GB2525843A

GB2525843A - Animal hydrating composition with luring effect

Info

Publication number: GB2525843A
Application number: GB1404459.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Catriona Paterson
Original assignee: CAT S TONICS Ltd
Current assignee: CAT S TONICS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-13
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2015-11-11
Also published as: GB201404459D0

Abstract

An aqueous composition comprises an animal-type specific potent olfactory attractant, preferably in a concentration range of 1 to 10 micrograms per litre. Preferably the composition also contains a flavour pleasant to the type of animal for which the potent olfactory attractant is specific. Preferably the flavouring is gravy based. The potent olfactory attractant may be feline specific and comprise a plant of the Nepeta genus such as catnip, a valerian extract, an extract from the roots of Acalypha indica, actinidine or tatarian honeysuckle sawdust extract. The potent olfactory attractant may be canine specific and comprise an extract of star anise. Preferably the aqueous composition is buffered at a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. Also disclosed is a concentrated fluid composition and a dry composition such that the aqueous composition of above is formed when diluted with water. The composition may be used as drinking water to encourage cats to drink.

Description

1 Animal hydrating composition with luring effect 3 The present invention pertains to the technical field of food supplements for 4 animals, particularly, but not limited to, to food supplements for pets. The S present invention is especially suitable for cats and dogs, but it could also be 6 used for animals kept in zoos, farm animals, wild animals, etc. A particular 7 object of the present invention is to encourage certain animals to drink in order 8 to prevent their dehydration and associated health problems.

Background to the invention

12 One of the most important physiological factors for living beings is to maintain 13 an adequate level of body hydration. To that end, every living being needs a 14 regular supply of water to maintain a healthy condition. For example, plants do is require watering in periodic intervals and animals do normally drink or get water 16 inside their bodies by other means on a regular basis.

18 Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water and also occurs when a living 19 being does not get enough water to maintain its metabolic optimum hydration.

Prolonged dehydration can be fatal to most living beings and can certainly lead 21 to serious health problems to a living organism due to the disruption of 22 metabolic processes.

24 In vertebrate animals, among the symptoms of mild dehydration are thirst, headaches, decreased blood pressure, constipation, decreased urine volume, 26 etc. Moderate dehydration causes more serious problems, such as reduced 27 urine output, seizures, lethargy, fainting, etc. Severe dehydration is likely to 28 cause increased breath and heart rate, increased body temperature, painful 29 urination, nauseas, sleepiness, delirium, etc and even death.

31 Dehydration in vertebrates can be the result of other health conditions such as 32 diarrhoea, hyperthermia, vomiting, burns, infectious diseases, malnutrition, 33 diabetes, etc or simply can be caused by not drinking enough water.

2 It is important that vertebrates drink regularly to avoid dehydration and 3 especially important when other circumstances that increase water loss appear.

4 Thirst is a sensation that prompts animals, including humans, to drink or S increase water intake in any way and because thirst is one of the first symptoms 6 of dehydration, animals tend to keep hydrated by themselves.

8 However, there are situations in which animals are reluctant to drink and this 9 can cause serious health problems, such as those mentioned above, or even death. For instance, cats affected by feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) ii usually do not want to drink water, which may exacerbate their condition and 12 therefore cause even more reluctance to drink.

14 FLUTD can be cause by different factors, such as uroliths in the urinary tract, a is diet rich in magnesium which contributes to urolith formation, urethral 16 obstruction, infectious diseases, etc. Uroliths are little crystals that form in the 17 urinary tract and their formation is commonly caused by raised struvite or 18 calcium oxalate concentrations in the urine.

FLUID cause severe distress, pain and suffering to cats and can even lead to 21 death. Prolonged dehydration can lead to FLUTD and worsen the symptoms of 22 cats with this condition. Therefore is important that cats drink enough water 23 regularly.

Not only cats or felines can suffer urinary tract disease, dogs are also at risk of 26 suffering this condition and they are also very likely to reduce their water intake 27 as a result of painful urination, which only make things worse. In fact, many 28 animals, whether pets, in zoos, farms or in the wild are at risk of dehydration 29 and it is important that animals drink regularly. However, unlike humans, animals are not aware of the risks of dehydration and they behave only in 31 response to their instinct and primary feelings, unless they are trained.

1 The problem is how to make an animal drink regularly if the animal is unwilling 2 to drink. There are many strategies that have been used to date, such as 3 training with rewards every time the animal drinks, feeding moist or wet food to 4 the animals, ensuring there is plenty of water available, installing fountains which might attract the animals to drink, adding flavours to the water, etc. 7 However, in many occasions these methods do not work, do not make the 8 reluctant animals drink enough water or the pet or animal owner simply does 9 not have time or resources to apply any these measures.

ii It is among the objectives of the present invention to solve or at least partially 12 mitigate some of the disadvantages encountered in the prior art, in particular to 13 reduce the time, efforts and resources involved in making an animal: who is 14 unwilling to drink, to drink enough and regularly.

16 Summary of the invention

18 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an aqueous 19 composition comprising an animal-type specific potent olfactory attractant.

21 An aqueous composition comprising an animal-type specific potent olfactory 22 attractant is useful for luring certain type of animals, of which some individuals 23 might be reluctant to drink, into drinking water and therefore keep themselves 24 properly hydrated.

26 The advantage of being specific for certain type of animals is, on one hand, that 27 the luring effect is more effective for the target type of animals and on another 28 hand is that other types of animals living in the same area will not be so 29 attracted to drink the aqueous composition, and therefore the aqueous composition comprising the animal-type specific olfactory attractant will not be 31 consumed by other types of animals that share the same living space and will 32 last longer.

2 The advantage of comprising a potent olfactory attractant is also double 3 because on one hand, the luring effect of the olfactory attractant is effective for 4 the desired animal type even at long distances from the location of the aqueous S composition and on another hand, a small quantity of the attractant is enough 6 for the luring effect to take place and therefore other animals, including humans, 7 do not perceive any odour caused by the aqueous composition comprising the 8 olfactory attractant.

The aqueous composition may comprise an animal-type specific potent 11 olfactory attractant in a concentration range of 1 to 10 micrograms per litre.

13 By using a concentration range between 1 to 10 micrograms per litre, the luring 14 effect of the animal-type specific potent olfactory attractant is effective at great is distances without cause odours which can be perceived by other types of 16 animals living in the surrounding areas. This is particularly advantageous in 17 cases when the animal to be kept properly hydrated is a pet living in a 18 residential house. In this way, the luring effect can be achieved without 19 imparting any odour to a household which could disturb other inhabitants, particularly pet owners.

22 The aqueous composition may comprise a flavouring agent imparting a flavour 23 pleasant to the type of animal for which the potent olfactory attractant is 24 specific.

26 By adding a flavouring agent pleasant to the type of animals upon which the 27 olfactory attractant has a luring effect, the animals will be encouraged to drink 28 larger amounts of the aqueous composition containing it and therefore the 29 animals are properly hydrated for longer periods of time.

31 The flavouring agent may be a gravy-based flavouring agent. By adding a gravy 32 flavouring agent, not only a pleasant flavour is imparted to the aqueous 33 composition but also additional nutrients are provided to the animals.

2 Optionally, the animal-type specific potent olfactory attractant may comprise a 3 feline specific potent olfactory attractant.

S An aqueous composition comprising a feline specific potent olfactory attractant 6 is useful for luring felines, such as cat pets or felines in a zoo, which may be 7 reluctant to drink, into drinking water and therefore keep themselves properly 8 hydrated or avoid being dehydrated without any training or coercion or other 9 measures.

ii The feline specific potent olfactory attractant may comprise an extract of at least 12 one plant of the Nepeta genus. Preferably the extract of a plant of the Nepeta 13 genus comprises an extract of catnip (Nepeta Cataria).

is The feline specific potent olfactory attractant may comprise nepetalactone.

17 Catnip is a plant which potent olfactory attraction to felines is well known. Catnip 18 contains the potent feline olfactory attractant nepetalactone. Nepetalactone is a 19 plant terpenoid and is the main constituent of catnip essential oil. Other plants of the Nepeta genus also contain nepetalactone.

22 Additionally or alternatively the feline specific potent olfactory attractant may 23 comprise an extract selected from the group of valerian extract (Valeriana 24 Officinalis), extract of the roots of Acalypha kid/ca, extract of plants that contain actinidine and tatarian honeysuckle sawdust extract and mixtures thereof.

27 By adding extracts of the above-mentioned plant materials to the aqueous 28 composition, the spectrum of felines that are lured into drinking the aqueous 29 composition may be broader.

31 Alternatively, the animal-type specific potent olfactory attractant may comprise a 32 canine specific potent olfactory attractant.

1 An aqueous composition comprising a feline specific potent olfactory attractant 2 is useful for luring canines, such as dog pets or canines in a zoo, which may be 3 reluctant to drink, into drinking water and therefore keep themselves properly 4 hydrated or avoid being dehydrated without any training or coercion.

6 Preferably the canine specific potent olfactory attractant comprises an extract of 7 star anise.

9 Star anise and other plants of the same family have a similar effect on dogs that catnip or nepetalactone on cats. Star anise and other plants of the same genus 11 are therefore potent canine olfactory attractants. Star anise has additional 12 health benefits for dogs such as controlling tapeworm population in the gut, 13 repelling fleas, and as an antiseptic against bad breadth odour.

is Other animal specific olfactory attractants may be used without departing from 16 the principles of the invention, such as reptile specific, avian specific, or even to 17 specific genus of certain animal types, such as bovine specific, snake specific, 18 etc. Optionally the aqueous composition comprising an animal-type specific potent 21 olfactory attractant may be buffered at a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.

23 By buffering the pH of the aqueous composition between the pH range of 6.0 to 24 6.5 the possibility of struvite crystals forming in the urinary tract of animals is greatly reduced.

27 Struvite crystals formation is favoured when the pH of the urine is higher than 28 6.8. When struvite crystals form in the urinary tract, it may become infected, 29 swollen and/or plugged and this might lead to lower urinary tract disease.

Animals with lower urinary tract disease are likely to be reluctant to drink, 31 because urinating becomes painful. This can lead to dehydration which might 32 evolve to more serious health problems or even death.

1 Additionally, struvite stones and crystals form easily in the urine of animals that 2 are infected with ammonia-producing bacteria. They are potentiated by alkaline 3 urine and high magnesium excretion due to high magnesium diets (especially 4 plant-based diets). They also are potentiated by a specific urinary protein S present in domestic cats.

7 In first place, regular dehydration is a major risk of urinary tract disease. Urinary 8 tract disease might cause that an animal does not want to drink, which in turn 9 increases the likelihood of crystals formation in the urine or in the urinary tract and other health problems. Since animals other than humans are not aware of 11 the need to drink regularly and in sufficient amounts to avoid dehydration and 12 associated problems, it is therefore very important to ensure that they drink 13 enough water regularly. Thirst is normally triggered when the body is mildly 14 dehydrated and normally animals tend to rehydrate by themselves. However, if is by any circumstance, an animal does not want to drink, or is reluctant to drink 16 enough fluids, then it is at serious risk of suffer from dehydration and its 17 associated health problems.

19 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a concentrated fluid composition so that an aqueous composition according to the 21 first aspect of the invention can be formed by dilution with water.

23 A concentrated fluid composition may be a more suitable embodiment of the 24 present invention for commercialisation or storage. The aqueous compositions according to the first aspect of the invention can be formed in the place of use 26 by diluting the concentrated fluid composition with a certain amount of drinking 27 water.

29 Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may comprise one or more features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa.

1 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a dry 2 composition so that an aqueous composition according to the first aspect of the 3 invention can be formed by dilution with water.

S A dry composition may be a more suitable embodiment of the present invention 6 for commercialisation or storage. The aqueous compositions according to the 7 first aspect of the invention can be formed in the place of use by diluting the dry 8 composition with a certain amount of drinking water.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may comprise one or more 11 features of the first and/or second aspects of the invention or their 12 embodiments, or vice versa.

is Detailed description of preferred embodiments

17 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example 18 only. Other modifications of the following embodiments are considered to be 19 within the scope of the present invention and these examples are meant to merely illustrate the principles of the invention.

22 EXAMPLE 1

24 An embodiment of the present invention is a gravy flavoured aqueous drink that specifically incites cats to drink it. The drink is an aqueous composition that 26 complements an existing diet, ensuring that cats ingest enough water to remain 27 properly hydrated.

29 This aqueous gravy based composition comprises a catnip (Nepeta Cataria) extract in a proportion of 5 micrograms per litre (ig/l) or pads per billion (ppb).

31 Catnip is a plant that produces an aroma or scent that specifically attracts cats 32 and triggers in them a licking reaction that is needed for drinking. Whilst the 33 properties of catnip are well known for being a stimulant and subsequent 1 relaxant for cats, it is the specific and potent olfactory attraction to cats of the 2 catnip scent that is used to lure those cats who are reluctant to drink into 3 drinking the aqueous composition. It is also important to note that at this low 4 concentration, the scent of the catnip will be perceived by cats only and other S people or pets living in the surroundings will not notice it.

7 Catnip contains the feline attractant nepetalactone. Nepetalactone is a plant 8 terpenoid and is the main constituent of catnip essential oil. Other plants of the 9 Nepeta genus also contain nepetalactone. The nepetalactone is a feline attractant that acts on the feline's nose. Cats detect it with their olfactory ii epithelium, where it binds to one or more olfactory receptors. About half to two 12 thirds of the cats are affected by this phenomenon.

14 Other plants that have a similar effect on cats are valerian (Valeriana Officina/is), the roots of Aca/ypha indica and plants that contain actinidine.

16 Tatarian honeysuckle sawdust may affect cats that are not affected by catnip.

18 At low doses, such as in the present embodiments, none of these plants 19 present dangerous health effects on cats or other animals.

21 The pH of this aqueous composition is buffered between 6.0 and 6.5 thereby 22 reducing the possibility of struvite crystals forming in the urinary tract of cats.

23 pH values higher than 6.8 should be avoided because they increase the 24 possibility of struvite crystals and stone formation in the urinary tract.

26 The present embodiment is specially suited for cats who are reluctant to drink 27 and for those who are prone to suffer from feline lower urinary tract disease 28 (FLUTD).

EXAMPLE 2

32 Another embodiment of the present invention is a gravy flavoured aqueous 33 drink that specifically incites dogs to drink it. The drink is an aqueous 1 composition that complements an existing diet, ensuring that dogs ingest 2 enough water to remain properly hydrated.

4 This aqueous gravy based composition comprises a star anise (I//ic/urn Verurn) extract in a proportion of 5 micrograms per litre (igIl) or pads per billion (ppb).

6 Star anise is a plant and a spice and releases an aroma or scent that 7 specifically attracts dogs and triggers in them a licking reaction that is needed 8 for drinking. Whilst the properties of star anise for dogs are relatively unknown, 9 it is the specific and potent olfactory attraction to dogs of the star anise scent that is used to lure those dogs who are reluctant to drink into drinking the 11 aqueous composition. It is also important to note that at this low concentration, 12 the scent of the star anise will be perceived by dogs only and other people or 13 pets living in the surroundings will not notice it.

Star anise and other plants of the same family have a similar effect on dogs that 16 catnip on cats. Star anise and other plants of the same genus are therefore 17 canine attractants. Star anise has additional health benefits for dogs such as 18 controlling tapeworm population in the gut, repelling fleas, and as an antiseptic 19 against bad breadth odour.

21 At low doses, such as in the present embodiment, star anise does not present 22 dangerous effects on dogs or other animals.

24 The pH of this aqueous composition is buffered between 6.0 and 6.5 thereby reducing the possibility of struvite crystals forming in the urinary tract of dogs.

26 pH values higher than 6.8 should be avoided because they increase the 27 possibility of struvite crystals and stone formation in the urinary tract.

29 The present embodiment is specially suited for dogs who are reluctant to drink and for those who are prone to suffer from urinary tract disease.

32 The present invention provides aqueous compositions that comprise potent and 33 specific olfactory attractants of certain type of animal. These compositions are 1 useful to incite a certain type of animal to drink and therefore to keep 2 themselves properly hydrated in an easy and comfortable way for the animal 3 owner. They are especially useful for inciting pets which are reluctant to drink, 4 to keep hydrated by regular and sufficient drinking, such as cats or dogs suffering from urinary tract disease. Additional substances with other beneficial 6 effects specific to the certain type of animal could also be included in the 7 composition. The product may be also supplied in the form of a concentrate or S in dry form, such as powder or tablets so that an aqueous composition can be 9 easily prepared by dilution with water.

11 Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as herein 12 described, and embodiments of the invention may include combinations of 13 features other than those expressly described.