Comparing Wet & Dry Pet Foods

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How to Compare Wet & Dry pet Foods

There is often confusion (even among some vets) when comparing the contents of a dried food to moist foods.

For example, Burns adult Maintenance diets have a protein content of 18.5%, however moist dog food may state a protein level of 8%, which obviously appears much less.

This protein level is not comparable with Burns dry food because it does not take into consideration the dry matter/ moisture content of the food.

Typical moist food analysis:
Protein 8%, Fat 6%, Moisture 75% (dry matter is 25%)

Typical dry food analysis:
Protein 20%, Fat 10%, Moisture 10% (dry matter is 90%)

The moist food states a moisture (water) content of 75%. This means all the nutrients in the food are in the other 25%. This 25% is called dry matter.

Moist dog food:
Percentage of protein: 8÷25x100=32% protein on a dry matter basis
Percentage of fat: 6÷25x100=24% fat on a dry matter basis

Dry dog food:
Percentage of protein: 20÷90x100=22.2% protein on a dry matter basis
Percentage of fat: 10÷90x100=11.1% fat on a dry matter basis

Although, the moist food says it contains only 8% protein, when calculated on a dry matter basis the protein level is actually 32%.

For advice about managing specific health problems or simply fine tuning feeding amounts contact our
Pet Nutrition Helpline


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