Cal Nat Ingredient Question

[Geff]

Does anybody know what they mean by "ME" at the bottom of their web ingredient list?

http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?id=72

Nutritional Facts
Moisture    10.0  %
Protein    36.5  %
Fat    16.6  %
Linoleic Acid    6.3  %
Omega 3    1.4  %
Arachidonic Acid    0.1  %
Carbohydrates    27.27  %
Fiber    3.2  %
Ash    6.43  %
Calcium    1.05  %
Phosphorous    0.79  %
Magnesium    0.1  %
Sodium    0.35  %
Potassium    0.9  %
Chloride    0.95  %
Iron    418  mg/kg
Zinc    278  mg/kg
Copper    25  mg/kg
Iodine    1.08  mg/kg
Manganese    25  mg/kg
Selenium    0.18  mg/kg
Arginine    3.07  %
Histidine    1.08  %
Isoleucine    1.9  %
Leucine    3.38  %
Lysine    2.6  %
Methionine    1.03  %
Met-Cysteine    1.5  %
Phenylalanine    1.65  %
Phe-Tyrosine    2.87  %
Threonine    1.63  %
Tryptophan    0.31  %
Valine    2.12  %
Taurine    2933  mg/kg
Choline    2713  mg/kg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)    8.65  mg/kg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)    13.31  mg/kg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)    132  mg/kg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)    9.56  mg/kg
Folic Acid    2.7  mg/kg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)    7.2  mg/kg
Biotin    0.35  mg/kg
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)    68  ug/kg
Vitamin A    40500  IU/kg
Vitamin C    300  mg/kg
Vitamin D    1621  IU/kg
Vitamin E    300  IU/kg
Vitamin K    270  ug/kg
ME    3846  kcal/kg
ME    393  kcal/cup

[Davis]

I believe that stands for "metabolizable energy", meaning that it is the amount of calories available to the animal after digestion is complete.  That is why it gives the kcal (calorie) count with it.

[jenny]

Yep - that is it!