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 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 dog chew is described made from plant-based ingredients (excluding the common allergens, corn, wheat, soy and gluten) and binding agents (such as bone-based gelatins, humectants and preservatives), coated with a flavored material (such as poultry, meat or fish and other flavorings), and being entirely free from commonly used poorly digestible ingredients (such as rawhide, reconstituted rawhide, synthetic materials and gums).

A dog chew is described made from plant-based ingredients (excluding the common allergens, corn, wheat, soy and gluten) and binding agents (such as bone-based gelatins, humectants and preservatives), coated with a flavored material (such as poultry, meat or fish and other flavorings), and being entirely free from commonly used poorly digestible ingredients (such as rawhide, reconstituted rawhide, synthetic materials and gums).

A composition and method for administering an active agent to a pet, such as a dog, a cat or a horse. The composition may comprise a yogurt-based chewable delivery matrix and a plurality of water-soluble film pieces dispersed throughout the chewable delivery matrix. The composition may also comprise a delivery matrix having at least 15% by weight of crude protein and a plurality of water-soluble film pieces dispersed throughout the delivery matrix. The plurality of water-soluble film pieces encompass an active agent therein, wherein the active agent is rapidly released from the composition upon contact with saliva from the pet. At least a portion of the released active agents may be oromucosally absorbed by the pet.

A composition and method for administering an active agent to a pet, such as a dog, a cat or a horse. The composition may comprise a yogurt-based chewable delivery matrix and a plurality of water-soluble film pieces dispersed throughout the chewable delivery matrix. The composition may also comprise a delivery matrix having at least 15% by weight of crude protein and a plurality of water-soluble film pieces dispersed throughout the delivery matrix. The plurality of water-soluble film pieces encompass an active agent therein, wherein the active agent is rapidly released from the composition upon contact with saliva from the pet. At least a portion of the released active agents may be oromucosally absorbed by the pet.

Edible chews having a polygon-shaped cross-section, such as a star-shaped cross section. This cross-sectional shape provides an increased surface area and forms edges, and these features clean teeth of an animal such as a dog. These edible chews have a soft chewy texture which avoids or significantly reduces gum bleeding which is caused by known dental treats with typically have a hard texture.

Edible chews having a polygon-shaped cross-section, such as a star-shaped cross section. This cross-sectional shape provides an increased surface area and forms edges, and these features clean teeth of an animal such as a dog. These edible chews have a soft chewy texture which avoids or significantly reduces gum bleeding which is caused by known dental treats with typically have a hard texture.

Described herein are controlled release pet food compositions comprising: a matrix comprising: a fiber component comprising a high solubility fiber source and low solubility fiber source, and a polyphenol source; wherein the matrix is adapted to deliver the polyphenol source to the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a mammal after ingestion by the mammal. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.