1. What is Dry Matter Calculation?

Dry matter calculation converts as-fed nutrient percentages to dry matter basis, which is essential for accurate comparison between different dog foods with varying moisture contents.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dry matter equation:

Where:

• \( As\ fed \) — Nutrient percentage in as-fed basis
• \( Moisture \) — Moisture percentage in the food

Explanation: The equation removes the effect of moisture to show the true nutrient concentration in the food.

3. Importance of Dry Matter Calculation

Details: Comparing dog foods on a dry matter basis eliminates the variability caused by different moisture contents, allowing for accurate nutrient comparison between wet, dry, and semi-moist foods.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the as-fed nutrient percentage and moisture percentage. Both values must be between 0-100%, and moisture must be less than 100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is dry matter basis important for dog food?
A: It allows fair comparison between foods with different moisture contents (e.g., dry kibble vs. canned food).

Q2: What's a typical moisture content in dog food?
A: Dry kibble: 6-10%, Semi-moist: 25-35%, Canned: 70-80%.

Q3: How does moisture affect nutrient percentages?
A: Higher moisture dilutes nutrient percentages in as-fed basis, making foods appear less nutrient-dense than they actually are.

Q4: Should I use dry matter basis for feeding amounts?
A: No, feeding amounts should be based on as-fed values since that's how you actually measure the food.

Q5: Are there limitations to dry matter calculations?
A: They don't account for nutrient bioavailability or digestibility, just concentration.