Switching your cat to a healthier diet often leads to questions about carbohydrate content, especially when navigating the world of Can Of Cat Food. You might be transitioning from dry kibble and aiming for grain-free options, only to find vegetables listed as ingredients. Are these just hidden carbs? This guide will equip you with the knowledge to understand and calculate the carbohydrate content in can of cat food, empowering you to make informed choices for your feline friend.
Many pet food manufacturers are aware of the growing trend of owners avoiding grains in cat food. Therefore, they often use alternative carbohydrate fillers. While grains are particularly unsuitable for cats, ingredients like sweet potatoes and peas aren’t much better. Cats are obligate carnivores, and their bodies are designed to thrive on a protein-rich diet with minimal carbohydrates.
Cats primarily utilize protein as their energy source. Most can of cat food will contain some carbohydrate ingredients. The key is to identify options with the lowest possible carbohydrate content. Some products may list ingredients like cranberries or seeds, but these may be present in negligible amounts that don’t significantly contribute to the overall carbohydrate load. Conversely, other can of cat food products might be loaded with filler vegetables. You can’t always discern the carbohydrate content simply by reading the ingredient list; comparing carb content is key.
Carbohydrate percentages are usually not explicitly listed on the label. Therefore, we need to calculate them ourselves. The method outlined below can be applied to any type of cat food, provided you have the nutritional information: can of cat food, raw cat food, and even dry food. This calculation uses the percentages by weight listed on the label, so grab your calculator!
Wet Matter vs. Dry Matter Basis: A Crucial Comparison
To accurately compare different can of cat food options, we need to understand the difference between wet matter and dry matter basis.
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Wet Matter Basis: This is the “as-fed” basis, reflecting the nutrient content as it appears in the can, including moisture.
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Dry Matter Basis: This removes the moisture content, allowing for a more accurate comparison of the nutrient content across different foods with varying moisture levels.
How to Calculate Carbohydrates on a Dry Matter Basis:
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Sum the Percentages: Add the percentages listed on the label for crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, moisture, and ash. Ignore any other listed amounts, as these usually represent minerals included in the ash percentage or are present in such small quantities that they won’t significantly impact the calculation.
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Subtract from 100: Subtract the sum from 100 to determine the carbohydrate percentage on a wet matter basis.
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Calculate Dry Matter Percentage: Subtract the moisture percentage from 100. This gives you the dry matter percentage.
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Convert to Dry Matter Basis: Divide the carbohydrate percentage (wet matter basis) by the dry matter percentage (expressed as a decimal). This gives you the carbohydrate percentage on a dry matter basis.
Example 1:
Let’s analyze a hypothetical generic can of cat food label:
- Crude protein: 9.5% (min)
- Crude fat: 5.0% (min)
- Crude fiber: 0.8% (min)
- Moisture: 75% (max)
- Ash: 2.0% (max)
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Sum: 9.5 + 5.0 + 0.8 + 75 + 2.0 = 92.3%
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Subtract: 100 – 92.3 = 7.7% carbohydrate (wet matter basis)
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Dry Matter: 100 – 75 = 25% dry matter
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Convert: 7.7 / 0.25 = 30.8% carbohydrate (dry matter basis)
This can of cat food, despite not explicitly listing a high carbohydrate content, actually contains nearly 31% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. This is not ideal for a cat.
Example 2:
Now, let’s look at a can of cat food marketed as grain-free, such as Wellness® Turkey and Salmon:
- Crude protein: 10% (min)
- Crude fat: 6% (min)
- Crude fiber: 1% (min)
- Moisture: 78% (max)
- Ash: 1.8% (max)
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Sum: 10 + 6 + 1 + 78 + 1.8 = 96.8%
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Subtract: 100 – 96.8 = 3.2% carbohydrate (wet matter basis)
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Dry Matter: 100 – 78 = 22% dry matter
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Convert: 3.2 / 0.22 = 14.5% carbohydrate (dry matter basis)
This is a much better option than the first example, with only 14.5% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
Example 3:
Finally, consider Evo® 95% Chicken & Turkey can of cat food, also grain-free:
- Crude protein: 9% (min)
- Crude fat: 10% (min)
- Crude fiber: 1% (min)
- Moisture: 78% (max)
- Ash: 1.91% (max)
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Sum: 9 + 10 + 1 + 78 + 1.91 = 99.91%
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Subtract: 100 – 99.91 = 0.09% carbohydrate (wet matter basis)
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Dry Matter: 100 – 78 = 22% dry matter
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Convert: 0.09 / 0.22 = 0.4% carbohydrate (dry matter basis)
This option is the best of the three, with only 0.4% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, making it a very protein-rich choice.
Key Takeaways for Choosing a Can of Cat Food:
- Calculate, Don’t Assume: Always calculate the carbohydrate content on a dry matter basis to accurately compare different can of cat food options.
- Prioritize Protein: Look for can of cat food with a high protein content and low carbohydrate content.
- Read Labels Carefully: Pay attention to the ingredient list, but remember that the order of ingredients reflects the weight before cooking, so it’s not a definitive indicator of carbohydrate content.
- Minimums and Maximums: Be aware that the percentages listed on pet food labels are minimums and maximums and may not precisely reflect the actual nutrient content. Use them as a general guideline.
By understanding how to calculate the carbohydrate content in can of cat food, you can confidently select the best option to support your cat’s health and well-being. Aim for options that prioritize protein and minimize unnecessary carbohydrates.
