Pet food composition having enhanced palatability

Abstract

A food composition is provided for a companion animal such as a dog or cat, the food composition comprising an extract of a herb or spice that comprises at least one compound selected from thymol and carvacrol as a substantial flavorant ingredient. A method is provided for enhancing palatability of a food composition to a companion animal, the method comprising adding to the composition a palatability enhancing effective amount of an extract of a herb or spice that comprises at least one compound selected from thymol and carvacrol as a substantial flavorant ingredient. A suitable extract is essential oil of oregano.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 525,306, filed Nov. 26, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to pet food compositions having enhanced palatability and to methods of enhancing palatability of a pet food. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In designing foods for companion animals such as cats and dogs, optimal animal health or wellness through good nutrition is an important goal. However, even the most nutritious animal food is of little value if the animal rejects or refuses to eat the food, or if the animal's intake of the food is restricted, because it finds the food unpalatable. [0004] Finicky animals, older animals, sick animals, and high energy animals often do not consume enough nutrients to maintain their weight and activity level. Particularly in the case of older animals and sick animals, lack of interest in food and resulting low ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] A pet food composition comprising an extract as defined herein can exhibit surprisingly high palatability to a companion animal; furthermore practice of the method as described herein can impart surprisingly high palatability to a pet food that otherwise is of inferior palatability to a companion animal.

Problems solved by technology

However, even the most nutritious animal food is of little value if the animal rejects or refuses to eat the food, or if the animal's intake of the food is restricted, because it finds the food unpalatable.

Finicky animals, older animals, sick animals, and high energy animals often do not consume enough nutrients to maintain their weight and activity level.

Particularly in the case of older animals and sick animals, lack of interest in food and resulting low consumption can result in muscle deterioration, weakness and poor recovery of health, ultimately resulting in hospitalization and / or death of the animal.

Cats in particular are notoriously finicky, fastidious or otherwise excessively selective in what they will eat.

Enticing a companion animal to eat can be an expensive and time consuming chore.

Foods with varying moisture content, supplements and treats have been developed to encourage animals to eat, however these attempts are an imperfect solution to the problem.

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