Methods and compositions for improving the health of animals

1. A method of reducing shedding in a canine animal in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said canine animal a composition comprising an oligomeric material in an amount sufficient to reduce shedding, wherein said oligomeric material is formed by reaction of 6 to 8 molar equivalents of oxygen with a carotenoid and has a median molecular weight of about 900 Daltons, and wherein from 0.1 mg/kg body weight to 3 mg/kg body weight of said oligomeric material is administered to said canine animal daily.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is mixed with food and administered orally to said canine animal.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said food is a wet animal food or a dry animal food or said food is in the form of a kibble, a chew, a tablet, or a soft edible treat.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is administered to said canine animal as an oral supplement.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said oral supplement is a palatable paste or gel.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said paste or gel comprises from 2 mg/tablespoon to 750 mg/tablespoon of said oligomeric.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said canine animal is a mature canine animal.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is provided in a comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form comprising from 2 mg to 130 mg of said oligomeric material and is formulated to be palatable to canines.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form is a kibble, a chew, a tablet, or a soft edible treat.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form is a chewable tablet and wherein said unit dosage form comprises from 2 mg to 75 mg of said oligomeric material.

11. A method of increasing joint mobility of a canine animal having poor joint mobility or increasing the activity level in a canine animal having a low activity level, said method comprising administering to said canine animal a composition comprising an oligomeric material in an amount sufficient to increase said joint mobility or increase said activity level, wherein said oligomeric material is formed by reaction of 6 to 8 molar equivalents of oxygen with a carotenoid and has a median molecular weight of about 900 Daltons, and wherein from 0.1 mg/kg body weight to 3 mg/kg body weight of said oligomeric material is administered to said canine animal daily.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said composition is mixed with food and administered orally to said canine animal.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said food is a wet animal food or a dry animal food or said food is in the form of a kibble, a chew, a tablet, or a soft edible treat.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said composition is administered to said canine animal as an oral supplement.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said oral supplement is a palatable paste or gel.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said paste or gel comprises from 2 mg/tablespoon to 750 mg/tablespoon of said oligomeric material.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein said canine animal is a mature canine animal.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein said composition comprising is provided in a comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form comprising from 2 mg to 130 mg of said oligomeric material and is formulated to be palatable to canines.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form is a kibble, a chew, a tablet, or a soft edible treat.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein said comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form is a chewable tablet and wherein said unit dosage form comprises from 2 mg to 75 mg of said oligomeric material.

21. A method of reducing discoloration in an eye of a canine animal having pigmentation spots in said eye, said method comprising administering to said canine animal a composition comprising an oligomeric material in an amount sufficient to reduce said discoloration, wherein said oligomeric material is formed by reaction of 6 to 8 molar equivalents of oxygen with a carotenoid and has a median molecular weight of about 900 Daltons, and wherein said discoloration is discoloration arising from said pigmentation spots, and wherein from 0.1 mg/kg body weight to 3 mg/kg body weight of said oligomeric material is administered to said canine animal daily.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said composition is mixed with food and administered orally to said canine animal.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein said food is a wet animal food or a dry animal food or said food is in the form of a kibble, a chew, a tablet, or a soft edible treat.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein said composition is administered to said canine animal as an oral supplement.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein said oral supplement is a palatable paste or gel.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein said paste or gel comprises from 2 mg/tablespoon to 750 mg/tablespoon of said oligomeric material.

27. The method of claim 21 , wherein said canine animal is a mature canine animal.

28. The method of claim 21 , wherein said composition is provided in a comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form comprising from 2 mg to 130 mg of said oligomeric material and is formulated to be palatable to canines.

29. The method of claim 28 , wherein said comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form is a kibble, a chew, a tablet, or a soft edible treat.

30. The method of claim 28 , wherein said comestible solid composition in a unit dosage form is a chewable tablet and wherein said unit dosage form comprises from 2 mg to 75 mg of said oligomeric material.