Methods and kits for enhancing the ability to learn in a puppy or kitten

Abstract

Disclosed herein are processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kitten a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid. Further disclosed are processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid during gestation, nursing, or weaning of the puppy or kitten. Further disclosed are kits comprising a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid; and information that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A process for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kitten a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42 , further comprising an omega-6 fatty acid. 
     
     
         44 . The process according to  claim 42 , wherein the composition is a supplement composition. 
     
     
         45 . The process according to  claim 42 , wherein the composition is a food composition comprising, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 15% docosahexaenoic acid, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         46 . The process according to  claim 45 , wherein said food composition further comprises:
 protein in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis; and   fat in an amount of from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.   
     
     
         47 . The process according to  claim 42 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of biscuits, chews, gravies, treats, nutritionally balanced kibbles, and semi-moist foods. 
     
     
         48 . The process according to  claim 42 , wherein the composition is orally administered during at least weaning of the puppy or kitten. 
     
     
         49 . A process for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid during gestation, weaning, or nursing of the puppy or kitten. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 49 , further comprising an omega-6 fatty acid. 
     
     
         51 . The process according to  claim 49 , wherein the composition is a supplement composition. 
     
     
         52 . The process according to  claim 49 , wherein the composition is a food composition comprising, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 15% docosahexaenoic acid, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         53 . The process according to  claim 52 , wherein said food composition further comprises:
 protein in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis; and   fat in an amount of from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.   
     
     
         54 . The process according to  claim 49 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of biscuits, chews, gravies, treats, nutritionally balanced kibbles, and semi-moist foods. 
     
     
         55 . The process according to  claim 49 , wherein the composition is orally administered during at least weaning of the puppy or kitten. 
     
     
         56 . The process according to  claim 49 , further comprising the step of orally administering to the puppy or kitten the composition during weaning of the puppy or kitten. 
     
     
         57 . A kit comprising: (a) a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid;
 and (b) information that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.   
     
     
         58 . The kit according to  claim 57  wherein the composition is a supplement comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid or a food composition from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         59 . The kit according to  claim 58  wherein the food composition further comprises, on a dry matter basis, from about 20% to about 50% protein and from about 5% to about 35% fat, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         60 . The kit according to  claim 57  wherein the information is that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten upon oral administration to the puppy or kitten. 
     
     
         61 . The kit according to  claim 57  wherein the information is that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten upon oral administration to a respective maternal animal during a process selected from the group consisting of gestation, nursing, weaning, and combinations thereof of the puppy or kitten.