruit source is citrus pulp.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of age related conditions in animals, particularly in non human companion animals, in need thereof. The methods for treating or preventing an age-related condition in an animal in need thereof, comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one of a protein source, a carbohydrate source, and a vegetable source, or a combination of two or more thereof. In this method, the protein source is selected from the group consisting of chicken, pea protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, and combinations thereof; the carbohydrate source is selected from the group consisting of brown rice, oat groats, and combinations thereof, and the vegetable source is selected from the group consisting of beet pulp, tomato pomace, broccoli powder and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease comprising one or more food ingredients containing relatively low amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium, typically protein in amounts of from about 5% to about 40%, sodium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and potassium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and methods comprising administering such compositions to patients susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease for the purpose of preventing or treating kidney disease.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating or preventing kidney disease in a companion animal, wherein the compositions and methods include feeding the companion animal an edible composition including at least one pyruvate or salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides food compositions and methods for companion animals that are effective in preventing or treating obesity.

Abstract: Compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease comprising one or more food ingredients containing relatively low amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium, typically protein in amounts of from about 5% to about 40%, sodium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and potassium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and methods comprising administering such compositions to patients susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease for the purpose of preventing or treating kidney disease.

Abstract: Compositions (including pharmaceutical compositions, foods, supplements, toys and treats) comprising a microbial exopolysaccharide are provided as well as methods for preventing or reducing diarrhea in a mammal wherein the method comprises administering a therapeutically amount of a microbial exopolysaccharide to a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing the existence or risk of hyperthyroidism in a feline comprising measuring the level of expression of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of e.g., IYD, TG, SLC5A5, NIS, TPO, TSHR, DUOX1, DUOX2 (ThOX), TGFB1, CSTD, DCN and SEPP1 and the expression products thereof, in a biological sample from the feline, wherein elevated expression of the one or more biomarkers in the sample relative to a control value for expression in a sample from a normal feline or feline population, or a baseline value from the feline, indicates the existence or risk of hyperthyroidism; a method of treating a feline so diagnosed; and compositions, reagents and kits for carrying out the specified methods.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for maintaining or promoting a healthy body composition in a companion animal, which comprises feeding the animal an edible composition comprising one or more pyruvate in an amount effective to maintain or promote the healthy body composition, wherein maintaining or promoting the healthy body composition comprises controlling the animal's weight, for example, loss of weight or body fat, or increased percentage of lean muscle mass.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating or preventing a degenerative joint condition, wherein the compositions and methods include feeding the companion animal an edible composition including at least one pyruvate or salt thereof. The invention also encompasses methods for enhancing the palatability of an edible food composition including adding a palatability enhancing amount at least one pyruvate or salt thereof to the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal food products and methods of producing thereof. The methods of the present invention comprise mixing a binding agent with feed meal at a temperature of between about 10° C. and about 70° C. to produce a mash, passing the mash through an extruder to form an animal feed product, and drying the animal feed product. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the meal, mash and final product is kept at 70° C. or below.

Abstract: Methods for treating feline hyperthyroidism comprising (1) administering to a feline an antithyroid agent in conjunction with feeding the feline a composition comprising from about 0.1 to less than about 1 mg/kg iodine or (2) feeding the feline a composition comprising from about 0.1 to less than about 1 mg/kg selenium on a dry matter basis.

Abstract: The invention encompasses pet food compositions and uses thereof for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or disorders in companion animals, for example, for the treatment or prevention of degenerative joint conditions, osteoarthritis, cartilage damage, and maintaining or increasing bone mineral density, wherein the compositions and uses include feeding a companion animal a composition including uses acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides highly digestible pet food compositions that, when ingested by an animal, result in reduced stool volume, weight, and odor, and methods of use employing those compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides animal food compositions comprising high quality proteins and highly digestible carbohydrates which result in reduced stool production and stool odor upon ingestion by an animal, and methods for use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions comprising ascorbyl esters for the treatment or reduction of dental conditions in an animal. A pet food composition of the disclosure can be a dry food composition comprising (i) a matrix of ingredients nutritionally or organoleptically adapted for the animal and (ii) an outer coating layer, wherein the outer coating layer is applied to the matrix as a solution comprising an effective amount of an ascorbic acid fatty acid ester dissolved in a plant oil. One disclosed method of treatment or reduction involves feeding an animal in need of such treatment a dry pet food composition of the disclosure. A second disclosed method comprises applying to one or more surfaces of one or more teeth of an animal in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a solution comprising an ascorbic acid fatty acid ester dissolved in a plant oil.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for enhancing the gastrointestinal health of an animal in need thereof by administering a gastrointestinal health maintaining or improving amount of a composition comprising an effective amount of lactic acid. The administered composition may also comprise one or more prebiotic, probiotic, symbiotic, anti bacterial, or anti-diarrhea agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating or reducing a dental condition in an animal, particularly in canine and feline companion animals. Compositions useful in the disclosed methods comprise an effective amount of lactic acid. The disclosed compositions may also contain oral health promoting effective amounts of at least one antioxidant. Dental conditions treated or reduced according to the disclosed methods include dental plaque, calculus, tooth staining, halitosis, stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, and combinations thereof.

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.