Comparing pet foods
Choosing which pet foods is best for your pet can be a headache. And the vast options to choose from doesn't make it any easier.
Fortunately, there's a simple, albeit not too obvious, way to compare pet foods.
Canned pet food is typically 75 to 78 percent moisture, whereas dry pet food is typically 10 to 12 percent moisture. You can directly compare nutrient levels between products with near-equal moisture content.
However, if you want to compare nutrient levels between foods that differ widely in moisture content, say between canned and dry, then we'll need to take a look at the guaranteed analysis on the back.
Dry matter basis
Ever wondered what the "As Fed" and "Dry Matter" percentages mean on the label of your pet's food?
"As Fed" reflects the water weight in the pet food, but comparing a 10% protein canned food to a 20% protein dry kibble is misleading.
That's where the "Dry Matter" comes in. Dry matter or dry matter basis (DMB) evaluates pet food nutrients by removing the water weight.
DMB allows you to compare nutritional value on an equal, moisture-free scale.
Compare pet food:
Compare two foods converting to dry matter basis.
Food A
Food B
Disclaimer: The calculators and tools provided by PetPalate are intended for educational and informational purposes only. Our results are based on publicly available veterinary equations and nutritional guidelines, but they are not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every pet is unique, and their dietary needs can vary significantly based on their specific health conditions, genetics, and lifestyle. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian or board-certified veterinary nutritionist before making any significant changes to your pet's diet, feeding routine, or weight management plan.