Pet food and pet food package group

Abstract

A pet food according to the present invention has a moisture content of 12 mass% or less and has two or more different doughs each containing a starch and an oil / fat, said doughs being arranged in a layered shape having two or more layers. In at least one among the two or more layers of doughs, two or more kinds of doughs having different mixing ratios of palatability improver are visually mixed. Furthermore, the pet food is characterized in that a molded article obtained by molding the two or more layers of doughs is coated with an oil / fat and an external additive.

Description

Pet food and a group of packages for pet food

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pet food and a group of packages for pet food.

[0002] With the increasing health awareness of pets, various pet foods with a balanced nutrition have been proposed. In addition, in order to give pets a new texture, foods such as pet food having a structure in which multiple layers are laminated in a pie crust-like shape and having voids between the layers have been proposed.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 7,156,635

[0004] However, if the behavior of the pet to ingest the pet food, that is, the biting is poor, the ingestion of the pet food does not progress. Therefore, the quality of biting is important for determining the likes and dislikes and the ingestion amount of pet food, and there is room for improvement in the conventional pet food in terms of the biting of pet food.

[0005] The present disclosure provides pet food and a group of packages for pet food that can improve the biting of pets.

[0006] The pet food according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a pet food having a moisture content of 12% by mass or less, in which two or more different doughs containing starch and oil are arranged in layers in two or more layers, and at least one layer of the two or more doughs is visibly mixed with two or more doughs having different blending ratios of palatability improvers. Further, the pet food is characterized in that the formed product in which the two or more doughs are formed is coated with oil and an external additive.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide pet food and a group of packages for pet food that can improve the biting of pets.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of pet food according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing pet food according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of experimental results regarding the palatability of pet food according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of experimental results regarding the breaking strength of pet food according to one embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a group of packages for pet food according to one embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a group of packages for pet food according to one embodiment.

[0009] In this specification, "pet" refers to an animal kept as a pet by a person. In a narrower sense, a pet is an animal that is cherished by its owner. "Pet food" refers to feed for pets. The pet food according to the present invention can be sold as "animal feed" or "animal food."

[0010] <Method for measuring moisture content> The moisture content (unit: mass%) used in this specification is determined by the atmospheric pressure heating and drying method.

[0011] (Atmospheric Pressure Heating and Drying Method) The mass of an aluminum weighing container (W1 gram) is measured in advance as a constant weight. The object to be measured is placed in this aluminum weighing container and its mass (W2 grams) is weighed. Next, the object to be measured is dried using a forced-circulation hot air dryer at 135°C for 2 hours. After cooling in a dry atmosphere (silica gel desiccator), the mass (W3 grams) is weighed. The moisture content is calculated from each of the obtained masses using the following formula: Moisture content (unit: mass %) = (W2 - W3) ÷ (W2 - W1) × 100

[0012] In this specification, the moisture content of pet food shall be the value measured immediately after opening the product, which has been sealed in its packaging container after manufacturing, within 30 days of the manufacturing date, or a value measured under equivalent conditions.

[0013] <Method for Measuring Breaking Strength> The compression test method for measuring breaking strength in this specification is described below. The compression test is performed using a compression testing machine, and the stress when the object to be measured (pet food) is compressed at a constant compression rate is measured under the following conditions.

[0014] (Measurement conditions for compression test) Plunger: Wedge-shaped plunger with a contact surface of 1.5 mm width and 10 mm length, pushing speed: 60 mm / min, measurement temperature: 25°C. Specifically, the object to be measured is placed on a flat platform, and the plunger is pushed vertically from directly above it at a constant speed, and the displacement (distance traveled) and stress of the plunger are measured. The measurement is stopped when the plunger has advanced 1.8 mm after contacting the object to be measured. A fracture stress curve is obtained with displacement (unit: mm) on the horizontal axis and stress (unit: N) on the vertical axis. The stress at the maximum point in the obtained fracture stress curve graph is measured.

[0015] In the embodiments described herein, the compression tests described later were performed using a texture analyzer (Shimadzu EZ TEST small benchtop tester, model number: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

[0016] <Pet Food> The structure of pet food according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of pet food according to one embodiment. Pet food 1 may be animal feed or treats such as cats. Pet food 1 is a laminate in which two or more different fabrics are arranged in layers. In the example in Figure 1, two layers are arranged adjacent to each other in pet food 1, but it is not limited to this, and three or more layers of fabric may be arranged in layers.

[0017] (Pet food dough) Pet food 1 is obtained by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of rolling, shaping, and baking a dough containing a starch source and oils. The molded product of pet food 1 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in Figure 1. In this specification, the direction that penetrates the two layers perpendicularly is defined as the X direction. The X direction is the stacking direction of the two layers. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and perpendicular to the two sides is defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane is defined as the Z direction. The molded product of pet food 1 may have three or more layers of dough arranged in layers in the X direction.

[0018] Examples of raw materials that serve as starch sources include grains, potatoes, and legumes. For grains, known grains used as ingredients in pet food can be used. Examples include corn, wheat, rice, barley, oats, and rye. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. As part of the grains, processed grain products such as wheat gluten, processed potato products such as potato starch, and processed legume products such as pea starch may be used. It is preferable to use at least wheat flour as a starch source. It is also preferable to use wheat flour and wheat gluten in combination. There are no particular restrictions on the type of wheat flour, and any of strong flour, medium flour, or weak flour may be used. Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the degree of refinement of the wheat flour, and any of whole wheat flour, fine flour, third-grade flour, second-grade flour, or first-grade flour may be used.

[0019] The oils and fats are preferably those with a melting point of 20°C or higher, and specific examples include palm oil, butter, margarine, and beef tallow. One type of solid oil or fat may be used, or two or more types may be used. In this specification, the melting point of the oil or fat (meaning the melting range in the case of a multi-component mixture) is the value obtained by the standard oil and fat analysis test method.

[0020] In addition to grains and oils, known ingredients used in the manufacture of pet food may be appropriately blended into the dough of pet food 1, to the extent that they do not hinder the formation of a layered structure. Examples include oils other than solid oils (fish oil, linseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, rice oil, olive oil, peanut oil, etc.), vegetables, salt, sugars, and additives (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, preservatives, pH adjusters, flavoring ingredients, fiber, colorings, palatability agents, emulsifiers, seasonings, etc.).

[0021] Pet food 1 has a moisture content of 12% by mass or less, which is about the same as so-called dry type pet food. When the moisture content of pet food 1 is below the upper limit of the above range, it is easier to obtain a texture with excellent crispness. The lower limit of the moisture content is not particularly limited, but from the standpoint of suppressing moisture migration from the pet food, 2% by mass or more is preferred, and 4% by mass or more is more preferred.

[0022] Pet food 1 consists of two or more layers of two or more different doughs containing starch and oils. In the example shown in Figure 1, pet food 1 has a moisture content of 12% by mass or less and consists of two or more layers of two or more different doughs containing starch and oils. In the example shown in Figure 1, pet food 1 consists of two layers, a first layer 10 and a second layer 20, with the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 stacked in the X direction.

[0023] At least one of the two or more layers is visibly mixed with two or more types of dough having different proportions of palatability enhancers. The first layer 10 is an example of at least one of the two or more layers in which two or more types of dough having different proportions of palatability enhancers are visibly mixed (for example, in a grid pattern, a layered pattern, or in a state where the second dough 32 formed in the first dough 31 is scattered). The first layer 10 is a mixed dough 3 obtained by mixing the first dough 31 with the second dough 32 which has a higher proportion of palatability enhancers than the first dough 31.

[0024] The first dough 31 is a dough in which the proportion of palatability enhancers, such as chicken liver powder, yeast extract, and enzyme hydrolysate of chicken, differs from that of the second dough 32. For example, the first dough 31 may have a lower proportion of palatability enhancers than the second dough 32. For example, the first dough 31 may be a fish-flavored cookie-like dough. The second dough 32 is a dough in which the proportion of palatability enhancers differs from that of the first dough 31, and for example, the proportion of palatability enhancers may be higher than that of the first dough 31. For example, the second dough 32 may be a fish-flavored cookie-like dough with a higher amount of fish-flavored umami components than the first dough 31.

[0025] Thus, the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 have different ratios of raw materials and palatability enhancers. As a result, the pet food 1 can be made more palatable to pets by the concentrated umami components of the palatability enhancer that are locally contained in at least one of the two or more layers of dough.

[0026] Furthermore, in pet food 1, two types of first dough 31 and second dough 32 with different ratios of palatability enhancers are visible to humans. That is, in the first layer of pet food 1, the first dough 31 and second dough 32 are not completely mixed together to the point where they are not visible, but rather roughly mixed together to the extent that each dough is visible. As a result, in pet food 1, the visible first dough 31 and second dough 32 in the first layer evokes in pet owners the image of how delicious pet food 1 is and how happy their pets are when they eat it, thereby increasing their desire to purchase. Note that pet food 1 may contain two or more types of dough with different ratios of palatability enhancers that are visibly mixed together.

[0027] (Coating of pet food) Furthermore, pet food 1 is a molded product made of two or more layers of dough, which is coated with oil and fat and an external additive (not shown). For example, pet food 1 is coated with oil and fat, and then a powdered palatability enhancer is sprinkled on it as an external additive. This makes pet food 1 more palatable and improves how readily pets eat it.

[0028] (Layered structure of pet food) The first layer 10 is a mixture of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32, while the second layer 20 is made of only the first dough 31.

[0029] Generally, pet food with a layered structure is more appealing to pets like cats due to its crispier texture compared to granular pet food. However, using only one type of layered structure can result in a monotonous flavor. On the other hand, even with pet food using two or more types of structure, if the layers are clearly separated, the texture can become hard in certain areas when chewed.

[0030] In contrast, pet food 1 has a first layer 10, which is a mixture of a first layer 31 and a second layer 32 having a higher proportion of palatability enhancer than the first layer 31, and a second layer 20, which consists only of the first layer 31 and does not have the second layer 32. As a result, pet food 1 is less likely to have a monotonous taste due to the taste contrast between the two layers, the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, and the palatability enhancer in the second layer 32, which is not present in the second layer 20 but is locally present in the first layer 10, can be perceived more strongly by pets. As a result, pet food 1 can be made even more palatable to pets.

[0031] The molded product of pet food 1 may have the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 arranged adjacent to each other. This allows pets to eat the pet food 1 with the adjacent first layer 10 and second layer 20 together. As a result, the pet perceives the taste difference between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, and the palatability enhancer in the second dough 32 of the first layer 10, which is not present in the second layer 20, more strongly. This makes pet food 1 more appealing to pets.

[0032] The visible colors of the first fabric 31 and the second fabric 32 of pet food 1 may be different. By having different visible colors for the first fabric 31 and the second fabric 32, pet food 1 can achieve improved visibility. For example, pet food 1 with high visibility can increase people's desire to purchase pet food 1.

[0033] The first dough 31 may contain solid matter 33 whose visible color differs from that of the first dough 31. The solid matter 33 may be contained in an amount ranging from 2% to 10% by mass relative to the first dough 31. For example, the solid matter 33 may be a solid that enhances palatability, such as chip-shaped pieces of bonito flake flavor.

[0034] Pet food 1 enhances palatability through the visual differences and taste contrasts of the first dough 31, second dough 32, and solid material 33 of the first layer 10, thereby also improving the visibility of pet food 1.

[0035] The second layer 20 may contain more solid matter than the first layer 10. If the same dough is used, in which the same solid matter 33 is mixed in the same ratio for both the first dough 31 of the first layer 10 and the first dough 31 of the second layer 20, then the first layer 10 is a mixture of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32. Therefore, in terms of the proportion of solid matter 33 in each layer, the first layer 10 contains less solid matter 33 than the second layer 20. In other words, the second layer 20 contains more solid matter 33 than the first layer 10. On the other hand, by using the same dough, in which the same solid matter is mixed in the same ratio for both the first dough 31 of the first layer 10 and the first dough 31 of the second layer 20, the manufacturing method of pet food 1 becomes easier, and pet food 1 can be manufactured while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0036] In the first layer 10, the ratio of the second dough 32 to the first dough 31 may be within the range of 1 / 2 to 1. If the ratio of the second dough 32 to the first dough 31 in the first layer 10 is lower than 1 / 2, the proportion of the palatability enhancer will be lower, and pets may not eat the pet food 1 readily. Also, if the ratio of the second dough 32 to the first dough 31 is higher than 1, pets may eat the pet food well, but the cost of materials may increase. Therefore, when the ratio of the second dough 32 to the first dough 31 is between 1 / 2 and 1, it is possible to provide a pet food 1 that is palatable while keeping material costs and manufacturing costs down.

[0037] The molded pet food product 1 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped enclosed by six surfaces. The first layer 10 and the second layer 20 extend from the first surface, which has the largest surface area among the six surfaces, to the second surface, which is opposite the first surface. In the example shown in Figure 1, both the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 extend from the top surface 101, which has the largest surface area among the six surfaces, to the bottom surface 102, which is opposite the top surface 101. The top surface 101 is an example of the first surface, and the bottom surface 102 is an example of the second surface. Furthermore, there is a joining surface 103 between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 that joins the first layer 10 and the second layer 20.

[0038] In the molded product of pet food 1, the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 extend from the top surface 101, which has the largest surface area of ​​pet food 1, to the opposite bottom surface 102, and there is a joint surface 103 between them, so the joint surface 103 becomes the fracture surface and is prone to cracking. In addition, the first layer 10 is prone to delamination due to the mixing of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32, and this is the starting point for cracking. Therefore, by making the first layer 10, which is a mixture of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32, relatively larger than the second layer 20 of pet food 1, it is easier to give pets a soft feel when they chew it. As a result, pet food 1 can be made easier for pets to feel softness and crunchiness regardless of where their teeth make contact when they chew pet food 1. This also makes pet food 1 more appealing to pets.

[0039] (Size of pet food) The size of the pet food 1 may be such that a pet can eat one piece at a time. For example, the size of the rectangle formed by the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 102 of the surface of the pet food 1 may be in the range of 0.7 cm × 0.7 cm to 1.6 cm × 1.6 cm.

[0040] By setting the size of the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 102 within the range of 0.7 cm x 0.7 cm to 1.6 cm x 1.6 cm, the pet food 1 is sized so that pets such as cats can eat it in one bite, and it is sized so that it can be chewed rather than swallowed whole. As a result, with each chew, the ratio of the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 that are crushed by chewing, and consequently the ratio of the second dough 32 contained in the second layer 20, changes significantly. This allows pets to perceive the difference in taste between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 with each chew, and because the ratio of the palatability enhancer perceived by taste and smell changes significantly with each chew, they perceive the palatability enhancer even more strongly. In this way, pet food 1 provides a taste that changes with each chew, further improving the pet's appetite.

[0041] Further, the molded product of the pet food 1 has a side surface 104 that connects the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 with the largest area among the surfaces of the pet food 1. The side surface 104 is an example of the third surface. The thickness of the side surface 104 that connects the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 may be within the range of 0.2 cm to 0.6 cm.

[0042] By setting the thickness of the side surface 104 that connects the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 within the range of 0.2 cm to 0.6 cm, the pet food 1 is sized such that a pet can eat it in one bite and is of a size that allows the pet to chew without swallowing whole. As a result, when the pet chews one bite at a time, it can more strongly feel the difference in taste between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, and the palatability improver of the second dough 32 contained in the first layer 10. Specifically, when the pet chews the bite-sized pet food 1 without swallowing it whole, it can distinguish and taste the portion with a strong umami taste contained in the first layer 10 and the portions with a weak umami taste contained in the rest of the first layer 10 and the second layer 20. Thereby, the pet food 1 can improve the pet's appetite.

[0043] (Soft texture and breaking strength of pet food) The pet food 1 may be a dough in which the first layer 10 is a dough in which each of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 is mixed to the extent that they are visible. The first layer 10 may have the two doughs mixed in a layered or marble-like pattern. For example, in the first layer 10, the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 may be arranged in layers mainly in a horizontal direction with respect to the joint surface 103.

[0044] Since the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 are arranged in layers mainly in a horizontal direction with respect to the joint surface 103 between the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, by making the pet food 1 have a soft texture, the pet is more likely to feel a crispy feeling. As a result, regardless of the position where the teeth hit when the pet bites the pet food 1, the pet can feel the crispy feeling of the pet food 1 more. Thereby, the pet food 1 can improve the pet's appetite.

[0045] The pet food may have a characteristic that the breaking strength in the horizontal direction of the joint surface 103 is lower than the breaking strength in the vertical direction of the joint surface 103.

[0046] Among the first layer 10 and the second layer 20, the first layer 10 may be arranged in layers such that the number of layers in which the first fabric 31 and the second fabric 32 face in the horizontal direction with respect to the joint surface 103 is larger than the number of layers in which they face in the vertical direction. By having more layers facing in the horizontal direction with respect to the joint surface 103 than layers facing in the vertical direction, the breaking strength in the horizontal direction of the joint surface 103 becomes lower than the breaking strength in the vertical direction of the joint surface 103. Thereby, the pet food 1 can enhance the crispy feeling more. Thereby, the pet food 1 can improve the pet's biting.

[0047] As described above, the pet food 1 has a structure in which two or more different fabrics are arranged in two or more layers in a layered manner, and at least one layer has two or more fabrics with different blending ratios of palatability improvers visibly mixed. Thereby, the pet food 1 allows the pet to taste two or more different flavors for each bite. As a result, since the pet can selectively taste the change in flavor in a preferred manner, it can more strongly feel the palatability improvers of two or more different layers and two or more fabrics contained in the first layer 10, and thereby, the palatability of the pet food 1 can be enhanced.

[0048] Note that the size and shape of the pet food 1 are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and it is preferable to appropriately design them so that the pet can eat them easily. Also, the thickness (distance between voids between layers) of one layer of the second fabric 32 of the first layer 10 of the pet food 1 that can be visually confirmed is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferably about 0.01 to 0.5 mm at the thinnest part.

[0049] (Method for manufacturing pet food) The method for manufacturing the pet food 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the method for manufacturing the pet food 1 according to an embodiment. However, the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the manufacturing method of the pet food 1 is not limited thereto.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2(a), when preparing the dough for pet food 1, water (added water) is added to all the ingredients of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 as needed, and the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 are mixed to a degree that is visible to the naked eye. This forms a gluten network in the dough. The first dough 31 and the second dough 32 are doughs with different proportions of palatability enhancers such as chicken liver powder, yeast extract, and enzyme hydrolysates of chicken. The first layer 10 is a mixed dough 3, which is a mixture of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32, which has a higher proportion of palatability enhancers than the first dough 31, and the second layer 20 is the first dough 31 only.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 2(b), the first layer 10, made of the mixed dough 3, is laminated onto the second layer 20, which is made only of the first dough 31, and then rolled. The rolled first layer 10 and second layer 20 are then formed into a desired shape. For example, the first layer 10 is rolled into a plate with a thickness corresponding to the size of the pet food 1 to be obtained, and the second layer 20 is rolled into a plate with a thickness corresponding to the size of the pet food 1 to be obtained. The ratio of the thicknesses of the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 may be 2:1 to 1:1.

[0052] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2(c), molded pet food 1 can be obtained by cutting perpendicular to the thickness direction or by cutting perpendicular to the thickness direction. After rolling, the dough may be heated to a temperature that denatures the proteins before molding. Heating the dough before molding to denature the proteins in the dough increases the hardness of the rolled dough, improving the workability of cutting or cutting.

[0053] Next, the molded products made from the dough are baked. The baking temperature should be set within a range that avoids problems such as burning if it is too high and taking too long to dry if it is too low. After baking, the molded products of pet food 1 are coated with oil and an external additive. After coating, the molded products are cooled to room temperature to obtain pet food 1.

[0054] The pet food 1 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below using Examples 1 and 2, but the pet food 1 is not limited to these examples.

[0055] (Example 1) In Example 1, an experiment was conducted to test the palatability of pet food. In Example 1, a mixed dough 3 of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 used in the pet food 1 of this embodiment, and the first dough 31 were produced.

[0056] Wheat flour, oil, and a palatability enhancer were used as raw materials for the first dough 31 and the second dough 32. Water was added to the above dough raw materials and mixed to obtain each dough. For the first layer 10, a mixed dough 3 was prepared by mixing the first dough 31 and the second dough 32, which had a higher proportion of palatability enhancer than the first dough 31, to a visible degree. In the mixed dough 3, the mixing ratio of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 was set to 2:1 to 1:1. For the second layer 20, only the first dough 31 was used.

[0057] At room temperature, a sheet-like mixed dough 3, approximately two-thirds the thickness of the pet food 1, was layered on a sheet-like first dough 31, approximately one-third the thickness of the pet food 1, and rolled out. It was then cut perpendicular to the thickness direction to form a rectangular parallelepiped with dimensions of 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm × 3.5 mm.

[0058] After baking the resulting molded product in an oven, it was coated with oil and an external additive to obtain pet food with a moisture content of 12% by mass or less. In other words, as shown in Figure 1, pet food 1 was obtained with a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 10 and a second layer 20. Pet food consisting only of the mixed dough 3 was also produced as an example of the pet food of the embodiment. In other words, pet food consisting only of the first layer 10 was obtained by removing the second layer 20 from the structure shown in Figure 1. Note that the ratio of the second dough 32 to the total dough was the same for pet food 1 consisting of two layers (mixed dough 3 (first layer 10) and the first dough 31 (second layer 20)) and pet food consisting of one layer (mixed dough 3 (first layer 10)). In other words, the content of the palatability enhancer was the same for all types of pet food.

[0059] The degree of palatability of the obtained pet food was evaluated. Figure 3 shows an example of the experimental results of palatability of pet food according to one embodiment. The evaluation method used was the two-point comparison method. The two-point comparison method is used to test whether there is a significant difference in preference or quality between two types of samples. Two samples (for example, pet food from the embodiment and the comparative example) were given to pets simultaneously, and the ratio of intake was measured.

[0060] Of the two samples, the sample of Comparative Example 1 shown in Figure 3 used pet food with a single type of dough composition. The single type of dough may be the first dough 31. The sample of Comparative Example 2 used a different pet food than that of Comparative Example 1.

[0061] In the first palatability experiment, pets were given both Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 pet food simultaneously. As a result, the average ratio of pet food intake between Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 was 54:46, indicating that the pet food of Comparative Example 1 was more palatable than the pet food of Comparative Example 2.

[0062] In the second palatability experiment, pet food 1, which consists of two layers, a first layer 10 and a second layer 20 as shown in Figure 1, was given to the pets simultaneously with pet food comparative example 1 as a sample of the embodiment. As a result, the average ratio of intake of pet food 1 of the embodiment to pet food comparative example 1 was 58:42, indicating that pet food 1 of the embodiment was more palatable than pet food comparative example 1.

[0063] In other words, the pet food in Comparative Example 1 had a uniform taste throughout, with no variation in flavor, resulting in poor palatability. In contrast, the pet food in Embodiment 1 has two layers with different palatability, allowing pets to selectively choose between different flavors, resulting in better palatability compared to the pet food in Comparative Example 1.

[0064] (Example 2) In Example 2, the breaking strength of pet food 1 was measured using the compression test method described above. Figure 4 shows an example of the experimental results of the breaking strength of pet food 1 according to one embodiment.

[0065] The breaking strength obtained by compressing in the vertical direction (the direction in which the layers are stacked: the X direction in Figure 1) and the breaking strength obtained by compressing in the horizontal direction (the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the layers are stacked: the Y direction in Figure 1) were measured. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 used pet food 1 with a structure in which two layers, the first layer 10 and the second layer 20 shown in Figure 1, are stacked. In the mixed dough 3, the mixing ratio of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 was set to 2:1 to 1:1. The comparative example shown in Figure 4 used pet food with a dough structure in which the layers are clearly divided into a central dough and upper and lower doughs. The central dough used was the first dough 31, and the upper and lower doughs used was the second dough 32.

[0066] Compression tests were conducted on the pet food 1 of the embodiment and the pet food of the comparative example. The results showed that for both the pet food 1 of the embodiment and the pet food of the comparative example, the breaking strength obtained by horizontal compression was lower than the breaking strength obtained by vertical compression. Furthermore, the vertical breaking strength of the pet food 1 of the embodiment was lower than the vertical breaking strength of the pet food of the comparative example. Also, the horizontal breaking strength of the pet food 1 of the embodiment was lower than the horizontal breaking strength of the pet food of the comparative example.

[0067] In the comparative example pet food, the layers were clearly separated into two doughs of different hardness. In contrast, in the embodiment pet food 1, the first layer 10 had a visible mixture of the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 of different hardness, resulting in a uniformly soft texture. Furthermore, in the first layer 10, the first dough 31 and the second dough 32 were arranged in layers such that there were more layers oriented horizontally to the joint surface 103 than layers oriented vertically, creating a joint surface (layer) between the doughs. As a result, the embodiment pet food 1 had a lower breaking strength, particularly in the horizontal direction, than the comparative example pet food. Consequently, the embodiment pet food 1 was softer and more palatable to pets.

[0068] (Pet food packaging group) Figures 5 and 6 show an example of a pet food packaging group according to one embodiment. The pet food according to this embodiment may be a pet food packaging group P that includes the pet food 1 of this embodiment and any pet food 2 that does not correspond to the pet food 1 of this embodiment.

[0069] The package group P includes the pet food 1 of this embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 6(b), and any pet food 2 that does not correspond to the pet food 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 6(a). For example, pet food 2 is sealed in a bag-shaped first package P1, and pet food 1 is sealed in a bag-shaped second package P2.

[0070] In other words, the pet food package group P includes a first package P1 containing multiple pet food 2s and a second package P2 containing multiple pet food 1s. Pet food 1 in this embodiment is an example of the second pet food. Pet food 2 that does not correspond to pet food 1 in this embodiment is an example of the first pet food.

[0071] The first pet food and the second pet food are identical or similar in external shape and size. Furthermore, the first pet food and the second pet food each have a first dough 31 and a second dough 32, but the arrangement of the two types of dough differs. Additionally, the first pet food and the second pet food are molded using two types of dough, the first dough 31 and the second dough 32, which have different visible colors, and are coated with oils and external additives.

[0072] As a result, the arrangement of the two types of dough differs between pet food 1 of this embodiment and pet food 2 that does not correspond to pet food 1 of this embodiment, resulting in different hardness. Therefore, package group P includes pet food 1, which has a two-layer structure and consists of a first layer 10 and a second layer 20 in which a first dough 31 and a second dough 32 are visibly mixed, and pet food 2, which has a different hardness from pet food 1. Thus, package group P allows pets to enjoy the changes in taste and texture of the two different types of pet food 1 and 2 when eating, further improving palatability.

[0073] As shown in Figure 5, the first package P1 and the second package P2 include a display area showing the same brand name. This allows people to easily see that the package group contains multiple types of pet food products from the same lineup identified by the displayed brand, thereby increasing their desire to purchase pet food.

[0074] Furthermore, the following additional information is disclosed with respect to the above embodiments. <Additional Information> (1) A pet food comprising two or more layers of two or more different doughs having a moisture content of 12% by mass or less and containing starch and oils and fats, wherein at least one of the two or more layers of dough is visibly mixed with two or more types of dough with different blending ratios of palatability enhancers, and the molded product formed from the two or more layers of dough is coated with oils and fats and external additives. (2) The pet food according to (1), wherein the first layer of the two or more layers of dough is a dough obtained by mixing a first dough with a second dough having a higher blending ratio of the palatability enhancer than the first dough, and the second layer of the two or more layers of dough is the first dough only. (3) The pet food according to (2), wherein the molded product has the first layer and the second layer arranged adjacent to each other. (4) The pet food according to (2) or (3), wherein the first dough and the second dough have different visible colors. (5) The pet food according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the first dough contains solid matter that has a different visible color from the first dough, and the solid matter is contained in an amount of 2% to 10% by mass relative to the first dough. (6) The pet food according to (5), wherein the second layer contains more of the solid matter than the first layer. (7) The pet food according to any one of (2) to (6), wherein the ratio of the second dough to the first dough in the first layer is in the range of 1 / 2 to 1. (8) The pet food according to any one of (2) to (7), wherein the molded product is in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped surrounded by six surfaces, the first layer and the second layer extend from the first surface with the largest area among the six surfaces to the second surface opposite the first surface, and there is a joint surface between the first layer and the second layer. (9) The pet food according to (8), wherein the size of the first surface and the second surface is in the range of 0.7 cm × 0.7 cm to 1.6 cm × 1.6 cm. (10) The pet food according to (9), wherein the thickness of the third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface is in the range of 0.2 cm to 0.6 cm.(11) The pet food according to any one of (8) to (10), wherein in the first layer, the first fabric and the second fabric are arranged in layers such that there are more layers oriented horizontally to the joining surface than layers oriented perpendicular to the joining surface. (12) The pet food according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the pet food has the characteristic that the breaking strength in the direction horizontal to the joining surface is lower than the breaking strength in the direction perpendicular to the joining surface. (13) A group of pet food packages comprising a first package containing a plurality of first pet foods and a second package containing a plurality of second pet foods, wherein the first package and the second package include a display portion showing the same brand name, the first pet foods and the second pet foods are molded products formed using two or more types of dough that are the same or similar in external shape and size but have different visible colors, and are coated with oils and external additives, and the first pet foods and the second pet foods have different arrangements of the two or more types of dough.

[0075] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the embodiments described above can be embodied in a variety of forms. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0076] 1 Pet food 3 Mixed dough 10 First layer 20 Second layer 31 First dough 32 Second dough 33 Solid material 101 Top surface 102 Bottom surface 103 Joint surface 104 Side

Claims

1. A pet food having a moisture content of 12% by mass or less, comprising two or more layers of two or more different doughs containing starch and oils, wherein at least one of the two or more layers of dough is visibly mixed with two or more types of dough with different proportions of palatability enhancers, and the molded product formed from the two or more layers of dough is coated with oils and external additives.

2. The pet food according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of the two or more layers of dough is a mixture of the first dough and the second dough having a higher proportion of the palatability enhancer than the first dough, and the second layer of the two or more layers of dough is the first dough alone.

3. The pet food according to claim 2, wherein the molded product has the first layer and the second layer arranged adjacent to each other.

4. The pet food according to claim 2, wherein the first fabric and the second fabric have different visible colors.

5. The pet food according to claim 2, wherein the first dough contains solid matter whose visible color is different from that of the first dough, and the solid matter is contained in an amount of 2% to 10% by mass relative to the first dough.

6. The pet food according to claim 5, wherein the second layer contains more solid matter than the first layer.

7. The pet food according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the second dough to the first dough in the first layer is in the range of 1 / 2 to 1.

8. The pet food according to claim 2, wherein the molded product is in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped surrounded by six faces, the first layer and the second layer extend from the first face with the largest area among the six faces to the second face opposite the first face, and there is a joint between the first layer and the second layer.

9. The pet food according to claim 8, wherein the dimensions of the first surface and the second surface are within the range of 0.7 cm × 0.7 cm to 1.6 cm × 1.6 cm.

10. The pet food according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of the third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface is in the range of 0.2 cm to 0.6 cm.

11. The pet food according to claim 8, wherein in the first layer, the first fabric and the second fabric are arranged in layers such that the number of layers oriented horizontally to the joining surface is greater than the number of layers oriented perpendicular to the joining surface.

12. The pet food according to claim 8, wherein the pet food has the characteristic that the breaking strength in the direction horizontal to the joint surface is lower than the breaking strength in the direction perpendicular to the joint surface.

13. A group of pet food packages comprising a first package containing multiple first pet foods and a second package containing multiple second pet foods, wherein the first package and the second package include a display portion indicating the same brand name, the first pet foods and the second pet foods are molded using two or more types of dough that are the same or similar in external shape and size but have different visible colors, and are coated with oils and external additives, and the first pet foods and the second pet foods have different arrangements of the two or more types of dough.

Images