Patent ID: 7479286

Claim:
A pet food composition comprising a starch source, a protein source and at least a source of dietary lipids selected for their ability to modulate the content of anti-microbial fatty acids in the epidermis of mammals, wherein the source of dietary lipids is a mix of edible oils and fats or a food containing same, and comprises linoleic or linolenic acid in an amount of at least 1.0% by weight of the composition, dietary palmitoleic acid present in an amount of at least 2.5% to 10% by weight on a dry weight basis of total fatty acids and in an amount of at least 0.02% by weight of the pet food composition, and at least 1.0% of lauric acid by weight of the pet food composition, and in an amount sufficient to prevent or regulate growth of skin pathogens and microflora responsible for the generation of body surface or coat odors.