The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having protease activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the proteases. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells, including plant and animal cells, comprising the nucleic acid sequences, as well as methods for producing and using the proteases, in particular the use of the proteases in animal feed.

An edible pet chew has a member of meat based material chewy sheet. The “meat based material” chewy sheet imitates the durability and strength property of known rawhide sheet and simultaneously has inherent attraction to dogs with meat in its formula. A first aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has a SINGLE chewy sheet of meat based material. A second aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has a meat based material chewy sheet member and additionally an edible material member being wrapped therein. A third aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a meat based material chewy sheet member being wrapped therein. A forth aspect of present invention provides a method for making the edible pet chew with the essential member of meat based material chewy sheet.

An edible pet chew has a member of meat based material chewy sheet. The “meat based material” chewy sheet imitates the durability and strength property of known rawhide sheet and simultaneously has inherent attraction to dogs with meat in its formula. A first aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has a SINGLE chewy sheet of meat based material. A second aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has a meat based material chewy sheet member and additionally an edible material member being wrapped therein. A third aspect of present invention is that, the edible pet chew has an edible material member and additionally a meat based material chewy sheet member being wrapped therein. A forth aspect of present invention provides a method for making the edible pet chew with the essential member of meat based material chewy sheet.

The current invention relates to methods of reducing hyperthyroidism in an animal by feeding the animal with a diet including vitamin K. The vitamin K is in an amount effective to reduce factors such as creatinine, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The current invention also relates to pet food composition that include effective amount of vitamin K to reduce the circulating levels of creatinine, T3 and TSH. In addition, the methods of making such a food composition are also disclosed.

A consumable having replenishment properties to be consumed by animals to maintain and/or restore proper hydration and electrolyte levels includes a base portion and an electrolyte portion. The base portion is processed by at least one of pureeing, juicing, liquefying and macerating. The base portion can include one or more of an item of produce. The base portion can be all-natural. The electrolyte portion can include one or more of a sugar, potassium and sodium. The electrolyte portion is combined with the base portion to generate the consumable. The consumable can also include a natural supplement such as vitamins, minerals and/or proteins. The consumable has a melting point and may be frozen prior to consumption or may be consumed in its liquid-like or slurry-like form.

A system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated, an extruder, at least two screws, and a drive coupled to the screws for axially rotating the screws. The extruder includes an inlet for receiving the material, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The screws are provided within the housing of the extruder. The screws have a plurality of compression and release stages that create mechanical heat which is directly applied to the material to change the mechanical properties of the material thereby facilitating a conversion of a physical state of the material from a non-compactable state to a compactable state as the screws rotate and move the material longitudinally along the screws to produce a final product, for example, a feed tub for use as an animal feed.

Pressed powder pet chew products and methods of manufacturing such products are disclosed. Pressed powder pet chew products may comprise “pressed bone” and “knotted bone” pet chew products. Pressed bone pet chew products may comprise a shaped, pressed and hardened powder mixture. The powder mixture may comprise a cheese powder which may optionally be mixed with other powdered substances. The powder mixture may be heated, poured into a mold, pressed, and dried in order to produce the single block pressed powder pet chew products. Knotted bone pet chew products may comprise multiple stacked and knotted layers of hardened powder mixture. The powder mixture may be heated, formed into strips, stacked, knotted, and dried in order to produce the knotted bone pet chew products.

Pressed powder pet chew products and methods of manufacturing such products are disclosed. Pressed powder pet chew products may comprise “pressed bone” and “knotted bone” pet chew products. Pressed bone pet chew products may comprise a shaped, pressed and hardened powder mixture. The powder mixture may comprise a cheese powder which may optionally be mixed with other powdered substances. The powder mixture may be heated, poured into a mold, pressed, and dried in order to produce the single block pressed powder pet chew products. Knotted bone pet chew products may comprise multiple stacked and knotted layers of hardened powder mixture. The powder mixture may be heated, formed into strips, stacked, knotted, and dried in order to produce the knotted bone pet chew products.

A pet food including a base material (10), and a grain (20) fixed on a surface of the base material (10), in which a particle diameter of the grain (20) is 0.5 to 20 mm.

A freeze-dried pet food meal bar that is 100% nutritionally complete consisting of more than 30% crude protein, 35% crude fat, less than 20% carbohydrate and less than 10% moisture. The product will consist primarily of animal protein. Vitamins and mineral will be supplied via fruits and vegetables. Since the product is freeze dried the product will be semi-fractural and can be broken into smaller pieces for feeding. Each bar will be approximately 5 to 6 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide, approximately ½ inches thick and weigh 2 to 3 ounces. A single bar will be targeted to feed a 40 pound dog. Dogs below 40 pounds would feed less than one bar (ex. 20 pound dog gets ½ bar). Dogs above 40 pounds would feed more than one bar (ex. 80 pound dog gets 2 bars).