A method for manufacturing an edible dog chew includes the steps of: extruding a first edible mixture through a mold having an opening in a first direction to form a lengthened chew interior material; cutting the lengthened chew interior material into defined lengths to form at least one cut chew interior material; drying the cut chew interior material to form a chew interior; and coating the chew interior with a second edible mixture different from the first edible mixture. Further methods and pet chews are also provided.

A method for manufacturing an edible dog chew includes the steps of: extruding a first edible mixture through a mold having an opening in a first direction to form a lengthened chew interior material; cutting the lengthened chew interior material into defined lengths to form at least one cut chew interior material; drying the cut chew interior material to form a chew interior; and coating the chew interior with a second edible mixture different from the first edible mixture. Further methods and pet chews are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to coextruded pet food compositions and/or to methods for producing the same. The disclosure provides, for example, a method for producing a pet food, comprising: (i) extruding a first composition from a first extruder through a die at a first rate of exit from the die; and (ii) extruding a second composition from a second extruder through the die at a second rate of exit from the die, wherein the first rate of exit from the die is higher than the second rate of exit from the die, to produce a coextruded pet food that comprises about 30% to about 50%, by weight, of the first composition and about 50% to about 70%, by weight, of the second composition. Moreover, the coextruded pet food compositions of the present disclosure may include, for example, at least about 3% cheese and/or at least about 5% bacon.

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.

A pet food composition including: 5% by mass or greater of fats and oils, in which, in measurement values obtained from the following deformation test, a value at 25 C. is 0.5 N or greater and a value at 60 C. is less than 0.1 N. An object to be measured is placed on a flat dish, a plunger is pressed against a central portion of the object from above to apply a load thereto, and a stress is measured while the plunger is allowed to move downward at a constant speed. A maximum value of the stress during a period from the contact of the plunger with the object to be measured to the movement of the plunger by a distance of 4 mm is obtained. A unit of an average value is converted into newtons and the value is set as the measurement value.

A pet food composition including: 5% by mass or greater of fats and oils, in which, in measurement values obtained from the following deformation test, a value at 25 C. is 0.5 N or greater and a value at 60 C. is less than 0.1 N. An object to be measured is placed on a flat dish, a plunger is pressed against a central portion of the object from above to apply a load thereto, and a stress is measured while the plunger is allowed to move downward at a constant speed. A maximum value of the stress during a period from the contact of the plunger with the object to be measured to the movement of the plunger by a distance of 4 mm is obtained. A unit of an average value is converted into newtons and the value is set as the measurement value.

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.

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.

Edible compositions are provided and comprise a soluble mineral component and/or a phosphate component in amounts effective for use as an oral medicament. The soluble mineral component comprises one or more minerals selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, tin, copper, and mixtures thereof. The edible compositions are advantageously companion animal chews, treats or supplements. Further disclosed are methods of making the chews, treats or supplements as are methods of treating conditions of the oral cavity.

Edible compositions are provided and comprise a soluble mineral component and/or a phosphate component in amounts effective for use as an oral medicament. The soluble mineral component comprises one or more minerals selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, tin, copper, and mixtures thereof. The edible compositions are advantageously companion animal chews, treats or supplements. Further disclosed are methods of making the chews, treats or supplements as are methods of treating conditions of the oral cavity.