1. What is Dry Matter Basis?

Dry Matter Basis (DMB) is a method of expressing nutrient content in pet food after removing the moisture content. This allows for accurate comparison between different pet foods regardless of their moisture content.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Dry Matter Basis equation:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Dry Matter Calculation

Details: Comparing pet foods on a dry matter basis is essential because moisture content varies widely between different types of food (dry kibble, canned, raw, etc.).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the nutrient percentage (as listed on the pet food label) and the moisture content percentage. Moisture must be less than 100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is dry matter basis important for pet food?
A: It allows accurate comparison between different types of pet food (dry, wet, raw) by removing the variable of moisture content.

Q2: Where can I find the moisture content of pet food?
A: It's usually listed in the guaranteed analysis section on the pet food label. For dry kibble it's typically 10-12%, canned food 70-80%.

Q3: How does dry matter basis affect protein comparison?
A: A canned food might show lower protein percentage than dry food, but when converted to dry matter basis, the protein content may actually be higher.

Q4: Can I use this for all nutrients?
A: Yes, the dry matter basis calculation works for protein, fat, fiber, and other nutrients listed as percentages.

Q5: What's the typical dry matter protein content for good quality pet food?
A: For dogs, generally 25-30% DMB protein; for cats, 30-40% DMB protein, though needs vary by life stage and health status.