Coated pet food composition

Abstract

A composition comprising a physically discrete pet food oral intake composition coated with a physically stable film, the film comprising a component which is a) capable of carrying a beneficial agent to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect or b) capable of releasing the benefit agent into the mouth or alimentary canal with the benefit agent traveling to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect.

1 . A composition comprising a physically discrete pet food oral intake composition coated with a physically discrete pet food oral intake composition coated with a physically stable film, the film comprising a component which is a) capable of carrying a beneficial agent to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect or b) capable of releasing the benefit agent into the mouth or alimentary canal with the benefit agent traveling to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect.  
     
     
         2 . The composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the component is capable of carrying a beneficial agent to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect.  
     
     
         3 . The composition in accordance with  claim 2  wherein no benefit agent is present.  
     
     
         4 . The composition in accordance with  claim 2  wherein a benefit agent is present in the film.  
     
     
         5 . The composition in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the film rapidly dissolves in the oral cavity of the pet.  
     
     
         6 . The composition in accordance with  claim 5  wherein the film is a polymer.  
     
     
         7 . The composition in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of zein, casein, starch(es), cellulose(es),gum(s), gelatin and starch/synthetic polymer(s).  
     
     
         8 . The composition in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the film rapidly dissolves in the oral cavity of the pet.  
     
     
         9 . The composition in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the film is a polymer.  
     
     
         10 . The composition in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of zein, casein, starch(es), cellulose(es),gum(s), gelatin and starch/synthetic polymer(s).  
     
     
         11 . The composition in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of proteins, polysaccharides, sugars, lipids, polypeptides, minerals, vitamins, flavorants, polymer composites, medicaments, botanicals, extracts, and fungicides.  
     
     
         12 . The composition in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the benefit agent is absorbed in the stomach, small intestine or large intestine.  
     
     
         13 . The composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the benefit agent is coated with a substance, said substance maintaining its integrity until the benefit agent reaches the point wherein it is to be absorbed in the pet's alimentary canal.  
     
     
         14 . The composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the benefit agent is coated with a substance, said substance retaining its integrity to a point in the alimentary canal prior to site wherein the benefit agent is to be absorbed.  
     
     
         15 . A method for obtaining a beneficial effect in a pet comprising orally administering to said pet the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 . A method of suppressing one or more odors emanating from a physically discrete pet food composition, said odor negatively affecting the palatability of said food composition, comprising coating the physically discrete pet food composition with a physically stable odor suppressant film which rapidly dissolves in the oral cavity of the pet.  
     
     
         17 . A method for increasing the shelf life of a physically discrete pet food composition comprising coating the physically discrete pet food composition into a physically stable oxidatively or bacteria protecting film or a film containing an agent which protects the composition from oxidation decomposition or protects the composition from bacterial growth.