Pet food compositions and methods for reducing metabolites associated with protein spoilage in felines

Abstract

Disclosed herein are pet food compositions and methods for improving pet health. According to one aspect, a pet food composition is provided, the pet food composition comprising fat; from about 15% to about 55% by weight of protein; from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of crude fibers; and optionally, a carbohydrate wherein the weight ratio of protein to crude fiber of the pet food composition is from about 25: 1 to about 50: 1, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments of the pet food composition, the weight ratio of protein to crude fibers is from about 28: 1 to about 45: 1, preferably from about 30: 1 to about 40: 1, preferably from about 30: 1 to about 38: 1, or preferably from about 32: 1 to about 36: 1.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related patent applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 352,461, entitled “PET FOOD COMPOSITIONS,” filed on June 15, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] Animals, especially companion pet animals (e.g., dogs and cats), suffer from a variety of health problems as they age. Previous attempts to address these problems have focused on treating overweight, or in extreme cases, obesity. Specifically, food compositions are tailored to reduce caloric intake or affect metabolism simply to reduce the weight of the animal. In addition to controlling the diet of the animal, these animals also suffer from separate age-related gastrointestinal health issues.

[0004] As an additional difficulty in producing pet food compositions that can be customized to regulate caloric intake and / or address gastrointestinal health issues, determining the appropriate level of dietary protein for the respective animal is challenging. Increasing dietary protein levels in animal foods can help prevent sarcopenia by maintaining lean mass and induce food satiety, which will enhance compliance with weight management diets, but may result in increased amounts of dietary protein bypassing digestion and being spoiled by resident commensal intestinal bacteria. Microbial protein spoilage products may be detrimental to the progression of renal disease in pets with impaired kidneys.

[0005] There is a continuing need for improved pet food compositions that provide health benefits to domestic pets. Summary of the invention

[0006] Summary of the invention is only intended to introduce a brief overview of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Other applicable fields of the present disclosure will become apparent according to the specific embodiments provided below. Summary of the invention is not an exhaustive overview, nor is it intended to identify the key elements or important elements of this teaching, nor is it intended to delimit the scope of the present disclosure. On the contrary, its purpose is only to present one or more concepts in a simplified form as a preface to the following specific embodiments.

[0007] Aspects of the present invention relate to pet food compositions and methods for improving pet health. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pet food composition is provided, comprising fat; about 15% by weight to about 55% by weight of protein; about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight of crude fiber; and optionally, carbohydrates, wherein the weight ratio of protein to crude fiber of the pet food composition is about 25:1 to about 50:1, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the gross weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments of the pet food composition, the weight ratio of protein to crude fiber is about 28:1 to about 45:1, preferably about 30:1 to about 40:1, preferably about 30:1 to about 38:1, or preferably about 32:1 to about 36:1.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a pet food composition is provided, comprising from about 8% to about 50% by weight fat; from about 15% to about 55% by weight protein; from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight crude fiber; and carbohydrates in an amount up to about 65% by weight, wherein the pet food composition has a weight ratio of protein to crude fiber of from about 25:1 to about 50:1, and wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, a method for reducing metabolites associated with protein corruption in a feline is provided. The method typically includes reducing one or more proteolytic metabolites in a feline and increasing one or more short-chain fatty acids in a feline by administering a pet food composition as described herein to the feline. The one or more short-chain fatty acids increased by the method are preferably butyrate / ester (butyryl glycine). In some embodiments, one or more proteolytic metabolites include pyrraline, N6-carboxymethyl lysine, N6-carboxyethyl lysine, methionine sulfoxide, pseudouridine, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0010] The method may also include feeding the pet food composition to the feline at least once a day, preferably at least twice a day, or preferably at least three times a day. Additionally or alternatively, the pet food composition may be fed to the feline for 1 day or more, preferably 5 days or more, preferably 7 days or more, preferably 10 days or more, preferably 14 days or more, preferably 30 days or more, or preferably 42 days or more. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] For the purpose of illustration, the principle of the present invention is described by reference to multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Although certain embodiments of the present invention are specifically described herein, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the same principles are equally applicable and can be used for other compositions and methods. Before describing the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed in terms of its application. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description rather than for the purpose of limitation.

[0012] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context indicates otherwise. The singular form of any class of ingredients refers not only to one ingredient within that class, but also to mixtures of these ingredients. The terms "a / an", "one or more / one or more", and "at least one / at least one" may be used interchangeably herein. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" may be used interchangeably. The term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". The term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to".

[0013] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing individual values ​​and each value within a range. Any value within a range can be selected as the endpoint of the range. Therefore, ranges 1 to 5 specifically include 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and subranges such as 2 to 5, 3 to 5, 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 1 to 4, etc. The term "about" when referring to a number means any number within 10% of the number. For example, the phrase "about 2.0 wt %" refers to a number between and including 1.8 wt % and 2.2 wt %.

[0014] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0015] Unless otherwise indicated, abbreviations and symbols as used herein take their ordinary meanings. The abbreviation "% by weight" means the weight percentage relative to the pet food composition. The symbol "°" refers to degrees, such as degrees of temperature or degrees of angle. The symbols "h", "min", "mL", "nm", "μm" mean hours, minutes, milliliters, nanometers and micrometers, respectively. The abbreviation "UV-VIS" referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy means ultraviolet-visible. The abbreviation "rpm" means revolutions per minute.

[0016] Any member of a species list used to exemplify or define a genus may be mutually distinct from, overlap with, be a subset of, be equivalent to, be nearly identical to, or be identical to any other member of the species list. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, such as when listing Markush groups, a species list defining or exemplifying a genus is open-ended, given that there may be other species that define or exemplify the genus just as well as or better than any other species listed.

[0017] All components and elements that are positively set forth in the present disclosure may be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the pet food composition of the present disclosure may be free of or substantially free of all components and elements that are positively listed throughout the present disclosure. In some cases, the pet food composition of the present disclosure may be substantially free of the ingredients or compounds described herein in a non-incident amount. The non-incident amount of an ingredient or compound is the amount of an ingredient or compound that is added to the pet food composition alone. For example, the pet food composition may be substantially free of a non-incident amount of a certain ingredient or compound, although such an ingredient or compound may exist as a part of a raw material (included as a blend of two or more compounds). Unless otherwise defined or described herein, substantially free of generally refers to the total weight based on dry matter of the pet food composition, with an amount of about 2% by weight or less, about 1.5% by weight or less, about 1% by weight or less, about 0.5% by weight or less, about 0.1% by weight or less, or about 0.05% by weight or less, or about 0.01% by weight or less of ingredients or compounds.

[0018] Some of the components of the different categories identified may overlap. In such cases where there may be overlap and the pet food composition contains two components (or the composition contains more than two overlapping components), the overlapping compounds do not represent more than one component. For example, certain components or ingredients may be described as both grains and rice. If a particular pet food care composition lists both grains and rice, ingredients and / or compounds that may be described as both grains and rice will only act as one of the grains or rice - not both.

[0019] As used herein, the term "pet" can be used interchangeably with "companion animal" and refers to an animal of any species that is kept as a pet by a caregiver, or any animal of various species that has been widely domesticated as a pet, including canines (Canis familiaris) and felines (Felis domesticus). Thus, pets may include, but are not limited to, working dogs, pet dogs, cats kept for rodent control (i.e., farm cats), pet cats, ferrets, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and fish.

[0020] Insofar as foods and food ingredients contain water / moisture, dry matter refers to everything in a sample other than water, including, for example, protein, fiber, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, etc. The dry matter weight is the total weight minus the weight of any water. A skilled artisan will readily recognize and understand nutrient amounts and percentages expressed as dry matter amount, dry matter weight, and dry matter percentage.

[0021] Daily dry matter intake is calculated as the total nutritional intake per day excluding all water. For example, the amount of an ingredient that equals a particular percentage of daily nutritional intake refers to the amount of the ingredient in dry matter form (i.e., excluding all water) relative to the total amount of dry matter (also excluding all water) consumed in a day.

[0022] "Daily nutrient intake" and "total nutrient intake per day" refer to daily dry matter intake. That is, the weight of water is not included when calculating the amount of nutrients consumed per day. To calculate the percentage of an ingredient in the total daily intake on a dry matter basis, water is removed from the total intake to obtain the total daily dry matter intake, and the percentage of the ingredient is based on the amount of the ingredient present as dry matter.

[0023] As used herein, "ingredient" refers to any component of a pet food composition. The term "nutrient" refers to a substance that provides nutrition and therefore has nutritional value. In some cases, an ingredient may contain more than one "nutrient", for example, a composition may contain corn containing important nutrients, including both protein and carbohydrates.

[0024] Aspects of the invention relate to pet food compositions and methods for improving the health of pets. The pet food compositions can be formulated specifically for felines and / or canines. In some aspects, the pet food compositions contain higher amounts of protein while avoiding elevated levels of enteric microbial protein spoilage typical of conventional pet food compositions containing such levels of dietary protein. For example, certain embodiments of pet food compositions containing certain proteins and fibers in specific ratios achieve unexpected reductions in reduced fecal spoilage and oxidative metabolites while increasing butyrate produced by consumption of such pet food compositions.

[0025] In one aspect of the present invention, a pet food composition is provided, comprising fat; from about 15% to about 55% by weight protein; from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight crude fiber; and optionally, carbohydrates, wherein the pet food composition has a protein to crude fiber weight ratio of from about 25:1 to about 50:1, and all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

[0026] In some embodiments, the pet food composition is formulated to have a protein to crude fiber weight ratio of about 25:1 to about 47:1, about 25:1 to about 45:1, about 25:1 to about 43:1, about 25:1 to about 41:1, about 25:1 to about 39:1, about 25:1 to about 37:1, about 25:1 to about 35:1; about 27:1 to about 50:1, about 27:1 to about 47:1, about 27:1 to about 45:1, about 27:1 to about 43:1, about 27:1 to about 41:1, about 27:1 to about 39:1, about 25:1 to about 37:1, about 25:1 to about 35:1; about 29:1 to about 50:1, about 29:1 to about 47:1, about 27:1 to about 45:1, about 27:1 to about 43:1, about 27:1 to about 41:1, about 27:1 to about 39:1, about 27:1 to about 37:1, about 27:1 to about 35:1; 1 to about 37:1, about 29:1 to about 35:1; about 31:1 to about 50:1, about 31:1 to about 47:1, about 31:1 to about 45:1, about 31:1 to about 43:1, about 31:1 to about 41:1, about 31:1 to about 39:1, about 31:1 to about 37:1, about 31:1 to about 35:1; about 33:1 to about 50:1, about 33:1 to about 47:1, about 33:1 to about 45:1, about 33:1 to about 37:1, about 31:1 to about 35:1, and any ranges or subranges thereof.

[0027] Depending on the specific combination of other ingredients and the form of the pet food composition, suitable components such as those listed below may be included in or excluded from the formulation for the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the pet food composition disclosed herein may be in the form of a stand-alone pet food, as a supplement to a pet food, as a pet food treat, etc.

[0028] The pet food composition is formulated to contain fat in an amount that may vary, but typically ranges from about 8% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.For example, the pet food composition can include fat in an amount ranging from about 10% to about 50% by weight, about 12% to about 50% by weight, about 14% to about 50% by weight, about 16% to about 50% by weight, about 18% to about 50% by weight, about 20% to about 50% by weight, about 22% to about 50% by weight, about 24% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis; about 8% to about 40% by weight, about 10% to about 40% by weight, about 12% to about 40% by weight, about 14% to about 40% by weight, about 16% to about 40% by weight, about 18% to about 50% by weight, about 20% to about 50% by weight, about 22% to about 50% by weight, about 24% to about 50% by weight; % to about 40 wt%, about 22 wt% to about 40 wt%, about 24 wt% to about 40 wt%; about 8 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 12 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 14 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 16 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 18 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 20 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 22 wt% to about 35 wt%, about 24 wt% to about 35 wt%; about 8 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 12 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 14 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 16 wt% to about 30 wt%, about 18 wt% to about 30 wt%, about % to about 27 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 27 wt %; about 8 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 27 wt %, about 22 wt % to about 27 wt %; about 8 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 24 wt %, about 20 wt % to about 24 wt %. %; about 8 wt % to about 22 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 22 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 22 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 22 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 22 wt %, about 18 wt % to about 22 wt ...0 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 12 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 14 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 16 wt % to about 20 wt %, including ranges and subranges thereof.

[0029] The term "fat" generally refers to a lipid or a mixture of lipids that can be solid or liquid at normal room temperature (e.g., 25° C.) and pressure (e.g., 1 atmosphere). In some cases, at standard room temperature and pressure, the fat can be a viscous liquid or an amorphous solid. The fat can be fully incorporated into the food composition, deposited on the outside of the pet food composition, or can be a mixture of the two methods. In some embodiments, the pet food composition also includes an effective amount of one or more substances selected from the following: glucosamine, chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (methylsulfonylmethane, "MSM"), creatine, antioxidants, tubular mussels (Perna canaliculata), and mixtures thereof.

[0030] Fat can include dietary fat, such as triglycerides. In some embodiments, triglycerides can account for about 20% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 60% to about 100%, about 70% to about 100%, about 80% to about 100%, about 90% to about 100% of the total amount of fat in the pet food composition. In other embodiments, triglycerides account for about 20% to about 95%, about 40% to about 95%, about 50% to about 95%, about 60% to about 95%, about 70% to about 95%, about 80% to about 95%, about 90% to about 95% of the total amount of fat in the pet food composition. In some other embodiments, triglycerides account for about 20% to about 90%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 60% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 80% to about 90% of the total amount of fat in the pet food composition. In still other embodiments, triglycerides comprise about 20% to about 80%, about 40% to about 80%, about 50% to about 80%, about 60% to about 80%, about 70% to about 80% of the total amount of fat in the pet food composition.

[0031] Triglyceride can comprise one or more compositions containing fatty acid component / part.For example, triglyceride can comprise one, two or three isoluminous path length chains selected from fatty acid component / part.The limiting examples of fatty acid component include but are not limited to ω-3 fatty acids, ω-6 fatty acids, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, margarine oleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, stearatetraenoic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, docosatetraenoic acid and the combination of two or more thereof.The fatty acid component can be polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as ω-3 fatty acids, ω-6 fatty acids or the combination of two or more thereof.The limiting examples of ω-3 fatty acid component include those selected from linolenic acid, stearatetraenoic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and the combination of two or more thereof.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, triglycerides can include a polyunsaturated fatty acid component selected from ω-6 fatty acids. Examples of ω-6 fatty acid components include linolenic acid, octadecatrienoic acid, eicosadienoic acid, arachidonic acid, docosadienoic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, tetracosatetraenoic acid, tetracospentaenoic acid, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the polyunsaturated fatty acid component is selected from linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0033] Triglyceride can be selected from triglyceride with at least one aliphatic carbon chain comprising 6 to 10 carbons. For example, triglyceride can have one, two or three aliphatic carbon chains of 6 to 10 carbons. In some embodiments, triglyceride has an aliphatic carbon chain of 6 carbons, 7 carbons, 8 carbons, 9 carbons, and / or 10 carbons. For example, the aliphatic carbon chain of medium chain triglyceride can include 6 to 9 carbons, 6 to 8 carbons, 6 or 7 carbons; 7 to 10 carbons, 7 to 9 carbons, 7 or 8 carbons; 8 to 10 carbons or 8 or 9 carbons or 9 or 10 carbons. In some embodiments, triglyceride comprises an aliphatic carbon chain with 6 carbons, 8 carbons, or 10 carbons. For example, triglyceride can have an aliphatic carbon chain selected from caprylate, caprate, and / or decanoate.

[0034] Fat can be supplied by any source in various sources known to those skilled in the art, including meat, meat by-products, canola oil, fish oils such as anchovy oil and herring oil and plants. Meat fat sources include poultry fat, turkey fat, pork fat, lard, tallow and beef fat. Plant fat sources include wheat, linseed, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, corn, oats, millet, wheat germ, corn germ, soybean, peanut and cottonseed, and oil derived from these and other plant fat sources, such as corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, linseed oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil and / or olestra oil.

[0035] In some cases, the fat in the composition is crude fat. Based on the gross weight based on dry matter of pet food composition, crude fat can be included in the composition with respect to the above disclosed amount of total fat, for example, about 8 % by weight to about 50 % by weight. In some embodiments, based on the gross weight based on dry matter of pet food composition, pet food composition comprises crude fat with the amount of about 10 % by weight to about 40 % by weight, about 12 % by weight to about 35 % by weight, about 14 % by weight to about 30 % by weight, about 16 % by weight to about 24 % by weight. In some cases, it can be preferred that about 50 % by weight or more, about 60 % by weight or more, about 70 % by weight or more, about 80 % by weight or more, or about 90 % by weight or more of total fat obtain from animal sources. Or, about 50 % by weight or more, about 60 % by weight or more, about 70 % by weight or more, about 80 % by weight or more, or about 90 % by weight or more of total fat can obtain from plant sources.

[0036] Pet food compositions typically include protein in an amount ranging from about 15% to about 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In some cases, the total amount of protein in the pet food composition is in the range of about 15% to about 50% by weight, about 15% to about 48% by weight, about 15% to about 46% by weight, about 15% to about 44% by weight, about 15% to about 42% by weight, about 15% to about 40% by weight, about 15% to about 38% by weight, about 15% to about 36% by weight, about 15% to about 34% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis; about 20% to about 55% by weight, about 20% to about 50% by weight, about 20% to about 48% by weight, about 20% to about 46% by weight, about 20% to about 44% by weight, about 15% to about 42% by weight, about 20% to about 40% by weight, about 20% to about 38% by weight, about 15% to about 36% by weight, about 15% to about 34% by weight % to about 48 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 46 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 44 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 42 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 38 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 36 wt %, about 25 wt % to about 34 wt %; about 30 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 48 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 46 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 44 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 42 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 30 wt % to about 38 wt %, or about 30 wt % to about 36 wt %, including ranges and subranges therebetween.

[0037] The protein of the pet food composition comprises one or more amino acids selected from the following: tryptophan, taurine, histidine, carnitine, carnosine, alanine, cysteine, arginine, methionine (including DL-methionine and L-methionine), tryptophan, lysine, asparagine, aspartate (aspartic acid), phenylalanine, valine, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, glycine, glutamine, taurine, tyrosine, homocysteine, ornithine, citrulline, glutamate (glutamic acid), proline and / or serine, and a combination of two or more thereof. The pet food composition may comprise two or more amino acids. For example, the pet food composition may comprise two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more amino acids. In some embodiments, the pet food composition comprises glycine and proline, and optionally one or more additional amino acids.

[0038] In some cases, one or more amino acids may include essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be synthesized de novo or in sufficient amounts by an organism, and therefore must be supplied in a diet. Essential amino acids vary from species to species, depending on the metabolism of the organism. For example, it is generally understood that the essential amino acids for dogs and cats (and humans) are phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, lysine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, histidine and arginine. In addition, although taurine is not an amino acid technically, but a derivative of cysteine, it is an essential nutrient for cats.

[0039] A portion of the protein in the composition can be a digested (pre-hydrolyzed) protein. For example, the composition can include a certain amount of protein, wherein about 40% by weight or more, about 50% by weight or more, about 60% by weight or more, about 70% by weight or more, about 80% by weight or more, about 90% by weight or more, about 95% by weight or more, about 98% by weight or more, or about 99% by weight or more of the protein is a digested (pre-hydrolyzed) protein. In some embodiments, for example, when the composition is expected to promote weight loss, based on the total amount of protein in the pet food composition based on dry matter, the portion of the protein that is digested (e.g., pre-hydrolyzed) in the protein is about 60% by weight or less, about 50% by weight or less, about 40% by weight or less, about 30% by weight or less, about 20% by weight or less, or about 10% by weight or less. In other embodiments, the amount of protein that is digested (e.g., pre-hydrolyzed), based on the total amount of protein in the pet food composition on a dry matter basis, is from about 10% to about 99%, from about 10% to about 95%, from about 10% to about 90%, from about 10% to about 70%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 30%; from about 30% to about 99% by weight, from about 30% to about 95% by weight, from about 30% to about 90% by weight, from about 30% to about 70% by weight, from about 30% to about 50% by weight; from about 50% to about 99% by weight, from about 50% to about 95% by weight, from about 50% to about 90% by weight, from about 50% to about 70% by weight; or from about 70% to about 99%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, including ranges and subranges therein.

[0040] Protein can be supplied by any source in various sources known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including plant origin, animal origin, microbial origin or a combination of these. For example, animal origin can include meat, meat by-products, seafood, dairy products, eggs, etc. For example, meat can include animal meat, such as poultry, fish and mammals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, etc. Meat by-products can include, for example, lungs, kidneys, brains, livers, stomachs and intestines. Vegetable protein includes, for example, soybeans, cottonseeds and peanuts. Microbial origin can be used for synthesizing amino acids (for example, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine) or complete proteins such as proteins from the following sources.

[0041] Examples of proteins or protein ingredients can include chicken meal, chicken, chicken by-product meal, lamb, lamb meal, turkey, turkey meal, beef, beef by-products, offal, fish meal, intestines, kangaroo, whitefish, venison, soy meal, soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, corn protein concentrate, dried distiller's grains, and / or dried distiller's grains solubles and single cell proteins, such as yeast, algae and / or bacterial cultures.

[0042] The protein can be intact, fully hydrolyzed, or partially hydrolyzed. The protein content of a food can be determined by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, as disclosed in the Official Methods of Analysis ("OMA") by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists 988.05. The amount of protein in the compositions disclosed herein can be determined based on the amount of nitrogen in the composition according to methods familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0043] Pet food compositions typically contain from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % crude fiber, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In some embodiments, the crude fiber is present in the pet food composition in an amount of about 0.1% to about 4.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 4% by weight, about 0.1% to about 3.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, about 0.1% to about 2.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, about 0.1% to about 1.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis; about 0.5% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 4.5%, about 0.5% to about 4.5%, about 0.5% to about 3.5%, about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, about 0.1% to about 2.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, about 0.1% to about 1.5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 1% by weight; %, about 0.5 wt % to about 1 wt %; about 1 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 4.5 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 3.5 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2.5 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 1.5 wt %; about 2 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 4.5 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3.5 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 2.5 wt %; about 3 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4.5 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 3.5 wt %; about 4 wt % to about 5 wt %, or about 4 wt % to about 4.5 wt %, including ranges and subranges thereof.

[0044] As described above, the pet food composition can be formulated to have a protein to crude fiber weight ratio of about 25:1 to about 47:1, about 25:1 to about 45:1, about 25:1 to about 43:1, about 25:1 to about 41:1, about 25:1 to about 39:1, about 25:1 to about 37:1, about 25:1 to about 35:1; about 27:1 to about 50:1, about 27:1 to about 47:1, about 27:1 to about 45:1, about 27:1 to about 43:1, about 27:1 to about 41:1, about 27:1 to about 39:1, about 25:1 to about 37:1, about 25:1 to about 35:1; about 29:1 to about 50:1, about 29:1 to about 47:1, about 27:1 to about 45:1, about 27:1 to about 43:1, about 27:1 to about 41:1, about 27:1 to about 39:1, about 25:1 to about 37:1, about 25:1 to about 35:1; :1, about 29:1 to about 41:1, about 29:1 to about 39:1, about 29:1 to about 37:1, about 29:1 to about 35:1; about 31:1 to about 50:1, about 31:1 to about 47:1, about 31:1 to about 45:1, about 31:1 to about 43:1, about 31:1 to about 41:1, about 31:1 to about 39:1, about 31:1 to about 37:1, about 31:1 to about 35:1; about 33:1 to about 50:1, about 33:1 to about 47:1, about 33:1 to about 45:1, about 33:1 to about 43:1, about 33:1 to about 41:1, about 33:1 to about 39:1, about 33:1 to about 37:1, or about 33:1 to about 35:1, including any ranges or subranges thereof.

[0045] In addition, the pet food composition can be formulated to have a total amount of fiber of about 0.1% to about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. For example, the total amount of fiber in the pet food composition can be about 0.1% to about 12% by weight, about 0.1% to about 9% by weight, about 0.1% to about 7% by weight, about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 4% by weight, about 0.1% to about 3% by weight, about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis; From about 2% to about 12% by weight, from about 2% to about 9% by weight, from about 2% to about 7% by weight, from about 2% to about 5% by weight, from about 2% to about 4% by weight, from about 2% to about 3% by weight; from about 4% to about 12% by weight, from about 4% to about 9% by weight, from about 4% to about 7% by weight, from about 4% to about 5% by weight; from about 6% to about 12% by weight, from about 6% to 9% by weight, from about 6% to about 7% by weight; from about 8% to about 12% by weight, from about 8% to 9% by weight; or from about 10% to about 12% by weight, including any ranges or subranges thereof.

[0046] In some embodiments, crude fiber accounts for a major part of the total amount of fiber. In at least one embodiment, based on the gross weight of the pet food composition based on dry matter, crude fiber accounts for about 55% by weight or more, about 65% by weight or more, about 75% by weight or more, about 80% by weight or more, about 85% by weight or more, about 90% by weight or more, about 95% by weight or more, or about 98% by weight or more of the total amount of fiber in the pet food composition. In another embodiment, the total amount of fiber is substantially composed of crude fiber or is composed of crude fiber.

[0047] The total amount of fiber present in the pet food composition generally includes a certain amount of crude fiber and dietary fiber. The amount of crude fiber and / or dietary fiber can be present in the pet food composition in any amount in the above amounts disclosed for the total amount of fiber. Crude fiber includes indigestible components contained in the cell walls and cell contents of plants such as cereals, for example the husks of cereals such as rice, corn and beans.

[0048] Dietary fiber refers to the component of plant that is resistant to digestion of animal digestive enzymes.Dietary fiber includes soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.Soluble fiber resists digestion and absorption in the small intestine and undergoes complete or partial fermentation in the large intestine, such as beet pulp, guar gum, chicory root, psyllium, pectin, blueberry, cranberry, pumpkin, apple, oat, beans, citrus, barley or pea.Insoluble fiber can be supplied by any source in various sources, including for example cellulose, whole wheat products, wheat oats, corn bran, linseed, grape, celery, green beans, cauliflower, potato peels, fruit peels, vegetable peels, peanut shells and soy fiber.Crude fiber includes the indigestible components included in the cell wall and cell content of plants such as cereals, such as the shell of cereals such as rice, corn and beans.

[0049] In some embodiments, the pet food composition has a weight ratio of insoluble fiber to soluble fiber of about 20: 1 to about 8: 1. For example, the pet food composition may have a weight ratio of insoluble fiber to soluble fiber of about 18: 1 to about 8: 1, about 16: 1 to about 8: 1, about 14: 1 to about 8: 1, about 12: 1 to about 8: 1, about 10: 1 to about 8: 1. The pet food composition may have a weight ratio of insoluble fiber to soluble fiber of about 11: 1.

[0050] The pet food composition may also include ash. As described herein, ash is composed of compounds that are not organic or water, and is typically produced by the combustion of biomass. Ash may be present in the pet food composition in an amount ranging from about 1% by weight to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the food composition on a dry matter basis, including all amounts and subranges therebetween. In some embodiments, ash can be present in the food composition in an amount within the following ranges, based on the total weight of the food composition on a dry matter basis: about 1 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 4 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 2 wt %; about 2 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 4 wt %; about 3 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 5 wt %; about 4 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 4 wt % to about 6 wt %; about 5 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 8 wt %, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, the pet food composition may include carbohydrates, for example, in an amount up to about 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. The term "carbohydrate" as used herein includes polysaccharides (e.g., starch and dextrin) and sugars (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose) that are metabolized to energy when hydrolyzed. Those skilled in the art can control the texture of the final product by properly balancing the carbohydrate sources. For example, short-chain polysaccharides have viscosity and gelatinous properties, and long-chain polysaccharides have lower viscosity and gelatinous properties than short-chain polysaccharides; the desired texture of this mixed food is achieved by long-chain polysaccharides and modified starches (e.g., natural or modified starch, cellulose, etc.). The carbohydrate mixture may additionally include optional components, such as added salt, spices, seasonings, vitamins, minerals, flavorings, coloring agents, etc. The amount of the optional components depends at least in part on the nutritional requirements of the different life stages of the animal.

[0052] Carbohydrate can be supplied by any source in various sources well known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to oat fiber, cellulose, peanut shells, beet pulp, parboiled rice, corn starch, corn gluten meal, cereals and sorghum. The cereals supplying carbohydrates can include but not limited to wheat, durum wheat, semolina, corn, barley and rice. In certain embodiments, the carbohydrate component comprises a mixture of one or more carbohydrate sources. The carbohydrate content of food can be determined by any method well known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] Generally, the carbohydrate percentage can be calculated as a nitrogen free extract ("NFE"), which can be calculated as follows: NFE% = 100% - (moisture%) - (protein%) - (fat%) - (ash%) - (crude fiber%). Based on the total weight of the pet composition on a dry matter basis, the amount of carbohydrate present in the composition (e.g., calculated as NFE) can be in an amount up to about 65% by weight, in an amount up to about 60% by weight, in an amount up to about 55% by weight, in an amount up to about 50% by weight, in an amount up to about 45% by weight, in an amount up to about 40% by weight, in an amount up to about 35% by weight, in an amount up to about 30% by weight, in an amount up to about 25% by weight, in an amount up to about 20% by weight, in an amount up to about 15% by weight, in an amount up to about 10% by weight, in an amount up to about 5% by weight; about 1 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 35 wt %; about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 5 wt %; about 5 wt % to about 65 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 35 wt % % by weight; about 5 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 5 wt % to about 15 wt %; about 10 wt % to about 65 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 45 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 35 wt %; about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 10 wt % to about 25 wt %; about 15 wt % to about 65 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 55 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 50 wt %, about 15 wt % to about 45% by weight, about 15% by weight to about 40% by weight, about 15% by weight to about 35% by weight; about 15% by weight to about 30% by weight; about 20% by weight to about 65% by weight, about 20% by weight to about 55% by weight, about 20% by weight to about 50% by weight, about 20% by weight to about 45% by weight, about 20% by weight to about 40% by weight, about 20% by weight to about 35% by weight; about 25% by weight to about 65% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 55% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 50% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 45% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 40% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 35% by weight;From about 30% to about 65% by weight, from about 30% to about 55% by weight, from about 30% to about 50% by weight, from about 30% to about 45% by weight; from about 35% to about 65% by weight, from about 35% to about 55% by weight, from about 35% to about 50% by weight; from about 40% to about 65% by weight, from about 40% to about 55% by weight, from about 45% to about 65% by weight, from about 45% to about 55% by weight; or from about 50% to about 65% by weight, including ranges and sub-ranges thereof. In some cases, the pet food composition is formulated to have from about 27% to 49% by weight carbohydrates, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. ;

[0054] In certain embodiments, the pet food composition comprises moisture. Moisture can exist in various amounts or concentrations. In one embodiment, based on the gross weight of the pet food composition, moisture can exist in an amount of about 3 % by weight to about 20 % by weight. For example, based on the gross weight of the pet food composition, moisture can exist in the following amount: about 3 % by weight, about 5 % by weight, about 5.5 % by weight, about 6 % by weight, about 6.5 % by weight, about 7 % by weight, about 7.5 % by weight, about 8 % by weight, about 8.5 % by weight, about 9 % by weight, about 9.5 % by weight, about 10 % by weight, about 10.5 % by weight, about 11 % by weight, about 11.5 % by weight, about 12 % by weight, about 12.5 % by weight, about 13 % by weight, about 13.5 % by weight, about 14 % by weight, about 14.5 % by weight, or about 15 % by weight. In another example, moisture can be present in an amount of about 6% to about 12%, about 9% to about 13%, about 9% to about 11%, or about 9% to about 13%, based on the total weight of the pet food composition. In certain embodiments, moisture is present in an amount of about 5% to about 12%, about 6% to about 11%, or about 7% to about 10.0%, based on the total weight of the pet food composition. In other embodiments, moisture is present in an amount of about 65% to about 85%, about 60% to about 80%, or about 60% to about 75%, based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

[0055] Pet food compositions can include glucose mimics, carotenoids, and / or arginine and derivatives thereof of one or more ingredients and / or sources. The source of glucose mimics can include glucose antimetabolites (including 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 5-thio-D-glucose, 3-O-methyl glucose), dehydrated sugars (including 1,5-dehydrated-D-glucitol, 2,5-dehydrated-D-glucitol and 2,5-dehydrated-D-mannitol), mannoheptulose and / or an avocado extract comprising mannoheptulose. The source of carotenoids can include lutein, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, carmine, lycopene and / or beta-carotene. The source of antioxidant ingredients can include tocopherol (vitamin E), vitamin C, vitamin A, plant-derived materials, carotenoids (described above), selenium and / or CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10). In a preferred embodiment, pet food compositions include high levels of arginine and derivatives thereof. Based on the total weight of the composition based on dry matter, the amount of arginine present in the composition can be about 0.01 wt % to about 10.0 wt %, about 0.01 wt % to about 5.0 wt %, about 0.01 wt % to about 2.0 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 10.0 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 5.0 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 2.0 wt %; about 0.5 wt % to about 5.0 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 2.0 wt %, about 1.5 wt % to about 5.0 wt %, about 1.5 wt % to about 2.0 wt %, about 0.5 wt %, about 1.0 wt %, about 1.4 wt %, about 1.44 wt %, about 1.8 wt %, or about 2.0 wt %. The arginine present in the composition can be L-arginine, D-arginine, or a mixture thereof.

[0056] The pet food compositions disclosed herein can be wet or dry compositions, and ingredients can be incorporated into the food composition and / or incorporated onto the surface of any composition component, for example by spraying, agglomerating, dusting or precipitating on the surface. In addition, the pet food composition can be formulated and produced to be in various forms and / or consistencies. For example, the pet food composition can be, for example, a dry, moist or semi-moist animal food composition. "Semi-moist" means that the food composition contains about 25% to about 35% moisture. "Moist" food refers to a food composition with a moisture content of about 60% to 90% or more. "Dry" food refers to a food composition with a moisture content of about 3% to about 12%, and is typically manufactured in the form of small pieces or coarse granules.

[0057] The food product may also include components of more than one consistency, such as soft, chewable meat-like particles or pieces and kibble with an outer coating and an inner "core" component. In some embodiments, the pet food composition may be in the form of kibble or food kibble. As used herein, the term "kibble" or "food kibble" refers to a granular pellet, such as a component similar to a feline or canine feed. In some embodiments, the moisture or water content of the food kibble is less than 15% by weight. The texture of the food kibble may range from hard to soft. The internal structure of the food kibble may range from expanded to dense. The food kibble may be formed by an extrusion process or a baking process. In a non-limiting example, the food kibble may have a uniform internal structure or a varying internal structure. For example, the food kibble may include a core and a coating to form a coated kibble. It should be understood that when the term "kibble" or "food kibble" is used, it may refer to uncoated kibble or coated kibble.

[0058] The compositions of the present disclosure may additionally include other additives in amounts and combinations familiar to those skilled in the art. Such additives should be present in amounts that do not impair the purposes and effects provided by the present invention. Examples of additives include substances with stabilizing effects, organoleptic substances, processing aids, and substances that provide nutritional benefits.

[0059] For example, stabilizing substances can include substances that tend to increase the shelf life of pet food compositions. Other examples of other such additives that may be suitable for inclusion in the composition of the present invention include, for example, preservatives, antioxidants, synergists and chelating agents, packaging gases, stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickeners, gelling agents and humectants. Examples of emulsifiers and / or thickeners include gelatin, cellulose ethers, starches, starch esters, starch ethers and modified starches. Additives for coloring, palatability and nutritional purposes can include colorants, salts (including but not limited to sodium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium chloride and other edible salts), vitamins (for example, vitamin B, vitamin C and / or vitamin E), minerals and flavorings. For example, in some embodiments, pet food compositions include one or more vitamins, for example, selected from one or more vitamin B in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, cobalamin and a combination of both or more thereof. In some cases, the pet food composition has at least one of the following: thiamine in an amount of about 8 mg / 100 g to about 20 mg / 100 g, pyridoxine in an amount of about 1 mg / 100 g to about 4 mg / 100 g, cobalamin in an amount of about 10 ug / 100 g to about 40 ug / 100 g, and folic acid in an amount of about 100 ug / 100 g to about 400 ug / 100 g. The pet food composition can be formulated to have a weight ratio of folic acid to cobalamin of about 1:1 to about 50:1, preferably about 1:1 to about 40:1, preferably about 3:1 to about 40:1, or preferably about 5:1 to about 40:1. Additionally or alternatively, the weight ratio of thiamine to pyridoxine of the pet food composition can be about 1:1 to about 30:1, preferably about 2:1 to about 30:1, or preferably about 2:1 to about 20:1. Other additives can include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, vegetable extracts, herbal extracts, etc.

[0060] Such additives can be present in the pet food composition at a concentration typically of up to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. For example, the additive can be present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 5% by weight, about 0.01% to about 4% by weight, about 0.01% to about 4% by weight, about 0.01% to about 3% by weight, about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, about 0.01% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis; about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 4% by weight, about 0.01% to about 3% by weight, about 0.01% to about 2% by weight, about 0.01% to about 1% by weight; About 3 weight %, about 0.1 weight % to about 2 weight %, about 0.1 weight % to about 1 weight %; about 1 weight % to about 5 weight %, about 1 weight % to about 4 weight %, about 1 weight % to about 4 weight %, about 1 weight % to about 3 weight %, about 1 weight % to about 2 weight %; about 2 weight % to about 5 weight %, about 2 weight % to about 4 weight %, about 2 weight % to about 4 weight %, about 2 weight % to about 3 weight %; about 3 weight % to about 5 weight %, about 3 weight % to about 4 weight %; or about 4 weight % to about 5 weight %. In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the pet food composition based on dry matter, the concentration of such additives (especially when such additives are mainly nutritional balancers, such as vitamins and minerals) is about 0 weight % to about 2.0 weight %. In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the pet food composition based on dry matter, the concentration of such additives (again, especially when such additives are mainly nutritional balancers) is about 0 weight % to about 1.0 weight %. While the foregoing list of additives may be potentially suitable in some embodiments, one or more of the foregoing additives may be excluded from other embodiments of the pet food composition.

[0061] In certain embodiments, pet food compositions and food products are formulated to address specific nutritional differences between species and breeds of animals, as well as one or more of the attributes of the animal. For example, cat foods are typically formulated based on life stage, age, size, weight, body composition, and breed.

[0062] Sources of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, balancers, and the like suitable for inclusion in pet food compositions, and particularly in food products to be administered in the methods provided herein, can be selected from those conventional substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0063] The pet food composition may include or in some cases not include one or more ingredients selected from the following: beef broth, brewer's dried yeast, eggs, egg products, flax meal, DL methionine, amino acids, leucine, lysine, arginine, cysteine, cystine, aspartic acid, polyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate; zinc chloride, copper gluconate, stannous chloride, stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, triclosan, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, green lipped mussel, blue lipped mussel, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), boron, boric acid, phytoestrogens, phytoandrogens, genistein, diadzein, L-carnitine bases, chromium picolinate, chromium tripicolinate, chromium nicotinate, acid / base modifiers, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, sodium bisulfate; eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, plasticizers, colorants, flavorings, sweeteners, buffers, slip aids, carriers, pH adjusters, natural ingredients, stabilizers, biological additives such as enzymes (including proteases and lipases), chemical additives, coolants, chelants, denaturants, pharmaceutical astringents, emulsifiers, external analgesics, aromatic compounds, humectants, opacifiers (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), defoaming agents (such as silicones), preservatives (such as butylated hydroxytoluene), hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate, benzalkonium chloride, EDTA, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, parabens and mixtures thereof), reducing agents, solvents, hydrotropes, solubilizing agents, suspending agents (non-surfactants), solvents, viscosity increasing agents (aqueous and non-aqueous), sequestrants, keratolytic agents, eggshell membranes, ancient grains, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0064] Pet food compositions can be produced by various methods to achieve the desired pet food composition or the form of the desired pet food composition. For example, dry food can be baked or extruded and then cut into individually shaped parts, such as coarse grits. In some embodiments, pet food compositions can be prepared in canned or wet form using conventional food preparation processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typically, ground animal protein tissue is mixed with other ingredients such as cereal grains, suitable carbohydrate sources, fats, oils and balance ingredients, including special purpose additives such as vitamins and mineral mixtures, inorganic salts, cellulose, beet pulp, etc., and water sufficient for processing. The ingredients are mixed in a container suitable for heating while blending the components. The heated mixture is carried out in any suitable manner, such as direct steam injection or using a container equipped with a heat exchanger. After adding all the ingredients of the preparation, the mixture can be heated to a temperature of about 50°F to 212°F. Although temperatures outside this range can be used, it may be commercially impractical without the use of other processing aids. When heated to an appropriate temperature, the material will generally be in the form of a viscous liquid, which is dispensed into a tank. A lid is applied and the container is hermetically sealed. The sealed can is then placed in a conventional apparatus designed to sterilize the contents. Sterilization is typically accomplished by heating to a temperature greater than 230° C. for an appropriate time, which depends on the temperature used, the nature of the composition, and related factors. The pet food compositions and food products of the present disclosure may also be added to or combined with food compositions before, during, or after their preparation.

[0065] In some embodiments, food products can be prepared in dry form using conventional methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typically, dry ingredients including dried animal protein, vegetable protein, cereals, etc. are ground and mixed together. Liquid or wet ingredients including fat, oil-water, animal protein, water, etc. are added in combination with dry materials. The specific formulation, order of addition, combination, and method and equipment for combining various ingredients can be selected from those known in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, the resulting mixture is processed into coarse abrasive particles or similar dry pieces, which are formed using an extrusion process, in which a mixture of dry ingredients and wet ingredients is subjected to mechanical work at high pressure and high temperature, forced to pass through a small opening or orifice, and, for example, cut into coarse abrasive particles with a rotating knife. The resulting coarse abrasive particles can be dried and optionally coated with one or more surface coatings, which include, for example, flavorings, fats, oils, powdered ingredients, etc. Coarse abrasive particles can also be prepared by baking rather than extrusion of dough, wherein the dough is placed in a mold and then subjected to dry heat treatment.

[0066] When preparing the composition, any ingredient can generally be incorporated into the composition during the processing of the formulation, for example during and / or after mixing the other components of the composition. The distribution of these components into the composition can be accomplished by conventional means. In certain embodiments, ground animal and / or poultry protein tissue is mixed with other ingredients, including nutritional balancers, inorganic salts, and may also include cellulose, beet pulp, bulking agents, etc., together with water sufficient for processing.

[0067] According to another aspect, a method for reducing metabolites associated with protein corruption in a feline is provided, the method comprising reducing one or more proteolytic metabolites in a feline and increasing one or more short-chain fatty acids in a feline by administering a pet food composition as described herein to the feline. In some embodiments, one or more proteolytic metabolites include pyrrole, N6-carboxymethyl lysine, N6-carboxyethyl lysine, methionine sulfoxide, pseudouridine, or a combination of both or more thereof. The method may include providing and / or feeding a pet food composition to a feline for 1 day or more, preferably 5 days or more, preferably 7 days or more, preferably 10 days or more, preferably 14 days or more, preferably 30 days or more, or preferably 42 days or more. The method may include feeding a feline once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or four times a day or more in some embodiments.

[0068] Example

[0069] The following non-limiting examples are provided primarily for the purpose of illustrating the benefits and features achieved by aspects of the present invention.

[0070] Example 1

[0071] A non-limiting exemplary pet food composition (Example Composition A) and a comparative pet food composition (Comparative Composition 1) were prepared according to aspects of the present invention. The formulations of Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 are shown in Table 1 provided below. Table 2 provides a summary of the nutritional value of Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1.

[0072] Table 1

[0073]

[0074] Table 2

[0075] Ex.A Comp.1 protein(%) 30.86 32.71 Crude fiber (%) 0.9 1.4 Protein:Fiber Ratio 34.3 23.4

[0076] Example 2

[0077] Example Composition A was evaluated in comparison to Comparative Composition 1 by feeding two pet food compositions to a group of felines. Specifically, a group of forty cats between the ages of 8.3 and 13.5 years old were fed Example Composition A for a first four-week period. After the first four-week period, the felines were then fed Comparative Composition 1 for a second four-week period.

[0078] At the end of each four-week feeding period, fecal samples were collected from each of the felines to compare the levels of spoilage metabolites. The mean difference in the concentrations of various proteolytic metabolites and oxidative metabolites after feeding the pet food composition to the felines was calculated by subtracting the concentrations of proteolytic metabolites and oxidative metabolites assessed after feeding Comparative Composition 1 for 4 weeks from the concentrations of proteolytic metabolites and oxidative metabolites assessed after feeding Example Composition A for 4 weeks (mean difference = Example Composition A - Comparative Composition 1). Table 3, shown below, provides the concentrations of proteolytic metabolites and oxidative metabolites determined based on felines receiving Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 and the calculated mean difference in such concentrations.

[0079] Table 3

[0080]

[0081] Table 4 provides the concentrations of oxidative metabolites determined for felines receiving Example Composition A and Comparative Composition 1 and the calculated mean differences in such concentrations.

[0082] Table 4

[0083]

[0084] Example composition A advantageously causes a reduction in a variety of proteolytic metabolites and oxidative metabolites compared to comparative composition 1. In addition, compared to comparative composition 1, example composition A increases beneficial short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate and butyrylglycine while reducing undesirable proteolytic metabolites and oxidative metabolites.

Claims

1. A pet food composition comprising: Fat; from about 15% to about 55% by weight protein; from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight crude fiber; and Optionally, carbohydrates, The weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber of the pet food composition is about 25:1 to about 50:1, and all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

2. The pet food composition of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber is from about 28:1 to about 45:

1.

3. The pet food composition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber is from about 30:1 to about 38:

1.

4. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber is from about 32:1 to about 36:

1.

5. The pet food composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the crude fiber comprises soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.

6. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the fat is present in an amount from about 8% to about 50% by weight.

7. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the fat is present in an amount of about 15% to about 25% by weight.

8. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the pet food composition further comprises one or more short chain fatty acids.

9. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the protein comprises one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of glycine, proline, tryptophan, taurine, histidine, carnitine, carnosine, alanine, cysteine, arginine, methionine (including dl-methionine and l-methionine), tryptophan, lysine, asparagine, aspartate (aspartic acid), phenylalanine, valine, threonine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, glutamine, taurine, tyrosine, homocysteine, ornithine, citrulline, glutamate (glutamic acid), serine, and combinations of two or more thereof.

10. The pet food composition of claim 9, wherein the protein comprises glycine, proline, or a combination of two or more thereof.

11. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the carbohydrate is present in an amount up to about 65% by weight.

12. The pet food composition of any preceding claim, wherein the carbohydrate is present in an amount of about 27% to about 49% by weight.

13. A pet food composition comprising: from about 8% to about 50% by weight fat; from about 15% to about 55% by weight protein; from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight crude fiber; and Carbohydrates in an amount up to about 65% by weight, The weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber of the pet food composition is about 25:1 to about 50:1, and all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

14. The pet food composition of claim 13, wherein the weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber is from about 30:1 to about 38:

1.

15. The pet food composition of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the weight ratio of the protein to the crude fiber is from about 32:1 to about 36:

1.

16. A method for reducing metabolites associated with protein spoilage in a feline, the method comprising: One or more proteolytic metabolites are reduced and one or more short chain fatty acids are increased in a feline by administering to the feline a pet food composition according to any preceding claim.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more short chain fatty acids comprise butyrate.

18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the one or more proteolytic metabolites comprise pyrrolidine, N6-carboxymethyllysine, N6-carboxyethyllysine, methionine sulfoxide, pseudouridine, or a combination of two or more thereof.

19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the feline is fed the pet food composition at least once a day, preferably at least twice a day, or preferably at least three times a day.

20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the pet food composition is fed to the feline for 1 day or more, preferably 5 days or more, preferably 7 days or more, preferably 10 days or more, preferably 14 days or more, preferably 30 days or more, or preferably 42 days or more.

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