A pet food composition comprising a meat based material comprised of meat or meat by-products, and an aqueous phase comprised of an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase is provided. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprising an acetyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch in an amount effective to thicken said composition and having a freeze/thaw stability greater than about 5 cycles as well as a method of feeding a canine or feline pet. Also provided is a gravy for a pet food comprised of a hydroxypropyl-substituted waxy cassava inhibited starch having less than about 2.5%, by weight of hydroxylpropyl substituents, in an amount effective to thicken said aqueous phase.
