Abstract: Provided herein are methods for stimulating the T1R1/T1R3 receptor comprising contacting the receptor with pyrophosphate and one or more amino acids. Also provided, is a Felidae food product comprising pyrophosphate and one or more amino acids. Methods for determining the pyrophosphate-augmented activity of a test compound on the T1R1/T1R3 receptor are also described, as well as methods for adjusting the food formulation for Felidae.

Abstract: The invention refers to appetence measurement for animals. In particular, the invention proposes an automated system for measuring the appetence of animals, including a feeding area (2) and an accommodation area (1), wherein the feeding area includes a room (3) whose dimensions are chosen so that the animal is able to move therein, and the system also includes access control resources (6, 10-12) that are designed so that the animals can gain access in turn to the room (3) from the accommodation area.

Abstract: The present invention concerns means and methods for obtaining an edible or drinkable wet pet foodstuff having enhanced palatability, by heating an edible or drinkable foodstuff preparation comprising: —at least one inorganic phosphate compound, preferably at least one inorganic pyrophosphate; and—at least one thermal reaction-generated flavour and/or aminoacid and reducing sugar precursors thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition which improves the palatability of dog foods and the methods of making and using it. According to the process, a high free fatty acid fat is emulsified with an encapsulating binder and dried. The fat will preferably contain at least 10% free fatty acids based on the weight of the fat. The free high fatty acid content can be achieved by overt addition or generation by saponification or enzyme action. The composition is dried by spray drying or drum drying.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide improved packaging for shipping and storing bags containing compressible material.Both a method and a package are disclosed. FIG. 3 shows an array of bags 12 compressed to the height of corrugated fiberboard sleeve 14. The sleeve 14 with the bags 12 therein is covered with a tightly-stretched film 18. All surfaces, except for end 26 and the end opposite to it, are covered with the film.The package enables shipment and storage of bags containing compressible material in unitized loads as shown in FIG. 5 with adequate protection using a minimum of packaging material, while solving the problems of leaning and uneven compression which would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a composition which improves the palatability of dog foods. According to the process, a staged enzyme reaction is employed to first digest either a proteinaceous or an amylaceous substrate. The reaction product of the first stage is emulsified with fat, and the resulting emulsion is reacted with lipase and protease, under conditions effective to provide a material which, when applied to a dog food, significantly enhances its palatability. A preferred farinaceous substrate, to be acted upon by an amylase enzyme for the first stage reaction, is corn. Preferred proteinaceous substrates, to be acted upon by protease enzyme, for the first stage reaction include soy, whey, chicken skins, and cheese solids. The resulting product is produced rapidly, contains large quantities of free fatty acids, and has a high level of palatability.

Abstract: A pet litter formed by pelletizing a mixture of a chopped paper material and a material having a high content of chlorophyll.

Abstract: A method of denaturing food products not intended for human consumption including the steps of propelling such products in a flowable comminuted form in a stream, injecting a denaturing agent which is immiscible with the product into the stream so that the agent is distributed longitudinally along the stream, and thereafter accumulating the stream in a striped, striated or marbled mass; an apparatus for such purpose having a conduit, a pump for propelling such products through the conduit, a duct connected to the conduit, and a second pump for propelling the denaturing agent through the duct and into products flowing through the conduit; and the resultant improved denatured product.