A method of forming a pet chew, comprising supplying Miscanthus grass; supplying at least one polymer; combining the Miscanthus grass and the at least one polymer to form a polymeric composition containing the Miscanthus grass; and forming the pet chew of the polymeric composition containing the Miscanthus grass. A pet chew containing Miscanthus grass is also disclosed.

A method of forming a pet chew, comprising supplying Miscanthus grass; supplying at least one polymer; combining the Miscanthus grass and the at least one polymer to form a polymeric composition containing the Miscanthus grass; and forming the pet chew of the polymeric composition containing the Miscanthus grass. A pet chew containing Miscanthus grass is also disclosed.

A natural antioxidant for pet food and/or pet food ingredients to extend the shelf life of the pet food and/or pet food ingredients. The natural antioxidant is a natural smoke antioxidant obtained from fractions of natural liquid smoke. A pet food or pet food ingredient that contains a phenolic fraction of a liquid natural smoke flavor (or “the natural smoke extract”). The phenolic fraction exhibits an antioxidant effect on the pet food or the pet food ingredient, such as delayed oxidation or hydrolysis of fats and oils, whereas fats include animal fat and oils include vegetable oils; or stated differently, the delayed rancidification of the pet food or pet food ingredient.

A natural antioxidant for pet food and/or pet food ingredients to extend the shelf life of the pet food and/or pet food ingredients. The natural antioxidant is a natural smoke antioxidant obtained from fractions of natural liquid smoke. A pet food or pet food ingredient that contains a phenolic fraction of a liquid natural smoke flavor (or “the natural smoke extract”). The phenolic fraction exhibits an antioxidant effect on the pet food or the pet food ingredient, such as delayed oxidation or hydrolysis of fats and oils, whereas fats include animal fat and oils include vegetable oils; or stated differently, the delayed rancidification of the pet food or pet food ingredient.

Provided is a method for producing a yeast cell wall-derived decomposition product-containing composition, the method including enzymatically treating a cell wall of yeast with exoglucanase.

A pet food containing naturally occurring copper that can be used as a prophylactic diet to prevent and/or reduce copper storage disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, adverse gastrointestinal food reactions, and/or food allergies in pets is provided. A method for forming this pet food containing naturally occurring copper includes: providing a formula selected from the group consisting of chicken meal, corn gluten, duck, rabbit, venison, fish, peas, potato, barley, rice, corn, and any combinations thereof; and adding one or more ingredients having a naturally occurring copper source to provide a naturally occurring copper concentration in the pet food composition from about 7.3 ppm to about 25.0 ppm, adjusted for a dry matter basis.

A pet chew article comprising luffa fibers and a polymer composition. The pet chew article may be formed by supplying luffa fibers, supplying a polymer composition combining the luffa fibers with the polymer composition and forming the pet chew article from the luffa fibers and the polymer composition.

A pet chew article comprising luffa fibers and a polymer composition. The pet chew article may be formed by supplying luffa fibers, supplying a polymer composition combining the luffa fibers with the polymer composition and forming the pet chew article from the luffa fibers and the polymer composition.

The present invention features animal feed comprising an effective amount of carotenoid-oxygen copolymer for use in methods for: (i) ameliorating one or more symptoms of subclinical mastitis; (ii) reducing the frequency of subclinical mastitis progressing to full clinical mastitis; (iii) reducing bacteria count in colostrum or milk of a mammal; (iv) reducing physiological stress of a mammal; (v) improving reproductive performance of a mammal; and/or (vi) improving the health of offspring of a mammal. The invention also features a method for producing pasteurized milk from a mammal which has been fed the animal feed supplemented with carotenoid-oxygen copolymer.

The present invention features animal feed comprising an effective amount of carotenoid-oxygen copolymer for use in methods for: (i) ameliorating one or more symptoms of subclinical mastitis; (ii) reducing the frequency of subclinical mastitis progressing to full clinical mastitis; (iii) reducing bacteria count in colostrum or milk of a mammal; (iv) reducing physiological stress of a mammal; (v) improving reproductive performance of a mammal; and/or (vi) improving the health of offspring of a mammal. The invention also features a method for producing pasteurized milk from a mammal which has been fed the animal feed supplemented with carotenoid-oxygen copolymer.