1. What is Dry Matter Basis (DMB)?

Dry Matter Basis (DMB) is a method of expressing nutritional content in dog food after removing all moisture. This allows for accurate comparison between different products regardless of their moisture content.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DMB equation:

Where:

• \( Wet\ Basis \) — Nutrient percentage as fed (including moisture)
• \( Moisture \) — Moisture content as a decimal (e.g. 0.10 for 10%)

Explanation: The equation removes the effect of moisture to show the true nutrient concentration in the dry matter portion of the food.

3. Importance of DMB Calculation

Details: Comparing dog foods on a dry matter basis is essential because moisture content varies widely between wet, dry, and semi-moist foods. DMB allows for accurate nutrient comparisons between different food types.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the nutrient percentage as listed on the label (wet basis) and the moisture content as a decimal. For example, for a food with 25% protein (as fed) and 10% moisture, enter 25 and 0.10.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is DMB important for comparing dog foods?
A: Moisture content varies significantly between food types (dry, wet, etc.), so DMB provides a fair comparison by removing moisture from the equation.

Q2: How do I find the moisture content of a dog food?
A: Check the guaranteed analysis on the packaging - moisture content is usually listed. If not, contact the manufacturer.

Q3: What's a typical moisture content for different food types?
A: Dry food: ~10%, Semi-moist: ~25-35%, Wet/canned: ~75-85%.

Q4: Can I use this for homemade dog food?
A: Yes, but you'll need to know both the nutrient content and moisture percentage of your homemade recipe.

Q5: Does DMB affect calorie calculations?
A: Yes, DMB is also important for accurate calorie density comparisons between different food types.