METHODS AND KITS FOR ENHANCING THE ABILITY TO LEARN IN A PUPPY OR KITTEN
Disclosed herein are processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kitten a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid. Further disclosed are processes for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid during gestation, nursing, or weaning of the puppy or kitten. Further disclosed are kits comprising a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid; and information that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.
1 - 41 . (canceled)
42 . A process for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to the puppy or kitten a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid.
43 . The composition of claim 42 , further comprising an omega-6 fatty acid.
44 . The process according to claim 42 , wherein the composition is a supplement composition.
45 . The process according to claim 42 , wherein the composition is a food composition comprising, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 15% docosahexaenoic acid, by weight of the composition.
46 . The process according to claim 45 , wherein said food composition further comprises:
protein in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis; and
fat in an amount of from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.
47 . The process according to claim 42 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of biscuits, chews, gravies, treats, nutritionally balanced kibbles, and semi-moist foods.
48 . The process according to claim 42 , wherein the composition is orally administered during at least weaning of the puppy or kitten.
49 . A process for enhancing ability to learn in a puppy or kitten comprising orally administering to a respective maternal animal a composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid during gestation, weaning, or nursing of the puppy or kitten.
50 . The composition of claim 49 , further comprising an omega-6 fatty acid.
51 . The process according to claim 49 , wherein the composition is a supplement composition.
52 . The process according to claim 49 , wherein the composition is a food composition comprising, on a dry matter basis, from about 0.1% to about 15% docosahexaenoic acid, by weight of the composition.
53 . The process according to claim 52 , wherein said food composition further comprises:
protein in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis; and
fat in an amount of from about 5% to about 35% by weight of the composition on a dry matter basis.
54 . The process according to claim 49 , wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of biscuits, chews, gravies, treats, nutritionally balanced kibbles, and semi-moist foods.
55 . The process according to claim 49 , wherein the composition is orally administered during at least weaning of the puppy or kitten.
56 . The process according to claim 49 , further comprising the step of orally administering to the puppy or kitten the composition during weaning of the puppy or kitten.
57 . A kit comprising: (a) a composition comprising an essential fatty acid component comprising a therapeutically effective amount of docosahexaenoic acid;
and (b) information that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten.
58 . The kit according to claim 57 wherein the composition is a supplement comprising from about 0.1% to about 75%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid or a food composition from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight of docosahexaenoic acid.
59 . The kit according to claim 58 wherein the food composition further comprises, on a dry matter basis, from about 20% to about 50% protein and from about 5% to about 35% fat, by weight of the composition.
60 . The kit according to claim 57 wherein the information is that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten upon oral administration to the puppy or kitten.
61 . The kit according to claim 57 wherein the information is that use of the composition will enhance ability to learn in a puppy or kitten upon oral administration to a respective maternal animal during a process selected from the group consisting of gestation, nursing, weaning, and combinations thereof of the puppy or kitten.