Disclosed herein are a variety of embodiments of compositions and methods which are each adapted for use by a companion animal. In one embodiment, an edible composition comprising an amount of a soluble mineral component is disclosed, wherein the soluble mineral component comprises one or more minerals selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, tin, copper, and mixtures thereof, wherein the amount is an effective amount for use as an oral medicament. In further embodiments, a phosphate component is included. The edible compositions are advantageously companion animal foods or supplements. Further disclosed are methods selected from treating oral cavity tartar, oral cavity plaque, periodontal disease, gingivitis, breath odor and combinations thereof comprising orally administering a described composition to a companion animal.

This invention describes a collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide useful in the production of pet chews, and a method for making the same. Beginning materials include animal skins with hair, depilated limed splits and leftovers from the manufacture of rawhide pet chews. The materials are pretreated, ground, subjected to acid treatment to swell and separate the collagen fibers that comprise the animal hide, further ground into pulp, vacuum filtered, mixed with a dehydration agent that chemically shrinks the expanded fibers, drained, formed and dried into sheet and/or exposed to a cross-linking agent to increase the adhesive strength of the end product. Edible materials, including meats, may be added to the solution prior to draining, to enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the final product, and the reconstituted rawhide sheets may be bleached for appearance. The described method produces rawhide pet chews at lower cost, and of greater diversity and utility, compared with current methods of production.

This invention describes a collagen fiber reconstituted rawhide useful in the production of pet chews, and a method for making the same. Beginning materials include animal skins with hair, depilated limed splits and leftovers from the manufacture of rawhide pet chews. The materials are pretreated, ground, subjected to acid treatment to swell and separate the collagen fibers that comprise the animal hide, further ground into pulp, vacuum filtered, mixed with a dehydration agent that chemically shrinks the expanded fibers, drained, formed and dried into sheet and/or exposed to a cross-linking agent to increase the adhesive strength of the end product. Edible materials, including meats, may be added to the solution prior to draining, to enhance the nutritional value and palatability of the final product, and the reconstituted rawhide sheets may be bleached for appearance. The described method produces rawhide pet chews at lower cost, and of greater diversity and utility, compared with current methods of production.

A method for allowing the custom mixing of liquid and dry enhancers with pet food kibbles comprising a tumbler into which the kibbles are placed; a means for adding a pre-determined amount of liquid/dry enhancers to the kibbles; a means for mixing the enhancers with the kibbles; and a means for feeding the enhanced kibbles into packages.

A method for allowing the custom mixing of liquid and dry enhancers with pet food kibbles comprising a tumbler into which the kibbles are placed; a means for adding a pre-determined amount of liquid/dry enhancers to the kibbles; a means for mixing the enhancers with the kibbles; and a means for feeding the enhanced kibbles into packages.

A pet food composition comprising a meat based material comprised of meat or meat by-products, and an aqueous phase comprised of an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase is provided. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprising an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said composition and having a freeze/thaw stability greater than about 5 cycles as well as a method of feeding a canine or feline pet. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprised of a hydroxypropyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch having less than about 2.5%, by weight of hydroxylpropyl substituents, in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase.

A pet food composition comprising a meat based material comprised of meat or meat by-products, and an aqueous phase comprised of an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase is provided. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprising an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said composition and having a freeze/thaw stability greater than about 5 cycles as well as a method of feeding a canine or feline pet. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprised of a hydroxypropyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch having less than about 2.5%, by weight of hydroxylpropyl substituents, in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase.

An edible pet chew has an initially malleable sheet of a hardened chewable material dimensioned large enough and thin enough to be initially malleable for flexing, folding or rolling into a final shape. The sheet is shaped into a final shape by flexing, folding or rolling and then hardened.

An edible pet chew has an initially malleable sheet of a hardened chewable material dimensioned large enough and thin enough to be initially malleable for flexing, folding or rolling into a final shape. The sheet is shaped into a final shape by flexing, folding or rolling and then hardened.

Here is described a method for the preparation of a proteinaceous treat. The method comprises comminuting a proteinaceous animal part into a plurality of pieces, each piece having a first volume; and increasing the volume of at least one piece to a second volume by heating the piece before cooling to ambient temperature.