The art of reading between the lines is as old as manipulated information.

Innovation is at an all time high in the dog food industry. Take something we already know about human health, diet, exercise and weight management and apply it to dogs. Ta-dah! A new product that claims it will forever change the way consumers feed their dogs. It's called Proportions by SmartPak Canine. Proportions? Are you kidding me? Say proportions 3 times! In a nutshell, SmartPak combined 3 of their existing products PortionPaks (of dry dog food), LiveSmart Hearty Stew and LiveSmart Harvest Mix into this new snazzy product called "Proportions Whole Food Program." Are you snickering yet? According to this website: "Proportions program touts itself as a healthy alternative to the conventional canine diet & works by:

1. Reducing carbohydrates and starches by feeding a reduced portion of high quality dry food;
2. Increasing healthy, natural proteins and vegetables via a “stew” portion; and
3. Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet with a “harvest mix” portion."

More from Proportions' website: "Proportions has created a convenient, easy way for anyone to feed a whole food diet.  Simply pour the 3 separate pouches of Hearty Stew, Crunchy Blend and Harvest Mix into his bowl and stir. Because of the delicious pumpkin soup, there’s no need to add water!"

Here's a snap shot from the SmartPak catalog - a "thought provoking" write up called 

"Four ways to you can build a better bowl of dog food."

1, 2, 3, 4 read more about each below

Here are SmartPak's products that make-up the Proportions Whole Food Program (though I'm not sure if the 4th product is included). We love to read labels and ask questions here at Around the Dog Bowl. 

Take a look for yourself, too!

BTW LiveSmart does not make a grain-free dog food

LiveSmart Chicken and Brown Rice Adult Formula (dry food)


"A high protein (24%) formula made with wholesome, high quality ingredients." [You can choose any dry food they sell (I think) for this component of the feeding program.]
Size: PortionPak (you specify amount per pak); 15 lb. and 30 lb. bags. Price: PortionPak prices vary;  15 lb. bag $22.95; 30 lb. bag $43.95. Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oats, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat (Naturally Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a Source of Vitamin E), Dried Eggs, Natural Flavor, Whole Ground Flaxseed, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Whole Carrots, Whole Apples, Herring Oil, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Garlic, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium longum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Lecithin, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate (source of Zinc), Iron Proteinate (source of Iron), Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate (source of Manganese), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Cobalt Proteinate (source of cobalt), Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Copper Proteinate (source of Copper), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Rosemary Extract, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide (source of iodine), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein min 24.0%; Crude Fat min 14.0%; Crude Fiber max 4.0%; Moisture max 10.0%. Calories: 408 kcal/cup.

LiveSmart Hearty Stew (wet food)

"Hand-carved, human grade white meat chicken comes in a rich pumpkin soup with carrots and peas."  Size: Small (3 oz/85 g), Medium (5.3 oz/150 g), Large (7 oz/200 g); 28 individual pouches per box. (Small replaces approximately 1/4 cup of dry kibble; Medium replaces approximately 1/2 cup and Large replaced approximately 3/4 cup.) Price: Small $24.95, Medium $39.95, Large $49.95 Ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Water, Pumpkin, Carrot, Pea, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source of Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Source of Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Source of Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein min 12.0%; Crude Fat min 1.2%; Crude Fiber max 0.5%; Moisture max 84.0%. Calories: I could not locate info on calories (kcal/cup).

LiveSmart Harvest Mix (dehydrated raw fruits & vegetables)


"Human-grade dehydrated fruit and vegetable mix includes carrots, spinach, apples, blueberries and more, as well as enzymes that aid your dog’s digestion."  
Size: 8 oz. jar or 0.5 lbs. (approximately 56 servings for dogs up to 50 lbs, 28 servings for dogs 51 lbs and over) Price: $14.95 Ingredients: Dried Carrots, Freeze Dried Broccoli, Freeze Dried Spinach, Freeze Dried Peas, Dried Apples, Freeze Dried Blueberries, Freeze Dried Bananas, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Dried Pancrelipase. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein min 14.8%; Crude Fat min 2.5%; Crude Fiber max 22.0%; Moisture max 5.0%.

LiveSmart Canine Health (all-in-one supplement)


"Contains wellness ingredients that support the health of digestive, immune, joint and other systems. Helps keep dogs in peak condition with enzymes, pre- and probiotics; omega fatty acids; bioflavonoids and other antioxidants; plus glucosamine and MSM for strong bones and healthy cartilage."  
Size: bottle of 240 tablets (26-50lbs = 4 tablets daily) Price: $37.95 Ingredients: L-Glutamine, Glucosamine HCl (shellfish) 240 mg, Linolenic Acid (Omega 3) 131 mg, Taurine, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 70 mg, Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) 31 mg, Pine Bark Extract, Fish Oil Powder supplying Eicosapentanoic Acid (EPA), and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA), N-Acetyl Cysteine, Arabinogalactan, L-Carnitine, Calcium Pantothenate (B5), Pancrelipase supplying Amylase, Protease, and Lipase, Quercetin, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Oat Beta Glucan, Ginger Root Powder, Magnesium, Curcumin Extract, Green Tea Extract (decaffeinated), Bromelain 2400 GDU, Oleic Acid (Omega 9), Alpha Lipoichylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 70 mg, Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) 31 mg, Pine Bark Extract, Fish Oil Powder supplying Eicosapentanoic Acid (EPA), and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA), N-Acetyl Cysteine, Arabinogalactan, L-Carnitine, Calcium Pantothenate (B5), Pancrelipase supplying Amylase, Protease, and Lipase, Quercetin, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Oat Beta Glucan, Ginger Root Powder, Magnesium, Curcumin Extract, Green Tea Extract (decaffeinated), Bromelain 2400 GDU, Oleic Acid (Omega 9), Alpha Lipoic Acid, Lactoferrin, PrefloratinMF Plus®(a proprietary blend of Mannanoligosaccharides, Fructooligosaccharides, L. acidophilus, and B. longum). Dried Liver (porcine), Isomalt, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stabilized Flax Seed Oil Powder. 


Bottom Line: Am I right? Clever? Anyway, informed dog owners and enthusiasts will not be fooled by this innovation. Okay, I give Proportions' website credit for having educational materials entitled "How to Read a Label" and "Good and Bad Ingredients" in their Canine Nutrition University. It is a starting point for the masses to change how they feed their dogs. Who is their target audience? I imagine people who typically buy dog food at Wal-Mart, Target or their grocery store and those who would be drawn to pretty websites like Proportions. Because of the convenience, lazy people would like it too. I could not locate a price per box of Proportions on their website - that is odd! They are providing free samples but you have to enter data about your dog and yourself.  

So...what do you think?

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