Pet foods made by retorting at least one of yogurt, cheese, animal milk, or plant milk; and methods of making and using such pet foods

A method of manufacturing a pet food may include retorting a composition comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of (i) yogurt, (ii) cheese and (iii) a combination of one or more hydrocolloids and at least one of an animal milk or a plant-based dairy alternative to form the shelf-stable pet food. A product may include the pet food and also a container housing the pet food, the container including instructions to administer the pet food to a pet, preferably a companion animal, most preferably a cat. A method of providing nutrition to a pet may include administering the pet food to a pet, preferably a companion animal, most preferably a cat. The pet food optionally consists of the retorted material. The pet food optionally is low in lactose or lactose-free and optionally includes no added sugar relative to that in the material subjected to the retorting.