1. What is Dry Matter Calculation?

Dry matter calculation is essential for comparing nutrient content in pet foods with different moisture levels. It removes the water content to give a true picture of the nutrient concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dry matter formula:

Where:

• \( nutrient\_as\_fed \) — Nutrient percentage as listed on the label
• \( dry\_matter\% \) — 100 minus the moisture percentage

Explanation: The equation converts the "as fed" nutrient value to what it would be if all moisture were removed.

3. Importance of Dry Matter Basis

Details: Dry matter basis allows accurate comparison between wet and dry foods, and between brands with different moisture contents. It's crucial for dietary planning and nutritional evaluation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the nutrient percentage as shown on the label and the dry matter percentage (100 - moisture%). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why calculate dry matter basis?
A: Moisture content varies greatly between foods (10% in dry kibble vs 75% in wet food). DM basis shows the true nutrient concentration.

Q2: How do I find dry matter percentage?
A: Subtract the moisture percentage (from the guaranteed analysis) from 100. For example, if moisture is 10%, DM is 90%.

Q3: What nutrients should I calculate?
A: Most important are protein, fat, and fiber. Carbohydrates can be estimated by difference (100% - protein% - fat% - fiber% - ash%).

Q4: Does this work for all pet foods?
A: Yes, the calculation works for dog food, cat food, and other animal feeds regardless of form (kibble, canned, raw, etc.).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise, but assumes the labeled values are accurate. For exact formulation, laboratory analysis may be needed.