NOVEL COMPOSITIONS FOR PROMOTING EYE HEALTH OF A COMPANION ANIMAL

1 . A palatable composition for promoting the eye health of a companion animal comprising:

a. omega-3 fatty acid oil;

b. at least one anti-inflammatory plant extract; and

c. at least one carotenoid.

2 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 1 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid oil contains an omega-3 fatty acid selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DHA).

3 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 2 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid oil comprises at least two omega-3 fatty acids; wherein a first omega-3 fatty acid is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a second omega-3 fatty acid is docosapentaenoic acid (DHA).

4 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 2 , wherein said omega-3 fatty acid oil further comprises an omega-6 fatty acid.

5 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 4 , wherein said omega-6 fatty acid is linoleic acid.

6 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 1 , wherein said anti-inflammatory plant extract is selected from the group consisting of Euphrasia officinalis extract and Althaea officinalis powder.

7 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 5 , comprising at least two anti-inflammatory plant extract; wherein a first anti-inflammatory plant extract is Euphrasia officinalis extract and a second anti-inflammatory plant extract is Althaea officinalis powder.

8 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 1 , wherein said carotenoid is selected from the group consisting of trans-lutein and zeaxanthin isomers.

9 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 7 , comprising at least two carotenoids; wherein a first carotenoid is trans-lutein and a second carotenoid is zeaxanthin isomers.

10 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 8 , further comprising beta-carotene.

11 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a palatability enhancer.

12 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 11 , wherein said palatability enhancer is an animal derived composition.

13 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 1 , wherein said composition is substantially free of ascorbic acid.

14 . A palatable composition for promoting the eye health of a companion animal comprising:

a. fish oil;

b. safflower oil;

c. Euphrasia officinalis extract;

d. Althaea officinalis powder; and

e. Tagetes erecta extract.

15 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 14 , further comprising

f. beta-carotene; and

g. a salmon palatability enhancer.

16 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 15 , wherein said composition is substantially free of ascorbic acid.

17 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 15 , comprising:

a. between 4 and 16% by weight of fish oil;

b. between 2 and 8% by weight of safflower oil;

c. between 0.5 and 2% by weight of Euphrasia officinalis extract;

d. between 0.25 and 1.2% by weight of Althaea officinalis powder;

e. between 1 and 4% by weight of Tagetes erecta extract;

f. between 0.01 and 0.05% by weight of beta-carotene; and

g. between 2.5 and 10% by weight of a salmon palatability enhancer.

18 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 17 , wherein the water content is less than 6% by weight and has a water activity of less than or equal to 1.0000 at 25° C.

19 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 18 , wherein the composition has a water activity of less than or equal to 0.7 at 25° C.

20 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 19 , further comprising sorbic acid.

21 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 17 , wherein said composition is substantially free of ascorbic acid.

22 . The palatable composition claimed in claim 17 , further comprising carrot powder in an amount of at least 3% by weight.

23 . A method for promoting eye health in a feline or canine companion animal comprising administering to said animal a composition comprising:

a. an amount of fish oil sufficient to provide at least 50 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and at least 25 mg docosapentaenoic acid (DHA);

b. at least 100 mg of a plant oil containing linoleic acid;

c. at least 20 mg of one or more anti-inflammatory plant extracts;

d. an amount of Tagetes erecta extract sufficient to provide at least 3 mg trans-lutein and at least 0.5 mg zeaxanthin isomers;

e. at least 100 mcg RAE beta-carotene; and

f. at least 100 mg of a palatability enhancer;

wherein, said composition has a water activity of less than or equal to 1.0 at 25° C.

24 . The method claimed in claim 22 , wherein the composition further comprises at least 10 mg sorbitol.