Moisture is often the least discussed analytical constituent. It simply indicates the proportion of water in the food, and it helps to understand its texture, its energy density, and how to compare its other values.
To put this data into context, also check out our guide How to read dog kibble composition?.
What does the moisture content represent?
The moisture content corresponds to the amount of water present in the food as it is served. Kibble is intentionally dry, while wet food contains a lot of water and fresh food generally contains even more. These differences are normal: they do not, by themselves, mean that one food is better than another.
Water: essential, but from several sources
Water contributes to thermoregulation, circulation, digestion, and waste elimination. A dog receives it both in its bowl and through its food. A dog fed with wet or fresh food therefore often drinks less on the side than a dog fed with kibble: a portion of its needs is already covered by the meal.
The amount drunk alone is not enough to judge hydration. You must consider the whole picture: type of food, temperature, activity, health status, access to fresh water, and observations of the dog. Unusually altered thirst or urine warrants a veterinary opinion.
Moisture and energy density
Water provides no calories. For an equal amount, a very moist food is therefore often less energy-dense than dry food: one hundred grams of wet food may contain more water and less nutritious matter than one hundred grams of kibble. This can be useful for some dogs, but it requires adjusting the portion to the actual energy requirement.
Why comparing percentages can be misleading
Directly comparing the proteins or fats of wet food and kibble can be misleading because water dilutes the displayed figures. Wet food with 10% protein and 80% moisture contains only 20% dry matter. On a dry matter basis, this corresponds to 10 ÷ 20 × 100 = 50% protein. It can therefore be high in protein despite a displayed percentage that seems low.
The principle is simple: subtract the moisture from 100 to obtain the dry matter, then divide the announced nutrient by this result and multiply by 100. This method does not replace a comprehensive reading of the recipe, but it allows for a fairer comparison with kibble. To delve deeper, our articles on proteins, fats, and fibers provide additional benchmarks.
Dry or wet: advantages and limitations
Kibble is convenient, easy to store, and allows for simple portioning. Wet foods provide more water and may appeal to some dogs. But no format automatically suits everyone: budget, practicality, energy density, palatability, health, and individual tolerance must be taken into account. Saying that kibble "dehydrates" all dogs, or that wet food is necessarily superior, is an oversimplification of reality.
🐺 The Sköll & Hati perspective
To compare two foods with very different moisture levels, start by noting the moisture and calculating the dry matter: 100 minus the moisture. Then convert proteins, fats, or fibers to dry matter before comparing them. Finally, return to the essentials: quantity actually served, calories, composition, water drunk, stool, weight, and general comfort of the dog. A better-presented figure is not, in itself, proof of quality.
Key takeaways
- Moisture indicates the proportion of water in the food, not its overall quality.
- A dog fed with wet food may naturally drink less.
- To compare wet food and kibble, base your reasoning on dry matter.
- Dry and wet formats each have their benefits and limitations.
- The needs and tolerance of each dog remain the determining factors.