1. What is Dry Matter Calculation?

Dry matter calculation is essential for comparing nutrient content between different pet foods, especially when they have different moisture levels. It removes the variable of water content to give a true comparison of nutrient density.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dry matter equation:

Where:

• \( nutrient \) — Nutrient percentage as listed on the food label
• \( moisture \) — Moisture percentage of the food

Explanation: The equation accounts for the water content in pet food to show the actual nutrient concentration in the dry matter portion.

3. Importance of Dry Matter Calculation

Details: Comparing pet foods based on their label percentages can be misleading if they have different moisture contents. Dry matter basis allows for accurate comparison between wet and dry foods.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the nutrient percentage (protein, fat, etc.) and moisture percentage from the food label. Moisture must be less than 100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why calculate dry matter basis?
A: Wet food might appear to have less protein than dry food when looking at label percentages, but when calculated on dry matter basis, the protein content might actually be similar or higher.

Q2: What's typical moisture content for pet foods?
A: Dry foods typically have 10-12% moisture, semi-moist foods 25-35%, and canned foods 75-78%.

Q3: How do I find the moisture content?
A: Most pet food labels list moisture content in the guaranteed analysis or nutritional information section.

Q4: Can I use this for all nutrients?
A: Yes, you can calculate dry matter basis for protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, and other nutrients.

Q5: What's a good protein percentage on dry matter basis?
A: For cats, generally look for at least 30% protein on dry matter basis, with higher percentages (40-50%) being ideal for obligate carnivores.