Claims
- 1. A dried pet food comprising a matrix including a protein source, a carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber and having a length of at least 15 mm, a width of at least 13.5 mm, and a thickness of at least 12 mm.
- 2. The dried pet food of claim 1 wherein the protein source comprises denatured protein.
- 3. The dried pet food of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate source comprises gelatinized carbohydrate.
- 4. The dried pet food of claim 1 wherein the insoluble fiber comprises approximately 2% to about 15% by weight of the matrix.
- 5. The dried pet food of claim 1 wherein the insoluble fiber is a cellulose fiber.
- 6. The dried pet food of claim 1 wherein the product does not include a humectant.
- 7. A dried pet food comprising a matrix including a protein source, a carbohydrate source, an insoluble fiber and having a density of less than 20.5 lbs/ft3.
- 8. The dried pet food of claim 7 wherein the protein source comprises denatured protein.
- 9. The dried pet food of claim 7 wherein the carbohydrate source comprises gelatinized carbohydrate.
- 10. The dried pet food of claim 7 wherein the insoluble fiber comprises approximately 2% to about 15% by weight of the matrix.
- 11. The dried pet food of claim 7 wherein the insoluble fiber is a cellulose fiber.
- 12. The dried pet food of claim 7 wherein the product does not include a humectant.
- 13. A dried pet food comprising a matrix including a protein source, a carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber, a density of less than 20.5 lbs/ft3 and having a length of at least 15 mm, a width of at least 13.5 mm, and a thickness of at least 12 mm.
- 14. The dried pet food of claim 13 wherein the protein source comprises denatured protein.
- 15. The dried pet food of claim 13 wherein the carbohydrate source comprises gelatinized carbohydrate.
- 16. The dried pet food of claim 13 wherein the insoluble fiber comprises approximately 2% to about 15% by weight of the matrix.
- 17. The dried pet food of claim 13 wherein the product does not include a humectant.
- 18. A dried pet food comprising at least 25% by weight of a kibble including a matrix having a protein source, carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber, and a density of less than 20.5 lbs/ft3.
- 19. The dried pet food of claim 18 wherein the matrix has a length of at least 15 mm, a width of at least 13.5 mm, and a thickness of at least 12 mm.
- 20. A method of reducing calculus and plaque build-up on a pet's teeth comprising the step of allowing the pet to chew on dried pet food having a matrix including a protein source, a carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber, and having a density of less than 20.5 lb/ft3.
- 21. A method according to claim 20 including the step of providing the pet food as a kibble having a shape selected from a triangle, a pentagon and a star.
- 22. A method according to claim 20 or claim 21 including mixing the dried pet food with a wet pet food.
- 23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the ratio of wet pet food to dry pet food is at least 50:50.
- 24. A dried pet food according to any one of claims 1-12 and 18 having a body in the shape of a triangle, pentagon or star.
- 25. A dried pet food according to any one of claims 1-19 and 24 having corn gluten meal as a protein source.
- 26. A dried pet food according to any one of claims 1-19 and 24-25 having a density of 18 lbs/ft3 or less.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/154,646 filed Sep. 17,1998.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/EP01/00307 |
1/10/2001 |
WO |
|