Pet Food Math – Introduction

Pet Food Math?

All you ever wanted to know about your pet food label in numbers

WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO LEARN!!

Here is a one-page quick reference sheet that summarizes what you’ll learn in this series. This series will teach you:

  • How to determine the right amount to feed your pet,
  • How to compare products fairly and accurately so you’re finally comparing apples to apples when selecting products, and
  • How to do the math to ensure that a product fits into your desired budget.

This is a lot easier than it looks! This series requires:

  • No more than elementary level math skills (addition/substraction/multiplication/division), and
  • Notice that it’s rare that there are more than 2 steps per part.

If you’re purchasing Solutions Pet Products, our website has a Food Calculator that will do this work for you! (It will also do the daily caloric intake calculations for your pet)

1. Learn how to calculate the carbohydrate content of your pet’s food from the guaranteed analysis

  1. Add Protein + Fat + Fiber + Moisture (and Ash if you’d like to be more precise)
  2. Subtract your answer from 100

2. Learn how to calculate the number of calories in 1oz, or 100 grams

  • Divide the number of calories in 1kg by 35.2(oz/kg)
  • Multiply that answer by 3.5 to get the number of calories in 100 grams OR
  • Multiply the macronutrients by number of calories per gram (4,9,4,4), to include the carbohydrates calculated in step 1
  • Add all of those values to get the total calories in 100 grams
  • Divide that answer by 3.5 to get the number of calories in 1 ounce

3. Learn how to calculate the number of ounces in one cup of the food you are purchasing

  • Divide the kcals/cup from the package by the kcals/ounce that you calculated in step 2

4. Learn how to calculate the number of cups in the entire package of food (thus, how long it will last you)

  • Multiple the number of pounds in the package by 16(oz in 1lb) to get total ounces
  • Divide the total number of ounces in the package by the amount you calculated in step 3

5. Learn how to calculate the proper amount to feed your pet/s

  • Using the guidelines in this section, multiply your pet’s weight by the correct range of calories per day (this takes into account your pets natural metabolism based on their breed’s size)
  • Factor in your pet’s age
  • Factor in your pet’s current body composition
  • Factor in your pet’s reproductive status
  • Factor in your pet’s activity level

6. Learn how to translate the number of calories your pet needs in a day into portion sizes of the product you are purchasing

  • Divide the number of calories your pet should be eating each day (calculated in part 5) by the number of calories in one cup of the food you purchased

7. Learn how to calculate how long the package of pet food that you purchased will last

  • Divide the total number of cups in the package (calculated in part 4) by the amount you feed daily (calculated in part 6)

8. Learn how to calculate how much the product will cost you to USE, rather than how much it costs you to purchase it. A quality, nutrient product with a higher sticker price will usually cost you less each month than a cheaper product full of fillers.

  • Divide the price you paid by the number of days that the food will last you (calculated in part 7)
  • Multiple that number by 30, or the number of days in a month

You finished! Now you’re feeding your pet the right amount and you know it works for your pocketbook, too!

I hope this helps you in finding the most nutrient dense and economical food for your pet!

CLICK “Next Post” to do more pet food math including:

  • How to calculate multiple products into your budget
  • How to determine the right amount of supplement to give
  • Supplement math! How to compare the density and prices of different supplements
  • Metabolism math! How certain macronutrients affect your pet’s weight
  • Hydration math! How carbohydrate and moisture content affect your pet’s weight and health
  • Ketogenic Diet math
  • “My dog is always hungry” math
  • … and much more
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