Methods of making coated pet food products

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a coated pet food is provided. The method comprises providing an edible core having a moisture content of at least about 50% and a volume of from about 0.256 cubic centimeters to about 16.4 cubic centimeters. A first layer comprising a first plurality of particles is bonded to the edible core to provide the coated pet food. The first layer of the coated pet food resists 98% of abrasion in an abrasion test.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a coated pet food comprising
 (a) providing an edible core having a moisture content of at least about 50% and a volume of from about 0.256 cubic centimeters to about 16.4 cubic centimeters; and   (b) applying a first coating comprising a binder to the edible core and applying the first layer to the first coating to provide the coated pet food wherein the binder does not comprise a gel, gum or hydrocolloid;   wherein the first layer resists 98% of abrasion in an abrasion test.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are from 0.005mm to 50 mm in size as measured in at least one axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of particles are adhered together to form one or more agglomerates. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the agglomerates have a volume of from about 0.004 cc to about 3600 cc. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first coating comprises from about 1% to about 50% binder, by weight of the coating. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the binder comprises one or more egg-based materials, undenatured proteins, food grade polymeric adhesives, polyols, or a combination of these. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the binder comprises egg whites and/or dried egg whites. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heat treating the coated pet food at conditions sufficient to set the first coating and/or to kill at least a portion of any microbes associated with the coated pet food. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying one or more additional coatings to the coated pet food, wherein at least one of the one or more additional coatings provides the coated pet food with a non-glossy appearance. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising bonding at least a second layer comprising at least a second plurality of particles to the coated pet food. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second plurality of particles comprises a different material than the first plurality of particles. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the second plurality of particles are adhered together to form one or more second agglomerates. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second layer is bonded to the edible core and/or first layer by compressing, molding shaking, extruding, heating, applying a second coating comprising a binder to the edible core, or a combination of these. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second coating comprises 1% to 50% binder, by weight of the second coating, to the edible core. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the binder in the second coating comprises one or more egg-based materials, undenatured proteins, food grade polymeric adhesives, gels, polyols, starches, gums, or a combination of these. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the binder comprises egg whites and/or dried egg whites. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising heat treating the coated pet food at conditions sufficient to set the first and second coatings and/or to kill at least a portion of any microbes associated with the coated pet food. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising applying one or more additional coatings to the coated pet food, wherein at least one of the one or more additional coatings provides the coated pet food with a non-glossy appearance.