1. What is Dry Matter Basis?

Dry matter basis is a method of comparing pet foods by removing the moisture content, allowing for accurate nutrient comparisons between different products regardless of their moisture content.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dry matter basis formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation converts "as fed" nutrient percentages to their dry matter equivalent by accounting for the moisture content.

3. Importance of Dry Matter Calculation

Details: Comparing pet foods on a dry matter basis is essential because moisture content varies widely (from 6% in dry kibble to 80% in canned foods), which affects the actual nutrient concentration.

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%, with moisture less than 100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Where can I find the moisture content of pet food?
A: Most pet foods list moisture content in the guaranteed analysis section on the label.

Q3: What's a typical moisture content for different pet food types?
A: Dry kibble: 6-10%, Semi-moist: 25-35%, Canned: 70-80%.

Q4: Can I compare protein percentages directly from labels?
A: No, you must convert to dry matter basis first if comparing different food types (dry vs. wet).

Q5: How does this affect calorie calculations?
A: Dry matter basis helps understand true nutrient density, which correlates with caloric density.