Ash (also referred to as "crude ash," "inorganic matter" or "incinerated residue") is a regulatory or technical term that represents the mineral content of a food. Ash is what remains of a pet food after a sample is incinerated as part of a laboratory analysis.
The organic content (i.e., carbohydrate, fiber, fat and protein) will be totally combusted and only the minerals will remain (e.g., calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.). The mineral content in pet food comes from ingredients and supplements added to the formula. Some regulatory agencies require pet food companies to declare ash content on the pet food label.
Fast Fact
Should you choose wet or dry food for senior pets?
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The choice of whether to feed a senior pet wet or dry food is ultimately dependent on the individual pet and owner's preferences. However, in certain cases, wet food can offer benefits for the older pet: Wet food is softer and easier for senior pets with missing teeth or other advanced dental issues to chew. Wet food, due to its high moisture content, may help keep senior pets hydrated.
Providing multiple water bowls can also help encourage drinking. Senior pets may have a decreased sense of smell and taste, which can affect appetite. Gently warming the food can help enhance its aroma and flavor. Whether feeding wet or dry food, food and water bowls should be located where senior pets can reach them easily. Elevating bowls a few inches off the ground may help senior pets with arthritis.
Lower Urinary Tract Health
Volume 1: Dealing With Frustrating Feline Elimination Disorders
Learn about common causes of feline lower urinary tract disease and important strategies to manage these cases, including nutrition, environmental modification, and increasing hydration.
Volume 3: Putting Microbiome Science into Practice
Understand how changes in the microbiome can influence management of chronic enteropathy and what tools can positively impact case management, such as diet trials and fecal microbiota transfer.
Volume 4: Diet Can Make a Difference: Nutrition and Chronic Kidney Disease
Read about the role of nutrition in the management of canine and feline chronic kidney disease, and about factors that impact food intake and renal diet acceptance in cats.