Question:
What percentage of the food a specific nutrient makes up? For example, most wet cat foods list protein as being about 6-10%...but once the moisture is accounted for, they are more like 25-40%.
Here is a calculator that does the work for you.
Calculator


Answer:
If protein is listed as 6-10%, that is regardless of how much water the product contains. Consider this: my protein shake contains 12 g protein when dry powder- why would some protein mysteriously increase when I mix it w/ liquid to drink? If the liquid added contains protein itself, like a broth might in cat food, then the protein will go up, but simply moistening a 6-10% protein dry mixture cannot possibly make the protein % change.
If I am missing the boat on this please explain!!!


Answer:
The calculator compares dry matter.


Answer:
Yes, feed analysis are done on a dry matter basis. The percentage shouldnt' be any different whether wet or dry.


Answer:
Okay, here is an example...
Wysong Chicken Au Jus (100% meat)
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, and Water Sufficient for Processing.
Analysis:
Protein 12%, Fat 7%, Fiber 1.5%, Moisture 78%
As you can see, the protein percentage is relative to the entire contents of the food (mostly water). To see what the protein content is relative to the rest of the nutrients (ie. after accounting for the water) the calculator can be used. It gives percentage of about 54% relative to the rest of the nutrients.


Answer:
Confusing!!! So there is absolute & relative protein in the product to be considered?


Answer:
Sort of...it's more for your own information than anything.


Answer:
That's a handy calculator