Projectile pet food

A launching apparatus and edible animal food projectile therefor comprising:

• a launching apparatus including a launching portion;
• an animal food projectile, the projectile including an edible body made from a starch-based material consisting essentially of an expanded starch, the edible body formed into a predefined geometry and having a first density;
• and a payload embedded on or within the edible body, the payload being formed from a material having a second density greater than the first density of the edible body;
• and
• the edible body configured to operatively engage the launching portion of the launching apparatus and to be forcibly ejected thereby with a launching force sufficient to cause separation of the projectile from the launching apparatus and temporary flight.