Pet food composition

Abstract

Pet food compositions and methods for improving the health of pets are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pet food composition is provided comprising about 10% by weight or more of fat, wherein the fat comprises one or more short-chain triglycerides, proteins, and fiber, and all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In another embodiment, a method is provided for improving the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate in pets by providing a pet food composition comprising protein, fiber, and about 7% by weight or more of fat, wherein the fat comprises one or more short-chain triglycerides, and the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate increases by about 5% or more after the pet ingests the pet food composition, and the glucose-ketone index decreases by 10% or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 510,400, filed on June 27, 2023, entitled "Pet Food Composition", the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

Background Art

[0002] Circulating energy takes many forms, including glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and ketones. These forms of energy are not equivalent, and in the body, "a calorie is not just a calorie." Circulating ketone bodies in dogs include beta - hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and acetoacetic acid (AcoAc).

[0003] During fasting, extreme exercise, and / or periods of low carbohydrate consumption, the body's stores of glucose and glycogen are rapidly used and can be quickly depleted. Hepatic gluconeogenesis can produce new glucose from non - glucose precursors, but if glycogen stores from external sources are depleted (e.g., dietary intake of digestible carbohydrates) and cannot be replenished, the body metabolically shifts to ketone body production to maintain adequate energy. Ketone bodies can be used by almost all cells of the body as an alternative fuel to meet the body's energy needs, including those of the brain and heart.

[0004] When dietary carbohydrates are restricted, fat is burned as the main fuel, mainly by being broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. Fat is ultimately converted through ketogenesis into the water - soluble ketone bodies beta - hydroxybutyric acid (3 - hydroxybutyric acid or BHB), acetoacetic acid, and acetone. Importantly, BHB is the circulating ketone body in dogs (60 - 90% of total ketone bodies), while acetoacetic acid is present at much lower concentrations, and acetone cannot be converted to energy in mammals.

[0005] Despite the potential benefits of reducing glucose and increasing ketones, in canine species, resistance to ketosis induced by fasting or dietary carbohydrate reduction limits the mechanisms for relatively reducing glucose relative to ketone bodies. [Overview of the project]

[0006] This summary is intended to provide a simplified summary of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Further scope to which the present disclosure is applicable will become apparent from the “Modes for Carrying Out the Invention” provided below in this specification. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or important elements of the teachings, nor to describe 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 following “Modes for Carrying Out the Invention.”

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pet food composition is provided comprising about 7% by weight or more of fat, protein, and fiber, which contains one or more short-chain triglycerides, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for improving the health of a pet is provided, comprising increasing the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate in the pet by providing a pet food composition comprising protein, fiber and about 10% by weight or more of fat based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis, wherein the fat comprises one or more short-chain triglycerides, and the amount of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate increases by about 5% or more one hour after the pet consumes the pet food composition.

[0009] A list of non-limiting exemplary embodiments according to a particular aspect of the present invention is provided below.

[0010] According to Embodiment 1, a pet food composition is provided which comprises about 7% by weight or more of fat, protein, and fiber, including one or more short-chain triglycerides, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

[0011] According to Embodiment 2, the pet food composition described in Embodiment 1 is provided, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has one or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0012] According to Embodiment 3, a pet food composition according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 is provided, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has one or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0013] According to Embodiment 4, a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments is provided, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0014] According to Embodiment 5, a pet food composition is provided which has short-chain triglycerides comprising three fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0015] According to Embodiment 6, a pet food composition is provided which comprises triptyline, triacetin, trippropionine, or a combination thereof, as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0016] According to Embodiment 7, a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments is provided, wherein short-chain triglycerides are present in an amount of about 10% by weight or more of the total amount of fat.

[0017] Embodiment 8 provides a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments, wherein protein is present in an amount of about 15 to 55% by weight.

[0018] Embodiment 9 provides a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the fiber is present in an amount of about 1 to about 15% by weight.

[0019] Embodiment 10 provides a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments, further comprising carbohydrates, optionally in an amount of up to about 65% by weight.

[0020] Embodiment 11 provides a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments, wherein the pet food composition is formulated to increase the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate by about 5% or more when evaluated about one hour after consumption of the pet food composition by a pet that consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in one meal.

[0021] Embodiment 12 provides a pet food composition according to any of the above embodiments, which is formulated to reduce the pet's glucose-ketone index by about 12% or more when evaluated about one hour after consumption by a pet that consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in one meal.

[0022] According to Embodiment 13, a pet food composition is provided which, when evaluated by a pet consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal, the pet has a glucose-ketone index of approximately 35 to approximately 59, as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0023] According to Embodiment 14, a method for improving the health of a pet, comprising increasing the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyric acid in the pet by providing a pet food composition comprising protein, fiber and at least about 8% by weight of fat based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis, wherein the fat comprises one or more short-chain triglycerides, and the amount of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyric acid increases by at least about 5% after 1 hour of consumption of the pet food composition by the pet, is provided.

[0024] According to Embodiment 15, there is provided a method according to Embodiment 14, wherein when evaluated about 1 hour after consumption of the pet food composition by the pet, the glucose ketone index of the pet is reduced by at least about 12%.

[0025] According to Embodiment 16, there is provided a method according to Embodiment 14 or 15, wherein when evaluated about 1 hour after consumption of the pet food composition by the pet in the form of a single meal provided at least once a day, the pet has a glucose ketone index of from about 35 to about 59.

[0026] According to Embodiment 17, there is provided a method according to any one of Embodiments 14 to 16, wherein the pet is a Canis familiaris.

[0027] According to Embodiment 18, there is provided a method according to any one of Embodiments 14 to 17, wherein the pet is a Felis domesticus.

[0028] According to Embodiment 19, there is provided a pet supplement composition comprising at least about 7% by weight of fat comprising one or more short-chain triglycerides, protein, and fiber, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

[0029] According to Embodiment 20, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to Embodiment 19, in which the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0030] According to Embodiment 21, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to Embodiment 19 or Embodiment 20, in which the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0031] According to Embodiment 22, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 21, in which the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0032] According to Embodiment 23, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 22, in which the short-chain triglyceride has three fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0033] According to Embodiment 24, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 23, in which the short-chain triglyceride has three fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0034] According to Embodiment 25, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to any one of Embodiments 19 to 24, in which the composition contains tributyrin, triacetin, tripropionin, or a combination thereof.

[0035] According to Embodiment 26, there is provided a pet supplement composition according to Embodiment 26, in which the short-chain triglyceride contains about 10% by weight or more of the total amount of fat.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] For illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by reference to various exemplary embodiments thereof. Although specific embodiments of the present invention are specifically described herein, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable and can be adopted in other compositions and methods. Before describing in detail the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited in its use to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed herein. The terms used herein are for descriptive purposes only and not for limiting purposes.

[0037] In use in this invention and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural form unless the context otherwise specifies. The singular form of any class of components refers not only to one component in that class but also to a mixture of those components. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” may be used interchangeably. The term “include” should be interpreted as “includes, but not limited to.” The term “including” should be interpreted as “includes, but not limited to.”

[0038] The term "range," used throughout, is a shorthand for describing any value within that range. Any value within the range can be selected as the upper or lower limit of that range. Therefore, the range 1-5 specifically includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as 2-5, 3-5, 2-3, 2-4, and 1-4, etc. The term "approximately" accompanying a number means any number within a 10% range of that number. For example, the phrase "approximately 2.0% by weight" refers to a number between 1.8% by weight and 2.2% by weight.

[0039] All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the event of any conflict between a definition in this disclosure and a definition in a cited reference, this disclosure shall prevail.

[0040] Abbreviations and symbols used herein have their usual meanings unless otherwise indicated. The abbreviation "wt.%" means weight percentage of the pet food composition. The symbol "°" refers to degrees, such as degrees of temperature or degrees of angle. The symbols "h", "min", "mL", "nm", and "μm" mean hours, minutes, milliliters, nanometers, and micrometers, respectively. The abbreviation "UV-VIS" refers to ultraviolet-visible light, referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy. The abbreviation "rpm" means revolutions per minute.

[0041] Any member in a list of species used to illustrate or define a genus may be different from, overlap with, be a subset of, be equivalent to, nearly identical to, or be identical to any other member in a list of species. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, such as when enumerating a Markush group, a list of species defining or illustrating a genus is public and indicates that, like any other species enumerated, or better, there may be other species defining or illustrating the genus.

[0042] All components and elements expressly described in this disclosure may be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the pet food compositions of this disclosure may not contain, or essentially not contain, all components and elements expressly described throughout this disclosure. In some examples, the pet food compositions of this disclosure may substantially not contain non-incidental amounts of any component or compound described herein. A non-incidental amount of a component or compound is the amount of that component or compound added to the pet food composition alone. For example, a pet food composition may substantially not contain a non-incidental amount of a component or compound, but such a component or compound may be present as part of raw materials that are included as a mixture of two or more compounds. Unless otherwise defined or described herein, substantially not contains typically an amount of a component or compound 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, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

[0043] Some of the various categories of identified components may overlap. While overlap may exist, if a pet food composition contains both components (or if a composition contains two or more overlapping components), the overlapping compounds do not represent two or more components. For example, a particular component or element may be characterized as both ancient grain and amaranth. If a particular pet food care composition lists both ancient grain and amaranth, a compound that can be characterized as both ancient grain and amaranth functions as either ancient grain or amaranth, but not both.

[0044] As used herein, the term “pet” is interchangeable with the term “companion animal” and refers to any species of animal kept as a pet by an owner, including domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and domestic cats (Felis domesticus), or any species of animal that has been widely domesticated as a pet. Therefore, pets 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.

[0045] To the extent that food and food components contain water / moisture, the dry substance represents everything in the sample other than water, such as proteins, fiber, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals. The weight of the dry substance is the total weight minus the weight of the water. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize and understand the amount of nutrients and proportions expressed as the quantity, weight, and percentage of the dry substance.

[0046] Daily dry matter intake is calculated as the total daily nutrient intake excluding all water. For example, the amount of a component corresponding to a specific percentage of daily nutrient intake represents the amount of that component in dry form (likewise excluding all water) relative to the total amount of dry matter consumed in a day (i.e., excluding all water).

[0047] "Daily nutrient intake" and "total daily nutrient intake" refer to the amount of dry matter consumed per day. In other words, the weight of water is not included in the calculation of daily nutrient consumption. To calculate the proportion of a component in the total daily intake based on dry matter, water is removed from the total intake to obtain the total daily dry matter intake, and the proportion of that component is calculated based on the amount of the component present as dry matter.

[0048] As used herein, “component” refers to any element of a pet food composition. The term “nutrient” refers to a substance that provides nutrition and is therefore nutritious. In some cases, a component may contain two or more “nutrients,” for example, the composition may contain corn, which contains important nutrients including both protein and carbohydrates.

[0049] Aspects of the present invention relate to pet food compositions and methods of use for improving the health and / or wellness of pets. The inventors have observed that in dogs, during prolonged fasting, for example, blood ketone levels increase to about 1 mmol / L. When dogs are fed carbohydrate-restricted and high-fat diets for extended periods (>4 weeks), they exhibit more moderate levels of circulating BHB (about 0.15 mM, measured after an overnight fast). In contrast, the BHB level in dogs that had chronically consumed carbohydrate-rich foods and then fasted overnight was about 0.9 mM. The heart, brain, and peripheral tissues are thought to use BHB in proportion to the amount available in the blood relative to glucose. The balance between glucose and ketones in the circulating blood is quantified by the glucose-ketone index (glucose:ketone index), which incorporates the relative levels of these two metabolic fuels. A decrease in GKI leads to a decrease in the proportion of glucose utilization in organs and an increase in ketone utilization.

[0050] While not limited to any particular theory, it is thought that the canine brain uses BHB as fuel associated with circulatory levels, and as a result, as the glucose-ketone index decreases, the brain increasingly utilizes BHB as fuel at the expense of glucose utilization, and BHB can replace glucose as fuel in hypoglycemic dogs. Furthermore, the kidneys produce and consume ketones as fuel, which is an abnormal state, and the liver is the only other organ that produces a significant amount of BHB, while the liver does not consume BHB as fuel. For example, it is thought that ketones can serve as up to 50% of the kidney's energy needs. Similarly, the heart is thought to have a tendency to utilize BHB as a fuel source, and the provision of ketogenic fats such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs, having 6, 8, or 10 carbon saturated acyl chains) can be converted to BHB for fuel by the heart.

[0051] While not limited to any particular theory, medium-chain triglycerides are thought to be less of a suboptimal substrate for pancreatic lipase, and other triglycerides are more readily hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase and therefore more readily generate substrates for BHB production in the liver. Furthermore, triglycerides containing additional fatty acids (or fatty acid components / residues) other than the C6, C8, and C10 components of medium-chain triglycerides may more readily generate BHB than typical medium-chain triglycerides. However, if short-chain fatty acids improve BHB production from a given triglyceride, the inclusion of C6, C8, and C10 medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) impairs productivity by filling formulation space, which would otherwise be filled by short-chain fatty acids (e.g., C2, C3, C4; SCFAs). While these may be more efficient in BHB production, triglycerides composed of pure short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are perceived as unpalatable, and therefore, food rejection can limit their consumption. Consequently, they have traditionally been considered problematic in companion animal feeding.

[0052] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pet food composition is provided comprising about 7% by weight or more of fat, protein, and fiber, which contains one or more short-chain triglycerides, wherein all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

[0053] Preferably, the pet food composition is formulated to increase the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate by about 5% or more when evaluated by a pet that has consumed the recommended daily intake of the pet food composition for about one month, and in some embodiments, about one hour after consumption of the pet food composition by a pet that has consumed it after a single meal. For example, the pet food composition may increase the concentration of the circulating metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate by about 10%, about 12%, about 14%, about 16%, about 18%, about 20%, about 22%, about 24%, about 26%, about 28%, or about 30% or more when evaluated about one hour after a pet that has consumed the recommended daily intake of the pet food composition for about one month (about 30 days). In some embodiments, the same applies after a single meal. According to several concretization methods, approximately one hour after a pet has consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal, the circulating metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate will increase by approximately 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 24%, 26%, 28%, or 30% or more. According to further specific methods, approximately one hour after a pet ingests the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal, an increase of approximately 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 24%, 26%, 28%, or 30% or more of the circulating metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate is achieved, and the pet has ingested the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal for the past 30 days or approximately one month.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, the pet food composition may be formulated to reduce the pet's glucose-ketone index by about 12% or more when evaluated about one hour after consumption by a pet consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake, approximately one month (e.g., about 30 days) prior to evaluation. In some embodiments, the same applies after a single meal. In certain embodiments, the pet food composition is adapted to reduce the pet's glucose-ketone index by about 14% or more, about 16% or more, about 18% or more, about 20% or more, about 22% or more, about 24% or more, about 26% or more, about 28% or more, or about 30% or more when evaluated about one hour after consumption by a pet consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake for about one month (about 30 days), and in some embodiments, the evaluation is performed after a single meal. For example, according to several embodiment methods, approximately one hour after a pet consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal, a reduction of approximately 14% or more, approximately 16% or more, approximately 18% or more, approximately 20% or more, approximately 22% or more, approximately 24% or more, approximately 26% or more, approximately 28% or more, or approximately 30% or more is achieved in the glucose-ketone index. According to the method of an additional embodiment, approximately one hour after a pet consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal, a reduction of approximately 14% or more, approximately 16% or more, approximately 18% or more, approximately 20% or more, approximately 22% or more, approximately 24% or more, approximately 26% or more, approximately 28% or more, or approximately 30% or more is achieved in the glucose-ketone index, and the pet has consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal for the past 30 days or approximately one month.

[0055] The inventors suggest that the pet food composition may be formulated to achieve a glucose-ketone index ratio of approximately 35 to approximately 59 when evaluated approximately one month (e.g., approximately 30 days) prior to evaluation, and approximately one hour after consumption by a pet consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake. In some embodiments, this can also be achieved after a single meal. For example, if evaluated approximately one month (e.g., about 30 days) before evaluation, and approximately one hour after consumption of the pet food composition by a pet consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake, the glucose-ketone index ratio would be approximately 35-57, 35-55, 35-53, 35-51, 35-49, 35-47, 35-45, 38-59, 38-57, 38-55, 38-53, 38-51, 38-49, 38-47, 38-45, 41-59, and 41. The formulation can be made to be approximately 57, approximately 41-55, approximately 41-53, approximately 41-51, approximately 41-49, approximately 41-47, approximately 41-45, approximately 43-59, approximately 43-57, approximately 43-55, approximately 43-53, approximately 43-51, approximately 43-49, approximately 43-47, approximately 45-59, approximately 45-57, approximately 45-55, approximately 45-53, approximately 45-51, approximately 45-49, or any range or partial range thereof, and in some embodiments, this can be achieved after a single meal.

[0056] According to several concretization methods, approximately one hour after a pet consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of pet food composition in a single meal, the values ​​are approximately 35-59, 35-57, 35-55, 35-53, 35-51, 35-49, 35-47, 35-45, 38-59, 38-57, 38-55, 38-53, 38-51, 38-49, 38-47, and 38-45. A glucose-ketone index ratio of approximately 41-59, 41-57, 41-55, 41-53, 41-51, 41-49, 41-47, 41-45, 43-59, 43-57, 43-55, 43-53, 43-51, 43-49, 43-47, 45-59, 45-57, 45-55, 45-53, 45-51, or 45-49 can be obtained. According to additional concretization methods, approximately one hour after a pet has consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in one meal, the following values ​​are obtained: approximately 35-59, approximately 35-57, approximately 35-55, approximately 35-53, approximately 35-51, approximately 35-49, approximately 35-47, approximately 35-45, approximately 38-59, approximately 38-57, approximately 38-55, approximately 38-53, approximately 38-51, approximately 38-49, approximately 38-47, approximately 38-45, approximately 41-59, approximately 41-57, approximately 41-55, and approximately 41 A glucose-ketone index ratio of approximately ~53, 41-51, 41-49, 41-47, 41-45, 43-59, 43-57, 43-55, 43-53, 43-51, 43-49, 43-47, 45-59, 45-57, 45-55, 45-53, 45-51, 45-55, 45-53, 45-51, or 45-49 was obtained, and the pet consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal for the past 30 days or approximately one month.

[0057] The glucose-ketone index ratio is the molar concentration of glucose (e.g., BHB) relative to the concentration of ketones. A description of the procedure for determining the glucose-ketone index ratio can be found in Nutr. Metab. (Lond). 2015 Mar 11, 12:12. doi: 10.1186 / s12986-015-0009-2. PMID: 25798181, PMCID: PMC4367849, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0058] Recommended daily nutrient intake may be based on AAFCO and NRC nutritional recommendations, which are based on 1) dry matter levels when the diet is 4000 kcal / kg or less, and 2) dry matter levels per 1000 kcal when the diet has more than 4000 kcal / kg of energy.

[0059] Appropriate ingredients, such as those listed below, may be included in or excluded from the formulation of the pet food composition, depending on the specific combination of other ingredients and the form of the pet food composition. In some embodiments, the pet food compositions disclosed herein may be in the form of standalone pet food, pet food supplements, pet treats, or similar. For example, the pet food composition may be in the form of a supplement and may have certain ingredients and / or elements in the amounts disclosed herein.

[0060] Pet food compositions are formulated to contain at least 7% by weight of fat based on the total weight of the pet food composition, on a dry matter basis. For example, the amount of fat present in a pet food composition is approximately 7-60% by weight, 7-55% by weight, 7-50% by weight, 7-45% by weight, 7-40% by weight, 7-35% by weight, 7-30% by weight, 7-25% by weight, 7-20% by weight, 8.5-60% by weight, 8.5-55% by weight, and 8.5- 50% by weight, about 8.5 to about 45% by weight, about 8.5 to about 40% by weight, about 8.5 to about 35% by weight, about 8.5 to about 30% by weight, about 8.5 to about 25% by weight, about 8.5 to about 20% by weight, about 10 to about 60% by weight Amount%, about 10 to about 55% by weight, about 10 to about 50% by weight, about 10 to about 45% by weight, about 10 to about 40% by weight, about 10 to about 35% by weight, about 10 to about 30% by weight, about 10 to about 25% by weight, about 10 to about 2 0% by weight, about 20 to about 60% by weight, about 20 to about 55% by weight, about 20 to about 50% by weight, about 20 to about 45% by weight, about 20 to about 40% by weight, about 20 to about 35% by weight, about 20 to about 30% by weight, about 23 to about About 60% by weight, about 23 to about 55% by weight, about 23 to about 50% by weight, about 23 to about 45% by weight, about 23 to about 40% by weight, about 23 to about 35% by weight, about 26 to about 60% by weight, about 26 to about 55% by weight, about 2 The ranges may also be 6-50% by weight, 26-45% by weight, 26-40% by weight, 26-35% by weight, 29-60% by weight, 29-55% by weight, 29-50% by weight, 29-45% by weight, 29-40% by weight, 29-35% by weight, 32-60% by weight, 32-55% by weight, 32-50% by weight, 32-45% by weight, and 32-40% by weight.

[0061] The term "fat" generally refers to lipids or mixtures of lipids suitable for dietary intake. Fat in pet food compositions typically contains one or more short-chain triglycerides. As used herein, "short-chain triglyceride" refers to a triglyceride having at least one aliphatic carbon chain consisting of 1 to 5 carbon atoms. For example, a medium-chain triglyceride may have one, two, or three aliphatic carbon chains consisting of 1 to 5 carbon atoms. For example, a pet food composition may contain two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more triglycerides, all of which may be selected from short-chain triglycerides. In some embodiments, one or more of the aliphatic carbon chains of a short-chain triglyceride contain 1, two, three, four, or five carbon atoms. For example, one or more of the aliphatic carbon chains of a short-chain triglyceride may contain 1 to 5 carbon atoms, 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 1 to 3 carbon atoms, 2 to 5 carbon atoms, 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or 3 to 5 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, each of the three aliphatic chains of the short-chain triglyceride consists of the same number of carbon atoms, while in other embodiments, the short-chain triglyceride has aliphatic chains having any of the aforementioned ranges or numbers of carbon atoms. One or more of the aliphatic chains of the short-chain triglyceride may contain fatty acid residues or fatty acid components, for example, the fatty acid residues or fatty acid components consisting of any of the aforementioned ranges or numbers of carbon atoms. In at least one embodiment, the short-chain triglyceride is triptyline (also called butyryl triglyceride or glyceryl triptylate), triacetin, trippropionine, or a combination thereof.

[0062] In at least one preferred embodiment, the short-chain triglyceride has an aliphatic carbon chain having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. For example, the short-chain triglyceride may have 1, 2, or 3 aliphatic carbon chains having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. In a particular preferred embodiment, the short-chain triglyceride has all three aliphatic carbon chains having 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0063] Short-chain triglycerides may constitute about 1% by weight or more of the fat in the pet food composition, based on the total amount of fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis. For example, the fat in the pet food composition may consist of about 1 to 100% by weight of short-chain triglycerides, based on the total amount of fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, based on the total amount of fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis, the short-chain triglycerides of the fat in the pet food composition may be about 1 to about 60% by weight, about 1 to about 45% by weight, about 1 to about 40% by weight, about 1 to about 34% by weight, about 1 to about 28% by weight, about 1 to about 22% by weight, about 1 to about 17% by weight, about 1 to about 12% by weight, about 1 to about 7% by weight, about 1 to about 5% by weight, about 1 to about 3% by weight, about 3 to about 60% by weight, about 3 to about 45% by weight, about 3 to about 40% by weight, about 3 to about 34% by weight, About 3 to about 28% by weight, about 3 to about 22% by weight, about 3 to about 17% by weight, about 3 to about 12% by weight, about 3 to about 7% by weight, about 3 to about 5% by weight, about 5 to about 60% by weight, about 5 to about 45% by weight, about 5 to about 40% by weight, about 5 to about 34% by weight, about 5 to about 28% by weight , about 5 to about 22% by weight, about 5 to about 17% by weight, about 5 to about 12% by weight, about 5 to about 8% by weight, about 7 to about 60% by weight, about 7 to about 50% by weight, about 7 to about 45% by weight, about 7 to about 40% by weight, about 7 to about 37% by weight, about 7 to about 34% by weight, about 7 to about 31% by weight Amount%, about 7 to about 28% by weight, about 7 to about 25% by weight, about 7 to about 22% by weight, about 7 to about 17% by weight, about 7 to about 12% by weight, about 12 to about 60% by weight, about 12 to about 50% by weight, about 12 to about 45% by weight, about 12 to about 40% by weight, about 12 to about 37% by weight %, about 12 to about 34% by weight, about 12 to about 31% by weight, about 12 to about 28% by weight, about 12 to about 25% by weight, about 12 to about 22% by weight, about 12 to about 17% by weight, about 17 to about 60% by weight, about 17 to about 50% by weight, about 17 to about 45% by weight, about 17 to about 4 0% by weight, about 17 to about 37% by weight, about 17 to about 34% by weight, about 17 to about 31% by weight, about 17 to about 28% by weight, about 17 to about 25% by weight, about 23 to about 60% by weight, about 23 to about 50% by weight, about 23 to about 45% by weight, about 23 to about 40% by weight, about 23 ~ about 37% by weight, about 23 to about 34% by weight, about 23 to about 31% by weight, about 27 to about 60% by weight, about 27 to about 50% by weight, about 27 to about 45% by weight, about 27 to about 40% by weight, about 27 to about 37% by weight, about 27 to about 34% by weight, about 27 to about 31% by weight,It may contain approximately 31-60% by weight, approximately 31-50% by weight, approximately 31-45% by weight, approximately 31-40% by weight, approximately 31-37% by weight, approximately 35-60% by weight, approximately 35-50% by weight, approximately 35-45% by weight, approximately 35-40% by weight, approximately 39-60% by weight, approximately 39-50% by weight, approximately 39-45% by weight, approximately 43-60% by weight, approximately 43-50% by weight, approximately 47-60% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof.

[0064] In some examples, short-chain triglycerides make up about 50-100% by weight of the total fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis. For example, a pet food composition may contain about 55-100% by weight, about 60-100% by weight, about 65-100% by weight, about 70-100% by weight, about 75-100% by weight, about 80-100% by weight, about 85-100% by weight, about 90-100% by weight, about 95-100% by weight, about 50-95% by weight, about 55 to about 95% by weight, about 60 to about 95% by weight, about 65 to about 95% by weight, about 70 to about 95% by weight, about 75 to about 95% by weight, about 80 to about 95% by weight, about 85 to about 95% by weight, about 90 to about 95% by weight, About 50 to about 90% by weight, about 55 to about 90% by weight, about 60 to about 90% by weight, about 65 to about 90% by weight, about 70 to about 90% by weight, about 75 to about 90% by weight, about 80 to about 90% by weight, about 85 to about 90% by weight , about 50 to about 85% by weight, about 55 to about 85% by weight, about 60 to about 85% by weight, about 65 to about 85% by weight, about 70 to about 85% by weight, about 75 to about 85% by weight, about 80 to about 85% by weight, about 50 to about 80% by weight %, about 55 to about 80% by weight, about 60 to about 80% by weight, about 65 to about 80% by weight, about 70 to about 80% by weight, about 75 to about 80% by weight, about 50 to about 75% by weight, about 55 to about 75% by weight, about 60 to about 75% by weight The supplement may be in the form of a supplement having short-chain triglycerides in any range or partial range thereof, including % by weight, about 65-75% by weight, about 70-75% by weight, about 50-70% by weight, about 55-70% by weight, about 60-70% by weight, about 65-70% by weight, about 50-65% by weight, about 55-65% by weight, about 60-65% by weight, about 50-60% by weight, about 55-60% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof. In at least one embodiment, the fat is essentially made up of or consists of short-chain triglycerides.

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the pet food composition may contain short-chain triglycerides in an amount of about 0.1 to about 6% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. For example, the pet food composition may contain about 0.1 to about 6% 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, about 0.1 to about 1% 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 0.5 to about 2% by weight, about 0.5 to about 1% 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 to about 2% by weight, about 1 to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. The material may contain short-chain triglycerides in amounts of 0.5% by weight, approximately 1.5 to 6% by weight, approximately 1.5 to 5% by weight, approximately 1.5 to 4% by weight, approximately 1.5 to 3% by weight, approximately 1.5 to 2% by weight, approximately 2 to 6% by weight, approximately 2 to 5% by weight, approximately 2 to 4% by weight, approximately 2 to 3% by weight, approximately 2.5 to 6% by weight, approximately 2.5 to 5% by weight, approximately 2.5 to 4% by weight, approximately 2.5 to 3% by weight, approximately 3.5 to 6% by weight, approximately 3.5 to 5% by weight, approximately 3.5 to 4.5% by weight, approximately 4.5 to 6% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof.

[0066] The pet food composition may be formulated to contain about 10% by weight or less of medium-chain triglycerides, based on the total amount of fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis. As used herein, “medium-chain triglycerides” refers to triglycerides having at least one aliphatic carbon chain consisting of 6 to 12 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the pet food composition may contain medium-chain triglycerides in amounts of about 10% by weight or less, about 8% by weight or less, about 7% by weight or less, about 6% by weight or less, about 5% by weight or less, about 4% by weight or less, about 3% by weight or less, about 2% by weight or less, about 1% by weight or less, or about 0.5% by weight or less, based on the total amount of fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the pet food composition may contain medium-chain triglycerides in amounts such as about 1-10% by weight, about 1-7% by weight, about 1-5% by weight, about 1-3% by weight, about 3-10% by weight, about 3-7% by weight, about 3-5% by weight, about 5-10% by weight, about 5-7% by weight, or about 7-10% by weight, based on the total amount of fat in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis.

[0067] The pet food composition may contain one or more triglycerides, including fatty acid residues or components. In some embodiments, the fatty acid residues or components may include omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or two or more combinations thereof. Examples of omega-3 fatty acid components that may contain additional triglyceride aliphatic chains may include those selected from linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and / or docosahexaenoic acid. Examples of omega-6 fatty acid components that may contain additional triglyceride aliphatic chains may include linolenic acid, calendic acid, eicosadienoic acid, arachidonic acid, docosadienoic acid, adrenaline, osbondic acid, tetracosatetraenoic acid, and / or tetracosapentaenoic acid. In some embodiments, the additional triglyceride polyunsaturated fatty acid component is selected from linolenic acid and / or arachidonic acid.

[0068] Depending on the circumstances, the pet food composition may contain one or more fatty acids. Fatty acids may be present in the pet food composition in amounts of about 0.1 to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. For example, fatty acids may be present in amounts of about 0.1 to about 4% by weight, about 0.1 to about 3% by weight, about 0.1 to about 2% by weight, about 0.1 to about 1% 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 0.5 to about 2% 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 to about 2% by weight, about 2 to about 5% by weight, about 2 to about 4% by weight, about 2 to about 3% by weight, about 3 to about 5% by weight, about 3 to about 4% by weight, or any range or partial range, based on the total weight of the pet food composition.

[0069] One or more fatty acids can be selected from omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, margaroleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, stearidonic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, docosatetraic acid, and two or more combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more fatty acids include omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or two or more combinations thereof. Examples of omega-3 fatty acids include linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Examples of omega-6 fatty acids include linolenic acid, calendic acid, eicosadienoic acid, arachidonic acid, docosadienoic acid, adrenaline, osbondic acid, tetracosatetraenoic acid, and tetracosapentaenoic acid.

[0070] In some embodiments, the pet food composition comprises one or more omega-3 fatty acids and one or more omega-6 fatty acids. In some examples, the pet food composition is formulated to have a weight ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids of about 0.5:1 to about 7:1, preferably about 0.5:1 to about 7:1, about 0.5:1 to about 3:1, about 0.5:1 to about 2.5:1, about 0.5:1 to about 2:1, about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1, about 0.5:1 to about 1:1, about 0.6:1 to about 7:1, about 0.6:1 to about 3:1, about 0.6:1 to about 2.5:1, about 0.6:1 to about 2:1, about 0.6:1 to about 1.5:1, or about 0.6:1 to about 1:1.

[0071] The fat may be completely incorporated into the food composition, deposited on the outside of the food composition, or a mixture of both. In some embodiments, the pet food composition further comprises an effective amount of one or more substances selected from the group consisting of glucosamine, chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane ("MSM"), creatine, antioxidants, green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculata), and mixtures thereof.

[0072] Lipids can be supplied by any of the various sources known to those skilled in the art, including meat, meat by-products, canola oil, fish oil (such as anchovy oil and menhedene oil), and plants. Examples of meat fat sources include poultry fat, turkey fat, lard, animal fat, and beef fat. Examples of vegetable fat sources include wheat, flax, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, corn, oats, millet, wheat germ, corn germ, soybeans, peanuts, and cottonseed, as well as these and other vegetable fat sources, such as corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, linseed oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, and / or oils derived from orestra.

[0073] In some cases, the fat in the pet food composition is crude fat. Crude fat may be included in the composition in the amounts disclosed above with respect to the total fat content, for example, in the range of about 8% to about 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In some embodiments, the pet food composition contains about 8 to about 40% by weight, about 12 to about 35% by weight, about 14 to about 30% by weight, or about 16 to about 24% by weight of crude fat, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In some cases, it may be preferable that about 50% or more by weight, about 60% or more by weight, about 70% or more by weight, about 80% or more by weight, or about 90% or more by weight of total fat be obtained from animal sources. Alternatively, about 50% or more by weight, about 60% or more by weight, about 70% or more by weight, about 80% or more by weight, or about 90% or more by weight of total fat be obtained from plant sources.

[0074] Pet food compositions contain protein in varying amounts. For example, a pet food composition may contain protein in an amount of about 15 to about 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry weight basis, the amount of protein present in the pet food composition is approximately 15-50% by weight, approximately 15-45% by weight, approximately 15-40% by weight, approximately 15-35% by weight, approximately 15-30% by weight, approximately 20-55% by weight, approximately 20-50% by weight, approximately 20-45% by weight, approximately 20-40% by weight, approximately 20-35% by weight, approximately 20-30% by weight, approximately 23-55% by weight, approximately 23-45% by weight, approximately 23-40% by weight, approximately 23-35% by weight, approximately 26-55% by weight, approximately 26-50% by weight, and approximately 2 This includes amounts, ranges, or partial ranges of 6 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 26 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 26 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 29 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 29 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 29 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 29 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 29 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 32 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 32 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 32 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 32 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 35 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 35 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 35 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 35 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 38 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 38 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 38 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 41 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 41 to approximately 50% by weight, or approximately 43 to approximately 55% by weight.

[0075] The proteins in pet food compositions may include, but are not limited to, 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, as well as one or more amino acids selected from two or more of these. In some cases, one or more amino acids may include essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those 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, is a derivative of cysteine ​​and is an essential nutrient for cats.

[0076] A portion of the protein in the composition may be pre-digested (pre-hydrolyzed) protein. For example, the composition may contain about 40% or more, about 50% or more, about 60% or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, about 98% or more, or about 99% or more of pre-digested (pre-hydrolyzed) protein. In some embodiments, for example, if it is desirable for the composition to promote weight loss, the portion of the protein that is pre-digested (pre-hydrolyzed) may be about 60% or less, about 50% or less, about 40% or less, about 30% or less, about 20% or less, or about 10% or less, based on the total amount of protein in the pet food composition on a dry weight basis. In further embodiments, the amount of protein, which is pre-digested (pre-hydrolyzed) protein, is about 10 to about 99% by weight, about 10 to about 95% by weight, 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 99% by weight, about 30 to about 95% 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 99% by weight, about 50 to about 95% by weight, about 50 to about 90% by weight, about 50 to about 70% by weight, or about 70 to about 99% by weight, about 70 to about 95% by weight, including those ranges and partial ranges.

[0077] Proteins may be supplied from any variety of sources well known to those skilled in the art, including plant sources, animal sources, microbial sources, or combinations thereof. For example, animal sources may include meat, meat by-products, seafood, dairy products, and eggs. Meat may include, for example, chicken, fish, and animal meat (including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and similar animals). Meat by-products may include, for example, lungs, kidneys, brains, livers, stomachs, and intestines. Plant proteins may include, for example, soybeans, cottonseed, and peanuts. Microbial sources may be used to synthesize amino acids (e.g., lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine) or intact proteins (such as proteins from the sources listed below).

[0078] Proteins or protein components may include, for example, chicken meal, poultry, poultry by-product meal, lamb, lamb meal, turkey, turkey meal, beef, beef by-products, offal, fishmeal, intestines, kangaroo, white fish, venison, soybean meal, soybean protein isolate, soybean protein concentrate, corn gluten meal, corn protein concentrate, distillation-dried grains and / or distillation-dried grain solutions, single-cell proteins (e.g., yeast, algae, and / or bacterial cultures), etc.

[0079] Proteins may remain intact, be completely hydrolyzed, or be partially hydrolyzed. The protein content of food can be determined by several methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as Method 988.05 published by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists in the Official Methods of Analysis ("OMA"). The amount of protein in the compositions disclosed herein may also be determined based on the amount of nitrogen in the composition according to methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0080] Pet food compositions may be formulated to have a total amount of fiber. A pet food composition may contain about 1 to about 15% by weight of fiber, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. For example, the total amount of fiber in a pet food composition may be about 1 to about 12% by weight, about 1 to about 9% by weight, about 1 to about 7% 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 to about 2% by weight, about 2 to about 15% by weight, about 2 to about 12% by weight, about 2 to about 9% by weight, about 2 to about 7% by weight, about 2 to about 5% by weight, about 2 to about 4% by weight, and about 2 to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. %, approximately 4 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 4 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 4 to approximately 9% by weight, approximately 4 to approximately 7% by weight, approximately 4 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 6 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 6 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 6 to approximately 9% by weight, approximately 6 to approximately 7% by weight, approximately 8 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 8 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 8 to approximately 9% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 12% by weight, approximately 12 to approximately 15% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof.

[0081] In another embodiment, the amount of fiber present in the pet food composition is, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry weight basis, approximately 10 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 60% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 15 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 60% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 20 to approximately 35% by weight, 20-30% by weight, 25-60% by weight, 25-55% by weight, 25-50% by weight, 25-45% by weight, 25-40% by weight, 25-35% by weight, 30-60% by weight, 30-55% by weight, 30-50% by weight, 30-45% by weight, 30-40% by weight, 35-60% by weight, 35-55% by weight, 35-45% by weight, 40-60% by weight, 40-55% by weight, 40-50% by weight, 45-60% by weight, 45-55% by weight, 50-60% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof.

[0082] The total amount of fiber present in a pet food composition generally includes the amounts of crude fiber and dietary fiber. The amounts of crude fiber and / or dietary fiber may be present in the pet food composition in any of the above amounts disclosed with respect to the total amount of fiber. Examples of crude fiber include indigestible components contained in the cell walls and cell contents of plants such as grains, such as the husks of grains like rice, corn, and beans.

[0083] In some embodiments, crude fiber comprises the majority of the total fiber amount. In at least one embodiment, crude fiber comprises about 55% or more, about 65% or more, about 75% or more, about 80% or more, about 85% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, or about 98% or more of the total fiber amount in the pet food composition, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. In further embodiments, the total fiber amount consists essentially of or comprises crude fiber.

[0084] Dietary fiber refers to plant components that are resistant to digestion by animal digestive enzymes. Dietary fiber includes soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine and is fully or partially fermented in the large intestine, and includes, for example, beet pulp, guar gum, chicory root, psyllium, pectin, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, apples, oats, legumes, citrus fruits, barley, or peas. Insoluble fiber can be supplied from any variety of ingredient sources, including, for example, cellulose, whole wheat products, wheat oats, corn bran, flaxseed, grapes, celery, green beans, cauliflower, potato peels, fruit peels (e.g., pear peels), vegetable peels, peanut shells, almond shells, walnut shells, pecan shells, citrus pulp, beet pulp, and soy fiber. In some embodiments, the dietary fiber may be selected from pecan husks, citrus fruit pulp, beet pulp, and two or more combinations thereof. Crude fiber may include indigestible components contained in the cell walls and cellular contents of plants such as grains, such as the husks of grains like rice, corn, and beans.

[0085] In some embodiments, the pet food composition may contain one or more scraides. One or more scraides can be obtained from nut shells such as pecan shells, almond shells, and walnut shells, seeds such as peas, beans, and soybean seeds, and / or fruit peels such as pear peels. In one embodiment, the pet food composition contains pecan shell particles containing one or more scraides. The scraides may have a microstructure and preferably function as abrasives. For example, the scraides may be selected to provide mechanical destruction of debris, food, and / or bacteria on the teeth of a pet ingesting the pet food composition disclosed herein, and the pet food composition may contain such scraides. In at least one embodiment, the scraides may be selected to contain one or more polyphenols.

[0086] 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, or about 10:1 to about 8:1. The pet food composition may also have a weight ratio of insoluble fiber to soluble fiber of about 11:1.

[0087] Pet food compositions may further contain ash. As described herein, ash consists of compounds that are neither organic nor water and is generally produced by the combustion of biological materials. Ash is present in the pet food composition in amounts ranging from about 1% by weight to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the food composition on a dry weight basis, including all amounts and partial ranges within that range. In some embodiments, ash may be present in the food composition in amounts ranging from 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 to about 2% 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 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, about 4 to about 10% by weight, about 4 to about 8% by weight, about 4 to about 6% by weight, about 5 to about 10% by weight, or about 5 to about 8% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof, based on the total weight of the food composition on a dry matter basis.

[0088] For example, the amount of carbohydrates calculated as NFE is based on the total weight of the PET composition on a dry matter basis, up to approximately 65% ​​by weight, up to approximately 60% by weight, up to approximately 55% by weight, up to approximately 50% by weight, up to approximately 45% by weight, up to approximately 40% by weight, up to approximately 35% by weight, up to approximately 30% by weight, up to approximately 25% by weight, up to approximately 20% by weight, up to approximately 15% by weight, up to approximately 10% by weight, up to approximately 5% by weight, up to approximately 65% ​​by weight, up to approximately 55% by weight, and up to approximately 50% by weight. Weight percentage, maximum approximately 45% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 1 to approximately 5% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 65% ​​by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 50% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 45% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 40% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 35% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 30% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 25% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 20% by weight, approximately 5 to approximately 15% by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 65% ​​by weight, approximately 10 to approximately 55% by weight, approximately 10 to about 50% by weight, about 10 to about 45% by weight, about 10 to about 40% by weight, about 10 to about 35% by weight, about 10 to about 30% by weight, about 10 to about 25% by weight, about 15 to about 65% by weight, about 15 to about 55% by weight, about 15 to about 50% by weight, about 15 to about 45% by weight , about 15 to about 40% by weight, about 15 to about 35% by weight, about 15 to about 30% by weight, about 20 to about 65% by weight, about 20 to about 55% by weight, about 20 to about 50% by weight, about 20 to about 45% by weight, about 20 to about 40% by weight, about 20 to about 35% by weight, about 25 to about 65% by weight It may also be %, approximately 25-55% by weight, approximately 25-50% by weight, approximately 25-45% by weight, approximately 25-40% by weight, approximately 25-35% by weight, approximately 30-65% by weight, approximately 30-55% by weight, approximately 30-50% by weight, approximately 30-45% by weight, approximately 35-65% by weight, approximately 35-55% by weight, approximately 35-50% by weight, approximately 40-65% by weight, approximately 40-55% by weight, approximately 45-65% by weight, approximately 45-55% by weight, or approximately 50-65% by weight, including those ranges and subranges.

[0089] As used herein, the term “carbohydrates” includes polysaccharides (e.g., starch and dextrin) and sugars (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose) that are metabolized for energy when hydrolyzed. Generally, the proportion of carbohydrates can be calculated as soluble non-nitrogenous matter ("NFE"), which can be calculated as follows: NFE% = 100% - (moisture%) - (protein%) - (lipid%) - (ash%) - (crude fiber%). By appropriately balancing the carbohydrate sources, those skilled in the art can manipulate the texture of the final product. For example, short-chain polysaccharides tend to be more viscous and gooey, while long-chain polysaccharides tend to be less viscous and gooey than short-chain polysaccharides, and the desired texture of this hybrid food is achieved by long-chain polysaccharides and modified starches (such as natural or modified starches, cellulose, and similar). The carbohydrate mixture may additionally contain any ingredients such as added salt, spices, seasonings, vitamins, minerals, flavorings, colorings, and similar substances. The amount of any ingredients will depend at least in part to the nutritional requirements of different life stages of animals.

[0090] Carbohydrates include, but are not limited to, oat fiber, cellulose, peanut shells, beet pulp, parboiled rice, corn starch, corn gluten meal, grains, and sorghum, and can be supplied from any variety of ingredient sources known to those skilled in the art. Examples of grains that supply carbohydrates include, but are not limited to, wheat, durum, semolina, corn, barley, and rice. In certain embodiments, the carbohydrate components comprise a mixture of one or more carbohydrate sources. The carbohydrate content of the food can be determined by any number of methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0091] In certain embodiments, the pet food composition contains moisture. Moisture may be present in varying amounts or concentrations. In one embodiment, moisture may be present in an amount of about 3 to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the pet food composition. For example, moisture may be present in an amount of 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 based on the total weight of the pet food composition. In another embodiment, moisture may be present in amounts 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 a particular embodiment, moisture may be present in amounts 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 a further embodiment, moisture may be present in amounts 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.

[0092] The pet food compositions disclosed herein may be wet or dry compositions, and components may be incorporated into the food composition and / or incorporated on the surface of any composition component by, for example, spraying, agglomerating, sprinkling, or precipitation onto a surface. Furthermore, pet food compositions may be formulated and manufactured to be of various forms and / or consistency. For example, a pet food composition may be, for example, a dry, wet, or semi-wet food composition for animals. "Semi-wet" refers to a food composition containing about 25 to about 35% moisture. "Wet" food refers to a food composition having a moisture content of about 60 to 90% or more. "Dry" food refers to a food composition having a moisture content of about 3 to about 12% and is often manufactured in the form of pieces or kibble.

[0093] Foods may also contain multiple cohesive components, such as soft, chewy, meat-like particles or fragments, as well as kibble having 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 terms “kibble” or “food kibble” refer to granular pellets, such as components of cat or dog feed. In some embodiments, food kibble has a water content or moisture of less than 15% by weight. Food kibble can range in texture from hard to soft. Food kibble can range in internal structure from puffy to dense. Food kibble may be formed by an extrusion or baking process. In non-limiting examples, food kibble may have a uniform or variable internal structure. For example, food kibble may include a core and coating to form coated kibble. When the terms “kibble” or “food kibble” are used, it should be understood that it can refer to uncoated kibble or coated kibble.

[0094] The pet food compositions of this disclosure may additionally contain other additives in amounts and combinations well known to those skilled in the art. Such additives should be present in amounts that do not impair the purpose and effects provided by the present invention. Examples of additives include substances that have a stabilizing effect, sensory stimulants, processing aids, and substances that provide nutritional benefits.

[0095] Examples of stabilizing substances include those that tend to extend the shelf life of pet food compositions. Other examples of such additives that are potentially suitable for inclusion in the compositions of the present invention include, for example, preservatives, antioxidants, cohesive agents and scavengers, packaging gases, stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickeners, gelling agents, and wetting agents. Examples of emulsifiers and / or thickeners include gelatin, cellulose ethers, starch, starch esters, starch ethers, and modified starch. Additives for coloring, flavoring, and nutritional purposes include colorants, salts (including, but not limited to, sodium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, and other edible salts), vitamins, minerals, and flavorings. Other additives include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, plant extracts, and herbal extracts.

[0096] The concentration of these additives in pet food compositions can typically be up to approximately 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. For example, the additives can be approximately 0.01 to 5% by weight, approximately 0.01 to 4% by weight, approximately 0.01 to 4% by weight, approximately 0.01 to 3% by weight, approximately 0.01 to 2% by weight, approximately 0.01 to 1% by weight, approximately 0.1 to 5% by weight, approximately 0.1 to 4% by weight, approximately 0.1 to 4% by weight, approximately 0.1 to 3% by weight, and approximately 0% by weight, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. The amounts may be 0.1 to about 2% by weight, about 0.1 to about 1% by weight, about 1 to about 5% by weight, about 1 to about 4% by weight, about 1 to about 4% by weight, about 1 to about 3% by weight, about 1 to about 2% by weight, about 2 to about 5% by weight, about 2 to about 4% by weight, about 2 to about 4% by weight, about 2 to about 3% by weight, about 3 to about 5% by weight, about 3 to about 4% by weight, about 4 to about 5% by weight, or any range or partial range thereof. In some embodiments, the concentration of such additives (especially when such additives are mainly nutritional balancers (such as vitamins and minerals)) is about 0 to about 2.0% by weight based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. The amount of vitamin-containing additives may be added to the amount of vitamin B described above. In some embodiments, the concentration of such additives (again, especially when such additives are mainly nutritional balancers) is about 0 to about 1% by weight based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. While the aforementioned list of additives may be potentially appropriate in some embodiments, one or more of these additives may be excluded from other embodiments of the pet food composition.

[0097] In certain embodiments, pet food compositions and food products are formulated to address specific nutritional differences between animal species and breeds, as well as one or more of the animal's attributes. For example, cat and dog foods are formulated, for instance, typically based on life stage, age, size, weight, body composition, and breed.

[0098] Sources of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, balance regulators, etc., suitable for inclusion in pet food compositions and, in particular, in food products administered by the methods provided herein, can be selected from conventional materials well known to those skilled in the art.

[0099] Pet food composition: Beef broth, brewer's dried yeast, eggs, egg products, flaxseed flour, DL-methionine, amino acids, leucine, lysine, arginine, cysteine, cystine, aspartic acid, polyphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate; zinc chloride, copper gluconate, tin chloride, tin fluoride, sodium fluoride, triclosan, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, green-lipped mussel, blue-lipped mussel, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), boron, boric acid, phytoestrogens, phytoandrogens, genistein, daidzein, L-carnitine, chromium picolinate, chromium tripicolinate, chromium nicotinate, acid-base regulators, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, sodium bisulfate; eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, plasticizers, colorants, flavorings, sweeteners, buffering agents. The product contains, or may not contain, one or more ingredients selected from two or more combinations thereof, including lubricants, carriers, pH adjusters, natural ingredients, stabilizers, biological additives (such as enzymes (including proteases and lipases)), chemical additives, coolants, chelating agents, denaturants, astringents, emulsifiers, topical analgesics, fragrance compounds, humectants, opacifying agents (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), defoaming agents (such as silicones), preservatives (such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate, benzalkonium chloride, EDTA, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, parabens and mixtures thereof), reducing agents, solvents, hydrotropes, solubilizers, suspending agents (non-surfactants), solvents, thickeners (aqueous and non-aqueous), scavenging agents, keratolytic agents, eggshell membrane, ancient grains, etc.

[0100] Pet food compositions can be manufactured in various ways to obtain a desired pet food composition or shape. For example, dry food may be baked or extruded and then cut into individual shapes such as kibble. In some embodiments, pet food compositions may be prepared in canned or wet form using conventional food preparation processes known to those skilled in the art. Typically, ground animal protein tissue is mixed with grains, a suitable carbohydrate source, fats, oils, and other components such as balance components (including special-purpose additives, e.g., vitamin and mineral mixtures, inorganic salts, cellulose, beet pulp, etc.) and a sufficient amount of water for processing. These elements are mixed in a container suitable for heating during the blending of components. Heating of the mixture is carried out using any suitable method, such as direct steam injection or the use of a container equipped with a heat exchanger. After the addition of all components of the formulation, the mixture may be heated to a temperature of 50°F to 212°F. Temperatures outside this range can be used, but may not be commercially practical without other processing aids. When heated to a suitable temperature, the material is typically in the form of a viscous liquid and is dispensed into cans. The lids are attached and the containers are sealed. The sealed cans are then placed in a conventional apparatus designed to sterilize the contents. Sterilization is typically achieved by heating to a temperature above 230°C for an appropriate amount of time, depending on the temperature used, the properties of the composition, and related factors. The pet food compositions and food products of this disclosure may also be added to or combined with food compositions before, during, or after their preparation.

[0101] In some embodiments, food products (e.g., pet food compositions, pet food supplements, etc.) may be prepared in a dry form using conventional processes known to those skilled in the art. Typically, dry components, including dried animal protein, plant protein, grains, etc., are ground and mixed together. Liquid or wet components, including fats, oils, water, animal protein, water, etc., are added and mixed with the dry material. Specific formulations, addition sequences, combinations, and methods and equipment used to combine various components can be selected from those known in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, the resulting mixture is processed into kibble or similar dry pieces, formed using an extrusion process, where the mixture of dry and wet components is subjected to mechanical work at high pressure and temperature, passed through small openings or openings, and cut into kibble, for example, with a rotary knife. Kibble can also be made from dough using a baking method instead of extrusion, in which the dough is placed in a mold and then subjected to a drying and heating process.

[0102] When preparing a composition, any component can generally be incorporated into the composition during the formulation process, for example, while and / or after mixing the other components of the composition. The distribution of these components into the pet food composition can be achieved by conventional means. In certain embodiments, ground animal and / or poultry protein tissue is mixed with other components, including nutritional balancers and inorganic salts, and further mixed with other components, including cellulose, beet pulp, fillers, etc., with enough water for processing.

[0103] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for improving the health of a pet is provided, comprising increasing the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) by providing a pet food composition comprising protein, fiber and about 10% by weight or more of fat based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis, wherein the fat comprises one or more short-chain triglycerides, and the amount of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate increases by about 5% or more one hour after the pet consumes the pet food composition.

[0104] In some examples, the method may include providing and / or feeding the dog the pet food composition for one day or more, preferably five days or more, preferably seven days or more, preferably ten days or more, preferably fourteen days or more, preferably thirty days or more, or preferably forty-two days or more. The method may also include feeding the pet once a day, twice a day, three times a day, or in some embodiments four or more times a day.

[0105] Preferably, when evaluated about one hour after a pet has consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition about one month prior to evaluation, the concentration of the circulating metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate increases by about 10% or more, and in some embodiments, a similar effect is observed even after a single meal. Preferably, this method increases the concentration of the circulating metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate by about 12% or more, about 14% or more, about 16% or more, about 18% or more, about 20% or more, about 22% or more, about 24% or more, about 26% or more, about 28% or more, or about 30% or more, about one hour after a pet has consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition about one month prior to evaluation, and in some embodiments, a similar effect is observed even after a single meal.

[0106] Additionally or alternatively, methods employing certain pet food compositions disclosed herein may reduce the glucose-ketone index of pets. In certain embodiments, the method reduces the glucose-ketone index of a pet by about 12% or more when evaluated about one hour after ingesting the pet food composition, in pets that had been consuming the pet food composition at the recommended daily intake about one month prior to evaluation, and similarly in some embodiments when evaluated after a single meal. For example, the method may reduce the glucose-ketone index of a pet by about 14% or more, about 16% or more, about 18% or more, about 20% or more, about 22% or more, about 24% or more, about 26% or more, about 28% or more, or about 30% or more when evaluated about one hour after ingesting the pet food composition, and similar effects are observed in some embodiments after a single meal.

[0107] When a pet that has consumed the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition as its sole source of pet food is measured approximately one hour after ingesting the composition, an increase in the concentration of the circulating metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate and / or a decrease in the glucose-ketone index can be achieved, and in some embodiments, the same can be achieved after a single meal.

[0108] In some embodiments, the method uses a pet food composition that achieves a glucose-ketone index of approximately 35 to approximately 59 when evaluated approximately one hour after consumption by a pet that has been consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition for approximately one month prior to the evaluation, and in some embodiments, it is used after only one meal. This method, in some cases, when evaluated approximately one hour after consumption by a pet that had been consuming the pet food composition at the recommended daily nutritional intake approximately one month prior to the evaluation, yields values ​​of approximately 35 to approximately 57, approximately 35 to approximately 55, approximately 35 to approximately 53, approximately 35 to approximately 51, approximately 35 to approximately 49, approximately 35 to approximately 47, approximately 35 to approximately 45, approximately 38 to approximately 59, approximately 38 to approximately 55, approximately 38 to approximately 53, approximately 38 to approximately 51, approximately 38 to approximately 49, approximately 38 to approximately 47, approximately 38 to approximately 45, approximately 41 to approximately 59, and approximately 41 to approximately 5 7, it may provide glucose-ketone indices of approximately 41-55, 41-53, 41-51, 41-49, 41-47, 41-45, 43-59, 43-57, 43-55, 43-53, 43-51, 43-49, 43-47, 45-59, 45-57, 45-55, 45-53, 45-51, 45-49, or a range or partial range thereof, and in some embodiments, it exhibits a similar effect even after a single meal. [Examples]

[0109] Example 1 Non-limiting examples of pet food compositions (composition examples) were prepared according to embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary compositions were prepared according to the formulations shown in Table 1 (below). Comparative pet food compositions (comparative compositions) were prepared such that the comparative compositions had the same formulation as the exemplary compositions, except that they contained 2% by weight of chicken fat instead of 2% by weight of triptyline, based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis. [Table 1]

[0110] Example 2 Twelve dogs were given either the exemplary composition or the comparative composition, and the effects of the exemplary composition were evaluated. All dogs were adult (>1 year old), neutered males and spayed females, and were small and medium in size. Dogs were considered healthy if there was no evidence of chronic systemic disease from physical examination, whole blood count, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, or fecal examination for parasites. Exclusion criteria included gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, diarrhea) or abnormally poor appetite.

[0111] All dogs were kept in pairs in indoor rooms with natural light. The dogs were behaviorally enriched through interaction with each other, playtime with caregivers, daily opportunities to run in groups in a feature-rich herbaceous area (play park), and access to toys. They were fed once daily and had free access to water. All dogs were immunized against canine distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, Bordetella, and rabies, monitored for parasites, and received routine heartworm prevention.

[0112] Each dog was given a standard adult dog maintenance formula for 30 days as part of a pre-feeding regimen. After the 30-day pre-feeding regimen, the dogs were randomized into two groups, one group receiving a single meal of either comparative composition 1 or exemplary composition A. One hour after feeding, blood was collected from each dog for clinical biochemistry. The blood was then analyzed for selected metabolic and clinical markers, as well as BHB and glucose (from which GKI could be calculated). A summary of the blood assessments is provided in Table 2 below. [Table 2]

[0113] Example 3 The compositions of the examples were modified to have various levels of triptylin and fed to dogs to evaluate the palatability of pet food compositions with different amounts of triptylin. The dogs were given their entire daily food once a day in the morning. The dogs were divided into five groups of 25 dogs each, and each group was given either a single bowl of the base pet food composition (containing 0% triptylin by weight) or a pet food composition in which a portion of the chicken fat was replaced with 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, or 2% triptylin by weight, to evaluate whether the increase in triptylin in the feed reduced voluntary feeding.

[0114] Dogs were given their respective foods for 7 days. The dogs were housed in pairs but were fed daily at individual feeding stations. This was done via electronic feeders, and each individually identified pet (through a chip reader) was given access to a controlled amount of food per hour, after which food intake was recorded. Cumulative food intake over 7 days was evaluated as the percentage of the daily food provided consumed. If dogs had a food aversion to triptylin, their intake of the provided pet food composition decreased compared to the base pet food composition (0% triptylin), depending on the triptylin content.

[0115] Intake data were analyzed using a linear mixed model with animal control as a random factor and triptyline level as the primary effect. As shown in Table 3 (below), there was no significant effect of triptyline level (p=0.828), and therefore, when triptyline was incorporated into the composition examples, it was as palatable as foods without triptyline. A summary of the results is shown in Table 3 below. [Table 3]

Claims

1. A pet food composition, Fat comprising approximately 7% by weight or more, wherein the fat contains one or more short-chain triglycerides, Proteins and, Contains fibers, A pet food composition in which all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

2. The pet food composition according to claim 1, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has one or more fatty acid components containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

3. The pet food composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has one or more fatty acid components containing one to four carbon atoms.

4. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing one to four carbon atoms.

5. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has three fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

6. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition comprises triptyline, triacetin, trippropionine, or a combination thereof.

7. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the short-chain triglycerides comprise about 10% by weight or more of the total amount of fat.

8. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protein is present in an amount of about 15 to 55% by weight.

9. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aforementioned fibers are present in an amount of about 1 to about 15% by weight.

10. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising, optionally, carbohydrates in an amount of up to approximately 65% ​​by weight.

11. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pet food composition is formulated to increase the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate by about 5% or more when evaluated about one hour after consumption by a pet that consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in one meal.

12. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pet food composition is formulated to reduce the glucose-ketone index of a pet by about 12% or more when evaluated about one hour after consumption of the pet food composition by a pet that consumes the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in one meal.

13. The pet food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pet food composition is formulated such that, when evaluated approximately one hour after ingestion by a pet consuming the recommended daily nutritional intake of the pet food composition in a single meal, the pet has a glucose-ketone index of approximately 35 to approximately 59.

14. A method for improving the health of a pet, comprising increasing the concentration of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate in the pet by providing a pet food composition comprising protein, fiber and about 8% by weight or more of fat based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis, wherein the fat comprises one or more short-chain triglycerides, and the amount of the metabolite beta-hydroxybutyrate increases by about 5% or more one hour after the pet consumes the pet food composition.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method reduces the glucose-ketone index of the pet by about 12% or more when evaluated about one hour after the pet consumes the pet food composition.

16. The method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the pet has a glucose-ketone index of about 35 to about 59 when evaluated about one hour after the pet consumes the pet food composition in the form of a single meal provided at least once a day.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the pet is a domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the pet is a domestic cat (Felis domesticus).

19. A pet supplement composition, Fat comprising approximately 7% by weight or more, wherein the fat contains one or more short-chain triglycerides, Proteins and, Contains fibers, A pet supplement composition in which all weight percentages are based on the total weight of the pet food composition on a dry matter basis.

20. The pet supplement composition according to claim 19, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing one to four carbon atoms.

21. The pet supplement composition according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing one to four carbon atoms.

22. The pet supplement composition according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has two or more fatty acid components containing one to four carbon atoms.

23. The pet supplement composition according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has three fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

24. The pet supplement composition according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the short-chain triglyceride has three fatty acid components containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

25. A pet supplement composition according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the composition comprises triptyline, triacetin, trippropionine, or a combination thereof.

26. The pet supplement composition according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the short-chain triglycerides comprise about 10% by weight or more of the total amount of fat.

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