Edible pet chew and method of preparing

Abstract

An edible pet chew is made from processed rawhide and water comprising protein in the range of about 55 to 80 wt. %; fat in the range of about 1 to 5 wt. %; and water content in the range of about 10 to 30 wt. %. Optionally, the chew contains edible glycerin in the range of about 3 to 8 wt. %. The product is pliable and has a density of less than about 1.0 g/cc.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An edible pet chew comprising:
 about 55 to 80 wt. % of protein;   about 1 to 5 wt. % of fat; and   about 10.0 to 30.0 wt. % of water,   the protein and fat being from rawhide; and   wherein the edible pet chew is pliable and has a density of less than about 1 g/cc.   
     
     
         2 . The edible pet chew of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 about 3 to 8 wt. % of glycerin.   
     
     
         3 . The edible pet chew of  claim 2 , comprising about 5 wt. % of glycerin. 
     
     
         4 . The edible pet chew of  claim 1 , comprising greater than or equal to about 70 wt. % of protein;
 greater than or equal to about 2.5 wt. % of fat; and   less than or equal to about 20.0 wt. % of water.   
     
     
         5 . The edible pet chew of  claim 1 , wherein the edible pet chew is gluten-free and dairy-free. 
     
     
         6 . An edible pet chew comprising:
 about 55 to 80 wt. % of protein;   about 1 to 5 wt. % of fat; and   about 10.0 to 30.0 wt. % of water,   the protein and fat being from rawhide,   the edible pet chew being pliable, and   the edible pet chew being made by a method comprising:   heating the rawhide and water together to provide a cooked rawhide;   mincing the cooked rawhide to provide a minced rawhide;   stirring the minced rawhide to form a whipped mixture;   extruding the whipped mixture to make an extruded product; and   drying the extruded product to form the edible pet chew.   
     
     
         7 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6  further comprising:
 about 3 to 8 wt. % of glycerin. 
 
     
     
         8 . The edible pet chew of  claim 7 , comprising about 5 wt. % of glycerin. 
     
     
         9 . The edible pet chew of  claim 7 , wherein the glycerin is heated with the rawhide and water. 
     
     
         10 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , comprising:
 about 70 wt. % of protein;   about 2.5 wt. % of fat; and   less than or equal to about 20.0 wt. % of water.   
     
     
         11 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , wherein the edible pet chew is gluten-free and dairy-free. 
     
     
         12 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , wherein the edible pet chew has a density of less than about 1.0 g/cc. 
     
     
         13 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , wherein the extruded product is dried with heated air. 
     
     
         14 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , wherein the rawhide and water are heated together at a temperature of 80 to 100° C. to provide the cooked rawhide, 
     
     
         15 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , wherein the rawhide is heated with an equal volume of water to provide the cooked rawhide. 
     
     
         16 . The edible pet chew of  claim 6 , wherein the cooked rawhide is minced to a particle size of 3 to 8 mm using a mincing machine to provide the minced rawhide.