Abstract: An edible pet chew including first and second pet chew sides positioned oppositely from each other; the edible pet chew further including first and second honeycomb structures positioned oppositely from each other at opposing first and second pet chew sides, the first and second honeycomb structures being composed of a soluble material that is digestible by an animal and including a nutritional ingredient, the first and second honeycomb structures being respectively characterized by first and second pluralities of pockets, each pocket among the first and second pluralities of pockets presenting a hexagonal array of rigid walls.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pet's teeth comprising providing an edible pet chew to the pet and allowing the pet to chew the pet chew, wherein the edible pet chew has a first major side and an opposite second major side separated by a shelf. The pet chew additionally includes a plurality of walls extending from the shelf on each of the first and second major sides, with the walls defining a plurality of pockets on each of the first and second major sides. The walls of the pockets of the pet chew are configured to scrape the surface of pet's teeth while chewing in order to clean the pet's teeth and to fit between the teeth to floss the teeth.

Abstract: A chew treat for an animal comprising a first major side and an opposite second major side. The first and second major sides of the chew treat are separated by a shelf. The chew treat additionally includes a plurality of walls extending from the shelf on each of the first and second major sides, with the walls defining a plurality of pockets on each of the first and second major sides. The chew treat is designed to improve animal wellness due to its unique features, which are configured to deter gulping, floss and clean teeth, and provide a high surface area to volume ratio so as to aid in solubilizing and digesting the chew treat.

Abstract: A chew treat for an animal comprising a first major side and an opposite second major side. The first and second major sides of the chew treat are separated by a shelf. The chew treat additionally includes a plurality of walls extending from the shelf on each of the first and second major sides, with the walls defining a plurality of pockets on each of the first and second major sides. The chew treat is designed to improve animal wellness due to its unique features, which are configured to deter gulping, floss and clean teeth, and provide a high surface area to volume ratio so as to aid in solubilizing and digesting the chew treat.

Abstract: A pet food composition containing a small but sufficient amount of simmondsin component to provide a simmondsin activity within the range of 0.1% by weight of said pet food dry matter mix to about 1.5% by weight of said pet food dry matter mix. Also disclosed as part of the invention is a method of weight reduction of companion pets by adding pet food that contains the above-defined range of simmondsin activity contributed by a simmondsin component, simmondsin analogues or mixtures thereof, such as derived from defatted jojoba seed meal, and thereafter feeding the pet food to a companion pet on a regular and sustained basis until weight reduction occurs and then maintaining the pet's weight.

Abstract: The combination of a substantially gas impermeable container and a dry pet food of high soluble fiber content that has a water activity within the range of 0.5 to 0.8. The result is long lasting, highly nutritious dog food that can be substantially free of added preservatives, antimycotics, and other unnatural chemicals.

Abstract: The combination of a substantially gas impermeable container and a dry pet food of high soluble fiber content that has a water activity within the range of 0.5 to 0.8. The result is long lasting, highly nutritious dog food that can be substantially free of added preservatives, antimycotics, and other unnatural chemicals.

Abstract: A dog food composition containing a small but sufficient amount of simmondsin component to provide simmondsin within the range of 0.1% by weight of said dog food dry matter mix to about 1.5% by weight of said dog food dry matter mix. Also disclosed as part of the invention is a method of weight reduction of companion pets by adding to pet food the above-defined range of simmondsin, contributed by simmondsin, simmondsin analogues or mixtures thereof, such as derived from defatted jojoba seed meal, and thereafter feeding the pet food to a companion pet on a regular and sustained basis to achieve weight reduction then weight maintenance.

Abstract: A pet food product prepared from a fiber containing nutritionally balanced mixture of carbohydrate protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, the product having an expanded striated structural matrix which fractures when chewed by the pet. The product when chewed by the pet exhibits an improved mechanical tooth cleansing function whereby a substantial reduction in plaque, stain and tartar on the pet's teeth is affected. The product is prepared by extruding a plasticized mixture of food ingredients through a discharge passageway, the internal walls of which are maintained at a coefficient of friction no greater than 0.2 so that a condition resembling laminar flow exists in the extrudate.

Abstract: A dog food composition containing a small but sufficient amount of simmondsin component to provide simmondsin within the range of 0.1% by weight of said dog food dry matter mix to about 1.5% by weight of said dog food dry matter mix. Also disclosed as part of the invention is a method of weight reduction of companion pets by adding to pet food the above-defined range of simmondsin, contributed by simmondsin, simmondsin analogues or mixtures thereof, such as derived from defatted jojoba seed meal, and thereafter feeding the pet food to a companion pet on a regular and sustained basis to achieve weight reduction then weight maintenance.

Abstract: A pet food composition containing a small but sufficient amount of simmondsin component to provide a simmondsin activity within the range of 0.1% by weight of said pet food dry matter mix to about 1.5% by weight of said pet food dry matter mix. Also disclosed as part of the invention is a method of weight reduction of companion pets by adding pet food that contains the above-defined range of simmondsin activity contributed by a simmondsin component, simmondsin analogues or mixtures thereof, such as derived from defatted jojoba seed meal, and thereafter feeding the pet food to a companion pet on a regular and sustained basis until weight reduction occurs and then maintaining the pet's weight.