This classification relies mainly on the water content and processing method, while the nutritional
value on a dry matter basis is nearly the same for the different food forms.
In general it is assumed that the protein percentage on the label of a canned food can be multiplied by a factor of 4 to get the amount of protein that is
present on a dry matter basis.
Hill's research seemed to show that a diet that had an iodine level at or below 0.32
ppm on a dry matter basis returned the blood total thyroxine of cats to normal range within 8 - 12 wks.
This means that if a diet listed itself as 25 % meat, it would really only be 6 %
meat on a dry matter basis, which is exactly what you get when you dehydrate chicken into meal.
Listing two or three grain sources is a way to hide the fact that when you add up all the grains they comprise the vast majority of the
diet on a dry matter basis.
8 percent protein on the label translates to 44.4 percent protein
on a dry matter basis once you remove the 82 percent moisture in the can.
«photograph by the authorFigure 1: Selected Components of Various Hays on a Dry Matter Basis
(3.0 / 5) Fresh whole eggs: Eggs are a good source of protein, but whole eggs could include some shell (AAFCO accepts up to 6 %
ash on dry matter basis).
At first glance, it might appear that the dry food has a higher amount of protein than the canned food — but this is not
true on a dry matter basis which considers the food minus the water.
You can consult our Dog Food Selector and read our dog food reviews which include the information about the quality of ingredients and guaranteed
analysis on a dry matter basis for each diet analyzed.
If your dog will not eat one of the commercial therapeutic diets, you will either need to home cook or find another diet that is appropriately low in fat (less than 7 percent
fat on a dry matter basis).
On the other hand, the amount of water in dry food is only about 10 %, so it is reasonable to increase the protein level on the bag by 10 % to get the amount that would be
present on a dry matter basis.
To calculate the nutrient
percentages on a dry matter basis you can consult our article «Converting Guaranteed Analysis into Dry Matter Basis» or check the reviews in our dog food selector.
If protein matter is list - ed as 20 % on the pet food label, you must divide the 20 % protein by the 90 % dry matter to calculate the amount of
protein on a dry matter basis.
Orijen Adult dog contains 42 % protein
on a dry matter basis.
On a dry matter basis this dog food provides 57 % of crude protein, which is well above the government's recommendations.
On a dry matter basis, you can add vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E which in turn make dog multivitamin in your pet's food.