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 formula:

Where:

• \( Nutrient \) — Nutrient percentage as listed on the pet food label
• \( Moisture \) — Moisture percentage in 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: Calculating dry matter basis is essential for comparing nutrient levels between wet and dry pet foods, as well as for formulating balanced diets.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the nutrient percentage and moisture percentage as listed on the pet food label. Both values must be between 0-100%, with moisture less than 100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use dry matter basis instead of as-fed values?
A: Dry matter basis removes the variable of moisture content, allowing for accurate comparison between different types of pet food (wet vs. dry).

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

Q3: How does this affect protein comparison?
A: A wet food might show 8% protein (as-fed) but 32% on dry matter basis, while a dry food shows 26% protein (as-fed) and 29% on dry matter basis.

Q4: Are there limitations to dry matter basis?
A: While excellent for nutrient comparison, it doesn't account for digestibility or bioavailability of nutrients.

Q5: Should I use this for all nutrient comparisons?
A: Yes, for accurate comparisons of protein, fat, fiber, and other nutrients between different pet food formulations.