Abstract: A method for determining the biological age or pace of aging of an adult dog, said method comprising determining the levels of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of (1) blood globulin levels, (2) blood total protein, (3) blood alkaline phosphatase, (4) blood platelet count, (5) blood mean corpuscular volume or (6) urine specific gravity, comparing the results with values obtained from healthy dogs of a known age and of a similar category (toy, small, medium, large or giant). Kits, systems and/or computer media for carrying out the method form further aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus, or method for meeting a healthcare need of a pet. Certain non-limiting embodiments include collecting data from one or more disparate data sources, and aggregating the collected data from the one or more disparate sources in a data lake. Certain non-limiting embodiments also include clearing personal identification information from the aggregated data in the data lake, and sorting the cleared data into one or more datasets based on one or more attributes of the pet or an owner of the pet. In addition, the certain non-limiting embodiments can include creating a profile of a pet based on the data included in the one or more datasets, and determining a pet product to help fulfill the healthcare need of the pet. Further, certain non-limiting embodiments can include targeting the owner of the pet with an advertisement of the pet product.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods or systems for identifying susceptibility of a dog to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). The method, for example, can include receiving at least one of one or more biomarkers or demographic information of a dog. The method can also include processing at least one of the one or more biomarkers or demographic information of the dog using a prediction model. The prediction model can include a recurrent neural network. In addition, the method can determine a probability risk score of the dog for developing CKD based on the processed one or more biomarkers or demographic information.

Abstract: A blank for forming a packaging container, the blank comprising: a sheet defining an internal side and an external side of the packaging container; wherein the sheet comprises: a plurality of side panels separated from one another by side crease lines; a plurality of flaps, each one of the flaps extending from one of the side panels and being joined to the respective side panel by a flap crease line, each pair of adjacent flaps forming an inner flap and an outer flap; a sealant film disposed on the internal side of the sheet and having areas which are bonded to a portion of each one of the side panels and to a portion of each one of the flaps; wherein the sealant film comprises an unbonded area between the areas bonded to adjacent inner and outer flaps to allow the inner flap to first be folded inwards before the outer flap is folded onto the inner flap to form an end panel of the packaging container, with the sealant film forming a seal between the flaps.

Abstract: A method for screening substances for their ability to reduce malodours from emanations from an animal, said method comprising determining the effect of said substances on the C-S lyase activity of bacteria that emit volatile sulphuric compounds (VSCs), by contacting a test substance with a sample comprising said bacteria or a supernatant obtainable from a culture of said bacteria in the presence of a substrate for a C-S lyase, detecting the levels of thiol production from said bacteria, and comparing the results with those obtained from similar bacteria in the absence of said substance.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to palatable support compositions for administering one or more medicinal products to an animal, for example, a feline. The palatable support compositions include (i) from about 20% to about 40% by weight of a humectant plasticizer; (ii) from about 0.5% to about 8% by weight of one or more gelling agents; and (iii) from about 20% to about 50% by weight of protein, on a dry matter basis. The present disclosure further provides methods for preparing and use of such palatable support compositions.

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 presently disclosed subject matter provides methods of preparing wet food products, such as jellified wet food products. Methods include preparing a pre-gel mixture comprising a combination of food ingredients, one or more alginate, and an aqueous liquid; adding one or more organic acids to the pre-gel mixture to generate a jellified composition; and expulsing aqueous liquid within the jellified composition. The present disclosure further provides microbially stable wet food products prepared using such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a meat analogue, comprising the steps of: a) introducing a meat batter comprising protein into a heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the melting point of the protein to produce a heat-treated product, wherein the heating unit optionally heats the meat batter by Ohmic heating, b) cooling the heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and c) dividing the cooled heat-treated product into pieces and optionally d) tearing the pieces by passing the pieces through a roll nip (14) between a pair of counter-rotating cylindrical rolls (2, 4) having parallel axes of rotation (10, 12), a plurality of projections (16) being arranged on an outer surface of at least one of the rolls (2, 4).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for characterizing the nutritional needs of an animal. The method can include providing an animal profile comprising one or more animal criteria. The method can also include extracting, from a first database, one or more lists of ingredients associated with the one or more animal criteria. In addition, the method can include determining a rating associated with the extracted lists of ingredients, and comparing the rating with at least one ingredient from the one or more lists of ingredients. A nutritional profile of the animal can then be determined based on at least one of the animal profile, the extracted lists of ingredients, and the rating of the extracted lists of ingredients.

Abstract: An animal dentistry training and assessment apparatus comprising a sectioned artificial tooth, comprising a crown portion and a furcate root portion, the furcate root portion comprising a plurality of roots; and a base comprising a receiving portion configured to receive and releasably retain each root of the furcate root portion. The sectioned artificial tooth is sectioned into a plurality of sections comprising one or more but not all of said roots of the furcate root portion and part of the crown portion, the plurality of sections being contiguous when the sectioned artificial tooth is received in the receiving portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dry food composition having a caloric density ranging from about 500 kcal/L to about 900 kcal/L and including, at least, by weight relative to the total weight of said composition: a. protein in an amount ranging from about 20% to about 36%, b. total dietary fibers in an amount ranging from about 15% to about 30%, and c. starch in an amount ranging from about 15% to about 32%. The disclosure also relates to methods of use for managing weight and food intake using the disclosed compositions, and methods for manufacturing said composition.

Abstract: A method for determining the biological age or pace of aging of an adult dog, said method comprising determining the levels of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of (1) blood globulin levels, (2) blood total protein, (3) blood alkaline phosphatase, (4) blood platelet count, (5) blood mean corpuscular volume or (6) urine specific gravity, comparing the results with values obtained from healthy dogs of a known age and of a similar category (toy, small, medium, large or giant). Kits, systems and/or computer media for carrying out the method form further aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a meat analogue, comprising the steps of: a) introducing a meat batter comprising i) animal protein other than egg powder, ii) plant fiber and/or starch, and iii) egg powder, into a heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the melting point of the protein to produce a heat-treated product, b) cooling the heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and c) dividing the cooled heat-treated product into pieces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to edible animal chews. Embodiment disclosed include an edible animal chew and processes for producing an edible animal chew comprising at least two extruded layers, wherein at least one extruded layer comprises: animal skin protein, wherein the animal skin is porcine or bovine, animal fat, wherein the animal fat is porcine or bovine, and soybean protein, wherein there is an air-gap between at least a portion of the at least two extruded layers, and a processes for forming an edible animal chew.

Abstract: A flavor composition containing at least one HMG glucoside compound that can be used to enhance the taste of edible compositions including sweet goods, such as confectionery goods, and savory goods, such as pet foods.

Abstract: An animal dentistry apparatus is provided and comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly comprises a lower jaw and an upper jaw, and is configured such that the lower jaw and the upper jaw can move apart and together in a mastication action. The upper and lower jaw comprise at least one tooth. The apparatus further comprises a means, such as a motor, to effect the mastication action. The animal dentistry apparatus may be used to assess a chewable product, and such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a low-density dry food composition having a penetration rate of at least about 30% and comprising at least, by weight relative to the total weight of said composition: a. a protein source in an amount ranging from about 15% to about 30%, b. fat in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 15%, c. starch in an amount ranging from about 35% to about 5% and d. a total dietary fibers source in an amount ranging from about 3% to about 12%. The disclosure also relates to methods of use for improving oral hygiene, and methods for manufacturing said disclosure.