Preparation of the Compositions of the Invention
[0062] The compositions of the invention, which are to be administered to animals in need of the methods disclosed herein, may be prepared as food products suitable for consumption by the animals. These food products may be of any consistency or moisture content; i.e., the compositions of the present invention may be moist, semi-moist, or dry food products. "Moist" food products are generally those with a moisture content of ตั้งแต่ 60% ถึง 90% or greater. "Dry" food products are generally those with a moisture content of ตั้งแต่ 3% ถึง 11%, and are often manufactured in the form of small pieces or kibbles. "Semi-moist food products generally have a moisture content of ตั้งแต่ 25% ถึง 35%. The food products of the present invention may also include components of more than one consistency, for example, soft, chewy meat-like particles or pieces as well as kibble having an outer cereal component or coating and an inner "cream" component, e.g., as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,517,877.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the food products may be prepared in a canned or wet form using conventional food preparation processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Typically, ground animal proteinaceous tissues are mixed with the other ingredients, such as cereal grains, suitable คาร์โบไฮเดรต sources, fats, oils, and balancing ingredients, including special purpose additives such as vitamin and mineral mixtures, inorganic salts, cellulose, and the like, and water in an amount sufficient for processing. The ingredients are mixed in a vessel suitable for heating while blending the components. Heating the mixture is carried out using any suitable manner, for example, direct steam injection or using a vessel fitted with a heat exchanger. Following addition of all of the ingredients of the formulation, the mixture is heated to a temperature of ตั้งแต่ 50 °F to 212 °F. Although temperatures outside this range can be used, they may be commercially-impractical without the use of other processing aids. When heated to the appropriate temperature, the material will typically be in the form of thick liquid, which is dispensed into cans. A lid is applied and the container is hermetically sealed. The sealed can is then placed in convention equipment designed for sterilization of the contents. Sterilization is usually accomplished by heating to temperatures of greater than 230 °C for an appropriate time depending on the temperature used, the nature of the composition, and related factors. The compositions and food products of the present invention can also be added to or combined with food compositions before, during, or after their preparation.