Abstract: Enzymatically-treated pomace providing fiber for achieving a health benefit. Consumption, within a 24-hour period, of at least 5 grams of fiber from enzymatically-treated pomace achieves at least one health benefit. In one non-limiting embodiment, enzymatically-treated pomace provides a beverage with 2.5 grams of fiber per serving. A first serving of the beverage is consumed and a second serving of the beverage is consumed within 24 hours of the first serving to produce a reduction of blood glucose levels as compared to a baseline glucose level.

Abstract: The animal food composition of the present invention is pro-nutritional, and is convenient to the pet owner. The animal food composition promotes a healthy body weight in an animal and is palatable to an animal, provides a highly effective nutritional aid, promotes a means for controlling fecal hair excretion, controlling oral hair excretion, trichobezoar formation, and satiety in an animal. The animal food composition contains a nut shell.

Abstract: The process of the present invention comprises an animal food composition that is fed to animals and is pro-nutritional, and is convenient to the pet owner. When the pet owner feeds the animal food composition to the animal, the ingested composition promotes a healthy body weight in the animal and is palatable to the animal, provides a highly effective nutritional aid, promotes a means for controlling fecal hair excretion, controlling oral hair excretion, trichobezoar formation, and satiety in an animal. The animal food composition contains a nut shell.

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

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: Pet food compositions comprising a first component comprising a source of protein, a source of fat, and a source of carbohydrate, and a second component comprising a biologic selected from the group consisting of a probiotic component; yeast; enzymes; antibodies; immunoglobulins; cytokines; and combinations thereof are useful for providing pet food compositions that are sufficiently stable such that effective amounts of the biologic are present in the pet food compositions at the time of ingestion by a pet.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided methods of use in companion animals of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria.

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

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

Abstract: Disclosed are companion animal compositions comprising from about 0.01% to about 0.2% of short chain oligofructose, by weight of the composition, wherein the short chain oligofructose comprises 1-kestose, nystose, and 1F-beta-fructofuranosylnystose. Further disclosed are various methods of using such compositions, including methods of enhancing gastrointestinal health of the companion animal or improving fecal odor of the feces of the companion animal.

Abstract: A first embodiment disclosed herein is a method of enhancing total tract digestibility of one or more dietary components in a companion animal, the method comprising administering to the companion animal a companion animal composition comprising fructooligosaccharide. Kits comprising the companion animal composition and information that use of the companion animal composition by a companion animal is useful for enhancing total tract digestibility of one or more dietary components in the companion animal, are also disclosed. In a related, but separate, embodiment, a method selected from enhancing calcium absorption, improving bone health, improving strength, improving physical activity performance, and combinations thereof, the method comprising administering to a companion animal a companion animal composition comprising fructooligosaccharide, is disclosed.