Abstract: A dusted pet food kibble and a process for dusting a pet food kibble comprising providing a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix, providing a powder comprising a first component that can comprise an active ingredient, such as Probiotic microorganism particles, and dusting the powder onto the pet food kibble to form a dusted kibble. The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder. An animal feed comprising a kibble in the form of a core dusted with active ingredients.

Abstract: A pet supplement is provided and comprises an amount of probiotic microorganisms coated with a first fat component having a first melting point and a source of a sweetener component comprising sugar and a second fat component having a second melting point. The second melting point is higher than the first melting point. Methods of making the pet supplement are also provided.

Abstract: The present teachings disclose a process for producing a safe and preserved food. The process includes: (i) introducing a non-live-bacteria preparation on or in a food to produce an activated food, and the non-live-bacteria preparation results from fermentation of fermented bacteria, but the non-live-bacteria preparation is substantially depleted of the fermented bacteria, and the fermented bacteria are bacteria that are living; and (ii) incubating the activated food in presence of the non-live-bacteria preparation to kill and/or inhibit growth of pathogens and/or spoilage microorganisms on and/or in the activated food and thereby producing the safe and preserved food; and wherein the fermented bacteria is anti-pathogen bacteria and/or anti-spoilage bacteria.

Abstract: Animal feeds comprising at least one kibble comprising a colored appearance. The colored appearance can communicate to a purchaser of the animal feed that the kibble provides a health benefit. The kibble can further comprise an active, such as a Probiotic, that provides a health benefit. The active kibbles can be mixed with non-active kibbles.

Abstract: A method of optimizing one or more attributes of a product according to a product context. A product context and one or more attributes of the product are presented to a user via a software graphical user interface (GUI). A visual rendering of the product including at least one attribute of the product may be presented via the GUI. The user either may select or modify the at least one attribute and submit a user input that corresponds to the attribute and/or the modified attribute of the product in reference to the product context. The user input is received and the product is displayed via the GUI based on the user input. If the attribute of the product was modified, then the attribute of the product is modified and displayed substantially simultaneously. A correlation between the user input and the attribute of the product in reference to the product context is determined when a termination command is received.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided methods of regulating the immune system of a companion animal and methods of improving the digestion of a companion animal, wherein each of said methods comprises administering to a companion animal a probiotic bacteria strain of the genus Bifidobacteria.

Abstract: A pet food composition comprising a supplement is provided. The supplement can comprise a Probiotic component, a cocoa butter component, and a sweetener component. A process for making the supplement can comprise providing a sweetener component, a cocoa butter component, and a Probiotic component, mixing the cocoa butter component and Probiotic component to form a mixture in a temperature and humidity controlled chamber; mixing the mixture with the sweetener component in the temperature and humidity controlled chamber to form a final mixture; optionally mixing in a colorant with the final mixture; and cooling the final mixture. A package for the supplement can comprise a secondary container housing a primary container, which houses a supplement. An array of packages is also provided.

Abstract: A pet supplement is provided and comprises an amount of probiotic microorganisms coated with a first fat component having a first melting point and a source of a sweetener component comprising sugar and a second fat component having a second melting point. The second melting point is higher than the first melting point. Methods of making the pet supplement are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium pseudolongum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a combiomic complex is disclosed. The process includes: (i) obtaining a pre-combiomic mixture, which includes at least one non-adhered bacteria and/or yeast and at least one non-adhered prebiotic; and (ii) treating at least some of the pre-combiomic mixture to form a combiomic mixture, which comprises a combiomic complex that includes at least one bacteria and/or yeast adhered to at least one prebiotic.

Abstract: The present teachings disclose a topical application composition. The topical application composition includes: (1) a non-fermenting bacteria that is in a substantially non-fermenting state and is produced from fermentation of the bacteria; (2) a fermentation byproduct produced from the fermentation; and (3) a fluid portion.

Abstract: A pet food in the form of a coated kibble wherein the coated kibble is made of a core and a coating. The core can be extruded and can have a moisture, or water, content less than 12%. The core can contain a coating.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed feline gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a meat slurry is described. The process includes: (i) obtaining an animal source of protein; (ii) reducing piece size of the animal source of protein to produce a smaller-piece-sized animal source of protein; (iii) introducing one or more types of lactic acid producing bacteria and at least one carbohydrate energy source to the smaller-piece-sized animal source of protein to produce a meat mixture; (iv) adding water to the meat mixture to produce an activated meat mixture; (v) incubating the activated meat mixture to produce a meat slurry; and wherein the activated meat mixture has a pH value that is greater than about 5.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacilli obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Lactobacilli of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: An active or Probiotic animal food having a low water activity that can be contained within a package having a low vapor transmission rate. The animal food can have a shelf life sufficient to deliver a target dose of Probiotic to an animal. The water activity of the animal food can be controlled. The activity level of the Probiotic can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of optimizing one or more attributes of a product according to a product context. A product context and one or more attributes of the product are presented to a user via a software graphical user interface (GUI). A visual rendering of the product including at least one attribute of the product may be presented via the GUI. The user either may select or modify the at least one attribute and submit a user input that corresponds to the attribute and/or the modified attribute of the product in reference to the product context. The user input is received and the product is displayed via the GUI based on the user input. If the attribute of the product was modified, then the attribute of the product is modified and displayed substantially simultaneously. A correlation between the user input and the attribute of the product in reference to the product context is determined when a termination command is received.

Abstract: A dusted pet food kibble and a process for dusting a pet food kibble comprising providing a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix, providing a powder comprising a first component that can comprise an active ingredient, such as Probiotic microorganism particles, and dusting the powder onto the pet food kibble to form a dusted kibble. The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder. An animal feed comprising a kibble in the form of a core dusted with active ingredients.

Abstract: A method of providing an animal food having an active. A Probiotic animal food having a low water activity that can be contained within a package having a low vapor transmission rate. The animal food can have a shelf life sufficient to deliver a target dose of Probiotic to an animal. The water activity of the animal food can be controlled. The activity level of the Probiotic can be controlled.