1. What is Dry Matter Basis?

Dry matter basis is a method of expressing nutrient content in pet food after removing the moisture content. This allows for accurate comparison between different pet food products regardless of their moisture content.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dry matter basis formula:

Where:

• \( Nutrient \) — The percentage of the nutrient in the food (as fed basis)
• \( Moisture \) — The percentage of moisture in the food

Explanation: The formula 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 wet, dry, and semi-moist foods. This calculation provides a standardized way to evaluate nutritional content.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the nutrient percentage (as listed on the pet food label) and the 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 pet food comparison?
A: Wet foods contain much more water than dry foods, which dilutes their nutrient percentages. Dry matter basis removes this variable for accurate comparison.

Q2: Where can I find the moisture content of pet food?
A: Most pet foods list moisture content in the guaranteed analysis or nutritional information panel.

Q3: Can I use this for any nutrient?
A: Yes, the dry matter calculation works for protein, fat, fiber, or any other nutrient percentage.

Q4: What's a typical moisture content for pet foods?
A: Dry foods usually have 6-10% moisture, semi-moist 25-35%, and wet foods 70-85%.

Q5: How does this affect calorie calculations?
A: Dry matter basis helps understand nutrient density, but calorie content is also affected by the actual water content the pet consumes.