Help Calculating Carbs

[Annie in Chicago]

Hello! I am still trying to find food that doesn't make Gideon want to scratch his face off while maintaining his remission. I have read countless ways of calculating carbs and my math-challenged brain does not understand any of them. Can someone explain how to figure out the carbs based on the following info (which is from Identity Pork)? Is it missing a necessary component for the calculation (I have yet to see 'ash' on anything so don't know where people get this)?

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (min.) 9.0%, Crude Fat (min.) 2.0%, Crude Fiber (max.) 1.0%, Moisture (max.) 78.0%

CALORIE CONTENT
(ME Calculated) 840 kcal/kg, 84 kcal/100g, 130 kcal/5.5oz can

I got some Hill's M/D pork from the vet tonight just to see what kind of reaction he'd have. So far so good but I'd either like one thing that's lower carb or another low carb option that I can split this with. Up until the allergic reaction, he was getting 1/2 can low carb Fancy Feast + 1/2 can medium carb at breakfast and dinner (plus 1/8 cup dry at night) and his numbers were perfect.

Any help appreciated! Once I have an example broken down I should be able to plug in numbers for other things.

 

[Tom & Thomas (GA)]

For what we most care about here, the level of carbohydrates in a food, what is printed on the can won't suffice. Given that these Guaranteed Analysis values are only stated as minimums and maximums, there is no way to accurately derive the percentage of carbs. That's why we rely on Dr Lisa Pierson, who contacts the pet food companies to get better numbers. Along with the chart of nutritional values she maintains, her whole catinfo.org site is great read.

There is another site, catfooddb.com, that calculates nutritional values based on the numbers found on labels and at the companies's websites. The limitations of Guaranteed Analysis remain, and so you'll only be getting a very rough estimate of carb levels. Still, a useful place to go when Dr Lisa Pierson's table doesn't include a particular food. It also lists and categorizes a food's ingredients. So at the very least, CatFoodDB saves you from squinting at labels and rummaging around websites. The site is pretty exhaustive, covering both wet and dry foods. And each food is rated based on nutritional values and quality of ingredients, which I often find useful.

 

[Annie in Chicago]

Thank you! On first glance, I haven't seen any info on Identity but I imagine it's our there somewhere or coming. I use Dr. Lisa's chatt sla the time but need to explore all of her info.

I'm running into a problem now where in trying to determine what Gideon is allergic to, I'm trying things that are more limited ingredient and lower carb. I thought they was a good thing but his numbers are too low for my liking. He was perfect on a combo of low and medium carb FF. Trying to find a healthy medium that doesn't make him scratch his face off is proving...challenging. Especially when I have no idea what the carbs are.

Thanks again, this site is a literal lifesaver!

Annie

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

Here are the tools available listed in the INDEX: Health Links/FAQs:

How to Calculate the Nutrient Content of Commercial Cat Foods

• Calculating % Calories from Carbohydrates written by FDMB member, Marje and Gracie

• Excel spreadsheet by FDMB member, Janet & Binky (GA) - calculates percent of calories from each component

• Dr. Lisa's Cat Food Data Base Calculator - Type in the percentages of minimum protein, maximum fat, maximum carbs, and maximum phosphorus you're looking for. You also have the option to choose a specific cat food company. This tool will automatically list the cat foods from the Food Chart created by Lisa Pierson DVM list that meet your specifications.

Hope this helps...

 

[Annie in Chicago]

Here are the tools available listed in the INDEX: Health Links/FAQs:

How to Calculate the Nutrient Content of Commercial Cat Foods

• Calculating % Calories from Carbohydrates written by FDMB member, Marje and Gracie

• Excel spreadsheet by FDMB member, Janet & Binky (GA) - calculates percent of calories from each component

• Dr. Lisa's Cat Food Data Base Calculator - Type in the percentages of minimum protein, maximum fat, maximum carbs, and maximum phosphorus you're looking for. You also have the option to choose a specific cat food company. This tool will automatically list the cat foods from the Food Chart created by Lisa Pierson DVM list that meet your specifications.

Hope this helps...

Thank you - everything helps!