Abstract: A dried pet food which is able to mechanically clean the teeth of pets when chewed. The dried pet food is based on a matrix of a denatured protein source and a gelatinized carbohydrate source. Insoluble fiber is bound within the matrix. Further, a humectant is included within the gelatinized matrix in an amount sufficient for reducing the brittleness of the dried pet food.

Abstract: A pet food and method for manufacturing pet food is provided. The method includes extruding a base meal formulation, grinding the extruded meal, and pressure forming the ground meal into solid form.

Abstract: The several embodiments of the present invention include methods of producing a thermoplastic, protein-based, edible molded article and the resulting articles. An exemplary method includes the steps of mixing a protein-based thermoplastic composition of the present invention, heating the composition via an extruder, drying the resulting extrudate and heating the dried extrudate and injecting the heated, previously dried, extrudate into one or more molds.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for the recover of commercial slaughter waste streams for use in the manufacture of commercial pet food products, wherein waste materials are collected following the commercial slaughter of animals, the greater part of those materials being size reduced as necessary and heated, whereupon a proteinaceous fraction, lipidaceous fraction, and aqueous fraction are formed and substantially separated from one another and wherein each of said fractions are subsequently used in the production of commercial pet foods or components thereof.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a composition comprising a) from 20 w/w % to 70 w/w % cereal proteins, b) from 25 w/w % to 70 w/w % maltodextrin, c) from 1 w/w % to 20 w/w % amino acids, and d) from 0 w/w % to 20 w/w % minerals, and e) from 0 w/w % to 45 w/w % fat. The composition is prepared according to a process wherein maltodextrin and cereal proteins are mixed and liquid amino acids are added, followed by drying to appropriate dry substance. The composition can be applied in food and feed applications as milk powder replacer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved poultry breeder feed diet composition and uses incorporating the feed diet composition. The breeder feed diet compositions include byproduct or waste material from citrus juice extraction. The citrus peel byproduct compositions improve poultry breeder characteristics and economics.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

Abstract: A feline pet food comprising a dietary level of protein and a supplemental amount of at least one amino acid in an amount sufficient to provide a feline lean body mass protection equivalent to about a 50% protein feline pet food.

Abstract: A nutritious, flavorful, digestible animal chew made from a dehydrated sweet potato is provided. The animal chew is non-allergenic and has a striated, deeply furrowed surface to improve the oral hygiene of an animal. The animal chew is low in calories, high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber and contains no animal-based or synthetic products.

Abstract: Semiwet feed product with a wrapping coating applied by a vacuum coating method, process for the manufacture of such a product, method for packaging the same and product packed using said method.

Abstract: A biscuit treat for dogs has improved palatability by incorporating a highly palatable shelf stable meaty filling into a cavity formed upon the top surface of the biscuit. The meaty filling includes agar as a gelling agent in combination with sufficient soluble solids to yield a high Brix number and reduced water activity. Precise quantities of agar and of a soluble solids concentration exceeding 65% eliminate capillary transfer of moisture from the highly aqueous meaty filling to the low moisture dry biscuit. The resulting highly palatable two phase biscuit has a long shelf life suitable for commercialization in the pet treat market.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a surface coating composition for an animal food. The process involves combining, in-line along a food processing line, liquid fat and a dry additive to provide a liquid fat-dry additive composition, which then is combined with a liquid additive to provide a surface coating composition. The composition is coated on the food.

Abstract: A source of dietary lipids containing anti-microbial fatty acids is added to a food composition intended for improving or maintaining the skin health and/or coat quality in a pet by preventing or regulating the growth of skin pathogens and of microflora responsible for the generation of body surface and coat odors.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the palatability of aquaculture food, the method comprising treating the food with a compound of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, and n are as defined herein, are disclosed.

Abstract: A chew product useful to reduce dental calculus and gingivitis in the oral cavity of animals contains a combination of sodium tripolyphosphate and a cetyl pyridinium salt. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the novel chew product and for using the chew product to promote oral health in animals.

Abstract: A chew toy has a bone portion impregnated with a soft solid along an interior thereof to simulate the taste and texture of bone marrow, and has a meat portion impregnated with liquid to simulate the taste of meat. The bone portion is defined by an elongated shaft terminating at opposite ends. A first terminal end and a second terminal end of the shaft are defined by a pair of condyles, or in the alternative, by a rounded body. The elongated shaft is defined by a narrow middle portion and widening at a first terminal end and a second terminal end. The meat portion circumscribes a terminal end the bone portion. The meat portion further extends toward a middle portion of a shaft of the bone portion, wherein a sufficient quantity of the bone portion is available for use by a canine.

Abstract: A method for providing nutrition to critical care animals such as dogs and cats is provided which comprises administering an amount of an artificially produced canine or feline milk substitute composition. The canine milk substitute composition comprises, on a dry matter basis, from about 35 to 45% by weight protein, from about 25 to 35% by weight fat, and from about 10 to 25% by weight carbohydrates. The feline milk composition comprises, on a dry matter basis, from about 30 to 50% protein, from about 25 to 50% fat, and from about 10 to 25% carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food composition for domestic carnivores which makes it possible to prevent or correct pigmentation abnormalities and/or to improve the quality of the fur of the said domestic carnivores, characterized in that it contains a source of free tyrosine representing at least 5% of the total tyrosine supplied. The invention also relates to a method for preventing or correcting pigmentation abnormalities of the fur of domestic carnivores that uses said food composition.

Abstract: An animal feed with a high level of arachidonic acid is produced from microalgae, and fed to aquatic animals grown in aquaculture. The arachidonic acid-rich microalgae are fed directly to the aquatic animals, or processed to produce an oil that can be used as a human nutritive supplement. The arachidonic acid-rich microalgae can be combined with long chain omega-3 fatty acids to provide a source of nutrition for humans and animals. The animal feed and nutritional supplements are free of animal byproducts.

Abstract: A process for preparing an extrudable product suitable for forming into a chewable pet food and comprising between about 56% to about 80% dry wheat gluten mix, between about 9% to about 28% liquid plasticizer mix and between about 8% to about 18% moisture by weight of the product is disclosed. The process comprises mixing the dry wheat gluten mix with water in an extruder, to form a moist wheat gluten mix, and mixing the moist wheat gluten mix with a liquid plasticizer mix and extruding at a temperature of less than 70° C. to form the extrudable product. The invention also relates to the extrudable product and to the chewable pet food formed therefrom by means of either further extrusion or injection moulding.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged gelatin, animal bile acid, fungal acid protease, papain, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A pet food composition containing chunks and a clear gellified sauce or base, said composition being obtainable by: i) incorporating at least one semi-refined gelling agent and/or semi-refined gelling biopolymer blend, in a mixture comprising meat and meat by-products, said mixture being used for the manufacture of the chunks; ii) mixing the manufactured chunks with a sauce or base containing no gelling agent; and iii) treating the mixture under conditions to release the pure gelling agent molecules from the chunks into the sauce or base to gelify it and to achieve chunk structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enriched animal chew toy comprising a resin a fermented soy nutraceutical. Optionally the nutraceutical may contain enzymes or coenzymes. Also, the enriched animal chew toy may be formed by mixing a resin with the fermented soy nutraceutical in a heated molding machine. Suitable resins include starch, thermoplastic, casein, denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen, wheat gluten, rawhide, proteins, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns a complete feed composition for fish larvae, characterized in that it has a phospholipid content not less than 8.5 wt. % of dry matter of the feed.

Abstract: An animal chew is provided formed by rolling a mixture of binder and base material into a sheet. Base material, such as an edible material, including but not limited to starch, protein matter, vegetable or plant matter, is mixed with a binder. The mixture is then supplied to a screw conveyor followed by introduction onto rollers to form a sheet. The sheet may then be cut into a desired shape. The overall process may be made continuous, and the manufacturing conditions may be selectively controlled at each step, with respect to variable a such as temperature and moisture levels, to substantially maintain the overall nutritional value of the formed edible compositions.

Abstract: A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, along with other ingredients, to form a dough. Use of the wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and a moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried.

Abstract: A method for producing a jerked meat rawhide chew toys has acts of providing rawhide chew toys, preparing meat, processing the meat, coating the rawhide chew toys with meat and drying the rawhide chew toys coated with meat. According to the method, the rawhide chew toys are coated with meat and jerked to improve dogs' desire to chew rawhide chew toys a long time to achieve the objective of cleaning dogs' teeth better.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of Tyrophagus putrescentiae in a pet food product includes the step of adding at least 0.3% by weight conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to the pet food product. Specifically, adding conjugated linoleic acid to the pet food product includes the steps of adding conjugated linoleic acid to a pet food meal pre-mix, extruding the conjugated linoleic acid containing premix to form the pet food product, cutting the pet food product to size, and drying the pet food product. The method can further include the step of coating the dried, cut to size pet food product with conjugated linoleic acid.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cooked cereals or dry pet food by preparing a mixture of water and a dry premix mainly comprising cereal flour or semolina, and pressing the mixture, with the aid of a gear pump, firstly through a heat exchanger wherein it is cooked and then through an extrusion die to form an extruded product. Also, an apparatus for carrying out the process and a product obtainable by the process.

Abstract: A palatability enhancing composition for extruded pet food containing at least one tripolyphosphate salt in an amount effective to enhance palatability and at least one ingredient selected from meat products, meat by-products, fish products, fish by-products, dairy products, dairy by-products, sources of microbial proteins, vegetable proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids. Methods for enhancing pet food palatability with the disclosed palatability enhancing compositions and extruded pet food compositions coated therewith are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention advances prior art animal food products by providing an animal food product formulated with Garicinia mangostana L., or Mangosteen fruit, from the Mangosteen plant. The addition of Mangosteen to the animal food product of the present invention serves to provide significant health advantages not found in prior art animal food products.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the condition and/or increasing the longevity of elderly pets. The elderly pet is administered an effective amount of a nutritional composition which contains a calcium source and an antioxidant source, such as of vitamins or vitamin precursors which have antioxidant properties. Examples of such vitamins and precursors include ?-carotene and vitamin E.

Abstract: A method for producing a jerked meat rawhide chew toys has steps of forming rawhide chew toys, preparing neat, processing the meat, coating the rawhide chew toys with meat and drying the rawhide chew toys coated with meat. According to the method, the rawhide chew toys are coated with meat and jerked to improve dogs' desire to chew rawhide chew toys a long time to achieve the objective of cleaning dogs' teeth better.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lactic acid bacterial micro-organisms that have been isolated and selected for their probiotic potential and their use for the preparation of petfood compositions intended to improve the health of pets, and to compositions containing the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel appetizing agent containing trisodium pyrophosphate combine with a flavour and a taste enhancer, for dry or semi-dry foods for domestic animals, and a method for enhancing appetence of said foods. The invention also concerns a method for increasing and enhancing the taste of flavours and other factors of taste present in domestic animal foods.

Abstract: A wide range of aqueous based soaking operations can be employed to impregnate substantially throughout various rawhide pet chews; suitable substances for release into the oral cavity of pets during chewing include emulsions, surfactants, conditioners, flavorants and/or active ingredients. Prior to impregnation, the rawhide chews are physically disrupted/penetrated to augment substance impregnation substantially throughout the chews.

Abstract: A dried pet food which is able to mechanically clean the teeth of pets when chewed. The pet food is based on a matrix of a protein source and a carbohydrate source. The density of the product is less than 20.5 lbs./ft3. The product also has a large size as compared to at least some other prior dried pet food.

Abstract: The method of selectively climate controlling the formulation and distribution to points of sale to customers of pet food.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved poultry feed diet composition and uses incorporating the feed composition. The feed composition includes byproduct or waste material from citrus juice extraction. The citrus byproduct or waste is at a concentration characteristic of a feed supplement. These feed supplements improve poultry characteristics and enhance feed conversion when compared with traditional poultry feed diets or supplements which rely on components that are not in their respective native states as present in citrus byproduct from juice extraction equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the durability of, and/or stabilizing, microbially perishable products, in which, during the process for preparing, processing or packaging the products, their surfaces and/or their environment, in particular the environmental air and/or the surfaces of the utensils or other materials which come directly or indirectly into contact with the products, are impacted with one or more process adjuvants, the process adjuvant comprising at least one microbicidally active flavouring substance.

Abstract: An edible animal chew toy which provides a dental benefit when chewed. The chewing action of the animal causes ribs and/or protrusions on the chew toy, in close proximity to the area being chewed, to floss the sides of the animal's teeth and gums.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a culturing characteristic of fish larvae, including administering to said larvae in a nutritional diet essential fatty acids including DHA and AA in a ratio effective to enhance the culturing characteristic of such fish larvae relative to a corresponding nutritional diet lacking DHA and AA. The culturing characteristic may be at least one of stress resistance, immunoresistance, hatching rate, and growth rate. In a preferred aspect, the DHA and AA together comprise from about 10 to about 30% of total fatty acids in enrichment lipids, and the dietary ratio of DHA: AA is less than 10.

Abstract: A process of injection molding a natural resin into a mold cavity including lifter bars as part of the ejection system for extracting the molded animal chew of the mold cavity. The lifter bars are provided with a contacting area having a relatively high surface area ratio relative to surface area of the molded part that remains in contact with the mold after injection and mold opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a combination of a protease and an inner salt of a quaternary amine carboxylic acid for the preparation of an agent for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of coccidiosis and bacterial infections such as necrotic enterities in animals. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise the inclusion of a xylanase and/or an ?-amylase in the agent. A nutritional additive comprising a combination of an inner salt of a quaternary amine carboxylic acid protease and (optionally) a xylanase and an ?-amylase is also disclosed. It can be used for improving the rate of weight gain of animals.

Abstract: The present invention an antibiotic-free fodder composition for domestic animals. According to the present invention, by adding germanium biotite instead of antibiotic to assorted fodder commonly used in the livestock industry, it is possible to produce domestic animals having a growth rate and immune ability as good as by adding a large amount of antibiotic to the feed. Therefore, in preparing feed, use of antibiotic harmful to animals and a human which has consumed the meat of the animals can be avoided partially or totally, thereby enabling production of “healthful meat”. The present composition comprises a basal diet including corn, soybean meal, molasses, salt, vitamin premix and mineral premix, and 0.1 to 3.0% of germanium biotite including 36 ppm of germanium, and biotite, muscovite, feldspar, tourmaline, zircon, garnet, apatite and opaque minerals, and having 0.93% of emissivity and 4.31×102 W/m2 ?m of radioactive energy at a range of far infrared rays between 5 and 20 ?m.

Abstract: This invention describes feed supplement, and processes which increase the amount of essential fatty acids in the milk, eggs, meat and other by-products from animals including dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats and poultry. The food supplement described herein includes specific fish meal, fish oil, algae or plant dietary supplements combined with a natural ingredient/coating mixture, which can be either talc, clay or combinations; or mixtures of talc or clay with flax sprout powder to achieve enhanced levels of the essential fatty acids in the milk, eggs, meat and processed livestock products from animals fed this dietary supplement. In ruminants, the natural ingredient/coating mixture prevents microbial degradation of the essential fatty acids in the rumen stomach of the animals fed with this composition, thus providing more of the essential fatty acids to the animal, for their use. This in turn results in improved concentrations in the milk, meat and processed products from these animals.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing feed pellets, and a plant for the implementation of this method have been explained. The aim has been to improve the manufacturing of porous pellets, first and foremost to achieve a better control of the porosity of the pellets than the known techniques. The pellets come from a pelletizing machine (1) into a pellet chamber (3) which is kept at a pressure lower than the ambient pressure. From the chamber (3) the pellets are passed through an outlet (5) having a gate lock body (6).

Abstract: The method for mixing and introduction of inulin facilitates health in young animals. In general, Inulin in a dry form will be combined with dry citric acid, an FDA approved colorant, and a moisture scavenger. The combined dry product will then be mixed and subsequently mixed with water, where the typical dry mixture will be 75% to 85% Inulin, 20% to 25% citric acid, and less than 1% colorant and moisture scavenger. The mixed solution may then be diluted to a minimum concentration of 1 part solution to 128 parts water for introduction to young animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the improved uptake of feed additives, pigments for use in coloring the flesh and the like. This improved intestinal uptake of foodstuffs and additives is effected through enhancing the development of the intestinal tract. Specifically the present method comprises of feeding fish with a diet which has an augmented level of nucleotides present therein. The nucleotides may be selected from the group consisting of nucleotides of uridine, guanosine, cytidine, thymindine, adenosine and mixtures thereof. The resultant improvement in the development of the intestinal tract leads to an improvement of the intestinal surfaces to absorb nutrients and/or dietary additives, this increase being at least partly due to an increase in gut surface area, for example through an increase in villus height.

Abstract: A composition for long term improvement of water quality in biological tank systems is described as: 1) at least one highly or poorly soluble Al3+, Fe3+, TiO2+ or ZrO2+ salt of an organic carboxylic acid, optionally mixed with an organic carboxylic acid; 2) at least one water soluble N free biologically degradable organic compound; 3) at least one soluble alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid; and 4) at least one Mg2+ salt of an organic carboxylic acid, optionally mixed with at least one Ca2+ of an organic carboxylic acid; and also 5) trace elements and vitamins, particularly water soluble vitamins of the B series. Changes in water quality determining parameters can be reduced, minimized or eliminated by using the described agent and thus a significant reduction in partial water change frequency or a clear extension of periods without water changing can be achieved.