Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a palatable coated dry pet food, comprising precooking starting pet food ingredients in a hydrothermal preconditioner; extruding the precooked pet food material in an extruder; drying the resulting pet food extrudate in a dryer; and coating said dry pet food.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of pet food. More precisely, the present invention concerns a palatable dry food for cats, wherein said food is characterized by a specific ingredient formulation and by a specific nutritional composition. The present invention further concerns a method for preparing such a palatable dry cat food.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing highly palatable dry cat foods, by providing dry cat food preparations having specific compositions and/or texture properties, and by adding thereto palatability enhancers, so as to obtain highly palatable dry cat foods. Preferably, the present invention provides highly palatable dry cat foods having a rigidity below or equal to about 100 N/mm. Also is the present invention related to a method for increasing the palatability effect of a liquid palatability enhancer for use in dry cat food preparation, and to kits useful for enhancing palatability of dry cat foods.

Abstract: The present Invention provides methods for selecting a petfood providing a satisfying feeding experience upon consumption by pets through the determination of a Happiness Index (HI) for said petfood. Said HI is calculated via a specific analysis of data collected in a pet feeding trial. The present Invention further concerns a method for providing a satisfying feeding experience to a pet, by feeding said pet with a thus selected petfood.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a non-fatty palatability enhancer for use in cat food comprising an amino reactant having a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and a carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns palatability-enhancing compositions comprising at least one vitamin selected from the group consisting of vitamin D3, vitamin B1, and combinations thereof, for use in pet food, as well as methods of preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns palatability-enhancing compositions comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: ascorbic acid; isomers thereof; derivatives thereof; salts thereof; and combinations thereof, for use in pet food, preferably in dog food, as well as methods of preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a palatability-enhancing composition comprising at least one dry food aroma and at least one pet food palatability enhancer in a pet food product, for improving appeal to pet owners while at least maintaining palatability to pets of said pet food product, in comparison with said pet food product which does not comprise said dry food aroma.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for preparing a meat tissue digest having enhanced palatability, comprising: a) providing a meat tissue from animal; b) contacting said meat tissue with at least one alkaline endopeptidase; c) allowing said alkaline endopeptidase to hydrolyze said meat tissue; d) thermally treating the thus obtained digest product to inactivate said alkaline endopeptidase; and e) obtaining said meat tissue digest having enhanced palatability. The present invention also relates to meat tissue digests having enhanced palatability that are obtainable by such a method, and uses thereof for preparing pet food having enhanced palatability.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a palatability-enhancing composition for pet food, wherein said composition comprises about 1 to 70% by weight of free amino acids, as well as uses thereof, especially for producing pet foods having enhanced palatability. Cat food is more specifically concerned by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing highly palatable dry cat foods, by providing dry cat food preparations having specific compositions and/or texture properties, and by adding thereto palatability enhancers, so as to obtain highly palatable dry cat foods. Also is the present invention related to a method for increasing the palatability effect of a liquid palatability enhancer for use in dry cat food preparation, and to kits useful for enhancing palatability of dry cat foods.

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.