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.

Abstract: Pet food compositions and methods for increasing body weight and decreasing indoles in a feline having renal insufficiency are provided. The methods may include feeding the feline an effective amount of the pet food composition. The pet food composition may include fermentable fibers and betaine.

Abstract: Pet food compositions and methods for increasing body weight and decreasing indoles in a feline having renal insufficiency are provided. The methods may include feeding the feline an effective amount of the pet food composition. The pet food composition may include fermentable fibers and betaine.

Abstract: The current invention relates to animal food kibbles having a primarily disc shape and including botanicals such as curcumin. The current invention also relates to methods to reduce oral inflammation in an animal by feeding the animal with the food kibbles. The disc-shaped food kibbles induce a reduction of oral inflammation in the animal compared to control food kibbles having a different shape.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising an amino acid component comprising: lysine; betaine; and glutamic acid and/or a salt thereof present in an amount of about 7 wt. % or more, based on the total weight of the pet food composition; and about 3.3 wt. % or more, of a fatty acid component comprising a fatty acid having an aliphatic tail of 6 to 12 carbons and/or an omega-3 fatty acid, based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising propolis, along with methods of making and using same. According to an aspect of the disclosure, provided is a pet food composition comprising propolis in an amount greater than about 0.1 wt. %; about 10 to about 40 wt. % of protein; about 9 to about 25 wt. % of a fat; about 10 to about 90 wt. % of a carbohydrate, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the food composition.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions and methods for using them. Such compositions may comprise betaine, carnitine, and a source of medium chain triglycerides. Methods of making and using the compositions described herein are also described.

Abstract: Pet food compositions and methods are provided herein. The pet food composition comprising a from about 5 g/1000 kcal to about 80 g/1000 kcal of a fat including one or more medium chain triglyceride, wherein at least one medium chain triglyceride comprises an octanoate component, the at least one medium chain triglyceride comprising the octanoate component comprises about 7 wt. % or more of the total weight of fat in the pet food composition; from about 40 g/1000 kcal to about 150 g/1000 kcal of a protein; optionally, from about 5 g/1000 kcal to about 55 g/1000 kcal of a fiber; optionally, from about 3 g/1000 kcal to about 130 g/1000 kcal of a carbohydrate, where all metabolizable energy amounts are based on the total metabolizable energy of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

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 beta glucans, one or more medium chain saturated fatty acids and one or more omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and betaine. The pet food composition may further comprise botanicals. The methods include feeding the pet an effective amount of the pet food composition.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions and methods for using them. Such compositions may comprise betaine and at least two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; wherein each of the at least two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids comprise an unbranched aliphatic tail having at least 20 carbons. The methods may include feeding the pet an effective amount of the pet food composition.

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: Disclosed herein is a pet food composition and methods of making a pet food composition using an extrusion process, wherein the resultant pet food composition comprises an enhanced level of resistant starch. The pet food compositions disclosed herein may increase the proportions of beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while decreasing deleterious bacteria such as Megamonas. The improved microbial environment resulting from the pet food compositions disclosed herein having an enhanced level of resistant starch may lead to both improved gastrointestinal and psychobiotic health for the animal consuming the pet food composition.

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: The present disclosure is directed to a method for reducing immunoreactivity of a food including (a) incubating a food that contains at least one protein with a cross-linking enzyme to form a food that includes at least one cross-linked protein; and (b) fermenting the food including the at least one cross-linked protein with a microorganism to form a modified food including a hydrolysate of the at least one cross-linked protein, wherein (a) is performed before (b) and wherein a level of immunoreactivity of the modified food is less than a level of immunoreactivity of an unmodified food including at least one protein. Modified foods obtained from the present method are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are controlled release pet food compositions comprising: a matrix comprising: a fiber component comprising a high solubility fiber source and low solubility fiber source, and a polyphenol source; wherein the matrix is adapted to deliver the polyphenol source to the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a mammal after ingestion by the mammal. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are pet food compositions comprising—in relevant part—effective amounts of betaine and carnitine. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.

Abstract: Methods of identifying canine subjects having an increased likelihood of developing elevated levels of 4-ethylphenyl sulfate, canine stress, canine anxiety and/or an inhibition of growth of beneficial microbes and promotion of growth of harmful microbes are disclosed. Methods comprise analyzing a biological sample obtained from the canine subject for the presence of two copies of a minor allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism BICF2P1175095 in a canine subject. Methods of treating the identified canine subjects by administering an effective amount of tomato pomace are also disclosed. Methods of treating canine subjects for elevated 4-EPS levels, canine anxiety or canine stress are disclosed. Canine food compositions that comprises tomato pomace are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing a biological sample obtained from the canine subject for the presence of one or two copies one or two copies of minor allele T of SNP Affx-206229307; or one or two copies of minor allele A of SNP Affx-206560187; or one or two copies of minor allele T of SNP Affx-206229307 and one or two copies of minor allele A of SNP Affx-206560187 are disclosed. The methods are used in methods to identify a canine subject that has an increased likelihood or risk of hypothyroidism and in methods of treating a canine subject to reduce risk of hypothyroidism or to treat a canine subject that has hypothyroidism. The treatments comprise administering to the canine subject a low arginine diet and/or comprising an effective amount of a composition comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a vegetable source, and a fruit source. Canine food compositions are disclosed.

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.