Hairball Control Through Dietary Mineral Limitation

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for controlling hairball formation in animals, particularly for treating and/or preventing hairball formation, elimination, and/or discharge by companion animals, including cats and dogs, by limitation of dietary minerals. The methods comprise feeding the animals in need of such treatment compositions comprising from 0.60% to 0.74% calcium by dry weight of the composition; from 0.50% to 0.69% phosphorous by dry weight of the composition; and from 0.06% to 0.28% sodium by dry weight of the composition, in an amount and for a time sufficient for treatment and/or prevention of hairball formation in the animal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing hairball formation in an animal in need thereof, the method comprising:
 feeding the animal a previous diet comprising greater than 0.74% calcium, greater than 0.69% phosphorus, and greater than 0.28% sodium, each by dry weight of the composition;   reducing amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and sodium consumed by the animal, wherein reducing the amount of calcium, phosphorus, and sodium comprises:
 feeding the animal a composition comprising less than or equal to 0.74% calcium, less than or equal to 0.69% phosphorous, and less than or equal to 0.28% sodium, each by dry weight of the composition, 
 wherein the composition is fed to the animal in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce a frequency of hairball discharge by the animal; and 
   reducing the frequency of hairball discharged by the animal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a non-human animal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a companion animal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the animal is a feline. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the animal is a canine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a nutritionally complete diet. 
     
     
         7 . A food composition comprising:
 from 5% to 75% protein by dry weight of the composition;   from 5% to 50% fat by dry weight of the composition;   from 5% to 75% carbohydrate by weight of the composition;   less than or equal to 0.74% calcium by dry weight of the composition;   less than or equal to 0.69% phosphorous by dry weight of the composition;   less than or equal to 0.28% sodium by dry weight of the composition;   wherein the food composition is suitable for consumption by an animal; and   wherein the composition is effective for reducing hairball formation in the animal.   
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , comprising from 0.60% to 0.74% calcium by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , comprising from 0.70% to 0.74% calcium by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , comprising from 0.50% to 0.69% phosphorous by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , comprising from 0.60% to 0.69% phosphorous by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , comprising from 0.06% to 0.28% sodium by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , comprising from 0.10% to 0.28% sodium by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , comprising from 0.20% to 0.28% sodium by dry weight of the composition 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 7 , comprising 0.74% calcium, 0.69% phosphorous, and 0.28% sodium, each by dry weight of the composition. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the animal is a companion animal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the companion animal is a feline. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the companion animal is a canine. 
     
     
         19 . A method for preparing a food product for reducing hairball formation in an animal in need thereof, the method comprising:
 admixing suitable sources of protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals, and vitamins; and   processing the mixture to provide the food product;   adjusting the sources of protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals, and vitamins such that the food product comprises: less than or equal to 0.74% calcium, less than or equal to 0.69% phosphorous, and less than or equal to 0.28% sodium, each by dry weight of the food product.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein adjusting the sources of protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals, and vitamins comprises:
 reducing the amount of calcium to less than or equal to 0.74%, by dry weight of the food product;   reducing the amount of phosphorus to less than or equal to 0.69%, by dry weight of the food product; and   reducing the amount of sodium to less than or equal to 0.28%, by dry weight of the food product.