Abstract: Methods for (1) evaluating feline kidney function by determining ghrelin level in feline tissue or biofluid and correlating the ghrelin level directly to kidney function and (2) diagnosing kidney disease in a feline comprises determining an observed ghrelin level in a tissue or biofluid of the feline and comparing the observed ghrelin level to a reference ghrelin level indicative of normal kidney function, wherein an observed level lower than the reference level is indicative of kidney disease or susceptibility thereto.

Abstract: Compositions useful to prevent or treat obesity in an animal are disclosed. The compositions comprise a capsaicinoid, preferably capsaicin, or an active metabolite thereof, in an amount effect to prevent or treat obesity in an animal. Also disclosed are methods to prevent or treat obesity in an animal comprising administering a composition of the present invention.

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 suitable for enhancing the antioxidant status of animals containing methionine, taurine, vitamin C, and vitamin E and methods for preparing and using such compositions to enhance the antioxidant status of animals.

Abstract: Methods for (1) evaluating feline kidney function by determining ghrelin level in feline tissue or biofluid and correlating the ghrelin level directly to kidney function and (2) diagnosing kidney disease in a feline comprises determining an observed ghrelin level in a tissue or biofluid of the feline and comparing the observed ghrelin level to a reference ghrelin level indicative of normal kidney function, wherein an observed level lower than the reference level is indicative of kidney disease or susceptibility thereto.

Abstract: A combination comprising two or more polynucleotides that are differentially expressed in fat animals compared to lean animals or two or more proteins produced by the expression of such polynucleotides is disclosed. The combination and probes based upon the combination are used for formulating a prognosis that an animal is likely to become fat, developing a diagnosis that an animal is fat, screening substances to determine if they are useful for modulating the amount of adipose tissue on an animal, and detecting the differential expression of one or more genes differentially expressed in fat animals compared to lean animals in a sample. Methods for using class predictor gene profiles to identify fat and lean animals are also disclosed.

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: Compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease comprising one or more food ingredients containing relatively low amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium, typically protein in amounts of from about 5% to about 40%, sodium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and potassium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and methods comprising administering such compositions to patients susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease for the purpose of preventing or treating kidney disease.

Abstract: Methods for (1) evaluating feline kidney function by determining ghrelin level in feline tissue or biofluid and correlating the ghrelin level directly to kidney function and (2) diagnosing kidney disease in a feline comprises determining an observed ghrelin level in a tissue or biofluid of the feline and comparing the observed ghrelin level to a reference ghrelin level indicative of normal kidney function, wherein an observed level lower than the reference level is indicative of kidney disease or susceptibility thereto.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for altering food intake, modifying nutrient digestibility and altering stool quality and/or stool frequency in an animal by adjusting the balance of metabolizable cations to metabolizable anions consumed by the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for predicting urine pH for an animal by determining the amount of selected cations, anions, and sulfur-containing amino acids in a food for consumption by the animal and predicting urine pH using a formula that equates the amount of such cations, anions, and sulfur-containing amino acids to urine pH. Generally, the amounts of all or a subset of the cations sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium; the anions are chloride, sulfur, and phosphorus; and the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine in a food are used to predict animal urine pH when the food is consumed by the animal.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a body weight condition or predisposition to a body weight condition in an animal by determining observed level(s) of at least one biomarker in a tissue or biofluid sample from the animal and comparing the observed level(s) to reference level(s) for the biomarker; wherein the observed level(s) relative to the reference level(s) are individually or collectively indicative of the body weight condition or predisposition.

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: Methods for enhancing the palatability of compositions for consumption by an animal by adding a palatability enhancing amount of at least one methionine compound and optional inactive yeast to the compositions. The methionine compound, and optional yeast, is added to the compositions in an amount of at least about 0.01% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis, generally in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of the composition. The compositions containing methionine compound, and optional yeast, are ingested more frequently and at a higher rate by animals, particularly finicky animals or older animals that tend not eat enough food to maintain their health.

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: Methods for reducing food intake by and controlling the weight of an animal by feeding the animal a composition comprising a food intake reducing amount or a weight controlling amount of a soluble fiber.

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: 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.

Abstract: Methods for promoting health or wellness, regulating food intake, and increasing nitrogen retention in an adult animal by feeding the animal a food containing lysine in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of total protein. Also, kits containing lysine and a food suitable for consumption in separate packages and instructions for how to combine the lysine and food are provided.

Abstract: A method for improving stool quality by administering to an animal a composition comprising from about 1% to about 20% zeolite. Preferably, the zeolite is fed to ah animal as part of a food composition containing least one ingredient suitable for consumption by an animal.