Pet chew containing miscanthus

Abstract

Commercialization of Miscanthus for other uses A method for forming a pet chew includes providing Miscanthus, providing at least one polymer, combining the Miscanthus and the at least one polymer to form a Miscanthus-containing polymer composition, and forming the pet chew from the Miscanthus-containing polymer composition. A pet chew containing Miscanthus is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This U.S. non - provisional patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 203,682, filed on July 28, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Field The present disclosure relates to animal products, and more particularly to pet chew products.

Background Art

[0003] Background Miscanthus is a genus of plants in the Poaceae family. Miscanthus is a grass that is cultivated as a crop from the dried stems of Miscanthus giganteus and is grown because it has a relatively high fiber content. Miscanthus giganteus is an infertile hybrid of the species Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. Miscanthus giganteus is known as a perennial grass with rhizomes like bamboo that can grow up to 3 - 4 meters in height in one season (after the third season). Miscanthus giganteus is reported to be used as a biofuel because of its relatively high calorific value and can be processed into pellets. As a sustainable material, there is a continuing need to identify potential uses for Miscanthus to replace raw materials in various industries. That is, while Miscanthus has been recognized as a promising energy crop, its commercialization for other uses has recently attracted attention.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Summary A pet chew comprising a polymer composition comprising at least one polymer and miscanthus, and the polymer composition formed in the form of a pet chew.

[0005] A method for forming a pet chew, comprising supplying miscanthus, supplying at least one polymer, combining the miscanthus and the at least one polymer to form a polymer composition containing miscanthus, and forming a pet chew from the polymer composition containing miscanthus.

[0006] The above and other features of the present disclosure and the means for achieving them will become clearer and better understood by referring to the following description of the embodiments described in this specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Detailed Description It should be correctly recognized that the present disclosure is not limited to the details of the structures and arrangements of the components described in the following description or illustrated in the drawings in its application. The invention herein may have other embodiments and may be implemented or executed in various forms. Furthermore, it should be correctly recognized that the turns of phrase and terms used herein are for the purpose of explanation and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a pet chew containing miscanthus and a method for providing a pet chew containing miscanthus. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the incorporation of miscanthus as an additive into various polymer resins for providing a polymer composition that is shaped into the form of a pet chew. Miscanthus can be, more particularly, Miscanthus giganteus.

[0010] The pet chew is formed from a polymer composition in which the miscanthus is incorporated or disposed. In some embodiments, the miscanthus can be incorporated or disposed (e.g., randomly) within the polymer composition. In other embodiments, the miscanthus can be incorporated or disposed only at specific locations of the pet chew, such as being disposed (e.g., randomly) on the outer surface of the polymer composition. Thus, the miscanthus can be incorporated or disposed into the polymer composition before, after, or during the formation of the polymer composition into a pet chew.

[0011] Examples of non-limiting embodiments of the pet chew contemplated herein are shown in FIGS. 1-3. The pet chew 10 can take many forms. In FIG. 1, the pet chew 10 is in the form of a bone including an elongated (intermediate) shaft region 12 disposed between spherical end regions 14 that may be in the form of a plurality of knobs / knuckles 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the miscanthus pieces 22 can be randomly disposed on the surface of the pet chew 10 and / or randomly within (i.e., below the surface) the polymer resin / polymer composition 20 from end to end of the volume of the pet chew 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the miscanthus pieces 22 can be provided at selected locations, such as only on the surface of the pet chew 10 / polymer composition 20, only on the spherical end regions 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the miscanthus pieces 22 are disposed as in FIG. 1, but the pet chew 10 is Y-shaped and has three spherical end regions 14 instead of two spherical end regions 14.

[0012] The polymer resin includes, in particular, biocompatible polymer resins as well as synthetic polymer resins, natural or natural-derived polymer resins, and edible polymer resins, and these can be formed using many forming processes. The biocompatible polymer resin may include synthetic polymer resins, natural or natural-derived polymer resins, and edible polymer resins.

[0013] The biocompatible resin may include resins that do not exhibit toxic and / or harmful effects on living systems such as the digestive tract of pets. Such biocompatible resins may be edible and may be either easily digestible or indigestible.

[0014] Synthetic polymer resins include, in particular, thermoplastic polymer resins such as polyamide (nylon), polyester, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers (such as polyester thermoplastic elastomers or polyurethane elastomers), polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, polystyrene, polyacrylate, and polycarbonate. Edible synthetic polymer resins may include ester resins.

[0015] Susuki can also serve as an additive in various synthetic thermosetting polymer resins including polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyester resin, vinyl ester resin, and vulcanized rubber (crosslinked polyisoprene).

[0016] Natural or natural-derived polymer resins that may include edible polymer resins and are derived from plants include starch-based compositions. Starch may include, in particular, starches obtained from, for example, corn, wheat, and / or potatoes. Other examples of natural or natural-derived polymer resins include gluten, casein, gelatin, and collagen (raw hide).

[0017] One or more of the aforementioned polymer resins can be used to provide the polymer composition of the pet chew containing Susuki and may include any other optional additives described below.

[0018] In particular, for example, any of the aforementioned polymer resins can be combined with 0.1 wt% to 10.0 wt% of the millet. In other words, the polymer composition of the chewing gum can, in particular, contain 0.1 wt% to 10.0 wt% of the millet and 90 wt% to 99.9 wt% of one or more polymer resins.

[0019] More particularly, the polymer composition can contain 0.1 wt% to 5.0 wt% of the millet, even more particularly 0.1 wt% to 2.5 wt% of the millet, 0.1 wt% to 1.0 wt% of the millet.

[0020] Alternatively, if it is desired to provide a higher percentage of fibers to the pet, the millet can be used in a higher proportion. For example, the polymer composition can contain 0.1 wt% to 15 wt% of the millet or even 0.1 wt% to 20 wt% of the millet or even 0.1 wt% to 25 wt% of the millet. In such situations, at least one polymer resin can, respectively, contain 85% to 99.9% of the polymer composition, 80% to 99.9% of the polymer composition or 75% to 99.9% of the polymer composition, and the polymer composition can, respectively, be reduced by the proportion of other additives if there are any other additives.

[0021] The millet can, in particular, be combined with the polymer resin when in the form of discrete small pieces. Thus, it should be understood that the polymer resin provides a continuous phase, while the millet pieces provide a discontinuous phase dispersed within the polymer resin. The remainder of the polymer composition can contain one or more polymer resins.

[0022] The millet pieces can, in particular, be in the form of (elongated) pellets, and the millet pellets have a length of 0.25’’ (inch) to 1.0’’ (inch) and a diameter of 0.1’’ (inch) to 0.33’’ (inch). Alternatively, the millet pieces can be granulated and can be further reduced to a diameter of less than 0.1’’ (inch), such as in the range of 250 microns to less than 0.1’’ (inch).

[0023] Optionally, the polymer composition may include other additives such as additives like fragrances, attractants and / or colorants. The additives may also include one or more antioxidants, minerals or vitamins. Additives such as fragrances, attractants, colorants, antioxidants, minerals or vitamins may each be present at a level of 0.1 wt% to 2.5 wt% of the polymer composition.

[0024] As an example, a certain synthetic thermoplastic formulation may more specifically include 99.5 wt% polyamide (nylon), 0.2 wt% of eel, and 0.3 wt% of bacon and / or bacon flavoring in order to provide a pet chew having the aforementioned polymer composition. In another example, the thermoplastic formulation may include 99.0 wt% nylon, 0.3 wt% of eel, and 0.7 wt% of chicken and / or chicken-like flavoring in order to provide a pet chew having the aforementioned composition.

[0025] The thermoplastic and / or thermosetting and / or edible polymer resins described herein, along with eel and other optional additives, are formed into the desired shape of a pet chew, which may also be referred to as a pet chew product or article. Such can be achieved by various techniques including injection molding, extrusion or compression molding.

[0026] More specifically, the thermoplastic or edible polymer resin can be heated to a certain temperature, such that it becomes soft and can be formed into the desired shape. For example, small pieces of eel can be randomly dispersed in the polymer resin by melting the polymer resin and mixing the melted polymer resin with the small pieces of eel.

[0027] In the case of a thermosetting polymer resin, the thermosetting resin precursor is combined with small pieces of eel and optional additives that are randomly dispersed therein, and then introduced into a mold, where the resin precursor can react to form a crosslinked polymer network structure by a mold having a cavity in the shape of the desired pet chew.

[0028] It should be noted that it has been observed that the miscanthus pieces in this specification form a pattern randomly dispersed in the polymer composition after molding. For example, when molding a polymer composition having a polyamide resin and 0.1% to 1.0% by weight of miscanthus, the formation of a molded pet chew is observed, in which a randomly dispersed pattern appears, i.e., miscanthus pieces appear as relatively small spots or a mottled distribution of relatively dark color compared to the polyamide continuous phase. The spots have a size in the range of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm (longest length dimension) or 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm or 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm. That is, together with miscanthus and optional additives such as flavors, attractants, and / or colorants, when the polyamide resin is heated and softened, miscanthus pieces immediately appear and phase-separate into relatively dark-colored spots within the polyamide continuous phase.

[0029] In addition to the above, the pet chews formed in this specification having miscanthus pieces have the miscanthus pieces in the form of distinct spots or mottles clearly separate from the polymer resin in the molded article. In particular, this confirms to the consumer that the subject pet chews are formed from a polymer resin and miscanthus, a renewable resource. Additionally, it is envisioned that miscanthus provides a source of fiber and improves the hardness of the pet chews formed, thereby increasing the chewing time.

[0030] As described above, natural or natural - derived polymer resins can include edible polymer resins, can be derived from plants, and can include starch compositions. Starch can include amylose and / or amylopectin and can be extracted from plants including, but not limited to, potatoes, rice, tapioca, corn, and grains such as rye, wheat, and oats. Starch can also be extracted from fruits, nuts and rhizomes or kudzu, guar gum, locust bean, aracha, buckwheat, banana, barley, cassava, konjac, kudzu, Andean katabami, sago, sorghum, sweet potato, taro, yam, broad bean, lentil, and pea. Starch can be present between about 30% and 99%, including all increments and values in - between, such as levels above about 50%, 85%, etc.

[0031] The starch used herein can be native starch, which can be understood as starch with no prior thermoforming history such as extrusion or other types of melt - processing steps. Native starch itself can also be unmodified, which can be understood as unmodified starch that is recovered in its original form by extraction and has not been physically or chemically modified. Native starch can also be in powder form with various particle sizes, which can be understood as milled and / or pre - sieved. It should be understood that native starch can also have various degrees of moisture present.

[0032] The polymer composition can also include water. Water can be introduced into the polymer composition at any increment or value between about 1% and 40% by weight of the polymer composition, including 4%, 20 - 40%, 10 - 20%, etc. After the pet tube is formed, water can be present between 1% and 20% by weight of the polymer composition, including all increments and values in - between, such as 20%, 4%, less than 5 - 10%, etc.

[0033] In one embodiment for forming pet chews, the miscanthus pieces can be incorporated into a polymer resin / polymer composition containing starch before molding. The process can be initiated by adding water, which can be present in the range of 20% to 40% by weight based on the weight of the starch, including all values and ranges therein, to the starch and adjusting the moisture content of the starch by mixing the water with the starch. The miscanthus pieces can also be added to and mixed in the starch. The mixing of the starch, water and / or miscanthus pieces can be preformed in a conditioner or in a plastication device as further discussed below.

[0034] Thereafter, a reduction in the moisture content of the starch mixture can then follow. This reduction can be facilitated by placement of the starch mixture into a plastication device such as a single screw extruder, a twin screw extruder, a reciprocating screw injection molding machine, etc. Plastication can be understood as the introduction of heat, mechanical action or both to the material, which can result in a change in the viscosity of the material. In this embodiment, a twin screw or single screw extruder can be utilized at a temperature sufficient to melt and plasticate the starch. With respect to the present disclosure, if the water level added in the extruder is preferably reduced during the extrusion process, an extruder configured for discharge can be used, such discharge reducing the water level to a desired level. To facilitate such a change in water level, it can be useful to, in particular, lightly apply a vacuum to the extruder barrel at the discharge outlet, thereby providing for more efficient removal of water from the extrudate therein.

[0035] The product resulting from the extrusion can advantageously be formed into various shapes. For example, the resulting product can be formed into the shape of beads / pellets, the size of which can be varied according to standard pellet manufacturing machines. Or, the product resulting from the extrusion can be formed into a sheet, which can then be formed into a roll, cut into a desired shape or punched.

[0036] Once the extruded beads are produced, the water level of the beads exiting the extruder will be less than the water level of the starch / water mixture entering the extruder. With respect to the present disclosure, it is correctly recognized that by starting at the starch / water levels herein, it can be effectively ensured that, if so desired, it is possible to ultimately proceed to injection molding at a water level sufficient to provide a stable melt (non-degradable) and to injection mold a good quality starch product having improved performance characteristics.

[0037] After recovery of the starch / water extrudate, optionally, the extrudate can be placed in a dryer for various periods including all values and ranges therein from 1 hour to 96 hours, and the water level of the extrudate is reduced by an additional amount depending on the dryer conditions. Preferably, the water level of the starch / water extrudate may be reduced within the range of about 15% to 20% by weight of the product weight, and at this level, the extrudate is in a good state for injection molding. Further drying or drying at a higher temperature can be carried out to produce a final product having a moisture level within the range of 5% to 20% by weight of the product weight, including all values and ranges therein.

[0038] In some embodiments, the extruded product (beads or pellets) can then be injection molded. In the injection molding step, preferably, the injection molding technique is also configured to reduce the moisture content again to a final level of about 20% by weight or less of the starch material. However, in a preferred embodiment, the final level of water in the molded article is between about 5% and 20% by weight of the molded article, in a more preferred embodiment, the water level of the molded article is set at about 10 - 15% by weight, and in the most preferred embodiment, the water level of the molded article is set at about 11 - 14% or 11 - 13% by weight. Therefore, it has been found that by sequentially reducing the water content from extrusion to injection molding, excellent quality can be obtained for various shaped products produced in accordance with such a stepwise reduction in the moisture level throughout the melt processing history disclosed herein.

[0039] In that regard, the first zone of the injection molding machine proximate to the hopper feeding section can be cooled in order to improve the quality of the injection molded parts produced herein. Those skilled in the art will correctly recognize that an injection molding machine can typically include a hopper feeding section, a barrel, and an outlet nozzle, including a plurality of heating zones in a barrel extending from the hopper section to the nozzle. The temperature in the first zone adjacent to the hopper can be heated at a temperature of less than about 150°F. More preferably, the first zone adjacent to the hopper can be set in the range of about 45 - 150°F. In an even more preferred embodiment, i.e., in a situation where there is a first zone adjacent to the hopper and a second zone adjacent to the first zone, the temperature of the first zone can be set at about 45 - 70°F, and the second zone can be set at about 70 - 150°F. These temperatures can be obtained by the use of a cooler disposed around the barrel of the injection molding machine, and the cooler includes a copper cooler having circulating water.

[0040] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the following temperature profile can be applied to a standard injection molding machine: Zone 4 (closest to the hopper) = 45 - 70°F; Zone 3 = 70 - 150°F; Zone 2 = 150 - 300°F; Zone 1 = 275 - 375°F, Nozzle = 275 - 390°F. In addition, the bushing (inside the mold) is preferably set at about 325 - 425°F. The mold temperature can be set at 35 - 65°F.

[0041] Any additional additives can be added during the preconditioning step, the extrusion step, or the injection molding step. In some embodiments, depending on the reactivity or mixability of the additives, different additives can be added at different steps during the process or added multiple times during the process.

[0042] In other embodiments, the starch, water, miscanthus pieces, and any additional additives can be directly injection molded. As used herein with respect to injection molding, the term "direct" refers to molding the starch without subjecting it to a prior thermoforming history prior to injection molding the starch. However, the starch herein can be heated, for example, for drying purposes, which would not constitute a prior thermoforming history. Thus, in such embodiments, the components / constituents of the polymer (starch) composition can be fed directly into the barrel of an injection molding machine through a hopper or other feeding device. Water can be added to the starch in the range of 20 wt% to 40 wt%, including all values and ranges therebetween. Various feeding devices for introducing additives into the injection molding barrel can be envisioned, including loss-in-weight gravimetric blenders / feeders, auger feeders, venturi loaders, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art will correctly recognize that an injection molding machine can typically include a barrel that includes a feed section, a screw, and an exit nozzle. The barrel can include a plurality of temperature control zones along the barrel extending from the feed section to the nozzle. The injection molding machine can include a mold having one or more cavities. The molding machine can also include an outlet, including a barrel provided with an outlet and / or a mold provided with an outlet.

[0043] The temperature adjustment can be changed for each zone. For example, in a representative embodiment, the molding machine barrel can include four zones, with zone 1 being closest to the supply section and zone 4 being closest to the nozzle. Zone 1 can be set to less than about 150°F, including any increment or value between about 35°F and 150°F, including between about 46°F and 150°F, between 46°F and 70°F, etc. Similarly, zone 2 can be set between about 70°F and 150°F, including any increment or value therebetween, zone 3 can be set between about 50°F and 300°F, including any increment or value therebetween, and zone 4 can be set between about 200°F and 375°F, including any increment or value therebetween. The nozzle can be set between about 250°F and 390°F, including any increment or value therebetween. The bushing inside the mold can be set between about 250°F and 425°F, including any increment or value therebetween, and the mold can be set between about 35°F and 65°F, including any increment or value therebetween.

[0044] Once introduced into the molding machine barrel, the components / constituents can be blended and the screw conveys the polymer composition towards the mold where the polymer composition can be formed. The mold can cool the polymer composition. Once molded and ejected, the polymer composition can contain water between about 1% and 20% by weight of the polymer composition / product, including all increments and values therebetween such as 10%, 15%, etc. The polymer composition can be molded into any form that can be produced in an injection molding cavity.

[0045] In yet another embodiment, the polymer composition can be compounded and plasticized (in an extruder or injection molding machine) without adding rice straw pieces to the polymer composition. The polymer composition can then be formed into pet tubes, and the rice straw can be applied to the outer surface of the pet tubes.

[0046] After the formation of the polymer composition (with or without the addition of the susuki pieces), the composition may be relatively sticky and may exhibit a moisture content in the range of 5% to 20% by weight of the product, including all values and ranges therein. Additionally, the polymer composition may exhibit a temperature that is above ambient temperature, in the range of 10°F to 80°F or 70°F, including all values and ranges therein. The susuki pieces may be added (e.g., sprinkled) onto the relatively sticky surface of the pet chew and adhered to the pet chew. If the pet chew is continuously cooled and / or the moisture content is reduced, the susuki pieces may remain on the surface of the pet chew.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the adhesive composition may be applied to the surface of the pet chew before adding the susuki pieces. The adhesive composition may include, for example, pasteurized egg white, albumin, an aqueous solution of tyrosine powder, or other edible adhesives. The adhesive composition may be applied to the surface to which the susuki pieces are added. After adding the adhesive, the susuki pieces may be added to the surface of the polymer composition, and the edible adhesive may be dried.

[0048] The pet chew may exhibit sufficient hardness and ductility to be repeatedly mechanically abraded by the pet's teeth before the structural integrity of the chew is reduced and it breaks into one or more pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the hardness of the pet chew may be in the range of Shore 70A to Shore 80D, including all values and integer ranges therein, such as 98A, 50D, etc., as measured by ASTM D2240-05(2010). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hardness of the pet chew may be in the range of 25 to 40 Shore D, including 30 to 33 Shore D. The pet chew may also exhibit an elongation at break in the range of 0.5% to 600% in 1% increments and all values therein, such as 1% to 7%, as measured by ASTM D638-10. Additionally, the tensile modulus of the pet chew may be in the range of 50×10 3 psi to 300×10 3 psi, including all values and ranges therein, such as 50×10 3psi ~ 500×10 3 It can be in the range of psi. Further, the flexural modulus of the pet tube, as measured by ASTM D790-10, increases by 1 psi incrementally, from 50×10 3 psi to 300×10 3 psi, including all values and ranges therein, such as 50×10 3 psi to 500×10 3 psi. Individual pet tubes can exhibit one or more of the above characteristics, namely hardness, elongation at break, and tensile modulus.

[0049] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pet tube comprising a polymer composition comprising a synthetic and / or natural polymer resin and miscanthus, and the miscanthus can be present at a level of 0.1 wt% to 10.0 wt%. The miscanthus appears as a discontinuous phase in the polymer resin and exhibits a different color compared to the color of the continuous polymer phase. The pet tube can optionally contain one or more of flavoring agents, attractants, colorants, antioxidants, minerals, or vitamins.

[0050] Furthermore, it should be noted that any one or more of the recognized optional components including flavoring agents, attractants, colorants, minerals, or vitamins can optionally be added to the miscanthus pieces, and then the miscanthus pieces containing one or more optional components can be combined with the polymer resin to form a molded article.

[0051] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, modifications, and alterations can be made to those embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention should therefore not be determined in light of the above description, but instead should be determined in light of the appended claims, along with the full scope of their equivalents. Furthermore, it should be understood that the appended claims do not necessarily include the broadest scope of the invention that the applicant has the right to claim, or that the invention can only include the means that can be claimed, or that all the recited features are essential.

Claims

1. A method for forming a pet chew, comprising: providing miscanthus; providing at least one polymer; combining the miscanthus and the at least one polymer to form a polymer composition containing the miscanthus, such that the miscanthus is 0.1 wt% to 10 wt%; forming the pet chew from the polymer composition containing the miscanthus; wherein the forming includes injection molding in which the polymer provides a continuous phase and the miscanthus provides a discontinuous phase dispersed within the polymer composition; the formed pet chew has a hardness in the range of Shore 70A to Shore 80D, a tensile modulus in the range of 345 MPa to 3450 MPa, and a flexural modulus in the range of 345 MPa to 3450 MPa. A method.

2. The combining of the miscanthus and the at least one polymer to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus further includes randomly dispersing the miscanthus in the at least one polymer to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus. The method according to claim 1.

3. Randomly dispersing the miscanthus in the at least one polymer to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus further includes randomly dispersing small pieces of the miscanthus in the at least one polymer to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus. The method according to claim 2.

4. Before randomly dispersing in the at least one polymer, the small pieces have a length in the range of 0.635 cm to 2.54 cm and a diameter in the range of 0.254 cm to 0.838 cm. The method according to claim 3. Before randomly dispersing in the at least one polymer, the small pieces have a diameter of less than 0.254 cm. The method according to claim 3.

6. The combining of the miscanthus and the at least one polymer to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus further includes melting the polymer and mixing the melted polymer with the miscanthus to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus. The method according to claim 1.

7. Forming the pet chew from the polymer composition containing the miscanthus further includes injection molding, compression molding, or extruding the pet chew from the polymer composition containing the miscanthus, according to the method of claim 1.

8. Supplying at least one additive, the at least one additive including a fragrance, an attractant, a colorant, an antioxidant, a mineral, or a vitamin, and Combining the at least one additive, the miscanthus, and the at least one polymer to form the polymer composition containing the miscanthus, According to the method of claim 1, further including.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pet chews formed from the polymer composition each contain from 0.1 wt% to 2.5 wt% of the at least one additive.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer includes at least one thermoplastic polymer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer includes a natural polymer.

12. A polymer composition including at least one polymer and miscanthus, the miscanthus being from 0.1 wt% to 10 wt%, and The polymer composition formed into the form of a pet chew, Including, The polymer provides a continuous phase, and the miscanthus provides a discontinuous phase dispersed within the polymer composition, The pet chew has a hardness in the range of Shore 70A to Shore 80D, a tensile modulus in the range of 345 MPa to 3450 MPa, and a flexural modulus in the range of 345 MPa to 3450 MPa. Pet chew.

13. The pet chew according to claim 12, wherein the miscanthus is in the form of small pieces randomly dispersed within the polymer composition.

14. The small pieces of the miscanthus appear as spots within the polymer composition of the pet chew, The spots have a size in the range of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm. The pet chew according to claim 12.

15. The small pieces of the miscanthus appear as spots within the polymer composition of the pet chew, The spots have a color darker than that of the at least one polymer of the polymer composition. The pet chew according to claim 12.

16. The pet chew according to claim 12, wherein the at least one polymer comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer. **Claim 17** The pet chew according to claim 16, wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyamide. **Claim 18** The pet chew according to claim 12, wherein the polymer composition further comprises at least one additive, and the at least one additive comprises a fragrance, an attractant, a colorant, an antioxidant, a mineral or a vitamin.

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