Abstract: A method to measure enhancement in the quality of life of an animal fed a super senior pet food composition comprising quantitating the gene expression levels of one or more genes in said animal and comparing said levels in the animal to levels in the animal prior to administration of said super senior pet food composition. A method to enhance the quality of life of an animal by modulating the expression level of one or more genes in said animal in order to mimic the pattern of expression seen in vivo after administration of a super senior pet food composition.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising a balance between lysine and essential amino acids and metabolizable enemy. The compositions are useful in methods to prevent or treat obesity in an animal without concomitant loss of lean muscle mass. The compositions may also be user in methods to preserve or to cause a gain in lean muscle mass in an animal in need thereof.

Abstract: A method to measure enhancement in the quality of life of an animal fed a super senior pet food composition comprising quantitating the gene expression levels of one or more genes in said animal and comparing said levels in the animal to levels in the animal prior to administration of said super senior pet food composition. A method to enhance the quality of life of an animal by modulating the expression level of one or more genes in said animal in order to mimic the pattern of expression seen in vivo after administration of a super senior pet food composition.

Abstract: This invention provides diets useful for promoting fat loss in animals having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 6 to about 10 g/Mcal. This invention also provides compositions for promoting fat loss in animals, methods for preparing the compositions, methods for using the diets and compositions, articles of manufacture comprising the diets and compositions, and means for communicating information or instructions about such diets, compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising a balance between lysine and essential amino acids and metabolizable energy. The compositions are useful in methods to prevent or treat obesity in an animal without concomitant loss of lean muscle mass. The compositions may also be used in methods to preserve or to cause a gain in lean muscle mass in an animal in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides food compositions and methods for companion animals that are effective in preventing or treating obesity.

Abstract: The present invention provides food compositions that are effective in treating arthritis or inflammation associated with arthritis in a companion animal, preferably a canine or feline.

Abstract: This invention provides diets useful for promoting fat loss in animals having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 6 to about 10 g/Mcal. This invention also provides compositions for promoting fat loss in animals, methods for preparing the compositions, methods for using the diets and compositions, articles of manufacture comprising the diets and compositions, and means for communicating information or instructions about such diets, compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for improving stool quality of a puppy by adjusting the balance of metabolizable cations to metabolizable anions consumed by the puppy.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for improving stool quality of a puppy by adjusting the balance of metabolizable cations to metabolizable anions consumed by the puppy.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for improving stool quality of a puppy by adjusting the balance of metabolizable cations to metabolizable anions consumed by the puppy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing the quality of life of a growing animal by feeding the animal a quality of life enhancing amount of a composition comprising about 10% by weight protein, about 4% by weight fat, and about 0.05% by weight of at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Enhanced quality of life is shown by an improvement in one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of trainability, cognitive function, motor skills coordination or agility, retinal development, cartilage protection, maintenance of muscle mass, and skin and pelage quality.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating inflammatory disease comprising one or more omega-3 fatty acids, one or more sulfur containing amino acids, and manganese and methods for preventing and treating inflammatory disease comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from inflammatory disease. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating inflammatory disease.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for preventing or treating inflammatory disease comprising one or more omega-3 fatty acids, one or more sulfur containing amino acids, and manganese and methods for preventing and treating inflammatory disease comprising administering such compositions to an animal susceptible to or suffering from inflammatory disease. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is admixed with one or more food ingredients to produce a food composition useful for preventing or treating inflammatory disease.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating or preventing kidney disease in a companion animal, wherein the compositions and methods include feeding the companion animal an edible composition including at least one pyruvate or salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for maintaining or promoting a healthy body composition in a companion animal, which comprises feeding the animal an edible composition comprising one or more pyruvate in an amount effective to maintain or promote the healthy body composition, wherein maintaining or promoting the healthy body composition comprises controlling the animal's weight, for example, loss of weight or body fat, or increased percentage of lean muscle mass.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating or preventing a degenerative joint condition, wherein the compositions and methods include feeding the companion animal an edible composition including at least one pyruvate or salt thereof. The invention also encompasses methods for enhancing the palatability of an edible food composition including adding a palatability enhancing amount at least one pyruvate or salt thereof to the composition.

Abstract: A method to measure enhancement in the quality of life of an animal fed a super senior pet food composition comprising quantitating the gene expression levels of one or more genes in said animal and comparing said levels in the animal to levels in the animal prior to administration of said super senior pet food composition. A method to enhance the quality of life of an animal by modulating the expression level of one or more genes in said animal in order to mimic the pattern of expression seen in vivo after administration of a super senior pet food composition.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the quality of life of a senior or super senior animal by feeding the animal a composition comprising at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and various combinations of amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants in amounts effective to enhance alertness, improve vitality, protect cartilage, maintain muscle mass, enhance digestibility, and improve skin and pelage quality. Changes in expression of genes associated with several biological pathways induced in an animal by feeding it said composition are consistent with an enhanced quality of life.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing lean muscle mass and/or reducing fat gain in growing animals by feeding the animals a composition having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 2.5 to about 6 g/Mcal and comprising (a) arginine in a total arginine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.1 to about 1.6; (b) isoleucine in a total isoleucine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.3; (c) leucine in a total leucine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.8 to about 3.0; (d) valine in a total valine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.4; and (e) methionine and cystine in a total methionine plus cystine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.7.