Patent ID: 7537794

Claim:
A process for making an animal chew comprising the following order or steps: a) washing a sweet potato to remove all dirt and debris; then b) heating the washed sweet potato at a temperature of about 60 to 90° F. (16 to 32° C.) for a time sufficient to reduce breakage of the sweet potato; then c) slicing the washed sweet potato into segments of desired shape and thickness with a furrowed surface; then d) exposing the segmented sweet potato to water heated to a temperature between about 200 and 220° F. (93 and 104° C.) for a time sufficient to eliminate any debris; then e) steaming the segmented sweet potato at a temperature and time sufficient to stop all enzymatic activity; then f) dehydrating the steamed sweet potato to a moisture content of between about 11 and 20%; then g) storing the dehydrated sweet potato in a moisture-controlled environment for up to three weeks; and then h) treating the dehydrated sweet potato of step (g) with additional nutrients or flavorants.