A packaged food product includes a container and a food product. The container has a rim and at least one wall extending away from the rim. The at least one wall defines a storage area, and the food product is retained within the storage area such that the food product is in contact with the at least one wall. The at least one wall is readily deformable by a hand of a user to reduce a volume of the storage area. Reducing the volume of the storage area causes the food product to exit the storage area. The container includes an integral tool portion including a tine extending from a distal end of the tool portion for breaking up the food product after removal from the storage area. The food product can be a wet cat or dog food.

A prepared cat food has chicken meat and mouse meat, the chicken meat in at least ten times the mass of the mouse meat, vitamin supplements, and one or more mineral ingredients. The mouse meat in a substantially lesser mass than the chicken meat induces the cat to consume a greater volume of the prepared food than the cat would consume without the presence of the mouse meat, thereby supplying the cat with a greater volume of chicken meat, vitamin supplements and mineral ingredients than cat would consume in a product without the mouse meat.

A co-extruded, dual-texture animal food is provided. The food has a dry outer portion partially surrounding a semi-moist inner portion. The inner portion has a higher or similar moisture content and a softer texture compared to the outer portion which has a lower moisture content and harder texture. The outer portion comprises cereal grain and a legume at about 75-85% of the weight of the outer portion, and an animal-based protein contributing to about 5-10% of the weight or more of the outer portion. The inner portion has animal-derived grease mixed with lactic acid at about 3% by weight of the inner portion, along with at least one meat comprising at least 3% by weight of the inner portion. The composition inhibits moisture transference within and between individual pieces of the food. The food is shelf stable and the inner and outer portions retain their hardness and moisture profiles, post-packaging.

The disclosure provides edible hydration pods for hydrating animals and a method of manufacturing edible hydration pods. In one example, an enclosed, edible hydration pod for dogs is disclosed that includes: (1) a formed casing and (2) a frozen liquid that is enclosed by sealing the casing around the frozen liquid, wherein the casing is an edible and digestible casing that is flavored for dogs and is a transporting vessel for the liquid, wherein the casing includes a gelatin in the range of 35% to 55% and a polymer derived from cellulose.

The disclosure provides edible hydration pods for hydrating animals and a method of manufacturing edible hydration pods. In one example, an enclosed, edible hydration pod for dogs is disclosed that includes: (1) a formed casing and (2) a frozen liquid that is enclosed by sealing the casing around the frozen liquid, wherein the casing is an edible and digestible casing that is flavored for dogs and is a transporting vessel for the liquid, wherein the casing includes a gelatin in the range of 35% to 55% and a polymer derived from cellulose.

A natural hydrocolloid system can be used in, e.g., pet food compositions. Another aspect of the present disclosure is pet food compositions comprising such a natural hydrocolloid system, and preparation methods thereof. The hydrocolloid system can use blends of fruit fibers, such as citrus and apple fibers, and/or plant-based polysaccharides, such as psyllium, okra, chia, flaxseed, or seaweed; and can provide a gravy and even a jelly with functionalities comparable to the existing gravies. The blends can replace currently used hydrocolloids and can be used in new recipes with natural and clean labels.

A natural hydrocolloid system can be used in, e.g., pet food compositions. Another aspect of the present disclosure is pet food compositions comprising such a natural hydrocolloid system, and preparation methods thereof. The hydrocolloid system can use blends of fruit fibers, such as citrus and apple fibers, and/or plant-based polysaccharides, such as psyllium, okra, chia, flaxseed, or seaweed; and can provide a gravy and even a jelly with functionalities comparable to the existing gravies. The blends can replace currently used hydrocolloids and can be used in new recipes with natural and clean labels.

A process of preparing a sterilized wet pet food product is provided, as well as a sterilized wet pet food product provided by the process. Use of the wet pet food product to feed a companion animal is also contemplated.

A process of preparing a sterilized wet pet food product is provided, as well as a sterilized wet pet food product provided by the process. Use of the wet pet food product to feed a companion animal is also contemplated.

This invention relates to the use of the combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (“25-OH D3”) and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories (ascorbic acid vitamin E and canthaxanthin) to make a premix or feed which can ameliorate various problems observed in poultry which have been subject to overfeeding. Feeds containing the 25-OH D3 and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories and premixes are also provided.