Calculation
How to Calculate Protein Content in Dog and Cat Food
Aug
📌 In a nutshell:
To properly compare the protein content of dry, raw or canned pet food, you need to take the moisture content into account and calculate the protein content on a dry matter basis. A wet food can therefore contain much more protein than it appears to have when you simply look at the percentage shown on the label.
The protein percentage listed on a bag of kibble cannot be directly compared with the percentage listed on canned or raw food because these foods contain very different amounts of water.
To make a fair comparison, you first need to remove the water from the calculation. This is known as calculating protein content on a dry matter basis.
Why should protein be compared on a dry matter basis?
Dry food contains relatively little water, while raw and canned food can contain a large amount of moisture. The protein percentage shown on the label is based on the food as it is sold, including its moisture content.
For example, a raw food may list only 9% protein while a dry food lists 30%. At first glance, you might think that the kibble contains much more protein. However, when both foods are converted to the same dry matter basis, the comparison can be very different.
How to calculate protein content on a dry matter basis
The calculation is done in two simple steps.
1. Calculate the percentage of dry matter
Start by subtracting the moisture percentage shown on the package from 100%.
Formula:
100% − moisture content = percentage of dry matter
2. Calculate protein content on a dry matter basis
Next, divide the protein percentage shown on the package by the percentage of dry matter calculated in the first step, then multiply the result by 100.
Formula:
(protein percentage ÷ dry matter percentage) × 100 = protein content on a dry matter basis
This method allows you to compare the protein content of different dog and cat foods, whether they are kibble, canned food or raw food.
Example: comparing dry food and raw food
Dry food: 10% moisture and 30% protein
- 100% − 10% moisture = 90% dry matter
- 30% protein ÷ 90% dry matter × 100 = 33.3% protein on a dry matter basis
Raw food: 78% moisture and 9% protein
- 100% − 78% moisture = 22% dry matter
- 9% protein ÷ 22% dry matter × 100 = 40.9% protein on a dry matter basis
In this example, the raw food lists only 9% protein on its package, compared with 30% for the dry food. However, when both foods are compared on a dry matter basis, their equivalent protein content is 40.9% for the raw food and 33.3% for the dry food.
This is why it is important not to compare the protein percentages of two foods directly when they have significantly different moisture contents.
Why did we create this guide?
The idea for this article came from a conversation with one of our customers who wanted to know how to compare the protein content of the different foods available for dogs and cats.
For nearly 20 years, at Heidi & cie, we have been comparing pet foods and answering our customers’ questions about food, ingredients and the differences between products. Comparing foods on a dry matter basis is particularly useful when comparing kibble with raw or canned food.
This calculation is not only useful for comparing dry food with wet food. You can also use it to compare two dry foods, or two wet foods with different moisture levels.
Key takeaway when comparing protein content
To properly calculate and compare the protein content of different dog and cat foods, do not rely only on the protein percentage shown on the package. Check the moisture content as well and convert the protein percentage to a dry matter basis.
In summary:
- 100% − moisture = dry matter
- (protein ÷ dry matter) × 100 = protein content on a dry matter basis
You can now more easily compare the different pet foods available on the market, including those available at our Heidi & cie dog and cat stores in the Montreal area.
If you have questions about your dog’s or cat’s food, come visit us. We’ll be happy to help!
