A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.

A specific type of digestibility in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of digestibility. The specific type of digestibility can be one or more of organic matter digestibility, dry matter digestibility, fiber digestibility, energy digestibility, fat digestibility, or protein digestibility.

Processes for the production of a meat analogue, comprising: a) introducing a meat batter which comprises protein into a first heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the denaturation temperature of the protein in the meat batter, but below the melting point of the protein to produce a first heat-treated product, and b) transferring the first heat-treated product to a second heating unit and heating the first heat-treated product to a temperature above the melting temperature of the protein to produce a second heat-treated product, c) cooling the second heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the second heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and d) dividing the cooled second heat-treated product into pieces; as well as an apparatus for the production of a meat analogue.

Processes for the production of a meat analogue, comprising: a) introducing a meat batter which comprises protein into a first heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the denaturation temperature of the protein in the meat batter, but below the melting point of the protein to produce a first heat-treated product, and b) transferring the first heat-treated product to a second heating unit and heating the first heat-treated product to a temperature above the melting temperature of the protein to produce a second heat-treated product, c) cooling the second heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the second heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and d) dividing the cooled second heat-treated product into pieces; as well as an apparatus for the production of a meat analogue.

The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of 3-methylhistidine before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in decreasing the levels of 3-methydlhistidine post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The pet foodstuff described is fed to a companion animal for use in reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia. The present invention also relates to methods of feeding the pet foodstuff described and/or dietary regimes to provide the companion animal with the benefit of reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia.

The present invention relates to methods of determining the levels of 3-methylhistidine before and after a meal in a companion animal, wherein the meal is a pet foodstuff having a particular protein to fat ratio, which is useful in decreasing the levels of 3-methydlhistidine post-prandially and having the beneficial effects as described herein. The pet foodstuff comprises a ratio of protein to fat of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis. The pet foodstuff described is fed to a companion animal for use in reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia. The present invention also relates to methods of feeding the pet foodstuff described and/or dietary regimes to provide the companion animal with the benefit of reducing and/or preventing sarcopenia.

An automatic feeding device allows automated access by a pet to wet food based on specific criteria, such as a lapsed time, so the pet is taken care of during of an extended absence of the pet owner. The apparatus has at least one holder that stores portion containers containing the wet food which are then opened as needed. In one aspect, the automatic feeding device transfers a cut-off lid using a gripping element having two clamping jaws that can be moved relative to one another for gripping a tear tab formed on a lid of the portion container. The gripping element is accommodated on a carriage which can be moved on a rail arrangement that traverses the portion container to be opened. Alternatively, an endless punching knife has a blade for punching a portion container lid and the holder has a retrieval device for retrieving the separated lid.

An encapsulated food processing machine receives packages of frozen or freeze-dried food encapsulated in edible film. The machine heats water, pumps it to the portion of the machine with the encapsulated food, and mixes the encapsulated food while heating it with the warm water. The result is a ready-to-eat meal. In use, a user determines a number of packages of encapsulated food based on a pet's size and weight, and places the packages into a specially designed bowl. The user selects the number and type of packages on the machine, which prepares the food via the aforementioned process. The bowl with the ready-to-eat meal is then removed from the machine, and the pet eats the meal directly from the bowl.

An encapsulated food processing machine receives packages of frozen or freeze-dried food encapsulated in edible film. The machine heats water, pumps it to the portion of the machine with the encapsulated food, and mixes the encapsulated food while heating it with the warm water. The result is a ready-to-eat meal. In use, a user determines a number of packages of encapsulated food based on a pet's size and weight, and places the packages into a specially designed bowl. The user selects the number and type of packages on the machine, which prepares the food via the aforementioned process. The bowl with the ready-to-eat meal is then removed from the machine, and the pet eats the meal directly from the bowl.

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 for breaking up the food product after removal from the storage area. The food product can be a wet cat or dog food.