Disclosed is an edible, expandable extrudate having a composition that includes a gel-forming component, a crystalline component having a melting point of up to 150° C., water, and additional components that produce an extrudate composition (dough) having no more than 20 dry wt. % starch and no more than 45 dry wt. % protein and a method for producing an edible expanded extrudate product using water incorporated in the extrudate as the puffing or blowing agent to produce a volumetric expansion of at least 200% as a heated and pressurized extrudate is ejected from an extruder such as a twin-screw extruder.

An edible pet chew includes a first high-density material member (or high-density material portion) and a second cellular (low-density) material member (or portion). In one aspect of the present disclosure, an edible pet chew is provided including a high density tube member and a cellular (low-density) material member. In another aspect, an edible pet chew includes a high density sheet member and a cellular (low-density) material member. In another aspect, an edible pet chew includes a co-extruded plural-layered tube member being formed from a layer portion of high density tube material and a layer portion of cellular material. In yet another aspect, an edible pet chew includes a co-extruded “plural-layer-structured sheet” member being formed from a layer portion of high density sheet material and a layer portion of cellular material portion.

An edible pet chew includes a first high-density material member (or high-density material portion) and a second cellular (low-density) material member (or portion). In one aspect of the present disclosure, an edible pet chew is provided including a high density tube member and a cellular (low-density) material member. In another aspect, an edible pet chew includes a high density sheet member and a cellular (low-density) material member. In another aspect, an edible pet chew includes a co-extruded plural-layered tube member being formed from a layer portion of high density tube material and a layer portion of cellular material. In yet another aspect, an edible pet chew includes a co-extruded “plural-layer-structured sheet” member being formed from a layer portion of high density sheet material and a layer portion of cellular material portion.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods relating to kibble for a companion animal, the kibble comprising protein, carbohydrate, fat, and a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer comprises hydrolyzed malted barley.

Animal feed formed with a base of palm fronds and combined with palm fruit, such as dates, is a sustainable and affordable feed product that can be developed in hot climates. Palm fronds with a desired moisture content are shredded, chopped, and/or ground, and mixed with palm fruit. Additives such as urea can increase the nutritional content. Feeds with palm fronds, palm fruit, and/or additives can serve as a base feed for other components. Palm fronds can also serve as a base feed for other components. Animal feeds with a variety of bases can have palm fruit added. Animal feeds with a variety of bases, including palm fronds, can include a variety of other components added.

Animal feed formed with a base of palm fronds and combined with palm fruit, such as dates, is a sustainable and affordable feed product that can be developed in hot climates. Palm fronds with a desired moisture content are shredded, chopped, and/or ground, and mixed with palm fruit. Additives such as urea can increase the nutritional content. Feeds with palm fronds, palm fruit, and/or additives can serve as a base feed for other components. Palm fronds can also serve as a base feed for other components. Animal feeds with a variety of bases can have palm fruit added. Animal feeds with a variety of bases, including palm fronds, can include a variety of other components added.

A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.

A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.

The present disclosure relates generally to fat blends, emulsions of fat blends (such as water-in-oil fat blends), and uses thereof. In certain embodiments, certain water-in-oil emulsions disclosed herein can be suitably used to improve the organoleptic properties, the perceived texture, the perceived juiciness, or the mouthfeel of various foods, pet foods, or feed products, such as meat analogue products. In certain aspects, the disclosure also relates to the use of the water-in-oil emulsion disclosed herein as a partial or full replacement of animal in various foods, pet foods, or feed products. In certain aspects, the disclosure also relates to methods of preparing water-in-oil emulsions and various food products comprising such water-in-oil emulsion.

An animal treat composition for the oral administration of a medication to an animal is disclosed. The animal treat composition comprises an adhesive portion core and an outer portion. The adhesive portion adheres to oral medication inserted into the adhesive core of the treat for administration of the medication to an animal.