Food & nutrition
Understand a food label. Compare on equal terms. Convert an established feeding plan.
Compare nutrients without the water
Enter percentages from the same preparation of each food. Compare one food or fill in both. Blank nutrient fields are omitted, never treated as zero.
Label values are estimates. Guaranteed minimums and maximums are not measured composition. Converting them does not create an exact analysis or a guaranteed dry matter minimum or maximum. Do not combine dry-powder nutrient values with prepared-food moisture. Higher nutrient percentages do not automatically mean a better food.
How this is calculated
Dry matter (%) = 100 − moisture (%). Nutrient on a dry matter basis (%) = as-fed nutrient (%) ÷ dry matter (%) × 100. Each nutrient is checked individually; nutrients overlap (for example, minerals are part of ash), so they are not summed.
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
Compare calcium with phosphorus in one food or the same measured portion. Use elemental calcium and phosphorus amounts, not the weight of a supplement compound.
Match the basis. Changing a unit or basis clears the affected amount; enter it again in the selected unit. Percentages must both be as-fed or both dry matter. Mass values must refer to the same portion. Ratios from label guarantees are estimates; dividing two minimums does not establish a minimum ratio. This tool does not prescribe a target ratio or a supplement dose.
How this is calculated
Convert mass values to the same unit, then divide calcium by phosphorus. The ratio is shown as calcium : phosphorus with phosphorus set to 1. A single ingredient’s ratio does not establish the ratio or adequacy of a complete diet.
Convert an established calorie target
Enter the daily target already established for the animal and the food’s energy density. No species-based calorie target is generated.
Use the food as it will be fed. Adding water changes calories per milliliter. Do not use dry-powder energy density for a prepared liquid. Changing the energy-density unit clears its amount; enter it again in the selected unit. Grams measure mass; milliliters measure volume. They are not interchangeable. Dividing a day’s food into equal portions does not establish a safe meal size or assisted-feeding plan.
How this is calculated
Daily amount = daily kilocalorie target ÷ energy density. Amount per feeding = daily amount ÷ number of feedings. For kcal/kg, the calculated kilograms are converted to grams. Volume is shown only when energy density is supplied in kcal/mL. Displayed numbers are rounded to six significant digits; this is not a claim of measurement accuracy.
Sources & limitations
These references explain label interpretation and calculation methods. Their dog and cat feeding guidance is not a reptile feeding recommendation.
- FDA — dry matter conversion
- AAFCO — understanding food labels
- Today’s Veterinary Practice — energy density and feeding calculations
402 Exotics LLC provides these tools for educational calculation support. Results depend on your inputs and cannot verify product labels, nutritional adequacy, or the safety of a feeding plan. If information is missing or uncertain, confirm it with the manufacturer or your veterinarian before acting on a result.