Calculating protein - am I doing this right?

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Jennifer & Splunk

Jennifer & Splunk

Member Since 2017
Hi everyone,

I'm very new to this, so please forgive me if I'm asking silly questions.

I'm trying to find wet foods that Splunk will like consistently, and I want to make sure I'm choosing the right ones.

I know I need high-protein, low-carb foods. My vet has armed me with the following equation to help find high protein foods:

Protein content as fed = listed protein/dry matter, where dry matter = (100 - moisture content)

For example, in a can of Weruva Mack & Jack:
--> moisture is 82%, so dry matter = 100 - 82 = 18
--> listed protein is 12%, so...
--> protein content as fed = 12/18 = 67%

In a can of BFF Chicken & Chuckles in Aspic:
--> moisture is 83%, so dry matter = 100 - 83 = 17
--> listed protein is 12%, so...
--> protein content as fed is 70%

In a can of Hill's M/D, the calculation gives us: 10/(100-78) = 45%
(This is EXACTLY the same as Fancy Feast's Liver & Chicken pate, by the way.)

So my question is, am I doing this right?? 45% seems awfully low for a food listed as being diabetes-specific. I mean, I know Hill's is not great food, but if protein is so important, shouldn't it be higher? Or is there some other number I should be looking at?

Any insight much appreciated! :)

Thanks, Jenn & Splunk
 
Hi Lisa & Smoky,

Yes, I saw it. Thanks. I just wondered if I was doing the calculation correctly, because it's easier for me to do a quick calculation at the pet store than it is for me to carry around all those pages. :) But I see that she has similar values for the proteins, so I guess my calculation is right.

Also, I'm really confused by the fact that Hill's M/D ("for glucose control") is so much lower in protein than many other foods, so it has made me wonder if I'm missing part of the picture.

Thanks again! :)

P.S. So impressed that you were able to get so much weight back on Smoky... that's my goal too, and it's proving difficult!
 
Calculation is correct :)

As for the M/D results, just further supports are suggestion of prescription diets not necessary :smuggrin:. But for diabetic friendly foods, you are not just looking at protein, they need to be low carb as well. @Cherish Gallagher @Squalliesmom have an app to calculate FD friendly foods when at the store. I do my calculations with a calculator, my phone is not smart enough :D.

If you need to get some weight back on Splunk: Cat's weight (or desired weight in lbs) x 13.6 + 70 = Required calories per day
Can divide the calories by how many meals he gets a day. Since you are in Canada, just used desired weight in kg, multiply by 2.2 and then you'll have lbs :)
 
Yong said:
Calculation is correct :)

As for the M/D results, just further supports are suggestion of prescription diets not necessary :smuggrin:. But for diabetic friendly foods, you are not just looking at protein, they need to be low carb as well. @Cherish Gallagher @Squalliesmom have an app to calculate FD friendly foods when at the store. I do my calculations with a calculator, my phone is not smart enough :D.

If you need to get some weight back on Splunk: Cat's weight (or desired weight in lbs) x 13.6 + 70 = Required calories per day
Can divide the calories by how many meals he gets a day. Since you are in Canada, just used desired weight in kg, multiply by 2.2 and then you'll have lbs :)
Click to expand...
If your kitty needs to gain weight, just add some extra calories to the estimate of required calories. :)
Jennifer & Splunk said:
it's easier for me to do a quick calculation at the pet store than it is for me to carry around all those pages.
Click to expand...
You can always access Dr. Pierson's list on your cell phone. Also, if you have an iphone you can download a free app called CarbCalc; there's probably an equivalent app for androids but I don't know what it is.:)
 
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