Abstract:
The invention provides methods for mimicking chronic caloric restriction to impart a health benefit in an animal or for using an intermittent partially restricted diet to impart a health benefit to an animal. Such methods can include feeding an animal two different diets having differing caloric contents in a specific ratio to achieve such benefits.
Abstract:
Animal litter compositions having relatively low densities are described herein. Methods of manufacturing such litter compositions are also described.
Abstract:
The invention provides measuring devices for managing the weight of animals and methods of using the measuring devices. In a general aspect, the measuring devices comprise a container having a first side with a cavity and a second opposing side having a cavity that is larger than the cavity of the first side. The first side cavity is sized to hold an amount of food that restricts calorie intake of an animal. The second side cavity is sized to hold an amount of food that provides daily requirement for weight management of an animal.
Abstract:
Methods and devices heat or cool viscous materials, such as meat emulsions useful for producing food and other products. The devices have a heat exchanger including a first plate, a second plate attached to the first plate, and a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, the first spacer, and the second spacer define at least one temperature controlled passage for a product to pass through the heat exchanger.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of epilepsy in an animal. In one embodiment, a method for treating epilepsy in a companion animal can comprise administering to the companion animal a food composition comprising a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), wherein the MCT is present in the food composition in an effective amount for reducing or preventing seizures when the food composition is administered to the companion animal.
Abstract:
A method of treating degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) in a companion animal having DMVD, a method of preventing DMVD in a companion animal at risk thereof, and a method of maintaining or improving cardiac health in a companion animal. The methods include orally administering to the companion animal a composition containing medium chain triglycerides and optionally one or more of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, lysine, taurine, magnesium, or sulfur-containing amino acids.
Abstract:
Dietary supplements comprising at least one probiotic and at least one of animal digest, dried brewers yeast, vitamin C; vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, and sodium selenite. The probiotics and other ingredients are present in the supplement in amounts sufficient to enhance the palatability of the probiotics and compositions containing the probiotics, enhance the immune system to augment the beneficial effects of the probiotics, or extend the life of the probiotics.
Abstract:
A method for sealing a thermoplastic bag includes forming a first fold in a top end of the bag; forming a second fold in the top end that includes the first fold; folding the first fold to form a first portion of the first fold and a second portion of the first fold, the second portion of the first fold is folded onto the first portion of the first fold; and heat sealing the first fold and the second fold to each other and to a portion of the bag that faces the first fold, the heat sealing including applying hot air to the bag. Preferably the second fold has a height that is less than a height of the first fold such that the forming of the second fold folds the first fold to form the first and second portions of the first fold.
Abstract:
L-Felinine (2-amino-7-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-4-thiaheptanoic acid) can be used to attract a cat to eliminate in a litter box. The present disclosure provides litters containing L-Felinine, litter boxes containing L-Felinine, compositions containing L-Felinine that can be added to a litter and/or a litter box, and devices for adding L-Felinine to a litter and/or a litter box. In an embodiment, the L-Felinine can be applied to a litter and/or a litter box as an aqueous solution comprising at least about 0.2 wt % of L-Felinine, for example by spraying the aqueous solution of L-Felinine from a bottle or applying the aqueous solution of L-Felinine using a dropper pipette.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method for evaluating the appeal of a litter or the litter box environment to a cat and also provides a behavioral diagnostic method for assessing risk of urinary health issues. The methods involve the use of the duration of the elimination sequence to diagnose if the cat has a healthy (enriched environment) or unhealthy (standard environment) elimination behavior. The duration can be measured by an apparatus that determines the time of residence of an animal in a litter pan (i.e., the difference between time of entrance and time of exit from the pan). The apparatus can determine the time of residence of the animal in the litter pan using one or more of a motion detection device attached to the litter pan, an accelerometer attached to the litter pan, or a weight scale balance under the litter pan.