A food comparison is most useful when every number has a basis. The value on a kibble label may be a guaranteed minimum, guaranteed maximum or a typical analysis. Those distinctions remain important after arithmetic conversion.
Start with as-fed values
As-fed means the product as supplied, including moisture. The site preserves the manufacturer's units and basis. A minimum protein guarantee does not disclose the typical protein content, and a maximum moisture guarantee does not tell us the exact moisture in a particular batch.
Dry matter removes an assumed moisture fraction
For an as-fed percentage, our estimate is nutrient percentage divided by 100 minus moisture percentage, multiplied by 100. Both inputs must be supported. If a food lists 26% minimum protein and 10% maximum moisture, the arithmetic result is 28.9% dry matter under those label-value assumptions.
That example is a conversion demonstration, not a recipe record. Combining guaranteed boundaries does not establish an exact measured concentration or necessarily a strict new bound. We therefore label the result as an estimate and retain the original qualifier. No missing moisture or ash value is supplied by assumption.
Energy basis answers another question
For a supported as-fed percentage, convert to grams per kilogram and divide by the declared kcal/kg, then multiply by 1,000. The result estimates grams per 1,000 kcal. This helps keep calorie intake consistent while examining nutrient declarations.
A higher value is not an automatic quality or suitability ranking. The food's nutritional adequacy, intended purpose and the dog's needs remain separate. Medical nutrient decisions need veterinary interpretation and may require typical or laboratory analysis unavailable in the catalog.
Missing information stays missing
Unknown inputs, incompatible units and conflicting nutrition sources prevent a conversion. An em dash marks an unavailable or inapplicable conversion; it does not mean zero. Carbohydrate is not estimated by inventing ash. All product and comparison pages use the same deterministic calculation functions.
This page documents the site's calculations, with label interpretation informed by AAFCO and FDA guidance. It is not evidence that foods with similar calculated numbers are clinically interchangeable.
Keep the scope in view.
Agent-authored educational synthesis; no veterinary specialist review has been recorded.
Source publication dates are unknown where not supplied.
This page is educational. It is not an individualized feeding or treatment recommendation.
Inspect the original study.
Read the design, findings and limitations before applying a conclusion to a food.
Sources & dates
Manufacturer statements describe the label; they are not independent clinical findings. Check your bag for the current formulation.