Palatability Enhancers for Foods Designed for Dogs and Cats with Renal Insufficiency

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions that enhances the palatability of pet foods designed for companion animals, e.g. dogs and cats, e.g. with renal insufficiency.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A palatability enhancing composition for pet food, said composition comprising protein and phosphorus in a ratio between 5:1 and 15:1. 
     
     
         2 . The palatability enhancing composition of  claim 1  wherein the protein to phosphorous ratio is more than 8:1. 
     
     
         3 . A pet food composition comprising a palatability amount of a palatability enhancing composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . The pet food composition of  claim 3 , wherein the palatability enhancer is present in the pet food composition in an amount of 1% to 10?/k by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The pet food composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pet food composition is designed for animals, for example companion animals, for example dogs and cats, suffering from renal insufficiency or disease. 
     
     
         6 . The pet food composition of  claim 1 , wherein the palatability enhancer comprises:
 from 38% to 47% protein;   from 5% to 8% fat;   up to 0.5% crude fiber;   from 15% to 27% ash; and   from 4% to 6% phosphorus.   
     
     
         7 . A pet food composition according to  claim 3  which is palatable and nutritionally complete for a cat. 
     
     
         8 . A pet food composition according to  claim 7  which comprises, on a dry matter basis:
 Protein 25-35% 
 Fat 15-30% 
 Crude Fiber 1-10% 
 Calcium 0.45-1.0% 
 Phosphorus 0.35-0.70% 
 Sodium 0.2-1.0% 
 Potassium 0.5-1.0% 
 
     
     
         9 . A method for enhancing the palatability of a pet food composition, comprising the step of treating the pet food composition to include a palatability enhancing composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating a companion animal that is suffering from a renal deficiency or disease, comprising the step of feeding the companion animal a pet food composition of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for ameliorating a symptom in a companion animal that is suffering from a renal deficiency or disease, comprising the step of feeding the companion animal a pet food composition of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for increasing food consumption of a companion animal that is suffering from a renal deficiency or disease, comprising the step of feeding the companion animal a pet food composition of  claim 3 .