A method for manufacturing a wet food product for animals can include mixing solid animal feed components with a sauce or sauce components in a temperature-controllable process reactor and sterilising the mixture by heat treatment in the process reactor. The mixing and sterilising can occur at the same time. Embodiments can utilize an apparatus that can include a reactor to receive solid animal feed components and a sauce or sauce components, a temperature control device to control the temperature of the reactor (e.g. at least one wall of the reactor), a mixing device to mix the components located in the reactor (e.g. an agitator within the reactor, etc.), and a control device to control the mixing device to mix the components in the process reactor and to control the temperature control device to sterilise the components or mixture in the reactor.

A method for manufacturing a wet food product for animals can include mixing solid animal feed components with a sauce or sauce components in a temperature-controllable process reactor and sterilising the mixture by heat treatment in the process reactor. The mixing and sterilising can occur at the same time. Embodiments can utilize an apparatus that can include a reactor to receive solid animal feed components and a sauce or sauce components, a temperature control device to control the temperature of the reactor (e.g. at least one wall of the reactor), a mixing device to mix the components located in the reactor (e.g. an agitator within the reactor, etc.), and a control device to control the mixing device to mix the components in the process reactor and to control the temperature control device to sterilise the components or mixture in the reactor.

A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

A cold-set, injection-molded digestible pet chew includes an outer skin layer having a tough, chewy texture and an expanded center being surrounded by the outer skin layer. The outer skin layer and the expanded center being are formed by injecting a plasticized mixture into a chilled mold and cooling in the mold for about 10-60 seconds followed by releasing the mold to allow the center to expand to form a digestible pet chew. The plasticized mixture includes protein, starch, 0.1-2.5% encapsulated leavening agent, acid, and 5-15% of a humectant. The encapsulated leavening agent reacts with the acid to form the expanded center within the outer skin layer. Further, the pet chew has a water activity of 0.60 or below such that the expanded center remains expanded.

A cold-set, injection-molded digestible pet chew includes an outer skin layer having a tough, chewy texture and an expanded center being surrounded by the outer skin layer. The outer skin layer and the expanded center being are formed by injecting a plasticized mixture into a chilled mold and cooling in the mold for about 10-60 seconds followed by releasing the mold to allow the center to expand to form a digestible pet chew. The plasticized mixture includes protein, starch, 0.1-2.5% encapsulated leavening agent, acid, and 5-15% of a humectant. The encapsulated leavening agent reacts with the acid to form the expanded center within the outer skin layer. Further, the pet chew has a water activity of 0.60 or below such that the expanded center remains expanded.

The present disclosure relates to a kit comprising: (i) a first part comprising a food bowl assembly including a first bowl having side walls and a base; a second feeding bowl disposed within the first bowl, the second feeding bowl having side walls and a solid base, the inner surface of said side walls and solid base being a closed surface; a separating module adapted to hold an olfactive product, the separating module being arranged to fit between the solid base of the second feeding bowl and the first bowl, and a vent arranged to allow odours from the separating module to exit the food bowl assembly between the first bowl and the side walls of the second feeding bowl so that odours do not pass through the second feeding bowl; and (ii) a second part comprising of a container comprising at least one olfactive product. A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a kit as defined above for use in a method for to treat olfaction dysfunction, appetite loss or food aversion due to a disease or for treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder in an animal.

The present disclosure relates to a kit comprising: (i) a first part comprising a food bowl assembly including a first bowl having side walls and a base; a second feeding bowl disposed within the first bowl, the second feeding bowl having side walls and a solid base, the inner surface of said side walls and solid base being a closed surface; a separating module adapted to hold an olfactive product, the separating module being arranged to fit between the solid base of the second feeding bowl and the first bowl, and a vent arranged to allow odours from the separating module to exit the food bowl assembly between the first bowl and the side walls of the second feeding bowl so that odours do not pass through the second feeding bowl; and (ii) a second part comprising of a container comprising at least one olfactive product. A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a kit as defined above for use in a method for to treat olfaction dysfunction, appetite loss or food aversion due to a disease or for treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder in an animal.

An edible pet food, wherein the pet food has a moisture content of 15 to 50 wt % and the pet food comprises a core and a coating disposed on the core, wherein the core comprises animal protein and the pet food has an animal protein content of at least 30 wt %, and at least one of the core and the coating comprises a glucose-containing carbohydrate selected from a dextrin and an esterified starch.

An edible pet food, wherein the pet food has a moisture content of 15 to 50 wt % and the pet food comprises a core and a coating disposed on the core, wherein the core comprises animal protein and the pet food has an animal protein content of at least 30 wt %, and at least one of the core and the coating comprises a glucose-containing carbohydrate selected from a dextrin and an esterified starch.