Breaking Down The Guaranteed Analysis

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Guaranteed Analysis

My number one rule when selecting a pet food is “Read the Label.” My number two rule is read the guaranteed analysis. It occurred to me that most people do not understand how to calculate the analysis between kibble, canned and raw. Let me try and help, hopefully I won’t confuse you more.

I’ve chosen an example to illustrate the confusion and hope to provide a simple calculation to help you compare and decide which is best for your pet.

Canine Caviar Chicken and Pearl Millet Adult (kibble)

Crude Protein 26%
Crude Fat 16%
Crude Fiber 4%
Moisture 8%
Carbohydrates ??

Canine Caviar Gourmet Turkey (canned)

Crude Protein 9%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 3%
Moisture 76.5 %
Carbohydrates ??

Canine Caviar Gourmet Turkey (frozen)

Crude Protein 23%
Crude Fat 15%
Crude Fiber 1%
Moisture 67%
Carbohydrates ??

Now at first glance one would think there is more protein in the kibble than the canned or frozen but lets dig a little deeper. First we need to compare apples to apples, which means we need to convert the guarantees of all three to a moisture-free or “dry matter basis.” Don’t leave me yet.

Kibble

To do this we need to take the protein 26% divided by the dry matter (subtract moisture 8% from 100% or 92% dry) now multiply that by 100 to get 28%. (26/92 x100 = 28%). Then continue to the fat 16/92 x 100 = 17% then the fiber 4/92 x 100 = 4%. Now to calculate the carbohydrate, subtract the above new percentages from one hundred. (100 -28 – 17 – 4 = 51%) carbohydrates.

Protein: 26/92 x 100 =28%
Fat: 16/92 x 100 = 17%
Fiber: 4/92 x 100 = 4%
Carbohydrates = 100-28-17-4 = 51%

Canned:

Protein: 9/23.5 x 100 = 38%
Fat: 10/23.5 x 100 = 42%
Fiber: 3/23.5 x 100 = 13%
Carbohydrates: 100-38-42-13= 7%

Frozen Raw:

Protein: 23/33 x 100 = 70%
Fat: 15/33 x 100 = 45%
Fiber 1/33 x 100 = 3%
Carbohydrates 100-70-45-3 = -18% (this doesn’t make sense so I will contact the company) interesting example.

Now if your eyes haven’t glazed over, lets look at the comparisons:

Kibble

Protein 26% 28%
Crude Fat 16% 17%
Crude Fiber 4% 4%
Carbohydrates ?? 51%

Canned

Protein 9% 38%
Crude Fat 10% 42%
Crude Fiber 3% 13%
Carbohydrates ?? 7%

Frozen

Protein 23% 70%
Crude Fat 15% 45%
Crude Fiber 1% 3%
Carbohydrates ?? -15% (not realistic)

As you can see, when you break down the percentages to their “dry matter” the guarantee analysis changes dramatically. Remember pet products represent the analysis in percentages as opposed to grams that we’re use to in human packaging, don’t confuse the two. I hope this helps as you read labels and make good decisions for your pet.

If you need help feel free to contact me.
Diana