Abstract: Pet food compositions and methods for minimizing tartar and/or improving the health of pets are disclosed herein. The pet food compositions typically include about 20 wt. % or more of fat comprising a medium chain triglyceride(s) having an octanoate component, wherein the medium chain triglyceride(s) comprising the octanoate component comprises about 10 wt. % or more of the fat, based on the total weight of the fat on a dry matter basis. The pet food compositions also may have a ketogenic ratio of about 1.5 or greater as calculated using Formula 1: (0.9 F+0.46 P)/(0.1 F+0.58 P+C), wherein F is the weight percentage of fat, P is the weight percentage of protein, and C is the weight percentage of carbohydrate.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions and methods for using them. Such compositions may comprise soluble fiber and certain ratios of linolenic acid to fatty acids. The methods may include feeding the pet an effective amount of the pet food composition. The methods may include increasing the lean mass of a companion animal comprising feeding an effective amount of a pet food composition comprising soluble fiber and certain ratios of linolenic acid to fatty acids.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions and methods for using them. Such compositions may comprise certain ratios of oleic acid to arachidonic acid. The methods may include feeding the pet an effective amount of the pet food composition.

Abstract: Pet food compositions, and particularly, pet food compositions comprising a botanical component are disclosed herein. In accordance with a first aspect, provided is a pet food composition that includes an effective amount of a plurality of botanical ingredients selected from cinnamon, green tea, pomegranate, ginger, lime peel, tulsi, and a combination of two or more thereof.

Abstract: Pet food compositions as well as method for alleviating pruritus, erythema, alopecia, or skin and ear secretion are disclosed herein. The pet food composition may comprise from about 1 to about 10 wt. % of quinoa; from about 1 to about 10 wt. % of amaranth; and from about 0.5 to about 8 wt. % of egg shell membrane, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

Abstract: Methods and kits for assessing the propensity of developing urolithiasis, kidney disease, or bladder disease in pets; and compositions to treat such conditions are described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising crude protein, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber consisting of insoluble fiber and soluble fiber is designed to shift the intestinal tryptophan metabolism of the companion animal from kynurenine pathway to indole pathway to produce indole derivatives. Methods of making and using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions for enhancing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism and increasing levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidized form, the food composition including a protein, a carbohydrate, and a dietary fiber that includes insoluble fiber and soluble fiber in a weight ratio ranging from about 8:1 to about 14:1, whereby the dietary fiber is present in an amount ranging from about 2 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the total weight of the food composition.

Abstract: The current invention relates to relates to methods of improving commensals in an animal by feeding the animal with a diet including quinoa grain. The quinoa grain is in an amount effective to increase parameters for commensals such as the percentage of lactobacillus in total microbiota, the percentage of bifidobacteria in total microbiota, the percentage of clostridium in total microbiota, and the firmicutes to bacteroidetes ratio. The current invention also relates to pet food compositions that include effective amount of quinoa grain to increase the commensals parameters. In addition, the methods of making such a food compositions are also disclosed.