Abstract: A process is provided for reducing adiposity in an animal such as a companion animal by feeding the animal an effective amount of Vitamin A for a time sufficient to reduce adiposity in the animal. Preferably, the such effective amount comprises from about 50,000 IU to about 1,000,000 IU of Vitamin A per kilogram of diet. Such an effective amount provides sufficient Vitamin A to decrease accumulation of body fat, increase UCP1 levels, and decrease serum leptin levels in the animal.

Abstract: A process is provided for limiting weight gain in cats. The process includes feeding the cat a pet food composition that includes a source of protein, a source of fat, and a source of carbohydrates from a grain source that excludes rice. Use of the preferred low glycemic index grain sources that comprise a blend of corn and sorghum; a blend of corn, sorghum, and barley; or a blend of corn, sorghum, and oats, has the effect of decreasing the postprandial blood glucose and insulin response of the cat as compared to when feeding a rice-based diet. The result is that the animal becomes satiated and voluntarily decreases its intake of food, causing less weight gain. This effect is even more marked when the composition is fed to male cats.

Abstract: A process for feeding an animal a diet which alters the function and morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), a large lymphoid organ in the animal and which improves glucose metabolism, satiety, and nutrient absorption. The process involves feeding a companion animal such as, for example, a dog or cat a diet of a pet food composition containing fermentable fibers which have an organic matter disappearance (OMD) of 15 to 60 percent when fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period, the fibers being present in amounts from about 1 to 11 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to allow the fermentable fibers to ferment in the GIT of the animal.

Abstract: A dietary composition is provided for promoting healthy weight loss in cats which contains, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.2 to 1.5% by weight fatty acids selected from the group consisting of C18:3n3, C20:4n6, C20:5n3, C22:6n3, and mixtures thereof, and from about 28 to 50% by weight protein. The composition may be administered to obese cats to provide optimum weight loss while preventing hepatic lipidosis and other associated diseases.

Abstract: A pet food composition is provided which improves several important clinical indicators in an animal suffering from renal disease and includes adequate protein, has low phosphorus levels, improves metabolic buffering, and lowers blood triglyceride levels in the animal. The animal is fed a composition which includes from about 10 to about 32% crude protein, from about 8 to about 20% fat, from about 3 to about 25% total dietary fiber, and fermentable fibers which have an organic matter disappearance of 15 to 60 percent when fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period, the fibers being present in amounts from about 1 to 11 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber.

Abstract: A process for feeding an animal a diet which alters the function and composition of gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) by increasing the proportion of T cells in the GALT is provided. The diet includes fermentable fibers which have an organic matter disappearance of 15 to 60 percent when fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period, the fibers being present in amounts from about 1 to 11 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to allow the fermentable fibers to ferment in the colon of the animal to increase the proportion of T cells in the GALT of the animal.