Dental diet for reducing tartar

A dried pet food comprising a matrix comprising a protein source, carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber and the dried pet food having an unstriated appearance and comprising a length of at least 15 mm, a width of at least 13.5 mm, and a thickness of at least 12 mm, the length being greater than the thickness wherein the dried pet food has a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3.

A dried pet food comprising a matrix comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, an insoluble fiber and the dried pet food having an unstriated appearance and a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3, wherein the dried pet food comprises a thickness of at least 12 mm and a length that is greater than the thickness.

A dried pet food comprising a matrix comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber, a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3 and the dried pet food comprising a length of at least 15 mm, a width of at least 13.5 mm, and a thickness of at least 12 mm, wherein the length is greater than the thickness.

A dried pet food comprising at least 25% by weight of a kibble having an unstriated appearance and comprising a matrix having a protein source, carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber, and a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3, wherein the dried pet food comprises a thickness of at least 12 mm and a length that is greater than the thickness.

A method of reducing calculus and plaque build-up on a pet's teeth comprising the steps of feeding a dried pet food to a pet;

• and chewing by the pet on the dried pet food having an unstriated appearance and comprising a matrix including a protein source, a carbohydrate source, insoluble fiber, and having a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3, wherein the dried pet food comprises a thickness of at least 12 mm and a length that is greater than the thickness.

A pet food comprising at least two different sized kibbles including a first sized kibble and a second sized kibble wherein the first sized kibble is larger in size than the second sized kibble, wherein the first sized kibble and the second sized kibble are present in a ratio of approximately 20 to about 80% to approximately 80 to about 20%, and at least one kibble having an unstriated appearance and a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lb/ft3.

A method for making a dry pet food comprising the steps of extruding through a non-laminar flow a protein source, carbohydrate source, and an insoluble fiber source to create a dry pet food having an unstriated appearance and having a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3, wherein the dry pet food comprises a thickness of at least 12 mm and a length that is greater than the thickness.

A dried pet food comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, an insoluble fiber source and having an inner cellular structure that is created by a non laminar flow extrusion process wherein the dried pet food has a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3, wherein the dried pet food comprises a thickness of at least 12 mm and a length that is greater than the thickness.

A dried pet food comprising a protein source, a carbohydrate source, an insoluble fiber source and having an inner cellular structure that is characterized by a number of microscopic air pockets wherein the dried pet food has a density that ranges from about 16.8 lbs/ft3 to about 20 lbs/ft3, wherein the dried pet food comprises a thickness of at least 12 mm and a length that is greater than the thickness.