Pet food compositions

Abstract

To provide pet food compositions and methods for using them.SOLUTION: Such compositions may comprise soluble fiber and certain ratios of linolenic acid to fatty acids. The methods may include feeding a pet an effective amount of a pet food composition. The methods may include increasing the lean mass of a companion animal comprising feeding an effective amount of a pet food composition comprising soluble fiber and certain ratios of linolenic acid to fatty acids.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 091,513, filed on October 14, 2020, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] Obesity is a serious health threat to pets. According to a 2019 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), the obesity rates of cats and dogs in the United States were 59.5% and 55.8% respectively. Other diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, skin disorders, and reduced lifespan are considered co - morbidities with obesity (Phillips et al. 2017; German AJ. 2006, 2016; Tarkosova et al. 2016).

[0003] The health of a domestic animal is closely related to its feeding. Proper feeding should result in a healthy and energetic pet. To achieve proper feeding, specific ingredients that have beneficial effects on the animal and the concentrations of those ingredients can be utilized. Such beneficial effects can include improvements in clinical parameters such as a decrease in body fat mass, an increase in lean body mass, or a decrease in blood triglycerides and red blood cell distribution width (RDW).

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a pet food composition that can beneficially affect obese animals, for example, by increasing the lean body mass of the animal.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This summary is intended to simply introduce a simplified summary of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Further areas to which the present disclosure is applicable will become apparent from the "Detailed Description" provided below in this document. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present teachings nor to delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, its purpose is merely to present one or more concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the detailed description that follows.

[0006] Applicants have discovered that utilizing certain ingredients in pet food compositions provides effective health benefits. In one aspect, the health benefit may be increasing the defatted amount of an animal. In another aspect, the health benefit may be increasing the defatted amount of an obese animal. In another aspect, the health benefit may be increasing the defatted amount of a dog. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention is a pet food composition comprising soluble fiber and a specific linolenic acid to fatty acid mass ratio.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a pet food composition comprising soluble fiber present in an amount of about 0.5% or more based on the dry weight of the pet food composition, and a linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid ((linolenic acid):(total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid)) mass ratio of about 0.39 or more. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 1. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from 0.3 to about 0.8. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 0.5. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is about 0.39. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3% to about 12% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3% to about 10% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3.5% to about 7% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of less than 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 10% to about 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 10% to about 18% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 15% to about 18% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 5% to about 15% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 8% to about 13% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 9% to about 11% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises protein present in an amount of about 25% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises protein present in an amount of about 30% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises protein present in an amount of about 30% to about 35% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition.In some embodiments, the composition comprises flaxseed in an amount of about 7% and spelt kernels in an amount of about 4.4%, based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition is kibble.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for treating, preventing, or ameliorating symptoms of obesity in a companion animal, the method comprising feeding to a companion animal in need thereof an effective amount of a composition according to any one of the above embodiments. In certain embodiments, the companion animal is a dog.

[0009] In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for increasing the amount of fat removed from a companion animal by feeding an effective amount of a pet food composition comprising soluble fiber present in an amount of about 0.5% or more based on the dry weight of the pet food composition and a ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids of about 0.39 or more. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 1. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from 0.3 to about 0.8. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 0.5. In some embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is about 0.39. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3% to about 12% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3% to about 10% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3.5% to about 7% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of less than 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 10% to about 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 10% to about 18% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 15% to about 18% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 5% to about 15% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 8% to about 13% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 9% to about 11% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises protein present in an amount of about 25% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises protein present in an amount of about 30% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition.In some embodiments, the composition comprises protein present in an amount of about 30% to about 35% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises flaxseed in an amount of about 7% and barley kernels in an amount of about 4.4% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the pet food composition is kibble. In some embodiments, the companion animal is a dog.

[0010] Further areas in which the present invention is applicable will become apparent from the "Detailed Description" provided herein below. Of course, the "Detailed Description" and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Detailed Description

[0011] For purposes of illustration, the principles of the present invention are described by reference to its various exemplary embodiments. While certain specific embodiments of the invention are specifically described herein, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to other uses and methods and can be employed in other uses and methods. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of any particular embodiment shown in its application. The terms used herein are for purposes of description and do not limit the invention, its application, or use.

[0012] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. The singular form of any class of components refers to not only one chemical species within that class but also mixtures of those chemical species. The terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more", and "at least one" may be used interchangeably herein. The terms "comprising", "including", "containing", and "having" may be used interchangeably. The term "include" should be construed to mean "including but not limited to". The term "including" should be construed to mean "including but not limited to".

[0013] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for any and all values within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range.

[0014] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in this specification are to be understood to refer to weight percentages of the total composition. References to molecules, or plural molecules, present "by weight%" refer to the amount of that molecule, or plural molecules, present in the composition based on the total weight of the composition.

[0015] According to this application, the use of the term "about" in connection with a numerical value refers to a value that may be + / −5% of that number. As used herein, the term "substantially free" is intended to mean an amount less than about 5.0 wt%, less than 3.0 wt%, less than 1.0 wt%, preferably less than about 0.5 wt%, more preferably less than about 0.25 wt% of the composition.

[0016] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications, publications, other references cited or referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict between the definitions in this disclosure and those in the cited references, this disclosure shall control.

[0017] This disclosure is directed to pet food compositions and methods of using such pet food compositions for the treatment of household pets. In certain embodiments, the pet is a dog. In other embodiments, the dog is overweight.

[0018] The inventors have surprisingly and unexpectedly discovered that feeding animals a pet food diet that contains soluble fiber and has a high ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids provides an improvement in the health benefits of the animals. Such improvement in health benefits can be exemplified by a number of aspects. In a first aspect, the health benefit may be to increase the lean body mass of the animal. In another aspect, the health benefit may be to increase the lean body mass of an overweight animal. In another aspect, the health benefit may be to increase the lean body mass of an overweight dog.

[0019] Accordingly, in one aspect, this disclosure provides a pet food composition that contains soluble fiber in an amount of about 0.5% or more based on the dry weight of the pet food composition and has a ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids of about 0.39 or more. In certain embodiments, the pet food is in dry form. In certain embodiments, the pet food is kibble.

[0020] Soluble fiber can be present in various amounts or concentrations. In one embodiment, the soluble fiber can be present in an amount of about 0.5 wt% or more (such as about 0.5 to about 20 wt%) based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. For example, the soluble fiber can be about 2.0 wt%, about 2.5 wt%, about 3.0 wt%, about 3.5 wt%, about 4.0 wt%, about 4.5 wt%, about 5 wt%, about 5.5 wt%, about 6.0 wt%, about 6.5 wt%, about 7.0 wt%, about 7.5 wt%, about 8.0 wt%, about 8.5 wt%, about 9.0 wt%, about 9.5 wt%, about 10.0 wt%, about 10.5 wt%, about 11.0 wt%, about 12.0 wt%, about 12.5 wt%, about 13.0 wt%, about 13.5 wt%, about 14.0 wt%, about 14.5 wt%, about 15.0 wt%, about 15.5 wt%, about 16.0 wt%, about 16.5 wt%, about 17.0 wt%, about 18.0 wt%, or about 20.0 wt% (including all ranges and sub-ranges therebetween) based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. For example, the pet food composition can contain soluble fiber in an amount of about 0.5 to about 20 wt%, about 0.5 to about 15 wt%, about 0.5 to about 10 wt%, about 0.5 to about 8 wt%, about 0.5 to about 6 wt%, about 0.5 to about 5 wt%, about 0.5 to about 4 wt%, about 0.5 to about 3 wt%, about 1 to about 20 wt%, about 1 to about 15 wt%, about 1 to about 10 wt%, about 1 to about 8 wt%, about 1 to about 6 wt%, about 1 to about 5 wt%, about 1 to about 4 wt%, about 1 to about 3 wt%, about 1.5 to about 20 wt%, about 1.5 to about 15 wt%, about 1.5 to about 10 wt%, about 1.5 to about 8 wt%, about 1.5 to about 6 wt%, about 1.5 to about 5 wt%, about 1.5 to about 4 wt%, about 1.5 to about 3 wt%, about 2 to about 20 wt%, about 2 to about 15 wt%, about 2 to about 10 wt%, about 2 to about 8 wt%, about 2 to about 6 wt%, about 2 to about 5 wt%, about 2 to about 4 wt%, about 2 to about 3 wt%, about 2.5 to about 20 wt%, about 2.5 to about 15 wt%, about 2.5 to about 10 wt%, about 2.5 to about 8 wt%, about 2.5 to about 6 wt%, about 2.5 to about 5 wt%, about 2.5 to about 4 wt%, about 3 to about 20 wt%, about 3 to about 15 wt%, about 3 to about 10 wt%, about 3 to about 8 wt%, about 3 to about 6 wt%, about 3 to about 5 wt%, or about 3 to about 4 wt% (including all of its ranges and sub-ranges).

[0021] In another embodiment, the soluble fiber may be present in an amount of about 3% to about 12%, about 3% to about 10%, or about 3.5% to about 7% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In a further embodiment, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3% or more, about 3.5% or more, about 3.7% or more, or about 4.0% or more based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In a further embodiment, the soluble fiber is present in an amount of about 3% to 4%, about 3% to about 5%, about 3% to about 10%, or about 3% to about 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition.

[0022] The pet food composition typically contains one or more fatty acids in an amount of about 0.5 to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the pet food composition. For example, the pet food composition contains about 0.5 to about 20% by weight, about 0.5 to about 15% by weight, about 0.5 to about 10% by weight, about 0.5 to about 8% by weight, about 0.5 to about 6% by weight, about 0.5 to about 5% by weight, about 0.5 to about 4% by weight, about 0.5 to about 3% by weight, about 1 to about 20% by weight, about 1 to about 15% by weight, about 1 to about 10% by weight, about 1 to about 8% by weight, about 1 to about 6% by weight, about 1 to about 5% by weight, about 1 to about 4% by weight, about 1 to about 3% by weight, about 1.5 to about 20% by weight, about 1.5 to about 15% by weight, about 1.5 to about 10% by weight, about 1.5 to about 8% by weight, about 1.5 to about 6% by weight, about 1.5 to about 5% by weight, about 1.5 to about 4% by weight, about 1.5 to about 3% by weight, about 2 to about 20% by weight, about 2 to about 15% by weight, about 2 to about 10% by weight, about 2 to about 8% by weight, about 2 to about 6% by weight, about 2 to about 5% by weight, about 2 to about 4% by weight, about 2 to about 3% by weight, about 2.5 to about 20% by weight, about 2.5 to about 15% by weight, about 2.5 to about 10% by weight, about 2.5 to about 8% by weight, about 2.5 to about 6% by weight, about 2.5 to about 5% by weight, about 2.5 to about 4% by weight, about 3 to about 20% by weight, about 3 to about 15% by weight, about 3 to about 10% by weight, about 3 to about 8% by weight, about 3 to about 6% by weight, about 3 to about 5% by weight, or about 3 to about 4% by weight (including all ranges and sub-ranges thereof) of one or more fatty acids.

[0023] The one or more fatty acids are preferably selected from fatty acids having from 10 to 50 total carbon atoms, from 10 to 40 total carbon atoms, or from 10 to 30 total carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the pet food composition has a total number of carbon atoms from 10 to 30, from 12 to 28, from 14 to 26, from 16 to 24, from 16 to 22, or from 16 to 20. Preferably, the pet food composition includes one or more fatty acids selected from polyunsaturated fatty acids. In a preferred embodiment, the pet food composition includes a polyunsaturated fatty acid having a total of 18 carbon atoms.

[0024] The fatty acids may be derived from plant sources. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is thought that fatty acids obtained from or derived from plant sources may enhance benefits as compared to fatty acids derived from animal sources. Examples of plant sources for extracting or obtaining fatty acids include, for example, flaxseed, algae, avocado, hemp seed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, soybeans, or combinations of two or more thereof. However, in some embodiments, the fatty acids are derived from animal sources or are synthesized.

[0025] The fatty acids can consist of omega 3, linolenic acid, omega 6, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, linolenylic acid, selacholeic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, palmitoleic acid, vaccenic acid, paulic acid, elaidic acid, gondoic acid, erucic acid, nervonic acid, mead acid, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some examples, the fatty acids include omega 3, omega 6, vaccenic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linolenylic acid, linoleic acid, stearidonic acid, or combinations of two or more thereof. Preferably, the pet food composition includes linoleic acid (such as α-linolenic acid and / or γ-linolenic acid).

[0026] For some embodiments, the pet food composition may be formulated to have a linolenic acid to total polyunsaturated fatty acid weight ratio of from about 0.3 to about 2. For example, the linolenic acid to total polyunsaturated fatty acid weight ratio may be from about 0.3 to about 1.8, from about 0.3 to about 1.5, from about 0.3 to about 1.25, from about 0.3 to about 1, from about 0.3 to about 0.8, from about 0.3 to about 0.6, from about 0.3 to about 0.5, from about 0.3 to about 0.5, from about 0.35 to about 1.8, from about 0.35 to about 1.5, from about 0.35 to about 1.25, from about 0.3 to about 1, from about 0.35 to about 0.8, from about 0.35 to about 0.6, from about 0.35 to about 0.5, from about 0.35 to about 0.5, from about 0.38 to about 1.8, from about 0.38 to about 1.5, from about 0.38 to about 1.25, from about 0.38 to about 1, from about 0.38 to about 0.8, from about 0.38 to about 0.6, from about 0.38 to about 0.5, from about 0.38 to about 0.5, from about 0.4 to about 1.8, from about 0.4 to about 1.5, from about 0. to about 1.25, from about 0.4 to about 1, from about 0.4 to about 0.8, from about 0.4 to about 0.6, from about 0.4 to about 0.5, from about 0.4 to about 0.5. In some embodiments, the linolenic acid to total polyunsaturated fatty acid weight ratio is about 0.39.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the pet food composition comprises linolenic acid and total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids at a specific mass ratio. In certain embodiments, the mass ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 2. In other embodiments, the mass ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 1. In certain embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 0.8, from about 0.3 to about 0.6, from about 0.3 to about 0.5, or from about 0.3 to about 0.5. In further embodiments, the ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is about 0.39. In other embodiments, the mass ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 1.8, or about 0.39. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids is from about 0.3 to about 1.8, from about 0.3 to about 1.5, from about 0.3 to about 1.25, from about 0.3 to about 1, from about 0.3 to about 0.8, from about 0.3 to about 0.6, from about 0.3 to about 0.5, from about 0.3 to about 0.5, from about 0.35 to about 1.8, from about 0.35 to about 1.5, from about 0.35 to about 1.25, from about 0.3 to about 1, from about 0.35 to about 0.8, from about 0.35 to about 0.6, from about 0.35 to about 0.5, from about 0.35 to about 0.5, from about 0.38 to about 1.8, from about 0.38 to about 1.5, from about 0.38 to about 1.25, from about 0.38 to about 1, from about 0.38 to about 0.8, from about 0.38 to about 0.6, from about 0.38 to about 0.5, from about 0.38 to about 0.5, from about 0.4 to about 1.8, from about 0.4 to about 1.5, from about 0. to about 1.25, from about 0.4 to about 1, from about 0.4 to about 0.8, from about 0.4 to about 0.6, from about 0.4 to about 0.5, from about 0.4 to about 0.5.

[0028] The pet food composition may have a beneficial soluble fiber to fatty acid weight ratio. Specifically, the soluble fiber to fatty acid weight ratio, at certain weight ratios, is considered likely to promote weight loss, leanness, and / or fat-free muscle mass. For example, the pet food composition may have a soluble fiber to fatty acid weight ratio of about 10:1 to about 1:10, about 7:1 to about 1:10, about 5:1 to about 1:10, about 3:1 to about 1:10, about 2:1 to about 1:10, about 10:1 to about 1:7, about 7:1 to about 1:7, about 5:1 to about 1:7, about 3:1 to about 1:7, about 2:1 to about 1:7, about 10:1 to about 1:5, about 7:1 to about 1:5, about 5:1 to about 1:5, about 3:1 to about 1:5, about 2:1 to about 1:5, about 10:1 to about 1:3, about 7:1 to about 1:3, about 5:1 to about 1:3, about 3:1 to about 1:3, about 2:1 to about 1:3, about 10:1 to about 1:2, about 7:1 to about 1:2, about 5:1 to about 1:2, about 3:1 to about 1:2, or about 2:1 to about 1:2.

[0029] The moisture of the composition can be present in various amounts or concentrations. The moisture can be present in various amounts or concentrations. In one embodiment, the moisture can be present in an amount of about 5% to about 15% based on the weight of the pet food composition. For example, the moisture can be present in an amount of about 5.0 wt%, about 5.5 wt%, about 6.0 wt%, about 6.5 wt%, about 7.0 wt%, about 7.5 wt%, about 8.0 wt%, about 8.5 wt%, about 9.0 wt%, about 9.5 wt%, about 10.0 wt%, about 10.5 wt%, about 11.0 wt%, about 11.5 wt%, about 12.0 wt%, about 12.5 wt%, about 13.0 wt%, about 13.5 wt%, about 14.0 wt%, about 14.5 wt%, or about 15.0 wt%. In another example, the moisture can be present in an amount of about 8% to about 13%, about 9% to about 13%, about 9% to about 11%, or about 9% to about 13% based on the weight of the pet food composition. In certain embodiments, the moisture is present in an amount of about 10% to about 12%, about 10.5% to about 12%, or about 10.5% to about 11.5% based on the weight of the pet food composition.

[0030] The protein of the composition can be present in various amounts or concentrations. In one embodiment, the protein can be present in an amount of about 20% to about 45% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. For example, the protein may be present in an amount of about 20 wt%, about 25 wt%, about 30 wt%, about 35 wt%, about 40 wt%, or about 45 wt%. In another embodiment, the protein may be present in an amount of about 25% to about 40%, about 30% to about 40%, or about 30% to about 35% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In certain embodiments, the protein is present in an amount of about 20% to about 35%, about 25% to about 35%, or about 28% to about 35% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition.

[0031] The pet food composition may include protein and / or digestible crude protein. "Digestible crude protein" is a portion of the protein that can be made available or converted to free nitrogen (amino acids) after digestion by gastric enzymes. In vitro measurement of digestible crude protein may be achieved by using gastric enzymes such as pepsin, digesting the sample, and measuring the free amino acids after digestion. In vivo measurement of digestible crude protein may be achieved by measuring the protein level in the feed / food sample, feeding the sample to an animal, and measuring the amount of nitrogen collected in the animal's feces.

[0032] A portion of the protein in the composition may be digestible protein. For example, the composition may contain an amount of protein where 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, or about 90% by weight or more of the protein is digestible protein. In some embodiments, for example when the desired composition promotes weight loss, the portion of the protein that is digestible 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 based on the total amount of protein in the composition. In further embodiments, the amount of protein that is digestible protein is about 10 to about 90% by weight, about 10 to about 70% by weight, about 10 to about 50% by weight, about 10 to about 30% by weight, about 30 to about 90% by weight, about 30 to about 70% by weight, about 30 to about 50% by weight, about 50 to about 90% by weight, about 50 to about 70% by weight, or about 70 to about 90% by weight (including the ranges and subranges therein).

[0033] The composition of the present invention may optionally contain additional ingredients suitable for use in pet food compositions. Examples of such ingredients include, but are not limited to, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, additives.

[0034] Dietary fiber refers to the components of plants that are resistant to digestion by animal digestive enzymes. Dietary fibers include soluble fibers and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers are resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine and are completely or partially fermented in the large intestine. Examples include beet pulp, guar gum, chicory root, psyllium, pectin, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkins, apples, oats, legumes, citrus fruits, barley, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), or peas. Insoluble fibers can be supplied from any of a variety of raw material sources, including, for example, cellulose, whole grain wheat products, wheat oat, corn bran, flaxseeds, grapes, celery, green beans, cauliflower, potato skins, fruit skins, vegetable skins, peanut hulls, rye grains, sweet potatoes, and soy fibers. Crude fibers include indigestible components contained in the cell walls and cell contents of plants such as grains, such as the husks of grains such as rice, corn, and legumes. The typical amount of crude fiber in the compositions of the present disclosure can be about 0 to 10%, or about 1% to about 5%.

[0035] Total dietary fiber can be present in various amounts or concentrations. In one embodiment, total dietary fiber can be present in an amount of less than about 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In certain embodiments, total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 10% to about 20% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. For example, total dietary fiber can be present in an amount of about 10.0 wt%, about 10.5 wt%, about 11.0 wt%, about 11.5 wt%, about 12.0 wt%, about 12.5 wt%, about 13.0 wt%, about 13.5 wt%, about 14.0 wt%, about 14.5 wt%, about 15.0 wt%, about 15.5 wt%, about 16.0 wt%, about 16.5 wt%, about 17.0 wt%, about 17.5 wt%, about 18.0 wt%, about 18.5 wt%, about 19.0 wt%, about 19.5 wt%, or about 20.0 wt%. In another example, total dietary fiber can be present in an amount of about 10% to about 18%, about 12% to about 18%, or about 15% to about 18% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. In further embodiments, total dietary fiber is present in an amount of about 15% to about 20%, about 16% to about 19%, or about 16% to about 18% based on the dry weight of the pet food composition.

[0036] Amino acids including essential amino acids can be added to the compositions of the present disclosure as free amino acids, or can be supplied to the compositions of the present disclosure by any number of raw material sources (such as crude protein). Essential amino acids are amino acids that cannot be newly synthesized or can only be synthesized in insufficient amounts by living organisms, and therefore must be supplied in the diet. Essential amino acids vary from species to species depending on the metabolism of the living organism. For example, it is generally understood that the essential amino acids for dogs and cats (as well as humans) are phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, lysine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, histidine, and arginine. In addition, taurine, although not technically an amino acid but a derivative of cysteine, is an essential nutrient for cats.

[0037] The compositions of the present invention may optionally contain lipids. The term "lipid" generally refers to lipids or mixtures of lipids that may generally be solid or liquid at normal room temperature (e.g., 25 °C) and pressure (e.g., 1 atmosphere). In some cases, the lipid may be a viscous liquid or an amorphous solid at standard room temperature and standard pressure. Lipids can be supplied by any of a variety of raw material sources known to those skilled in the art, including meat, meat by-products, canola oil, fish oil, and plants. Vegetable fat sources include wheat, flaxseed, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, corn, oats, millet, wheat germ, corn germ, soybeans, peanuts, and cottonseed, as well as oils derived from these and other vegetable fat sources. The compositions of the present disclosure can contain at least about 9% (or from about 9% to about 25%, or from about 10% to about 20%, or from about 10% to about 15%) total lipids.

[0038] In some cases, the lipid in the composition is crude lipid. The crude lipid may be contained in the composition in an amount of about 10 to about 20% by weight, about 10 to about 18% by weight, about 10 to about 16% by weight, about 12 to about 20% by weight, about 12 to about 18% by weight, about 12 to about 16% by weight, about 12 to about 14% by weight, or about 12 to about 13% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some cases, it may be preferable that 50% by weight or more, 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more of the total lipid is obtained from an animal source. Alternatively, 50% by weight or more, 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more of the total lipid may be obtained from a plant source.

[0039] The carbohydrates can be supplied from any of a variety of raw material sources known to those skilled in the art, including oat fiber, cellulose, peanut hulls, beet pulp, parboiled rice, corn starch, corn gluten meal, and any combination of these raw material sources. Examples of grains that supply carbohydrates include, but are not limited to, wheat, corn, barley, and rice. The carbohydrate content of the food can be determined by any number of methods known to those skilled in the art. Generally, the proportion of carbohydrates can be calculated as nitrogen-free extract (「NFE」), which can be calculated as follows. NFE = 100% - moisture% - protein% - lipid% - ash% - crude fiber%. The amount of carbohydrates present in the composition, for example, the amount calculated as NFE, can be about 10 to about 90% by weight, about 10 to about 70% by weight, about 10 to about 50% by weight, about 10 to about 40% by weight, about 10 to about 30% by weight, about 10 to about 20% by weight, about 20 to about 90% by weight, about 20 to about 70% by weight, about 20 to about 50% by weight, about 20 to about 40% by weight, about 30 to about 90% by weight, about 30 to about 70% by weight, about 30 to about 50% by weight, about 30 to about 40% by weight, about 50 to about 90% by weight, about 50 to about 70% by weight, or about 70 to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0040] The compositions of the present disclosure can also contain one or more minerals and / or trace elements having counterions, such as chlorides, iodides, fluorides, sulfides, or oxides, for example, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, or iron salts, in amounts necessary to avoid deficiencies and maintain health. These amounts are known to those skilled in the art, as provided, for example, in the Official Publication of the Associate of American Feed Control Officials, Inc. ("AAFCO"), Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, 2006. Typical amounts of minerals are from about 0.1% to about 4%, or from about 1% to about 2%.

[0041] The compositions of the present invention can also contain vitamins in amounts necessary to avoid deficiencies and maintain health. These amounts and methods of measurement are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the Official Publication of the Associate of American Feed Control Officials, Inc. ("AAFCO"), Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, 2006 provides the recommended amounts of these components for dogs and cats. As contemplated herein, vitamins can include, but are not limited to, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin H (biotin), vitamin K, folic acid, choline, inositol, niacin, and pantothenic acid. Typical amounts of vitamins in the compositions of the present invention are from about 0 to about 3%, or from about 1% to about 2%.

[0042] The compositions of the present disclosure can additionally contain other additives, such as flavor enhancers and stabilizers, in amounts and combinations well known to those skilled in the art. Stabilizing substances include, for example, substances that tend to increase the shelf life of the composition. Other examples of such other additives that are potentially suitable for inclusion in the compositions of the present invention include, for example, preservatives, colorants, antioxidants, flavoring agents, synergists and scavengers, packaging gases, stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickeners, gelling agents, and wetting agents. Examples of emulsifiers and / or thickeners include, for example, gelatin, cellulose ether, starch, starch esters, starch ethers, and modified starches. The concentration of such additives in the composition can typically be up to about 5% by weight. In some embodiments, the concentration of such additives (especially when such additives are primarily nutritional balance agents (such as vitamins and minerals)) is from about 0% to about 2.0% by weight. In some embodiments, the concentration of such additives (again especially when such additives are primarily nutritional balance agents) is from about 0% to about 1.0% by weight.

[0043] Food products of any firmness or moisture content are contemplated, and for example, the compositions of the present invention can be, for example, dry, moist, or semi-moist animal food compositions. In some embodiments, the moisture content is from about 3% to about 90% of the total weight of the composition. "Semi-moist" refers to a food composition containing from about 25 to about 35% moisture. "Moist" foods refer to food compositions having a moisture content of about 60 to 90% or more. "Dry" foods refer to food compositions having a moisture content of from about 3 to about 12%, and are often manufactured in the form of small pieces or kibbles.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the present application further discloses a method of making any of the compositions of the present disclosure. In the preparation of the compositions of the present invention in wet or canned form, any component (e.g., soluble fiber and desirable linolenic acid):(ratio of total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids) can generally be incorporated into the composition, for example, during processing of the formulation, such as during and / or after mixing of the other constituents of the composition. The distribution of these constituents into the composition can be achieved by conventional means. In some embodiments, the ground animal proteinaceous tissue and poultry proteinaceous tissue are mixed with fish oil, cereal grains, other nutritionally balanced components, other components including special-purpose additives (e.g., vitamin and mineral mixtures, inorganic salts, cellulose and beet pulp, bulking agents, and the like), and a sufficient amount of water is added for processing. These components can be mixed in a suitable container for heating while blending the constituents. The heating of the mixture can be carried out in any suitable manner, such as by direct steam injection or by using a container equipped with a heat exchanger. Following the addition of the final component, the mixture can be heated to a temperature range of about 50°F (10°C) to about 212°F (100°C). In some cases, the mixture can be heated to a temperature range of about 70°F (21°C) to about 140°F (60°C). Temperatures outside these ranges are generally acceptable but may be commercially impractical without using other processing aids. When heated to an appropriate temperature, the material will typically be in the form of a thick liquid. This thick liquid can be filled into cans. Once filled into the cans, lids are attached and the containers are hermetically sealed. The sealed cans are then placed in conventional equipment designed to sterilize the contents. This is usually achieved by heating to a temperature above about 230°F (110°C) for an appropriate time, which depends, for example, on the temperature used and the composition.

[0045] Alternatively, the pet food composition can be prepared in dry form using conventional processes. Typically, dry ingredients such as, for example, animal proteins, plant proteins, grains, etc. are ground and mixed together. Then, wet or liquid ingredients including lipids, oils, animal proteins, water, etc. are added to the dry mixture and mixed with it. The mixture is then processed into kibble or similar dry pieces. Kibble is often formed using an extrusion process in which a mixture of dry and wet ingredients is mechanically worked at high pressure and high temperature and then extruded through small openings and cut into kibble by a rotating knife. The wet kibble is then dried and optionally coated with one or more topical coatings that may include, for example, flavorants, lipids, oils, powders, and the like. Kibble can also be made from dough using a process other than extrusion, in which the dough is placed in a mold and then heat treated by drying.

[0046] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing the defatted amount of a companion animal, comprising feeding the pet food composition in an effective amount to the animal as described herein to increase the defatted amount of the animal. The companion animal may be a dog or a cat. In a preferred embodiment, such an increase in beneficial metabolite biomarkers is greater than when it occurs under conditions where one or more of the specified components are absent or not present in the desired ratio. In some embodiments, the method for increasing the defatted amount of a companion animal comprises feeding an effective amount of a pet food composition that contains soluble fiber in an amount of about 3.5% or more based on the dry weight of the pet food composition and has a ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids of about 0.39 or more.

Examples

[0047] The examples and other implementations described in this specification are illustrative and are not intended to limit the description to the full scope of the compositions and methods of the present disclosure. Equivalent changes, modifications, and variations of specific implementations, materials, compositions, and methods can be made within the scope of the present disclosure with substantially similar results. Example 1

[0048] Twenty-one obese beagle dogs and one obese mongrel dog were used in the study design. The dogs were 1.11 to 12.6 years old, weighed 9.1 to 17.4 kg, and had undergone ovariectomy or castration. Feeding was carried out according to a crossover design, and all dogs were fed a control diet for 4 weeks in the pre-feeding phase and then divided into two groups for the first-phase trial. During the first phase, group 1 was fed composition 1 for 8 weeks and group 2 was fed composition 2 for 8 weeks. Subsequently, both groups were fed a control diet for 4 weeks as a washout period. Next, the second-phase trial was conducted, which included feeding composition 2 to group 1 and composition 1 to group 2 for 8 weeks. All three food compositions were fed based on the calorie requirements of the specific dog, which was calculated based on the dog's current weight. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) analysis was performed before feeding, at the end of the first phase, and at the end of the second phase. Blood / serum and fecal samples were collected before feeding, at the end of the first phase, during the washout, and at the end of the second phase. The control group was evaluated based on dogs fed a control diet under similar test conditions.

[0049] The food compositions were formulated as described in Table 1. All compositions were fed as kibble, produced by extrusion, dried, and coated with a flavor enhancer. The numerical values represent the weight percentages of their components based on the dry weight of the pet food composition. [Table 1] [Table 2] Example 2

[0050] The results of the feeding tests from Example 1 are shown in Table 3. The numerical values outside the parentheses represent the average, while the numerical values inside the parentheses represent the standard deviation.

Table 3

[0051] Animals fed a diet with a ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids of at least 0.39 (Composition 1 and Composition 2) surprisingly showed a) a higher amount of fat-free body mass and b) a higher intake of soluble fiber compared to animals fed a diet with a lower ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids of 0.0661. Without being bound by theory, any changes in fat-free body mass are thought to be a direct result of the food composition.

Table 4

[0052] Table 4 shows the p-value results from the analysis regarding DEXA, blood CBC, ChemScreen, and fecal variables. The results were derived using a mixed model followed by Tukey's post hoc significance analysis. Negative numbers represent a decrease compared to the control. Example 3

[0053] To evaluate the health benefits of pet food compositions containing lower levels of soluble fiber and having a ratio of linolenic acid to total 18-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids of less than 0.39, additional compositions were prepared. Table 5 summarizes the compositions.

Table 5

[0054] The results of the feeding tests from Example 3 are shown in Table 6.

Table 6

[0055] The present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments described in considerable detail for the purpose of providing a complete disclosure of the present invention. These embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit or represent an exhaustive listing of all aspects of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be determined from the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made in these details without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention. Example 5

[0056] To further evaluate the effects of Food Compositions 1 and 2, microbiome sequencing was performed on dog feces. Specifically, fecal samples from dogs were collected within 30 minutes after defecation, homogenized, aliquoted into 2 ml cryovials, flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, and then stored at -70 °C for further processing. Fecal samples were analyzed for microbiome sequencing by extracting total DNA from the frozen samples using a modified MoBio PowerFecal DNA extraction kit (commercially available from QIAGEN). Subsequently, 16s rDNA amplicons were generated from the total DNA samples using PCR and a primer set spanning the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions. The amplicons were then analyzed qualitatively using a 2100 Bioanalyzer (manufactured by AGILENT).

[0057] Index PCR was performed, followed by modification, quantification, normalization, and pooling of the libraries according to the manufacturer's instructions. The finally pooled sample library was loaded into a MiSeq v3 sample loading cartridge kit, and the cartridge was placed in a MiSeq sequencer to perform amplicon sequencing (the cartridge kit and sequencer device are available from ILLUMINA). The sample sequences were demultiplexed using the "Metagenomics" workflow installed on the MiSeq to obtain FASTQ files. The FASTQ files were processed using MOTHUR software, the sequence reads were classified using the Greengenes database, and then custom modifications were made.

[0058] For microbiome analysis, abundance data at the phylum, family, and genus levels were filtered based on the dataset occurrence rate (>50%) and the proportion of retained reads per sample (>99.0%). After filtering the dataset, the count data were transformed into centered log-ratio (CLR) values to enable appropriate statistical analysis using the ALDEx2 R package. Diversity metrics were evaluated as the Shannon index, and richness and evenness were calculated using data that were not filtered at the genus level. As a crossover design study, a mixed model analysis was performed using the food type as a fixed effect and animal identification as a variable effect, with false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected P-values. The resulting reduced model P-values were FDR-adjusted using the Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Tukey's post hoc test was used to evaluate the differential differences between diet types for each analyte.

[0059] Based on fecal microbiome analysis, Compositions 1 and 2 showed a significant increase in the phyla Bacteroidetes and Fusobacterium compared to the control diet. Furthermore, the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes (B:F) was greater in Compositions 1 and 2 compared to the control diet (see Table 7). In contrast, Compositions 1 and 2 significantly decreased the abundance of the phylum Firmicutes compared to the control diet.

Table 7

[0060] There was consistency in the increase in the phylum Bacteroidetes, particularly the family Bacteroidaceae (see Table 8), and the genus Bacteroides (see Table 9), for dogs fed Compositions 1 and 2 compared to dogs fed the control diet. The interaction between the genus Bacteroides and the host dog is thought to correct the immune system mediated by the capsular polysaccharide component derived from the species of the genus Bacteroides. Furthermore, increasing the B:F ratio is thought to promote or assist weight loss in animals such as dogs.

Table 8

Table 9

[0061] Similarly, the phylum Fusobacteria, the family Fusobacteriaceae, and the genus Fusobacterium were significantly increased by Compositions 1 and 2 compared to the control diet (see Tables 7, 8, and 9). The phylum Fusobacteria is abundant in dogs and is generally thought to be associated with leanness in dogs. A higher abundance of the phylum Fusobacteria is generally considered harmful in humans due to its association with colon cancer. In contrast, the phylum Fusobacteria has an essential role in maintaining the health of dogs. For example, the phylum Fusobacteria is generally thought to reduce gastrointestinal diseases in dogs. Furthermore, the microbial diversity and evenness were significantly improved in dogs fed Composition 1 or 2 compared to dogs fed the control diet (see Table 10).

Table 10

[0062] Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed by METABOLON INC. As a crossover design study, a mixed model analysis was performed using diet type as a fixed effect and animal identification as a random effect, with false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected P-values. The resulting reduced model P-values were FDR-adjusted using the Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Tukey's post hoc test was used to evaluate the pairwise differences between diet types for each analyte.

[0063] Branched-chain fatty acids are generally produced by bacteria using branched-chain amino acids as substrates and are indicators of harmful putrefaction. The levels of fecal branched-chain fatty acids (isovaleric acid and 2-methylbutyric acid) were significantly decreased by Compositions 1 and 2 compared to the control diet (see Table 11). Furthermore, dogs given Compositions 1 and 2 had a significant increase in linear fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate) compared to dogs given the control diet. Fecal short-chain fatty acid data suggest that Compositions 1 and 2 decreased harmful branched-chain fatty acids and increased the production of beneficial linear fatty acids.

Table 11

[0064] Overall, Compositions 1 and 2 significantly improved the gut microbiome by increasing the abundance, diversity, evenness, B:F ratio of beneficial bacteria and increasing postbiotics such as linear fatty acids. Furthermore, Compositions 1 and 2 decreased branched-chain fatty acids during the weight loss period, improving overall gut health.

Claims

[Claim 1] 1. A pet food composition comprising: soluble fiber present in an amount of 3-10% by weight; protein present in an amount of 30-40% by weight; crude fibers present in an amount of 1 to 5% by weight; one or more fatty acids, including linoleic acid; and total dietary fiber is present in an amount of 10-18% by weight; the pet food composition having a linoleic acid to total 18 carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid weight ratio of 0.3 to 1; A pet food composition, wherein all weight percentages are based on said pet food composition.

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