Weight management system for obese animals

Abstract

A pet food product for promoting comprehensive weight management in companion animals. The pet food includes, on a dry matter basis, about 35 to about 70% by weight of a protein, about 4 to about 10% by weight of a fat, about 5 to about 25% by weight of a fiber, about 10 to about 35% by weight of a digestible carbohydrate, and about 0.1 to about 1% by weight of a functional ingredient. In a preferred embodiment a diacylglyceride is the functional ingredient.

1 - 57 . (canceled)  
   
   
       58 . A pet food product for promoting comprehensive weight management in a companion animal comprising, on a dry matter basis, about 35 to about 70% by weight of a protein, about 4 to about 10% by weight of a fat, about 5 to about 25% by weight of a fiber, about 10 to about 35% by weight of a digestible carbohydrate, and about 0.1 to about 1% by weight of a functional ingredient, wherein the functional ingredient is a diacylglyceride.  
   
   
       59 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein said functional ingredient modulates metabolism and builds lean muscle mass of a companion animal.  
   
   
       60 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein said functional ingredient enhances the satiety and decreases the voluntary food intake of a companion animal.  
   
   
       61 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein said diacylglyceride is obtained from a vegetable oil.  
   
   
       62 . The pet food product of  claim 61 , wherein the vegetable oil is Econa oil.  
   
   
       63 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein said companion animal is selected from the group consisting of a dog and a cat.  
   
   
       64 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein said fat comprises essential long-chain fatty acids.  
   
   
       65 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein comprehensive weight management includes a change in physiology of a companion animal selected from a group consisting of an increase in lean body mass, an increase in weight loss, an increase in the animal's satiety, a decrease in the animal's voluntary food intake, a decrease in blood urea nitrogen levels, and a reduced risk of ketosis.  
   
   
       66 . The pet food product of  claim 58 , wherein the pet food product is selected from a group consisting of a wet pet food, a semi-moist pet food, a dry pet food, a pet treat, a pet snack, and a pet drink.  
   
   
       67 . A process for producing a pet food produce for a companion animal, the process comprising the step of adding about 35 to about 70% by weight of a protein, about 4 to about 10% by weight of a fat, about 5 to about 25% by weight of a fiber, about 10 to about 35% by weight of a digestible carbohydrate, and about 0.1 to about 1% by weight of a functional ingredient, wherein said functional ingredient is a diacylglyceride.  
   
   
       68 . The process of  claim 67 , wherein said functional ingredient modulates metabolism and builds lean muscle mass.  
   
   
       69 . The pet food product of  claim 67 , wherein said functional ingredient enhances the satiety and decreases the voluntary food intake of a companion animal.  
   
   
       70 . The process of  claim 67 , wherein said animal is selected from the group consisting of a dog and a cat.  
   
   
       71 . The process of  claim 67 , wherein said fat comprises essential long-chain fatty acids.  
   
   
       72 . The process of  claim 67 , wherein the pet food product is selected from a group consisting of a wet pet food, a semi-moist pet food, a dry pet food, a pet treat, a pet snack, and a pet drink.  
   
   
       73 . The process of  claim 67 , wherein said diacylglyeride is obtained from a vegetable oil.  
   
   
       74 . The process of  claim 73 , wherein the vegetable is econa oil.