Method for Palatable Delivery of Vitamins and Minerals in Dry Pet Feed

Abstract

The invention is a method for the palatable delivery of nutrients in dry pet feed comprising the doping of feed components with such nutrients.

Claims

1. A process for incorporating nutrients into pet feed, consisting of the following steps: 1. Creating a premix solution by adding a soluble premix containing the following vitamins or minerals, in amounts sufficient to meet AAFCO regulatory requirements as of December 15, 2021, into a chicken stock, broth or bullion solvent: Calcium Phosphorous Potassium Sodium Chloride Magnesium Iron Copper Manganese Zinc Iodine Selenium Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Thiamine Riboflavin Pantothenic Acid Niacin Pyridoxine Folic Acid Vitamin B12 and Choline; 2. Heating the premix solution to facilitate absorption of the premix; 3. Creating doped rice by adding dry rice to the premix solution and cooking; 4. Freeze-drying the doped rice; and 5. Combining the doped rice with freeze-dried base pet feed to create palatable dry pet feed.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. A mixed pet feed containing doped rice including nutrients incorporated according to the process of claim 1.

6. A method for providing nutrients to animals, consisting of the steps: 1. Incorporating nutrients into pet feed to create mixed pet feed according to the process of claim 1, and 2. Feeding the mixed pet feed to an animal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a flow chart evidencing a first embodiment of a process for incorporating nutrient premix into pet feed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The invention constitutes a process for effectively incorporating premix into a pet feed in a palatable manner. This is done by “doping” rice with vitamins and/or minerals, which typically are cooked in chicken broth to make the doped rice palatable. The doped rice is then freeze-dried to preserve the rice and prevent spoilation. For the purposes herein, the term “dope” or “doping” shall be defined as the application of a mixture containing one or more nutrients (e.g., vitamins and minerals) to food pellets and/or ingredients comprising pet feed as a mechanism allowing animals to ingest such nutrients.

[0031] This method makes it possible to meet AAFCO requirements as of the date hereof and state regulations without following the traditional method of “melting” the ingredients together, which in turn renders the pet food “nugget” non-essential. As such, the feed can be comprised of distinct ingredients, similar to a trail mix, where each individual ingredient is separate and recognizable.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the inventive process constitutes the following steps:

[0033] Step 1: Dissolve and/or mix premix into a chicken stock solvent. The premix must be soluble and should provide sufficient amounts of one or more of the following vitamins and/or minerals: [0034] Calcium [0035] Phosphorous [0036] Potassium [0037] Sodium [0038] Chloride [0039] Magnesium [0040] Iron [0041] Copper [0042] Manganese [0043] Zinc [0044] Iodine [0045] Selenium [0046] Vitamin A [0047] Vitamin D [0048] Vitamin E [0049] Thiamine [0050] Riboflavin [0051] Pantothenic Acid [0052] Niacin [0053] Pyridoxine [0054] Folic Acid [0055] Vitamin B 12 [0056] Choline

[0057] Many premixes do not provide the full range of these vitamins and/or minerals. Accounting for any shortcomings in the vitamins and/or minerals provided by the premix is addressed below. In its preferred embodiment, this step results in a premix solution containing as many of listed vitamins and minerals as possible. Sufficiency of the amount of any included nutrient will reflect the AAFCO standards for the specific type of animal feed being treated.

[0058] Step 2: Heat the premix solution to facilitate absorption of premix and add rice. Cook the rice until edible.

[0059] Step 3: Freeze-dry cooked rice that has absorbed the premix (now constituting doped rice) to remove moisture from the rice and prevent spoilation.

[0060] Step 4: Mix doped rice with base pet feed. The base pet feed is also freeze-dried to prevent spoilation.

[0061] The base pet feed will contain ingredients to satisfy the nutritional requirements that are not provided through the “doped” rice. Such requirements include: [0062] Crude Protein [0063] Amino Acids such as Arginine and Tryptophan [0064] Crude Fat [0065] Fatty Acid and/or Linoleic Acid

[0066] The base pet feed nutrients are largely provided through protein sources such as meat and/or organ meats. As such, the feed composition will include substantial portions of freeze-dried protein sources such as meat and/or organ meats. Fruits and/or vegetables can also be used as needed to supplement vitamins and/or minerals that are not provided through the premix used in doping the rice.

[0067] The result is a freeze-dried pet feed comprised of distinct, separate ingredients, including the “doped” rice, meat and/or organ meat, fruits, and vegetables. Water may be added to the feed prior to feeding, but is not required.

[0068] The distinct aspect of this invention is the manner in which vitamins and/or minerals are incorporated into pet feed and/or delivered to pets. The doping of rice with vitamins is key because this allows for the delivery of vitamins and minerals by using the rice as a separate ingredient in pet feed, which in turn enables a transition from the “nugget”. Cooking in chicken stock is also important because it makes the doped rice palatable and thus ensures the delivery of the vitamins and minerals. Freeze-drying is also important because it preserves the rice and prevents spoilation.

[0069] This process successfully delivers the requisite vitamins and minerals in a palatable form that prevents animals from eating around the included nutrients. The rice doping process and product described herein has been subjected to laboratory testing and animal taste testing. The doped rice (1) sufficiently absorbs the nutritional premix, (2) satisfies AAFCO regulations, and (3) receives positive responses in taste tests with pets.

[0070] In alternate embodiments, types of stock or broth other than chicken stock may be employed as a solvent into which nutrients are dissolved. Such alternatives may include, without limitation, stock or broth based on beef or any other meat product, as well as chicken powder mixed with water. Any such solvent may accomplish the same purpose of making the doped rice palatable to animals. The stock may also be diluted to make the process more economical while achieving palatability.

[0071] In another alternate embodiment, the method may employ water or another liquid as a solvent. In such cases, the solvent might be augmented with a natural or artificial flavoring agent. Such animal flavorings include, inter alia, fat and oil solubles, as well as compounds such as 2-Isopropyl pyridine (bacon flavoring).

[0072] In a last alternate, grains or starches other than rice may be doped and included in pet feed. Many other grains can accomplish the same purpose of (1) absorbing the premix, and (2) absorbing the flavor of the stock, and thereby delivering the requisite vitamins and minerals in a palatable form. In particular, oats have been proven to sufficiently absorb premix and satisfy AAFCO regulations and perform well in taste tests. Without limitation, oats, barley, corn, wheat, quinoa, sorghum and potatoes are also possible replacements.

Detailed Description of the Figures

[0073] FIG. 1 is a flow chart evidencing the steps comprising a method of doping a grain for addition to pet feed as a mechanism for introducing nutrients into the feed.

[0074] The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the more common understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable equivalents.