1. What is Dry Matter Weight?

Dry matter weight represents the actual nutritional content of dog food after removing all moisture. It's essential for comparing different foods with varying moisture contents.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dry matter formula:

Where:

• \( Wet\ Weight \) — The total weight of the dog food including moisture (lbs)
• \( Moisture \) — The percentage of water content in the food (%)

Explanation: The formula calculates the weight of just the solid components by removing the water weight from the total weight.

3. Importance of Dry Matter Calculation

Details: Comparing dog foods based on wet weight can be misleading since moisture content varies. Dry matter basis allows accurate comparison of nutritional value between different foods.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total weight of the dog food in pounds and the moisture percentage (typically found on the food label). Moisture must be between 0-100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What's typical moisture content in dog foods?
A: Dry kibble: 6-10%, Semi-moist: 25-35%, Canned: 70-85%.

Q3: How does this affect feeding amounts?
A: Higher moisture foods appear heavier but may contain less actual nutrients per pound. Always compare on dry matter basis.

Q4: Can I use this for homemade dog food?
A: Yes, if you know the moisture percentage. For fresh foods, moisture is typically 60-80%.

Q5: Does this account for nutrient bioavailability?
A: No, this only calculates weight. Nutrient absorption depends on food quality and preparation.