? As-fed or Dry matter analysis?

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Gas Runkey

Member Since 2018
Hello,

Thank you in advance. Gas Runkey thanks you too. G'runk is newly diagnosed, and I have been working out her wet food and have had her on all low-carb for about three weeks now. All is going well. Just a question about how to know what is truly low carb. Am I supposed to be looking for as-fed or should I go by dry matter? I know that it's sometimes hard to get the as-fed. Halo, however, does provide it. Here are some numbers on one of their foods, just as an example.

As-Fed Basis (%)
Moisture 73.8
Dry Matter 26.2
Protein 10.8
Fat 11.4
Fiber 0.4
Carbohydrate 1.39
Ash 2.2

Dry Matter Basis* (%)
Protein 41.2
Fat 43.5
Fiber 1.4
Carbohydrate 5.31
Ash 8.55

I may be overthinking, but when I first started using the chart provided by Dr. Pierson on this site, I thought that was dry matter analysis comparisons. But then somewhere along the way, I read about as-fed being the important thing to look at.

Thank you!!
Lori Anne
 
You want both. The as-fed is a typical analysis as opposed to the guaranteed which includes min and max values. You want dry matter since you do not want to included water since there is not calories in water.
It appears the dry-matter basis you listed is the as-fed values with the moisture removed.
 
Thank you. On the halo site, they also give guaranteed analysis. I completely get the dry-wet comparison thing and have been using that calculator. My confusion had to do with reading some posts saying all I need to go by is the as fed. Perhaps that is not true?

Or maybe you are saying that the numbers I should be running through the DMB calculator for the most accurate results are the AS FED numbers and not the guaranteed analysis? So as fed is crucial to have, but not alone--I then need to put THAT in the calculator?

LOL. I hope that made sense. I have never spent so much time thinking about cat food in my life.

In any case, the food that is represented by these numbers here is a good one, right? My goal is staying around 5 percent. There are a few foods that meet that. Luckily G'Runk is not picky, but my non-diabetic one is. I have finally gotten her over to Halo Turkey and Duck, but it's giving her the runs. It does have carrageenan in it, so I suspect that could be the trouble. Over time, I do want them both on the same food....

Thanks again!
Lori Anne
 
Larry and kitties,

This is my P.S. I get it now! I just reread your reply and mine, and YES, I see what your saying. THANK YOU. You have brought clarity and joy to my life. For real. This was making me crazy. :)
 
Hey there,

All those numbers in that first posting are percentages. The dry matter analysis one is the result of converting the "as fed" percentages to the dry analysis. So those are the percentages you need. You do need to convert as fed into dry matter. The Halo site just happens to have all that there for you.

I completely understand. I spent the first week reading and READING about cat foods. There are a lot of options. Luckily, I was already feeding mine some Koha as a nighttime snack (I mistakenly thought weight loss was because the other one was stealing her food), so she was fine going full time on it. It's been the other cat that's made it all so crazy! Her stomach is more sensitive and she's also finicky as all get out.

Have you checked out Dr. Pierson's food list?

Good luck. There are many of us who understand. I'm cheering you on!
Lori Anne


lenistar said:
Hi!

I'm going through this now looking at all the food options and it's making me so stressed! Anyway, my understanding is that the numbers will still need to be converted to get the % calories from carbs, fat, and protein: https://catinfo.org/commercial-cat-foods/#Calculating__Percentage_of_Carbohydrates:

Or am I not understanding correctly?
Click to expand...
 
Gas Runkey said:
I may be overthinking, but when I first started using the chart provided by Dr. Pierson on this site, I thought that was dry matter analysis comparisons. But then somewhere along the way, I read about as-fed being the important thing to look at.
Click to expand...
When looking at 'percentage of calories from carbs' it shouldn't make any difference whether the calculation is done with 'as fed' values or dry matter. The water has no calories.

Dry matter calculations are essential for comparing certain things though, such as phosphorous values in foods.

Eliz
 
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