Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A cold-set, injection-molded digestible pet chew includes an outer skin layer having a tough, chewy texture and an expanded center being surrounded by the outer skin layer. The outer skin layer and the expanded center being are formed by injecting a plasticized mixture into a chilled mold and cooling in the mold for about 10-60 seconds followed by releasing the mold to allow the center to expand to form a digestible pet chew. The plasticized mixture includes protein, starch, 0.1-2.5% encapsulated leavening agent, acid, and 5-15% of a humectant. The encapsulated leavening agent reacts with the acid to form the expanded center within the outer skin layer. Further, the pet chew has a water activity of 0.60 or below such that the expanded center remains expanded.

Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A digestible pet chew and method for making a digestible pet chew is provided. The method includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is injected into a mold and cooled for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. When the mold is opened, the center portion expands to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.